MALARIA??? ARE YOU SERIOUS??!!!!

OK... I know I have been burning the candle at both ends but seriously...Malaria???
I was finishing work last Monday when I realized that I was getting sick...again...headache, achy body, cough and stomach ache. NOW the fatigue I had been experiencing all week was starting to make sense. I just thought it was my ear infection coming back a 3rd time...it was....in addition to a stomach parasite infection as well as malaria. (I didn't know this yet)

Juliette, a volunteer from Columbia was having the same symptoms I was except I didn't have the runs....yet. I prepped for a 24 hour bug but whatever set in grabbed hold and took my body for a joy ride. I knew I was running a fever, but had no idea how high...all I knew was that my whole body hurt...even my fingernails and eyelashes...and it was BAD!

NOTHING stopped it...the fevers came and went. Douglass the MO called to check on me. He advised me to get a malaria and Typhoid test. I "Peshawed" him off but then thought about the kids. I called Christine to come and do the tests for me. I couldn't get out of bed to get there....this should have been a sign. She came by and tsked me. My fevers at the low end were 102F and at the high end closer to 104. Well...at least I knew why I was moaning.

HOW does one get malaria when on regular treatment??? Still I refused to go in when I found out. Her husband the MD called and Boofed me. He then lied saying Christine will come get me for 1 IV and then bring me back....he knew I would be staying. Off I went and off I stayed for 3 days stuck to a rotating cocktail IV of Quinine and Flagyl (that is after a basic hydrating drip)...I still didn't pee until after the 5th IV. The hallucinations were pretty good though...in one of them, I was one of the disciples going off only "carrying my shoes and cloak on my back" then it went back to the regular blood and guts pictures...scary thing was, I didn't notice this until I got better!

By day 3 of quinine, I couldn't hear a thing as my ears were ringing...I was so full of antibiotics, and other meds that I was trying to fake being well enough to go home. I still couldn't eat. Christine was coming to assess me that morning, so I managed to sponge bathe and finger combed my hair...I had no comb or mirror so I remember taking a picture to see if I looked presentable....ya...I thought this one looked "just fine!"

Sad thing is, I thought I looked "normal" 

I don't think I pulled one over on Christine, but I was able to get out of bed and walk (for 5 min). She relented, I went home... I seemed to improve rapidly so made a plan to have a movie night for the boys the next day (with Fr Henry's permission of course)...I knew I would hit the ground running...

Juliette helping me set up the "movie theater" 

the boys arrive with the Brothers 

Movie night was a BLAST! This was my group of helpers that I adore. I made a makeshift theatre in the monastery conference room, ordered popcorn (which Douglass picked up), sent Robin out for soda and junk food. They arrived with the brothers in the afternoon and we managed 5 movies. It was getting to be supper time when Fr Henry came in to greet the boys. He invited them to stay overnight with the brothers...THIS WAS HUGE!!!

L TO R: Oscar, Brian (in the suit), Sowedi, Noah, Augustin and Sabiri in the front

Douglass had all the Luganda dubber versions

settling into comfort! 

pretty clear picture 

junk food fest! 

AHHH this is the LIFE! 

They were ecstatic! We were able to watch movies until 11 PM! They did manage supper despite a day's diet of soda, pringles, popcorn, cookies, snickers and nuts. YA....you just gotta do that when you are a kid!!! They were all well behaved and have been talking about it ever since...

Sowedi playing with the camera
at least I am upright

Again...what a lucky person I am...this alone brought me back from the dead in less than 24 hours!

THE PROFESSION

One of the biggest events that are held here are when Senior Novices move up to professed Brothers. This time there were 3...Brother Julius, Brother Antone and Brother Festus (my dear friend). They again go all out for this but cannot do so without the help and donations from the community. The celebration is akin to a HUGE wedding feast. I have to say, once again, I have never seen a bunch of men decorate the entire place so beautifully!

Sister Rose cleaning 

The cooks prepping a FEAST

Last minute signs 

carrying in the decor

wiping the red dust OFF the chairs 

The isle

many helpers make light work 

Senior Novice, Brother Gabriel 

The altar

Even Fr Henry is working 

The flowers were beautiful 

Carrying the sacred items out to the altar

The whole community is invited not only for the profession, but for the feast following as well. The Bishop, the Pope's representative (I forgot the exact title), the local priests in the area and of course Fr Henry and Fr Raymond all preside over Mass.

The guests are arriving 

The sisters 

The altar dancers 

The Bishop 

The Pope's representative 

Br Festus and his family 

Following Mass is the feast and then the celebration. The celebration is HUGE...dancing from the kids, from local dancers, musicians and comedians, skits and we can't forget cake!!!! Many speeches, lots of hugging, lots of smiling. Families are present to witness such a great event.

Crowds gathering for the entertainment

The cake cutting (Bro Antone cutting
Bro Julius to his L)

Bro John Reddy and a few brothers goofing
with the girl dancers

Henry (L) and Phillip (R) from Busega
singing one of their produced songs

Nurse Christine (teaches the brothers nursing) and I with Bro Festus
She is soon to save my life 

I was exhausted afterwards, I can't imagine how the newly professed Brothers felt! I was glad to have been there to experience this and I will continue to pray for my 3 dear friends who are now officially "Blue Shirts.

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS!

We now move right into the championship football league for Busega that Fr Raymond sponsored. He made it a huge event, getting uniforms for the kids, trophies, prizes and of course a DJ! There was a food feast to go along with this. He went ALL OUT! He told me he didn't want the boys to miss out on fun boyhood things. He wanted them to feel they were part of a family and get to enjoy their childhood.

Team pictures 

nerves of steel 

Team Arsenal
Brian with arms outstretched
NOTE the shoes

I told them to look fierce!

They are all very serious

He certainly made this work. Everyone from the kids, including the disabled children and workers had great fun! Everyone had a team they cheered for and the boys all got their team pictures taken. They were all serious and nervous before the matches.

Team Arsenal (seniors) with coach Douglass

Team Manchester City (they won) 

They played ALL OUT!

Love this shot!

If I was only a little more to the left...RATS

There was even an award ceremony a few days later with cake and fireworks. Several of the boys entertained with their music and dance and friends of Busega were invited to join in on the celebration. Three of the Brothers had their profession that same weekend and family members came in from Kenya. They also joined us at Busega.

Douglass the defender playing with the Workers
against the Brothers 

Nice header by one of the brothers

The workers won because of the much larger cheering section! 

Support from above

including cheering and "happy dance" during goals 

Up in the air, junior birdman

 have to get an action shot with my son Brian the defender

They play all out in bare feet, mismatched slippers and mismatched shoes

I LOVE the fact they celebrate life and make good memories for the boys here. These moments are going to make them know that they are truly cared for and loved.

Fr Raymond making memories during the award ceremony 

again, fireworks and cake are a MUST!