Life here for most people is filled with hardships and tragedies more than you would find in the USA. Life is a struggle to survive and also to find some semblance of happiness amidst all the pain. Godfrey, Michael's younger brother (Michael is the first boda driver/friend I had here who was murdered in Feb of this year), has been coming to me periodically just to talk. His older brother Alex managed to find a low paying teaching job and is trying to save to make repairs on his mother's house. Godfrey has just finished high school a year or two ago.
Godfrey and his partner had a child about a week ago. This small frail young girl (Freela) was born with her intestines on the outside of her abdomen. Godfrey was in a panic. He has no job despite looking for months. His wife is younger than he is and has no parents. They brought her to Mulago Hospital and were told "Take her home to die, she won't make it". Godfrey did not want to take "No" for an answer and managed to get them to admit her (thanks to Fr Henry and the MOP). They were told that the baby needed to grow first before they can do an operation. Father Henry called Mulago and asked them to bill him for the hospital costs. My admiration for MOP continues to grow.
I went to visit the young distressed couple Monday of this week. Robine took me. He shared with me the reality of hospitals here in Uganda. This is a national hospital...nearly 4,000 beds or more yet there were people camped out on the lawn sleeping and eating and just waiting. Robine said that you can get admitted and not see a Doctor for days (as happened to his aunt). The reality is that you have to pay off the doctors to get seen and if you have no money, you might not get treated at all, BUT you will still be billed for your stay.
It was hard looking at the faces of these very ill and patiently waiting people..the people on the lawns were waiting and hoping to get admitted...the people lining the hallways and spilling out of the hospital rooms were patiently waiting to see a doctor. There was the same flat, hopeless expression on everyone's face. My heart was moved to pity and nearly tears. We walked into the ER to find 100's of people sitting there, again waiting...the reception door was closed. Robine said this is common and the people may have been waiting there for hours, in pain, in distress and dying...just waiting...waiting for someone to help...anyone.
Godfrey and his wife were still fully confident and hopeful that their child would survive if they just waited until she grew. They unwrapped the little bundle to show a tiny 4# frail and pale little girl. She had a cannula in her hand that had not been changed in 5 days. The bandage across her abdomen was soaked in drainage and smelled bad of infection. They had said that she had 1 IV since coming, had 2 injections of something but that they had not seen a doctor since the day they were admitted.
Her mother was holding her. I cradled her little head and looked into the small face and silently spoke to her in my head..."Freela, thank you for gracing this world and being so very brave. I know you are suffering but your life is precious and your family loves you dearly. You need to know that your presence here is vital to the mission God gave you. You are completing it well...May God wrap you in His loving arms and may his angles carry you to His bosom when your time comes and may you find more Joy than you can possibly imagine". Freela then, too weak to turn her head, turned her eyes to look at me. We held this gaze for several minutes. Then she closed her eyes to sleep.
I could see that Godfrey and his wife had no idea that their precious little bundle's life was very short. They were so hopeful. I gave them both a hug while Godfrey walked me out of the ward. I gave them some money for food (the hospital does not provide any). Godfrey asked what he should do. I told him..."Spend every second you can with your wife and your precious little girl. She will not be here long and you need to realize this. Love them both with all your heart. Just love them and be with them."
I walked away to Godfrey smiling and waving, he was still unaware that things would change soon.
I got a text from Godfrey yesterday AM about 4:30. Precious little Freela had passed into the arms of her maker on the wings of angels. Godfrey was in a panic..."What do I do sister Carol?". I told him I'd call Fr Henry and that Fr. Henry would take care of things...and indeed he did. He was there to buy the casket and do the final blessing and send the young family off to burial yesterday...in a plot next to her beloved uncle, Michael. Michael, I am sure was there to greet her and welcome her HOME.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
BEING HUMAN
I have had 2 people tell me recently that despite my illness, it was nice to see me being "HUMAN". So...I started asking myself and them what that meant. It takes a bit of guts to do this...it means you might hear things about yourself that are not pleasant (apparently, I am "bossy" and I have a "loud mouth!"). It might mean learning about your quirks and bad habits that others may see but you don't (I can't remember anyone's name; I forget things like getting the brother's pictures printed up or getting a needed item for one of the workers or batteries for one of the residents; etc etc). It might also mean learning that you have a good side that you never knew was there. You must toss aside the ego...take a chance.
I dare you to try and ask someone how they really see you. I think you may be surprised...We cannot learn about ourselves until we brush up against others. We cannot step into our full potential unless we see the full truth about ourselves. I was told this by a wise woman long ago but am learning now what she meant.
On being human....something that cannot be helped...I detest being human most of the time...I am not patient with illness...get easily frustrated when things move slow or when I get too tired to complete something. I never thought I was anything BUT human. I can only see my shortcomings and mistakes. I thought this is what being human was...I was wrong...this is only part of it.
During this illness, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I NEEDED people...I was too sick to function on my own. I needed the kindness of the sisters to bring me tea and food. I relied on Douglass, our medical officer to hang an IV drip despite the inconvenience to him to do this after work... then sit with me to just watch movies. I needed Juliette to keep me company during the day. I needed the Brothers to bring the boys in for short visits to lift my spirits. I needed Robin to run me to the Doctor, take care of my computer issues, to run errands and to make me laugh at myself when I was down. I needed all of them to hold space while I cried...yes...actually broke down and cried when I felt I was too tired to keep fighting and wanted to give up.
All of them held me in tender compassion. All of them were fully present and caring. I have never felt so broken down and helpless. THIS is what others see as being human...I needed to rely on others...this is what made me approachable...made me more real. At least this is what I was told by 2 dear friends...Douglass and Robin.
It is during these times of being most vulnerable when we show our helplessness and needs to those around us who care that we show our strength...it takes strength and courage to be vulnerable. We must not only be the needed, we must realize we need others as well.
We are then showing how HUMAN we are...that the truth is that no man is an island. I am realizing that now. I do need people...I believe God made us this way to learn that our friendships and relationships are reflections of HIS great ability to allow us to rely on Him.
I dare you to try and ask someone how they really see you. I think you may be surprised...We cannot learn about ourselves until we brush up against others. We cannot step into our full potential unless we see the full truth about ourselves. I was told this by a wise woman long ago but am learning now what she meant.
On being human....something that cannot be helped...I detest being human most of the time...I am not patient with illness...get easily frustrated when things move slow or when I get too tired to complete something. I never thought I was anything BUT human. I can only see my shortcomings and mistakes. I thought this is what being human was...I was wrong...this is only part of it.
During this illness, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I NEEDED people...I was too sick to function on my own. I needed the kindness of the sisters to bring me tea and food. I relied on Douglass, our medical officer to hang an IV drip despite the inconvenience to him to do this after work... then sit with me to just watch movies. I needed Juliette to keep me company during the day. I needed the Brothers to bring the boys in for short visits to lift my spirits. I needed Robin to run me to the Doctor, take care of my computer issues, to run errands and to make me laugh at myself when I was down. I needed all of them to hold space while I cried...yes...actually broke down and cried when I felt I was too tired to keep fighting and wanted to give up.
All of them held me in tender compassion. All of them were fully present and caring. I have never felt so broken down and helpless. THIS is what others see as being human...I needed to rely on others...this is what made me approachable...made me more real. At least this is what I was told by 2 dear friends...Douglass and Robin.
It is during these times of being most vulnerable when we show our helplessness and needs to those around us who care that we show our strength...it takes strength and courage to be vulnerable. We must not only be the needed, we must realize we need others as well.
We are then showing how HUMAN we are...that the truth is that no man is an island. I am realizing that now. I do need people...I believe God made us this way to learn that our friendships and relationships are reflections of HIS great ability to allow us to rely on Him.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
TURNS OUT IT WASN'T MALARIA AFTER ALL
I can only say this now that my Mother knows...let's just say she was NOT very happy, made this VERY clear that I didn't let her know until I was out of the woods...sorry Mom...I didn't want you to worry! Please accept this VERY PUBLIC apology....I loooovveeeee youuuuu! :)
OK....Saturday started out fine...I suppose I was feeling a bit "off" though still had plans to run and go out to lunch. Turns out I ran out of time for the run (a good thing). Following lunch, I knew I was getting sick again...felt the now familiar body aches and chill coming on. I just thought the malaria was coming back. I managed to get home, get a shower (painful), arrange my meds by my bed and climbed in set for an onset. I planned to call Christine in the morning so that I could resume hopefully the pill form of malaria treatment.
NO GO....wasn't more than 15 min after trying to lie down that suddenly couldn't breathe. I sat up, calmed myself thinking I was just upset about the illness....it calmed but then returned...I was gasping for air and starting to panic when Sister Ruth walked in. It sent her into a tizzy! Set off a whole strong of synchronistic events (which later I found out started well before I got sick) which are not short of a miracle.
LOOOONG story short...I managed to get to the ER with Fr Henry and Bro Sonny, Christine and her husband were already on their way to meet us. High fever...really high...blood tests showed infection. The MD just said probably pneumonia or pleurisy and sent me off with an antibiotic. Not much better the next day....Douglass came by and was worried. I was still struggling to breathe, running a fever again which was climbing to 102 F. He gave me a shot to bring it down (went into a sweat within 5 min) He started IV hydration and said something is wrong....He was worried that I'd go into resp distress again. Gave me a shot of IV Ceftriaxone, an inhaler and a prednisone. Still no sleep for another breathless night but I was alive the next AM. I decided I needed to get a chest X-ray and Douglass agreed.
I went to "The Surgery", a muzungu clinic with European and Western Docs. I was still wondering if all this was in my head...got a no nonsense Swede Dr by the name of Monica. She was not in a particularly good mood and chewed me a new one for going to a local Dr...said I NEVER had malaria and she was going to prove it...did a physical, the whole time muttering about the mess the local MD's made by putting me on so many different antibiotics and meds that it would take forever to figure out what was wrong.
Well...I suppose after all the testing, there was actually a very clear answer...she came to get me in the waiting room with a totally compassionate demeanor now...her response "Your labs are catastrophic! You are very sick, no wonder you feel so rotten, come let's have a look at your X-ray"
THE final diagnosis: I don't have malaria, have NOT had malaria in the last month...have been sick at least 2 months for my labs to be this "bad". What I do have is this:
* Bilateral pleural effusions (not enough for a chest tube)
* Pleurisy
* A left lung abscess
* Mod Sepsis
* Widespread inflammation
I have been on bed rest (well...chair rest...as I haven't been able to lie down for days)...watching movies. Douglass, our Medical officer, has been by every day to give me a hydration drip (last one was last night) while he, Juliette and I sat watching movies until it was finished. Last night I sent him home before the drip was done saying that I think I can disconnect it myself and remove the cannula. He looked at me funny then laughed...he said "Did you think I have been here each night waiting for the drip to finish? I know you were perfectly capable of removing it yourself the whole time. I have only been here to keep you company because you were such a pitiful dependent mess! " We all broke out laughing...
As my family and friends well know, I am not needy or dependent person in the least, but I believe this long lasting 2 month bout with illness has taken me down and made me "HUMAN" ....how I HATE being human. Through all this, Christine has been a dear dear friend by daily bringing what she knows I will eat (scrambled eggs) and making sure I was being followed up by the MD, improving and behaving (staying in bed).
It has only been through odd synchronistic events the last few days..events that the brothers have even recognized and commented on, that have kept me alive that dreadful Saturday night. I give all credit to God...I suppose whatever mission I am on, it is not yet done. I still need to be here!
PS. MOM, I PROMISE to be behave...I have orders from above it is not my time. I still have work to do.
OK....Saturday started out fine...I suppose I was feeling a bit "off" though still had plans to run and go out to lunch. Turns out I ran out of time for the run (a good thing). Following lunch, I knew I was getting sick again...felt the now familiar body aches and chill coming on. I just thought the malaria was coming back. I managed to get home, get a shower (painful), arrange my meds by my bed and climbed in set for an onset. I planned to call Christine in the morning so that I could resume hopefully the pill form of malaria treatment.
NO GO....wasn't more than 15 min after trying to lie down that suddenly couldn't breathe. I sat up, calmed myself thinking I was just upset about the illness....it calmed but then returned...I was gasping for air and starting to panic when Sister Ruth walked in. It sent her into a tizzy! Set off a whole strong of synchronistic events (which later I found out started well before I got sick) which are not short of a miracle.
LOOOONG story short...I managed to get to the ER with Fr Henry and Bro Sonny, Christine and her husband were already on their way to meet us. High fever...really high...blood tests showed infection. The MD just said probably pneumonia or pleurisy and sent me off with an antibiotic. Not much better the next day....Douglass came by and was worried. I was still struggling to breathe, running a fever again which was climbing to 102 F. He gave me a shot to bring it down (went into a sweat within 5 min) He started IV hydration and said something is wrong....He was worried that I'd go into resp distress again. Gave me a shot of IV Ceftriaxone, an inhaler and a prednisone. Still no sleep for another breathless night but I was alive the next AM. I decided I needed to get a chest X-ray and Douglass agreed.
I went to "The Surgery", a muzungu clinic with European and Western Docs. I was still wondering if all this was in my head...got a no nonsense Swede Dr by the name of Monica. She was not in a particularly good mood and chewed me a new one for going to a local Dr...said I NEVER had malaria and she was going to prove it...did a physical, the whole time muttering about the mess the local MD's made by putting me on so many different antibiotics and meds that it would take forever to figure out what was wrong.
Well...I suppose after all the testing, there was actually a very clear answer...she came to get me in the waiting room with a totally compassionate demeanor now...her response "Your labs are catastrophic! You are very sick, no wonder you feel so rotten, come let's have a look at your X-ray"
THE final diagnosis: I don't have malaria, have NOT had malaria in the last month...have been sick at least 2 months for my labs to be this "bad". What I do have is this:
* Bilateral pleural effusions (not enough for a chest tube)
* Pleurisy
* A left lung abscess
* Mod Sepsis
* Widespread inflammation
I have been on bed rest (well...chair rest...as I haven't been able to lie down for days)...watching movies. Douglass, our Medical officer, has been by every day to give me a hydration drip (last one was last night) while he, Juliette and I sat watching movies until it was finished. Last night I sent him home before the drip was done saying that I think I can disconnect it myself and remove the cannula. He looked at me funny then laughed...he said "Did you think I have been here each night waiting for the drip to finish? I know you were perfectly capable of removing it yourself the whole time. I have only been here to keep you company because you were such a pitiful dependent mess! " We all broke out laughing...
As my family and friends well know, I am not needy or dependent person in the least, but I believe this long lasting 2 month bout with illness has taken me down and made me "HUMAN" ....how I HATE being human. Through all this, Christine has been a dear dear friend by daily bringing what she knows I will eat (scrambled eggs) and making sure I was being followed up by the MD, improving and behaving (staying in bed).
It has only been through odd synchronistic events the last few days..events that the brothers have even recognized and commented on, that have kept me alive that dreadful Saturday night. I give all credit to God...I suppose whatever mission I am on, it is not yet done. I still need to be here!
PS. MOM, I PROMISE to be behave...I have orders from above it is not my time. I still have work to do.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
POST ILLNESS FLOOR AND PLAN REVIEW
I felt like things were finally coming together...the floor was in and as soon as I was well enough, I came to check it out....YES...PERFECT, BEAUTIFUL! The people who have donated for this cause can truly know that they will be creating miracles!
I immediately started on the check off list:
* Go to Kalalemwa to light a fire under their "tushies" so to speak and hammer down about my equipment not being done despite the fact the delivery date was supposed to be mid January
* Find material for curtains and have them made
* Call the carpenter to re-hang the door and cut it down to fit... in addition to starting to build the remaining equipment I needed (balance beams that can function as a long stool when put together; a versatile standing post..can't explain...you'll have to wait and see it; scooter boards, the board for the sensory swing...etc"
* Call the Mason to install the bolt for the sensory swing in addition to: fixing the leak in the sink, fix the broken tile in the bathroom, re-adjust the ramps to match the new floor height; install a grab bar by the toilet.
* Call the painter to fix the mess the tiler made on the walls when removing the door, to fix a peel in the paint, to paint around the top of the floor skirt
* Call the welder to start on the adjustable height table that can move through the doorways (idea in my head) and to start on a mat table
* Find a mirror guy to cut and install mirrors on the wall
OFF I went....I got as far as finding the curtain material and a seamstress (the shop owner's mother) in the same shop and having the curtains made THANK YOU ROBIN BUSH for donating to have the curtains made!! THEY ARE LOVELY!
...had the back room repainted (the paints never match despite buying the same color) and the skirt painted. Found and ordered the mirror and arranged delivery. Met with the welder and drew out plans for the adjustable table. I even met with Victor at Katalemwa re the equipment (not done, stuff not built to the specs I had given and stuff missing) UGH! BUT...he is the orthotist...he is the one who can come to Busega and do the splint work so the kids don't have to be carted all the way there! It was an opportunity for him and as a result, he said he would take charge of my order and personally make sure it would get done (You scratch my back, I scratch yours) Hey, works for me.
I was going along my merry way with plans in hand, appointments made and a serious drive to finish in 3 weeks time...never suspecting something was brewing...
Then....IT HIT!!!! (see next blog entry for details)
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| Brian and I standing on the new floor |
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| IT IS PERFECT! |
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| MATCHES ALL... |
I immediately started on the check off list:
* Go to Kalalemwa to light a fire under their "tushies" so to speak and hammer down about my equipment not being done despite the fact the delivery date was supposed to be mid January
* Find material for curtains and have them made
* Call the carpenter to re-hang the door and cut it down to fit... in addition to starting to build the remaining equipment I needed (balance beams that can function as a long stool when put together; a versatile standing post..can't explain...you'll have to wait and see it; scooter boards, the board for the sensory swing...etc"
* Call the Mason to install the bolt for the sensory swing in addition to: fixing the leak in the sink, fix the broken tile in the bathroom, re-adjust the ramps to match the new floor height; install a grab bar by the toilet.
* Call the painter to fix the mess the tiler made on the walls when removing the door, to fix a peel in the paint, to paint around the top of the floor skirt
* Call the welder to start on the adjustable height table that can move through the doorways (idea in my head) and to start on a mat table
* Find a mirror guy to cut and install mirrors on the wall
OFF I went....I got as far as finding the curtain material and a seamstress (the shop owner's mother) in the same shop and having the curtains made THANK YOU ROBIN BUSH for donating to have the curtains made!! THEY ARE LOVELY!
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| The only ones that had the green that matches |
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| Will work perfect! |
...had the back room repainted (the paints never match despite buying the same color) and the skirt painted. Found and ordered the mirror and arranged delivery. Met with the welder and drew out plans for the adjustable table. I even met with Victor at Katalemwa re the equipment (not done, stuff not built to the specs I had given and stuff missing) UGH! BUT...he is the orthotist...he is the one who can come to Busega and do the splint work so the kids don't have to be carted all the way there! It was an opportunity for him and as a result, he said he would take charge of my order and personally make sure it would get done (You scratch my back, I scratch yours) Hey, works for me.
I was going along my merry way with plans in hand, appointments made and a serious drive to finish in 3 weeks time...never suspecting something was brewing...
Then....IT HIT!!!! (see next blog entry for details)
Sunday, May 26, 2013
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!"
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...
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!!!
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...
Again...what a lucky person I am...this alone brought me back from the dead in less than 24 hours!
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!"
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| 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...
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| Juliette helping me set up the "movie theater" |
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| 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!!!
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| L TO R: Oscar, Brian (in the suit), Sowedi, Noah, Augustin and Sabiri in the front |
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| Douglass had all the Luganda dubber versions |
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| settling into comfort! |
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| pretty clear picture |
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| junk food fest! |
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| 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...
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| 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!
Monday, May 20, 2013
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!
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.
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.
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.
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| Sister Rose cleaning |
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| The cooks prepping a FEAST |
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| Last minute signs |
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| carrying in the decor |
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| wiping the red dust OFF the chairs |
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| The isle |
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| many helpers make light work |
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| Senior Novice, Brother Gabriel |
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| The altar |
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| Even Fr Henry is working |
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| The flowers were beautiful |
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| 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.
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| The guests are arriving |
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| The sisters |
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| The altar dancers |
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| The Bishop |
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| The Pope's representative |
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| 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.
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| Crowds gathering for the entertainment |
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| The cake cutting (Bro Antone cutting Bro Julius to his L) |
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| Bro John Reddy and a few brothers goofing with the girl dancers |
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| Henry (L) and Phillip (R) from Busega singing one of their produced songs |
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| 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.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
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.
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.
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.
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.
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| Team pictures |
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| nerves of steel |
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| Team Arsenal Brian with arms outstretched NOTE the shoes |
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| I told them to look fierce! |
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| 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.
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| Team Arsenal (seniors) with coach Douglass |
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| Team Manchester City (they won) |
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| They played ALL OUT! |
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| Love this shot! |
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| 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.
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| Douglass the defender playing with the Workers against the Brothers |
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| Nice header by one of the brothers |
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| The workers won because of the much larger cheering section! |
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| Support from above |
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| including cheering and "happy dance" during goals |
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| Up in the air, junior birdman |
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| have to get an action shot with my son Brian the defender |
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| 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.
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| Fr Raymond making memories during the award ceremony |
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| again, fireworks and cake are a MUST! |
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