Bird's Eye View

Since Wednesday, I’ve had diarrhoea. I’ve had to explain (in an attempt at diagnosis) the colour, smell, consistency, frequency, volume and sounds it’s made! In the past, I’ve try to pee quietly, so no one would know what I was doing. So this was quite unusual to do personally, but quite normal here when self diagnosis is the only option you have, even for serious illnesses. Deductions were made; I was medicated for Amoebas, but my tummy or God didn’t want any of it, and it came right back out with the two tablespoons of rice I made myself eat that day. And so the diarrhoea continued. We were to travel back to the capital on Thursday. Wednesday was very busy with packing and people coming to greet and wish us bon voyage. Some of my friends from the church stopped by. It was nice, but difficult to stay long. One of the guys made me a little dress! It was just about at my knees, and he explained (using hand signals) that it was for sleeping in, that’s why it was so short. I did feel a ...

Health and hygiene are borne out of wealth, not ‘progress’. To be able to wash your hands properly means that you can afford soap and water. To have access to medication (even if provided free by the government) means you have enough money to travel to wherever it is being given out. The nomads know about vaccinations for their animals, but they do not use it, because it costs too much money. It costs a lot more to treat a disease outbreak though. I remember considering this ‘equation’ when I observed the ghetto people in Jamaica. If a cheap shoe that lasts 3 months costs $500 and a more expensive shoe that costs $1000 lasts the year, it would be wiser to buy the more expensive shoe now, as in a year, you really would have saved $1000. But if all you have is $500, and you need shoes now...it even takes wealth to save and become more wealthy. I have not seen toilets here. I don’t think the average man on the street even knows what one looks like and how to use it. They have little p...

“Jamiila?” he says “Na’am” I respond There are many laughs all around. “Jamiila?” he says again “Na’am” I say again... He’s just calling my name so that I will respond in his language. And it’s apparently very amusing to them. I’m called Jamiila because my real name is too difficult for them to say. (Jamiila means beautiful btw) I’ve been told that I say Na’am very well for a foreigner. Most other people will call my name, and after I respond, they’ll continue with the question or statement then one of the miss.es will translate for me, and we’ll have a conversation. But this dude didn’t care for all of that. He just wanted to hear my voice. He also wanted to make me his third wife. He gave us a sheep today. Hope he doesn’t consider that a dowry. We tied the thing on top of our van for the drive home. I gave him water when we arrived, and patted his head. He’s very tame for a sheep. We’ll eat him tomorrow for dinner. VM (22.01.10)

This week gone was quite eventful. Sunday at church was an awesome start! Never mind the language barrier. The ‘praise team’ had a different dance/jig for each song. The instruments were made, not bought. The drum set, for example, is set up like a regular drum set home, but it’s goat skin they use with metal drums (steel pan material). The cymbal was a flat piece of metal with glass bottle covers wired to it. And the sermon was in 3 languages! We’re backward in the west, bout we only know one language. Or I am. Went to the bush twice, to see two different families. It was amazing. We got to have vet meetings where we discussed different animal diseases they were experiencing. It’s my job to now figure out what the illnesses are and to come up with possible solutions. Imagine someone explaining that their animal makes a sound (then imitates the sound) and does like this (then imitates the action). Quite a hill to climb, but I’m gonna try my best. I did get some good info to work wit...

I have been in Africa for one week today. It doesn’t feel so long. Everything is so new, everything is amazing and note worthy…from the sand instead of dirt to the herd of camels, or even the babies strapped to the women’s backs while they go about their day as normal. The people are beautiful, the colours in the market just breath-taking, well, that and the heat. Lol. I spent most of the week in the capital getting registered, meeting missionaries (met some very very nice people) and buying groceries, etc for the 7hr drive to the village. The drive was considerably longer due to a combination of road work and car trouble. In Portmore, there are houses in every direction as far as the eye can see. In Chad, it’s dry and thirsty land with a few bushes scattered throughout (it’s dry season now). You can find a good bush to take a leak…and yes, I did it, and I used my left hand. Don’t ask for details. Chadians are sweet people. The Chadian Arabic is just lovely. I’m learning it slowly....

I think it's quite a fitting start to my adventure that there was a security breach on the plane...so I got to London 5 hours later than I should have! I got my bags and had a safe flight. Just another of God's blessings that's easily ignored. It's not so cold and my cousin came and met me...so all is well. I'm a tad tired, but I'll be good. :)I was in Jamaica for the new year, so I guess that's a good thing. Happy New Year! VM