First 2 weeks...

“ And we know that in all things God works for the good…" Romans 8:28

June 2--First update:

Boi Noite!!!! - Good Evening to all of you. I am sitting in the office on the farm on Monday evening still in shock that I am in Africa. It all seems so surreal and wonderful. The team started the journey last Tuesday leaving Three Hills very excited but with some anxiety regarding travel and customs. The two overnight flights left some of the more long legged team members wishing for a bed to stretch out in, but we all were able to survive the discomforts of travel. We spent an afternoon in Frankfurt in which we discovered that the train system is a little tricky to navigate and thank goodness for Jeff and Scott, as most often I thought we were going south when we were going north. Imagine where we would have ended up if I were trying to find the way to go???? Getting out into the sunshine and taking in a little taste of Germany was a fantastic break for all of us, I must say they have the best coffee and crepes I have ever tasted. After the short break, we got back on the plane on our way to Africa, most of us still in shock that we were actually going there. Johannesburg airport was a pleasant stop as we did a little shopping and enjoyed some down time. We also discovered that they had checked our luggage all the way through to Beira, which was a huge relief and answer to prayer for our team.

 

Finally we boarded a little plane (not sure the technical name here, but one of the students said it looked like a rocket ) and were on our way to Beira. At the end of the short flight, we were circling the Beira airport expecting to land and then the pilot came on and explained that they weren’t sure if the landing strip was safe so they might have to take us back to Johannesburg. Scott and I looked at each other thinking, umm what does that mean?????? Eventually after circling a few more times, we made a safe landing and stepped gladly out of the plane.

 

Walking into the airport the dread in my heart was heavy as I thought about the coming customs check that could result in lost bags, confiscated meds and supplies, or anything in between. We all said a prayer and then began the process. Its funny how often I find myself defaulting to doubting God, and how every time He remains patient with me and continually reminds me that He is in control and that my worry is wasted time. Although we were heavily questioned, we made it through the customs check without losing one bag, or one bandage. Praise God for that!!!!!! What an amazing encouragement that was for the team.

 

Even though it was the third time for me to go on the four hour drive from the airport to the camp, it never gets easy. Immediately out of the airport the poverty is shocking and its unbelievable that people live this way. As we went further out of the city, we began to see more huts, and it was surprising to see all the people on the roads, carrying water or just walking for miles to get where they needed to go. Although exhausted, the girls sat silent watching out the window, and one summed it up by saying… Suz, its just so hard to take in, I can’t believe people live like this. The amazing camp was a welcome site to our very tired team.

 

The next days were filled with unpacking, getting used to things like lighting a fire under the “water donkey” so that we could have a warm shower, different noises at night, and just taking in the beauty of Africa. We are so blessed every day by the beauty that surrounds us. It was great to see the team settle in, hear them laughing in their tents, and hear their excitement for what Africa was going to bring.

 

 

On Friday, we were asked to go to help with the Orphan food delivery program which the mission runs to help families who have no one else to help them. It was a special day for me, as we visited the little baby Marthas’ family that we were involved with last year. Although I was hit was memories of Martha’s death, I was reminded again and again of the joy that God brings through the ministries done here. We arrived at the home, and the Grandmother who cares for the children came to greet us. The two young boys – Marthas brothers were also there, and all of their health looked well. My heart broke in many ways when I saw the older boy, as his face still held the grief of a child who remembered losing both of his parents and baby sister in a matter of weeks. Initially I began to ask God why this child had to suffer so greatly, but then I was gently reminded again that God is sovereign, and that He grieves with each of these children. By the end of the visit, I saw one smile come across this precious boys face, and although his shoulders continued to carry such a heavy burden, I left that home knowing that he was resting in the arms of the One who created him and to whom he is most precious.

 

The rest of the orphan visits went well, and it was such a joy to go and see the people and how they live. Some of the homes that we went to were so far off the road that Scott and George – one of the workers - had to get out and run in front of the vehicle to make sure the path was safe. Other homes, the people had to come up to the road, because we couldn’t drive there. At times my heart leapt with fear as I would see the small toddlers sitting and trying to walk around the open fires, but this is just another opportunity for us to teach while we are here. The way of life is so different than back at home, but in many ways their system works. There were many times we were shocked at the strength of the people, strength in body, but moreso strength of spirit. They rely on each other, care for each other and their community members in ways that teach me so much, and the joy that they have always amazes me.

 

It felt so good to be back in the clinic the next day as Scott, Jeff, and I took some time to orientate to the way treatment happens here. There were many sick adults and children, the most common problems being fevers, burn wounds, and ear infections. One small girl came with what appeared to be mastoiditis, or infection of the bone behind her ear. The abscess that had formed there was causing deformity of her ear, and cheek, and her mother told us that she had problems with ear infections and this problem ever since she was a young girl. I was amazed at how very little she was in distress for what would be a very painful problem. She was smiling and although she reported pain, she seemed quite well otherwise. We were able to treat her with some antibiotics and will follow her progress although the reality is that this problem will continue due to the limited help that we can offer. It was so good to be able to take the dressing supplies and medications that we brought to try and help the people in need at the clinic, so thank you very much for the donations that we received.

 

Although we had only been in Africa a few days, the team was faced with a difficult reality when we heard that a 12 year old boy had died and the mission was asked to build a coffin for the boy and then go and deliver the body to his family. It is hard when you think about young children dying, and that it is something that happens so often here in this culture. Given the frequency though, it doesn’t change the families’ reaction, as the grief of the mother and other family members was very real. Every person is precious here, and every death is a loss. Talking with the workers that were building the coffin confirmed how hard it was for them to have to make this small box. Community is a word that I see everywhere I go here in Africa, as seen in this example of support given to this family. Compassion and caring are other words that came to mind as I watched the men carefully line the coffin with a wool blanket, knowing that they were thinking and praying for those who had experienced this loss. It was encouraging to hear of the people thank the team members involved and to share of how it helped them deal with the grief to have the help. Many times here in Africa, the people just need someone to come along side them and encourage them, just like back home, and we are happy to be available to be used by God in that way.

 

Despite the heaviness of what the first week held, we were renewed and blessed beyond measure during Sunday’s church service as we sat on small logs and listened to the people praising God with all their might. The voices of the adults and children and the passion seen in their worship was so reviving to my soul, and although I could only understand a few words, I knew that we were in the presence of God. When it was time for offering, I had tears in my eyes as I watched these people that are starving and have nothing reach into their pockets and place the money that must be so precious to them into the plate. I am sure that many of them have to choose between giving offering and feeding their children....and yet they obey God and give. I prayed that God would multiply that offering and return blessing on each one of them. Near the end of the service, it was announced that we would go and pray for the sick, and again my heart sank as over half of the church – adults and children – went forward with faith in prayer for healing. As my hand touched the fevered heads of many babies, my prayers seemed so little, but the God we pray to is mighty and the great healer, so prayer is the first thing that we should always do.

 

Monday morning as we were standing in devotions ready to head to the schools, we heard that one of the men who had worked on the farm for years had fell during the night and needed help. We took the bandages that we had, and went out to see him. When we arrived we met him lying on the mat, with an obvious right hip fracture that was causing him much pain. We did the best that we could using long sticks, blankets, and bandaging to splint his leg, transferred him into the back of the truck in a blanket and then drove to the hospital about an hour away. All the time, he kept on saying – miss Suzannah, you help me too much……

when I was sitting there thinking and praying that there HAS to be more than I can do for this man. On arriving to the hospital, we were seen and then quickly asked to leave as they were busy, so we left him there with his family to wait for the doctor. Again, walking out of the hospital was hard as all I wanted to do was help, get him more pain meds, and see if we could expedite the process. We returned a few hours later to find that he was still lying on the same bed, and that he had been x-rayed. Celestino – one of the local health care workers and I looked at the film African style by holding it up to the sun, and were able to see at least two fractures in this poor mans hip and leg. We left the hospital, our hearts heavy, wishing that there was more that we could do, but knowing that we needed to trust God’s plan for this man. We continue to pray for him.

 

The rest of the group went up to the mission school and got to take in the festivities because one a year the people here celebrate the children on what is called “Day of the Child” . As they told their stories around the fire, it was neat to hear the joy that they experienced while playing games with the children. Some of the team were able to meet the school cook who feeds 200+ children, and were amazed at his abilities. We are so fortunate to have one of the local women working with our team as an interpreter, and was made me smile today was that her name means happiness, which she displays in all that she does.

Overall, the experience has been so incredible; it is hard to even put it into words. Africa is a place where perspective and what is important in life is a daily challenge to me. Romans 8:28 rings in my mind over and over as I am reminded that God works in all things, even if we don’t understand them, we know that He is in control and at work.

 

We as a team are talking and praying about our families and friends back home so often. The knowledge that we have a such an incredible group of people supporting us gives us the strength and encouragement that we need to carry on. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for us by praying….. it is so important. Ongoing prayer requests are as follows.

-Team unity and health

-Team protection, especially for the immunization clinics coming up

-That our focus would be on Jesus and what His plan is for us here

-That distractions would be limited so that we can continue working hard and doing our best to serve.

 

Thank you just seems so little in comparison to how grateful we are for all of you!!

Take Care

Blessings!!!!

Suzanne on behalf of the Mozambique Team

 

June 14th Update

 

“We do not know how to pray as we should but the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. Romans 8:26

 

It has been over a week since I have had the chance to sit and write to all of you and as you will read below, there have been many things happening. The theme throughout all of this is that God remains faithful, and has shown our team that in many ways. Although a lot more heart ache came with this past week, so did signs of God’s joy and peace. What an awesome God we serve!

 

In the last letter, I shared with you about the dear man Fred, who has been an employee and friend of this mission for many years. We left him at the hospital with heavy hearts, and then got word 3 days later that the hospital was discharging him to come home because they needed the bed. This was shocking to us as in Canada, someone with a broken hip that badly would require surgery and then weeks of rehabilitation before being sent home, but in Africa, there are many sick, and few beds, and thus the triage continues and the sicker get the beds. We travelled to the city to get Fred, and found him laying in the same room that we had left him in with a big smile on his face. In the hospitals here, the nurses don’t do the care for the patients, the family is required to stay and make sure they get bathed and cared for, so Fred’s wife looked a little weary. Standing in the room of 8 stretchers, I was again challenged about how easily I complain at home in Canada when we have two people to a room, and sometimes how crowded that can be. Well, here, the beds were touching, and there wasn’t very much room to walk, never mind for the family.

 

While waiting for the stretcher to move Fred, we met a small boy in Fred’s room that was 10 years old, and he had broken his femur playing soccer. I am hoping to post pictures of the horrific site, but he was lying there with a steel pin through the skin covering his knee cap, which was then attached to weights and was providing skin traction for the broken femur. It made my stomach turn to see it, and having nursed for years, there is little that bothers me in that way. It was just so hard to see these kinds of things. But yet, he greeted me with a smile, and told me his name and where he went to school. What a precious child he was.

 

We assessed Fred and found that he had been given a plaster cast that went around his waist, was loose around the fracture site, and then tight all the way down to his toes. As the nurses brought the stretcher, they started communicating to Fred that he should move himself over onto the stretcher, and we stepped in. I couldn’t imagine Fred having to crawl with a broken him onto the stretcher, so the team there lifted Fred using a blanket. I was so thankful for Scott and his EMT skills in orchestrating that. Yikes. The next difficult thing was to watch the nurses run with Fred over a very uneven cement pad, and to see his frail body bouncing on the stretcher, knowing that his broken bones would be grating and causing great pain. It is often very difficult here to just stand back, but we wanted to respect the care that the hospital was offering. We loaded Fred into the back of the truck and then splinted him again for the ride home. On arriving to his hut, we unloaded him, using a make shift stretcher with the blanket and finally got him settled on a small mattress on his floor. Although we tried to make him comfortable, it was difficult given that his cast was in a difficult position, and that he was lying on the cement. I was humbled yet again, as Fred held my hand and told me that I was doing too much.

 

Over the week, Fred’s condition continued to worsen, as infection settled into his lungs. The team treated him with chest physio, positioning, trying to maintain his nutrition and fluid, and also with some antibiotics, but he continued to weaken. The daily checks have been getting harder and harder, as Fred began to no longer recognize us, and to have difficulty breathing. Scott, Jeff, and Rick we able to remove some of the cast with tools that you would never see in Canada, but they did a great job, and the relief for Fred was evident as his leg was more free. This morning we went to visit and decided that it was time to offer comfort measures, so we gave Fred something for pain. The decision to not continue treating was very difficult for me, but I knew that God was saying to us that it was time to let go of the attempts that we were making.

 

It was interesting because the community had heard of Fred’s condition and had called the local witchdoctor. She sat there watching me as I assessed Fred, and I wondered what she was thinking. Apparently, her belief which she shared with the family was that there was a curse put on Fred and that is why he was so sick. We know differently, and offered Fred and his family the truth that we know and cling to. Our God is bigger than any curse or attempts of spirits, and if God’s will was to call Fred home to be with Him, than we would be sad, but rejoice in that. Friday morning, God did just that, and Fred walked into Heaven to his awaiting rewards and I can hear his deep laughter even now. I consider my life more full and blessed having known Fred and the example and challenge he has been to me and my walk with God.

 

The heartache continued for our team this week while in the clinic. Monday is usually a busy day, but seeing the many people lined up and sick, waiting for care was hard. Some of them we learned had walked for over 7 km’s which was hard for my mind to fathom. The students were able to assess many things, from malaria, to snake bites, to bad infections. Many children with fevers, sore ears, and even a boy with what looked like a match embedded in his tympanic membrane of his ear. The team spent the entire day there, assessing until it was dark, trying to care for all of the sick.

 

We met a mother with a small child, and at first glance, I knew that the little girl was sick, but as the mother started to explain to me what was going on, my heart sank. As the layers of clothing were removed, I could see the skeleton of a very malnourished baby, and flashes came back instantly to little baby Martha that died while we were here last year. It was so striking to see this 2 month old child on the weigh scale with the 2.5 kg total. How is it possible that a child born 8 weeks ago had only gained 0.3 kg, it was like I got kicked in the stomach. The realities of Africa are often very heavy, and this small angel again was someone that we could try to help, but ultimately we needed to surrender our desire to save her to God’s will.

 

This little girl was full of spunk which was very encouraging as she would cry for a while before getting too tired, and she could cling to the students’ fingers as they changed and held her. Although she has thrush to the point of open bleeding sores on her gums, she still would try and suck on the bottle and take some milk. The team gave what care we could, and spent time teaching the mother and then let them leave. The struggle in my mind again was to ask the mother if we could take her child for a couple of weeks and set up a makeshift hospital at the camp, but that isn’t our purpose here. We are here to educate and to empower the people to care for their health, and so we prayed and then watched as the mother left with that little one in her arms, unsure of what the future held. We will continue to try and support this family and will keep you updated on this little one.

 

We arranged to meet the mother later in the week, and when we did, the situation was even worse. The little girl was in distress, very weak, not eating, and very dehydrated. The prayers that were constantly going from my mind were for wisdom, what could possibly be the best treatment plan for this little one. I am so thankful for my leadership team as the three of us were able to talk through this, and decided that we would try and do what we could despite what seemed like a hopeless battle. Getting an iv line on such a little child was only accomplished by the grace of God, and we were so thankful! The next few hours were spent giving the child a very little amount of IV fluid, and then teaching the mom how to feed her with a medicine dropper which the babe sucked vigorously…. She was just so hungry. After feeding the mom, and seeing the baby improve a bit, we took them back home. We will continue praying for this little angel, as there is always hope with God and we are clinging to the peace that comes knowing that He is in ultimate control and that His ways are perfect.

 

Another challenge but really neat God story was the weird illness that I am going to call the African fever that hit the camp this week. Thankfully only two of us got the fever and although we thought it was malaria, I am not convinced that it was. For me, the fever and headache were like nothing I have ever had before, but thankfully I was with an awesome team of nurses and EMT’s who apparently think I am a bad patient. One of the other students was hit quite a bit harder than I was, and gave us all a scare. The team and the mission family all came together in prayer, and it was amazing to see the recovery that followed. I remember trying to go over and over in my mind what it could be and then was reminded by one of the staff here, that worrying is futile, and in his words …. “don’t worry Suzanne, I have connections” as he pointed to heaven. It is so hard when people that you love are sick, and when you feel like you should be doing more. But God continues to teach us that He is all we need, and that out trust needs to be in him. We are all praising God for the healing that happened in our camp this week. I was so thankful for Lynn and Dr Reedyk, who were very helpful in trying to figure out what the best treatment plan was!

 

This past week also held the family visits for all of the team, in which they students and a leader would go and spend some time with an Africa orphan family and try to get a feel for the reality of living here. The entire group was a little skeptical going into this experience, but we all came out blessed beyond measure. The families that we visited were Grandma’s who were caring for their grandchildren whose parents had died. Imagine that for a minute, think about your 6 year old girls or boys, having both of their parents dead, and then an elderly Grandma taking them in and trying to care for them. The Aids crisis and resulting orphan crisis is so heart wrenching, but our team was so glad to be able to help where we could and find a little joy despite these circumstances. In Africa, the women and young children are responsible for all of the house duties, and to us in Canada, it doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal. But in Africa, when getting clean water means walking for a couple miles, and then reaching way down to a little spring to collect as much muddy water as you can, brings a very different picture. We met quite a few young children, who worked so hard during the day doing many things, including carrying a 20 gallon pail of water on their head a few times a day. As our team struggled to get the water jugs on top of our head, not to mention carry them, a new appreciation for clean water from the tap came. Some of the orphan families had been built homes by the mission, and others were still on the waiting list, and living in a grass hut. At one point, when I was on the floor of the hut, digging in the dirt, and searching for little grains of corn, tears just started running. It is hard to believe that people live in these conditions. It is so hard. All of the teams gave the families a soccer ball which the children loved, and quickly used to put our soccer skills to shame. Simple things like painting over dirty toes nails with nail polish brought laughter and smiles, and even tears from some of the small girls. It was such a neat experience, to get filthy dirty, to work along side these precious people and to hear their laughter and songs despite what they were surrounded with.

 

Another interesting afternoon this week sent a few of us out into the bush for a home visit. We were told that it was about 1km off the road, and so we took the truck and set off. Again, I was so thankful that we had some farm boys as leaders who could really drive, as Scott maneuvered the truck over some rough road and river beds. Finally, much longer than 1 km out, we came to the home of an elderly man who had been suffering with difficult breathing for the last three years. As he came up from the field to meet us, I could see him working so hard for each breath. After assessing him, it was clear that he was in heart failure and that there was very little that we could offer him. His entire family gathered as we assessed him and treated his as good as we could. Leaving there, I felt overwhelmed by the thought of how many more villages are there with people suffering that can’t make the walk to the clinic. In Canada, we pick up the phone, and dial 911, in Africa, they send their small children to walk for miles to get help. As we drove out of the bush I counted at least 7 other communities in which we could possible be providing health care for. The need is so great here.

 

Another activity this week that was really neat to witness was the first aid course that Jeff and Scott are teaching while they are here. Approximately 25-30 people gathered in a little church with pamphlets in hand eager to learn what they could do to help people. It was interesting for me to see that the majority of the people there were women with babies on their backs. With a little coaxing, the group became more and more involved with the scenarios that the guys were teaching them about. Watching their faces was priceless as they realized that they did remember what they had learned. The guys did a great job of teaching them many things from how to care for a head injury, making a stretcher out of corn bags and sticks, and transport of a person with a broken back. As the men and women came forward to practice, I saw the empowerment begin, and although there could be many more first aid lessons, I know that God used this class to greatly encourage the people.

 

We have been fortunate to have some down time as well, where we as a team could just spend some time laughing. We went to experience the outdoor market and found some neat treasures to bring home including a sting ray that is still in the freezer waiting to be eaten. We were able to go out for pizza as a group, which was a great time for our team to just breathe and enjoy some good food. We were able to arrange a community soccer game in which some of the tee-shirts donated became uniforms.


It was a hot afternoon, but the team joined in the fun, and played their hearts out. Even to the point of having water poured down their backs to keep heat exhaustion at bay! One of the favorite things that the team did together was an afternoon hike to a big rock overlooking the entire farm.


I was both speechless and breathless at the beauty that awaited us at the top of that little mountain. We could see for miles and miles, and it was amazing to stand in awe of God’s great creation. We enjoyed getting pictures of the team, and just hanging out there until the sun set. With a little splash of gas on the rock and some sticks, we were blessed with a camp fire which we enjoyed as the sun set. What an amazing reminder for all of us how mighty our God really is. As we were walking home through the bush in the dark night, again God’s amazing splendor was shown through the stars in the sky. I have never seen such an amazing sight, and even better was knowing that each star has been given a name. How great the Fathers love for us his children, if even the stars matter that much to him.

 

As a leader, I have been so encouraged to be able to watch the team that God has put together in action. The students have really settled in to Africa, and everyday, each of their different gifts are shining through. Some of them are incredible with the children, others are more behind the scenes and support the team through helping in the kitchen, all of them have stepped out of the comfort zone with the teaching, and we are so proud of them. It is really hard to come to Africa and see the poverty and suffering on top of trying to figure out what nursing in Africa is like, but God has not forgotten or forsaken this land or these people. We as a team feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to serve in this place. Thank you very much for your prayers for our team.

 

“All Heaven Declares the Glory of the Risen Lord!!!!”

 Blessings on you all !

 Suzanne on behalf of the Mozambique Team