We arrived safely yesterday and have had a good day of settling in and trying to get all of our medicines and supplies organzied. What an amazing experience unpacking all of these medications from Health Partners International - it's like Christmas morning! I have never been so excited to see so much antifungal cream!!! You have no idea the amount of women who are battling yeast infections here - I remember that we ran out of it over and over again last time.
We saw answers to prayer yesterday when we arrived to the airport. We were almost out of the airport when a young Customs fellow came out and told us we had to bring the bags with medicines back in. He refused to release them to us, despite our explanation that they would not be sold and that they were for free health clinics, through Urafiki Medical Centre. It wasn't until an older Customs man came out and we said the names "Igoma" and "Urafiki" that he suddenly said, "oh, Igoma! You may proceed." And boom...we were off, bags all packed pile upon pile in the back of the truck! So grateful for God's favour shown to us! Hallelujah!
We had a lovely evening of celebration and welcome from the Church leaders of this area and some of the Urafiki Clinic staff. They were very conscious of our tiredness and we were grateful for that. We ate, did introductions and then headed off to bed. I was so thrilled to see some familiar faces, including Mr. Matari and his wife, Edah. I call Mr. Matari, "Baba" Matari (which means "Father"), because he was so much like a Father to me the last time I was here. He took great care of me as I traveled through Tanzania to see my sponsored child alone. Baba would call me on my cell phone all along the journey to ensure I was safe. He put me on the first bus and instructed someone to watch over me. He is truly a special man to me and to many others. It is his internet stick that is allowing us to write to you this way too :)
I had forgotten the roving hydro losses in the area. I was lying in bed last night, under my mosquito net, sleeping with the fan blowing on me to keep cool, when it suddenly stopped. Everything was so quiet and so dark. My shower is a hoot! - the head of the shower is directly above the toilet, so it makes for funny showering and toileting experience. If I was really coordinated I could shower while ON the toilet!
Currently, we are working on pre-filling small bags with medications to make it more coordinated in the Pharmacy during Clinic days. I should return to work and do some more!
As we are able, I will try and update the blog. Photos may be sparse, due to internet challenges, but I'll fill in the blanks when I get home :)
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