The weather is finally cooling, we are entering the rainy season and it is a welcomed relief! We can now sleep through the night! Only downfall is trying to do laundry and getting clothes to dry, but I'm not complaining.
The other day I went to the school/orphanage where Adrian is volunteering. Every Wednesday the children meet for prayers. The children are all so beautiful. I was so touched by them. I loved watching them as they sang their little hearts out in praise to God. They even danced and played the drums. It was incredible. Music is such a big part of their heritage; it's in their blood. Today we went back to the school to play with the children. We taught them missionary tag and the hokie pokie. They taught us some games with songs and dances. It was so much fun. I'm falling in love with these kids, I wish I could just scoop them all up and take them home with me!
Unfortunately I've seen some sad things at the hospital, particularly when children and infants pass away, but I feel my testimony of the Plan of Salvation growing stronger. I remember my favorite teacher from BYU telling me, "Death is not the enemy, not being prepared is the enemy." -Dr. I. I know that I need not be sad for these little ones, I "know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God." (Alma 24:22) I am confident that God has a work for these young people to do and that their talents will be put to good use to build the kingdom of God. It is our task to become prepared, "we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God." (Moroni 9:6) I'm happy to be alive and for the opportunity to prepare myself for that day. Life is good.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Exciting Times
I've been assisting in the Operating Theater almost every day. I assist with C-sections then the surgeon, Dr. Jude, lets me stitch up the skin when he is done. It has been so awesome to learn and participate. In the hospital I have received the nickname Nangobi. It means daughter of royalty. A few days ago I was talking to a proud new father and I asked him what he would name his baby girl. He said, "Maybe you can assist me, what is your name?" I told him, Miranda. He said, "Then we shall call her Miranda." On another occasion a father asked me to help with the naming of his daughter. He told me to pick an American name. I named her Michelle after my sister.
I love the little things that make the Ugandan people so unique. Twins are common here. Once a mother has produced twins she is called Nalongo and the father is called Salongo. If the twins are girls their names are always Babiriye and Kaudha. Boy twins are always named Waiswa and Kato. The child that follows twins is always named Kiiza. I think that having twins is and honor and an accomplishment and so the names are a way of celebrating. Women and girls kneel when greeting men and elders and also when offering something. It's their way of showing respect. Men pay for their wives with a dowry that is negociated with the woman's father. I'm impressed that people here can say yes with their eyebrows and point with their lips. People always say "well done" even when I haven't done anything. If it rains at a party everyone is happy because it means blessing from God. Time has a different meaning here, everything moves at a slower pace.
We had been going to the church in Jinja but we found out that there is a closer branch in Bugembe. The building used to be an old school and it is tucked away in a neighborhood. The small sign outside as you walk in is the old church logo. Sacrament meeting was held in a covered open area. After our meetings there was a baptism. The font was a large tank in the back of the building. The service was beautiful. I'm very impressed with the missionaries and excited to witness church growth here in Africa. We've had missionary opportunities here and anticipate many more! These are exciting times!
I love the little things that make the Ugandan people so unique. Twins are common here. Once a mother has produced twins she is called Nalongo and the father is called Salongo. If the twins are girls their names are always Babiriye and Kaudha. Boy twins are always named Waiswa and Kato. The child that follows twins is always named Kiiza. I think that having twins is and honor and an accomplishment and so the names are a way of celebrating. Women and girls kneel when greeting men and elders and also when offering something. It's their way of showing respect. Men pay for their wives with a dowry that is negociated with the woman's father. I'm impressed that people here can say yes with their eyebrows and point with their lips. People always say "well done" even when I haven't done anything. If it rains at a party everyone is happy because it means blessing from God. Time has a different meaning here, everything moves at a slower pace.
We had been going to the church in Jinja but we found out that there is a closer branch in Bugembe. The building used to be an old school and it is tucked away in a neighborhood. The small sign outside as you walk in is the old church logo. Sacrament meeting was held in a covered open area. After our meetings there was a baptism. The font was a large tank in the back of the building. The service was beautiful. I'm very impressed with the missionaries and excited to witness church growth here in Africa. We've had missionary opportunities here and anticipate many more! These are exciting times!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Lessons in Mortality
A few days ago I watched a father bring in his 4 year old son to the hospital. The poor little boy was so scared. He was crying and fighting; doing anything he could so that he wouldn't be touched by anyone. I thought about how his spirit is probably about the same age as everyone else but he had not yet had physical experiences with pain or experienced feelings of being alone. He may have even heard about pain or thought about it before, but he had little experience with it. This made me think about how his experience with opposition in mortality would be vital to his eternal happiness, it would teach him to value the good and to develop the attributes he would need in order to return to live with Heavenly Father again-attributes like humility, long-suffering, compassion, faith, etc. Opposition is SO necessary in the plan of Our Father. "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so...righteousness could not be brought to pass..." (2 Nephi 2:11) Only through opposition can we truly appreciate the atonement and become purified.
The next patient that came in was an old man who had a terrible infirmity, but I could see that his time in mortality had taught him a great deal-it had probably completely changed him. He was brave and wise, "submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love..." (Mosiah 3:19) The lessons he learned from his experiences with opposition in mortality had taught him to "put off the natural man" It was a beautiful thing.
I hope that when my time in mortality is finished, I will return a changed person. I hope that I will have used my experiences with opposition as learning opportunities to help me become like my Savior.
I know The Father is mindful of each one of his children; he knows what we go through. I know that all opposition has a great purpose-To bring to pass our eternal happiness through Christ our Savior if happiness is what we choose.
*Please see also:
2 Nephi 2
D&C 58:3-4
D&C 101:4-5
D&C 122:5-9
D&C 136:31
The next patient that came in was an old man who had a terrible infirmity, but I could see that his time in mortality had taught him a great deal-it had probably completely changed him. He was brave and wise, "submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love..." (Mosiah 3:19) The lessons he learned from his experiences with opposition in mortality had taught him to "put off the natural man" It was a beautiful thing.
I hope that when my time in mortality is finished, I will return a changed person. I hope that I will have used my experiences with opposition as learning opportunities to help me become like my Savior.
I know The Father is mindful of each one of his children; he knows what we go through. I know that all opposition has a great purpose-To bring to pass our eternal happiness through Christ our Savior if happiness is what we choose.
*Please see also:
2 Nephi 2
D&C 58:3-4
D&C 101:4-5
D&C 122:5-9
D&C 136:31
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The strongest creatures on earth
The maternity ward is usually very busy. I've only been there a few days and already I have witnessed many natural births and C-sections. Yesterday morning a woman was at the hospital who had gone to a traditional doctor to deliver her baby. She delivered the baby half way but then the doctor couldn't finish and the baby died. The woman had traveled 80km to the hospital in her condition then waited for 4 hours for a doctor to come and decide what to do. At first the doctor thought it could be conjoined twins but after the C-section we found that the baby had developed a tumor on the buttocks that was about 4 times the size of the baby's head. The doctor had to push the baby's body back into the uterus to remove it through the incision. The woman's family had come to comfort her, it was a very sobering experience for us all.
African women are the strongest creatures on the earth. I've seen how they bravely face tremendous trials without complaining and then they move on with their hard lives. They inspire me to want to stop my whining and do something useful.
Here in Africa I see many poor and suffering people. I know that God has given me so much and I have to believe that it is for a purpose. Heavenly Father expects me to use my blessings and opportunities as tools to do His work otherwise it would all be for nothing-a great waste.
African women are the strongest creatures on the earth. I've seen how they bravely face tremendous trials without complaining and then they move on with their hard lives. They inspire me to want to stop my whining and do something useful.
Here in Africa I see many poor and suffering people. I know that God has given me so much and I have to believe that it is for a purpose. Heavenly Father expects me to use my blessings and opportunities as tools to do His work otherwise it would all be for nothing-a great waste.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Human Sacifice is on the Rise
Yes, according to the front page of Saturday's newspaper, human sacrifice is on the rise. Idi, my host father, told me that witch doctors and such people perform human sacrifices but they will not sacrifice circumcised men or women with their ears pierced, that is why a lot of parents pierce their baby girls' ears. I never thought that my decision to not pierce my ears would have a life threatening consequence. Maybe I ought to reconsider.
On Saturday we went with Oliva to the village to visit her family. Oliva lives with us and is the niece of Idi. We had to take a motorcycle ride for about an hour through the country to get there and let me tell you, it was beautiful! Children off the side of the road kept yelling from their huts and small homes, "muzungu!, muzungu!" They got so excited when we smiled and waved. I almost felt like I was in a parade. When we finally arrived to the village, Oliva's family gave us the warmest welcome. The children and neighbors came to see us and sing Christian songs for us. We also sang some primary songs for them. They took us to see their grandparents' grave sights and to meet many of their relatives. These people were so happy to share with us the things that mattered most to them. It made me think of how I should strive to share my life with others.
Yesterday we went to church in Jinja where we met new senior missionaries- the Shipleys from Canada. They are a great example to me of people who are willing to bravely give all of themselves in whatever capacity the Lord sees fit. I recommitted to always be willing and able.
Today in the Maternity Ward I was able to witness a C-section. Wow, that was something else!
Michael, our in-country director, told us yesterday that all of the volunteers have fainted when they get in the operating theater. I somewhat pridefully thought to myself, "I'll be fine, I have a very strong stomach." WRONG!! I was fine when we walked in a saw a man getting a cyst removed from his back and I was fine when they made the first incisions in the woman's abdomen. Without getting graphic I'll just say that somewhere along the line I started to get really light headed. I kept telling myself, "You've seen this before. You're fine. Just breathe." But by that time I was already on a track to blacking out and I couldn't stop myself or talk myself out of it, it just kept getting worse with tunnel vision, pail face and sweating . Finally I told Erin, "I'm going to faint." She led me to a seat where I was able to regain control again. If it weren't for her I probably would have blacked out. It was so amazing to see the baby when it was all over. What a miracle! I will definitely be going back to witness more. The mother was a sweet 15 year old. Before the doctor came in she was in so much pain and the only thing I could do to make her feel better at all was to fan her face. Though she didn't speak any English or understand me, she did managed a, "sank you sister" and I felt happy to be there.
Earlier today we met a woman who was carrying twins. She was in a lot of pain. We tried to make her comfortable but she didn't speak English. She just took my hand and placed it on her body where she wanted me to massage and as I did, she rubbed my arm in gratitude. I learned again that people do not always need words to have a connection or to communicate.
I love being here and getting to meet some of the warmest and most genuine people the world has to offer. I only hope I can be of service to them.
On Saturday we went with Oliva to the village to visit her family. Oliva lives with us and is the niece of Idi. We had to take a motorcycle ride for about an hour through the country to get there and let me tell you, it was beautiful! Children off the side of the road kept yelling from their huts and small homes, "muzungu!, muzungu!" They got so excited when we smiled and waved. I almost felt like I was in a parade. When we finally arrived to the village, Oliva's family gave us the warmest welcome. The children and neighbors came to see us and sing Christian songs for us. We also sang some primary songs for them. They took us to see their grandparents' grave sights and to meet many of their relatives. These people were so happy to share with us the things that mattered most to them. It made me think of how I should strive to share my life with others.
Yesterday we went to church in Jinja where we met new senior missionaries- the Shipleys from Canada. They are a great example to me of people who are willing to bravely give all of themselves in whatever capacity the Lord sees fit. I recommitted to always be willing and able.
Today in the Maternity Ward I was able to witness a C-section. Wow, that was something else!
Michael, our in-country director, told us yesterday that all of the volunteers have fainted when they get in the operating theater. I somewhat pridefully thought to myself, "I'll be fine, I have a very strong stomach." WRONG!! I was fine when we walked in a saw a man getting a cyst removed from his back and I was fine when they made the first incisions in the woman's abdomen. Without getting graphic I'll just say that somewhere along the line I started to get really light headed. I kept telling myself, "You've seen this before. You're fine. Just breathe." But by that time I was already on a track to blacking out and I couldn't stop myself or talk myself out of it, it just kept getting worse with tunnel vision, pail face and sweating . Finally I told Erin, "I'm going to faint." She led me to a seat where I was able to regain control again. If it weren't for her I probably would have blacked out. It was so amazing to see the baby when it was all over. What a miracle! I will definitely be going back to witness more. The mother was a sweet 15 year old. Before the doctor came in she was in so much pain and the only thing I could do to make her feel better at all was to fan her face. Though she didn't speak any English or understand me, she did managed a, "sank you sister" and I felt happy to be there.
Earlier today we met a woman who was carrying twins. She was in a lot of pain. We tried to make her comfortable but she didn't speak English. She just took my hand and placed it on her body where she wanted me to massage and as I did, she rubbed my arm in gratitude. I learned again that people do not always need words to have a connection or to communicate.
I love being here and getting to meet some of the warmest and most genuine people the world has to offer. I only hope I can be of service to them.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
I love Africa!
Everyday this week I have been in the Prenatal ward. We take their blood pressure and then draw blood to test for HIV. After the blood is taken, we palpate the fetus and check for the heart beat to make sure everything is okay. The husbands are encouraged to come and get their blood tested and receive health counseling but only a handful of them show up each day. I'm learning a lot from the nurses, each one has a different way of doing things. Next week I'll be helping the the Maternity Ward, I can't wait!
We play volleyball in the evenings with some local university students. They have been so kind to us and they have become our good friends. They are very smart and driven in their fields of interest and I often wonder how they will influence the future of Africa.
I'm so happy to be here, each day is a new adventure and I can't wait to see what the day will bring.
We play volleyball in the evenings with some local university students. They have been so kind to us and they have become our good friends. They are very smart and driven in their fields of interest and I often wonder how they will influence the future of Africa.
I'm so happy to be here, each day is a new adventure and I can't wait to see what the day will bring.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Greetings from "The Pearl of Africa"
I've only been in Uganda for a few days but I've experienced and learned so much. Uganda is beautiful and it's people are even more beautiful. We arrived here late because our flight to London got canceled and put with a later flight which made us miss our flight to Uganda. We didn't complain because that meant we got to stay the night in a hotel in London, I only wish we could have stayed longer! We arrived in Uganda late the next night. Michael picked us up from the airport. He is a native Ugandan who has been working for the volunteer program for 3 years. I've been so grateful for him and all of his help. We spent the night in a hotel in Entebbe because it was too late to travel to Iganga. The next morning we drove to Iganga, the streets are just buzzing with activity. We drove past Lake Victoria, through the forrest, through sugar cane plantations, through tea plantations, and over the Nile to get to Iganga. This place is truly stunning!
Our host family is so great, they have made us so welcome and comfortable. Idi and Elen are the parents of 4 children: 11 year old twin girls, 5 year old boy and 1 year old girl. Neighbor kids are over often to play and their nieces and nephew spend all there time here. Simon is a volunteer from Canada who has been here since October. He is doing microfinance in Jinja but he lives with us. He has been very helpful.
I went to church yesterday in Jinja. The members were so welcoming. I got to help in Primary, the children are sooooooo adorable. I'm excited to be working with the sister missionaries and getting to know the members.
I went to the hospital for the first time today. They have a male ward, female ward, maternity ward, prenatal ward, pediatric ward, outpatient and other clinics and laboratories. Today we palpated bellies of pregnant women to estimate the length of pregnancy, we check for Candida, edema, and anemia. I got to feel twins in one woman. The nurses are so kind, they are teaching me so much.
The official language of Uganda is English but the people in this region speak Lusoga to each other. Children learn English in school when they are 5 years old. My host family has been teaching me some words. I tried them out today and got some good reactions. I wave and say "Yambo" to the children on the street and they laugh and return "Yambo" I learned to say Wasiotia Mucano. (good morning friend) The chilren call us Muzugu (white person) and they come up to touch our skin. I love it!
We live on very little but I am comfortable and so happy here. I'm learning the African way of life and I can always find so much to be grateful for. It's going to be difficult to leave this place.
Our host family is so great, they have made us so welcome and comfortable. Idi and Elen are the parents of 4 children: 11 year old twin girls, 5 year old boy and 1 year old girl. Neighbor kids are over often to play and their nieces and nephew spend all there time here. Simon is a volunteer from Canada who has been here since October. He is doing microfinance in Jinja but he lives with us. He has been very helpful.
I went to church yesterday in Jinja. The members were so welcoming. I got to help in Primary, the children are sooooooo adorable. I'm excited to be working with the sister missionaries and getting to know the members.
I went to the hospital for the first time today. They have a male ward, female ward, maternity ward, prenatal ward, pediatric ward, outpatient and other clinics and laboratories. Today we palpated bellies of pregnant women to estimate the length of pregnancy, we check for Candida, edema, and anemia. I got to feel twins in one woman. The nurses are so kind, they are teaching me so much.
The official language of Uganda is English but the people in this region speak Lusoga to each other. Children learn English in school when they are 5 years old. My host family has been teaching me some words. I tried them out today and got some good reactions. I wave and say "Yambo" to the children on the street and they laugh and return "Yambo" I learned to say Wasiotia Mucano. (good morning friend) The chilren call us Muzugu (white person) and they come up to touch our skin. I love it!
We live on very little but I am comfortable and so happy here. I'm learning the African way of life and I can always find so much to be grateful for. It's going to be difficult to leave this place.
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