Nyambatala, Day Two

September 21, 2012  10:45 p.m.

So tired...quick memories from today, our second day in Nyambatala...

• We saw 300 people today - a crazy amount of people to process in 8 hours, which was about the length of clinic time, by the time we traveled there and got all set up.
• Dallas was feeling unwell today and so the decision was made for her to stay back and rest - a good decision, because I don't know how her body would have maintained strength in the midst of today, especially with no place to rest.
• The "Cage" - Pharmacy - it really felt that way today!  We just felt closed in by those four walls and bars on the windows.  Yesterday a lizard fell on Dallas' head in the middle of the day and today a piece of wood fell on Marilyn!  The roof is termite infested and the frame is just falling away!
• Coming outside for my 5 minute break today and seeing the many, many people (well over 100) still waiting - it was overwhelming and quite emotional for me.  I fought very hard to keep from sobbing.  There are so many people to be seen, but we just can't physically do it.
• Seeing Happiness this morning at Urafiki before we left!  This is the young woman we prayed for in the clinic - the one who had had the stillbirth.  Happiness looked HAPPY today!!! She was radiant and had a beautiful smile - it was an amazing answer to prayer to see her out and about and filled with a peace and joy...all that we prayed for.  I can't wait to be able to post a photo of her for everyone to see her beautiful face!
•  The return of Vulenia - the young woman that Ellen and Sara Jane prayed for.  Again, just like Happiness, her face just lit up and she even brought some wonderful bananas for us all!  I thoroughly enjoyed breaking into one when I needed a sugar boost!
• We had a young fellow, named Meshach come help us in the Pharmacy when Edah took a break.  He had some english and is apparently studying Pharmacology.  I confess though, that I almost lost it with the poor fellow today!  I was so frustated trying to do some health teaching about how to use an inhaler.  While we thought his english was pretty good at first, we learned quickly that it was really quite limited.  I needed patience, patience, patience!!!  I so wish over and over again that I could just speak the language!
• As I mentioned, our helper was Meshach for a while and then we saw two Shadrach's!!!  All we needed was an Abendnego!
• realizing I was dehydrated when I hadn't peed all day!...and that is something for me, let me tell you!  I only wish I was like that at home!  My small bladder just wasn't filling up, I guess :) No time to pee, thereofore no time to drink!
• Finally peeing at the end of the day  - it was pitch black and Sara and I trekked out to the "choo" (toilet).  She had her light on for me but then I realized I wasn't alone in the decrepid choo!  I remember saying, "Sarah, can you turn your light off so that I don't have to see what else is in here with me!!"  
• Sara Jane, entertaining the young guys with her Michael Jackson impersonations!  I wish I could have seen that!
• The young woman that came in with the enlarged liver and ulcers.  Query HIV? We arranged for her to  be admitted to Urafiki for further follow up.  She just looked anemic and so, so very weak.  She was not a well woman.
• Traveling along the "back roads" (as we would say in Canada) to and from Nyambatala.  It is a beautiful drive through the countryside, surrounded by massive rocks and earth and people!..people always, walking along the road, herding cattle, carrying water, carrying a whole variety of things up on their heads (the women are the ones doing this - not sure why men don't do it too!!).  There was also a bridge on the road that was pretty freaky.  On the way to the clinic, Marilyn instructed our driver to please slow down!...probably wise.  We have no seat belts in these vehicles and roaring down some rough African roads isn't always the best thing.
• Finishing our Clinic Day by headlamp in the Pharmacy.  The sun was on its way down and eventually completely descended when we finished.  We each broke out our lights and we even put an extra one on Kimath, one of the Urafiki Nurses with us!  She thought it was quite entertaining :)

Time to sleep...