Tuesday, November 27, 2007

And Work and Pray (and Play) Some More


Most of our household left early this morning. Christiana and I joined Dr. Hardison for rounds at 8:30 AM, which included three young women with advanced AIDS -- and, even more sadly, for a visit to Maternity where we learned that a premature baby, delivered by C-section on Saturday and in respiratory distress from birth, had died.

Christiana also saw a nine-year-old boy with severe eczema in the outpatient department; he had been suffering for eight years. We returned "home" to work on the final data entries for her de-worming program on Christiana's laptop. Now she, too, is leaving (but will return in February, TG), as I write from the cybercafe at nearby Maseno University. The afternoon rains will soon come to cool off the heat of the day and to dampen the ever-present smells of burning rubbish and human sweat.


Emmah and I will be alone at Rotary House for a few days before new visitors arrive. Meanwhile, please be aware that it may be awhile before I can get to a computer again. Please also know that when the university closes in mid-December, the cybercafe will close. My thoughts and prayers are with you and will remain with you all. They are very much here, as well. I am so thankful to be a very small participant in a very great Plan, and to witness the work of the people in Maseno. As others have said before, "Surely Nan and Gerry Hardison were hand-picked by God."

10 comments:

Lori said...

So GREAT to hear from you! And in such bring-it-to-life detail. Thank you. We had a great St. Andrew's day with bright sunshine, bagpiper, tartan-blessing and the usual over-abundance of food for brunch. We missed you and all were guessing what you might be doing right then.
Love, Lori

Anonymous said...

We are thoroughly enjoying (and praying with) your wonderful posts. What a blessing -- for you as well as those you have traveled far to know, serve and love.

The CHS Sisters at Bluestone Farm

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful writing, Dianne - and that's the editor as well as the friend - from such a beautiful soul. Keep safe.

LollyCat said...

Reading your posts is absolutely breathtaking. You words are so beautiful yet the truth they speak is overwhelmingly painful. It makes me honored to get to read your story first hand - it feels like one of the travel writing books I've been reading lately, but so much cooler because I know the 'narrator'...

I was telling someone the other day - it may have been mom - that I was quite jealous that you got to travel somewhere and are making a difference. Voluntourism was never something that interested me before - but thanks to you and what you have already shared about your journey - I do believe I'd like to experience it myself one day.

Thank you so much for sharing with us and my thoughts are with you while you are out there changing the world one person at a time.

Much Love,
Lolly

Anonymous said...

As ever ... not a moment wasted! I'm glad to see you're settling in. Thanks for allowing us to share in your experience by blogging.

Ted

Anonymous said...

So glad to be able to keep up with the wonderful work you [all] are doing there. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sr. Faith Margaret

Anonymous said...

Hi there Diane!
You make it all sound very lovely there even as they cope with so many problems. i am sure you are in your element and thoroughly immersed in ministry with your usual gusto and enthusiasm. I love your descriptions, you capture the world around you so well. Blessings,
Gay

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane,

What you've written so far is fascinating. It sounds like everyday is enlightening, fullfilling yet challenging all at the same time.

You're in our prayers

Love

Tom & Dianne

Julie said...

So glad to hear from you. Your posts are wonderful. It's great to have an inkling of what you are doing and who you are meeting. We are well, including Mom. Love, Julie

Anonymous said...

Hi Dianne,
Wow. Talk about hitting the ground running ... suits you just fine. We are all so grateful for your pursuit of this experience and are soaking up the stories. We hold you in our prayers. Deb E.