Sunday, April 24, 2011

Water

22 Feb 2011 9:40pm
Time for bed again, we are all just beat, today was the sweatiest day by far!
After a delicious lunch of green pepper, onions, egg plant and tomato spaghetti. Our cook Tony just loved trying new things in the kitchen!
After lunch we all gathered-minus the dental crew and hopped in the back of the truck and headed to the villages to hand out toys and clothing that we brought. Since my neck was still hurting, I rode in the cab and held my neck and relaxed during the bumpy ride. By the end I was feeling so much better, I think the sun helped to relax me too.
The journey to the families was definitely something I will never forget! First we saw a man made water hole that the neighbors got together and dug in a slopped hill about the size of a small swimming pool. What collects is the rain water, still and extremely stagnate. It was so gross. Milky brown and has plants growing in it. So sad. We saw some children heading home from school and gave them toys, at first they were very intimidated but then started getting excited and took the toys.
Off to two more waterholes- same nasty, brown stagnant water. So of the people don't even boil it, because they don't want to waste the fuel or they just aren't educated enough to know.
We went to a house that was being built that Fred funded. The mother was in Kampala at the hospital and someone burnt her house down while she away with her children inside. He kids fled to the two close neighbors, no one go hurt. But her house was gone. So great to see Fred reaching outside to the community too!
We met the women and her children, we supplied them all with new clothes and toys. The best thing for me to see was Dennis was actually helping dress the children! :)
Than we went to the neighbors house, man and 3 children, they were very frightened as thy don't get many visitors or see white people. We left clothes there too.
We headed back by truck and from the orphanage we walked to a compound of 3 mud huts, different families but same tribe. So great to see how they really live. They had cows, chickens, and even 2 puppies!
Once we returned to the orphanage it was time for the children to show us their children's program.
Now this was amazing! All over 400 kids were in the church, they had us all sit up front and the choir was on stage and sang us 2 English songs that they honored us in, saying goodbye and thankful for coming. I can't wait to watch the video I took to listen to their words more.
Next was the best ever they did a traditional African dance for us. It was so wonderful, they sang danced, shook their hips and did what looked like a dance off. So entertaining!
After the children's programs we gave them candy to show more of our appreciation too. It was a mad house, the teachers tried to control the chaos, but at one point Dennis thought he would be trampled!
When we went back to our guest house we made some of the bead necklaces, as it was really hard to show a swarm of the kids at once. The girls passed them out and than we played Frisbee and after dinner we pulled out glow sticks. Such a great time!
I know I will miss each and everyone of them, but I will not forget about them or let them fall from my prayers!
We leave at 530am to head off to a 6 hour drive (all in Ugandan time mind you!) and make it to the boat at 2pm for a boat ride to the safari!
Oh let me update the dental clinic, Jeremy saw over 50 patients, 24 just today! He had 2 rooms going and was just amazing! Everyone involved with the dental clinic worked so hard!
I know they wanted to see more, but that is 50 people that they helped! Koodoos to them.
I almost forgot about the women's group items we got to purchase. These beautiful baskets, mats, necklaces, hats and bracelets that the women made and sold. I really wanted a basket and mat but couldn't pack. But got lots of beaded necklaces!
Trevor handing out the toys to the kids we saw by the watering holes

One of the hand made water holes

The house that Fred funded

Dennis dressing the kids that lived in the burned down house

Our guest house

Of  the mud huts from the neighboring compound

All the kids at the children's program

The choir

Dennis handing out the candy

Part of the team with our glowsticks

Glow sticks!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Pain

22 Feb 2011 5:03am
Woke up to a panic attack, excruciating pain in my neck I never felt before. Every time I tired to move my neck or head I would get a surge of pain, see red and lock up. It took me at least 20 minutes to reach my watch to check the time. 4:03am. After 3 more panic attacks my range of motion started to get better. I really don't want to wake anyone, but I still can't get up, just had another one when I tried to scratch my head. Lifting my arms in certain positions hurts really bad. I see red and just cry.
It feels like a pinch nerve but won't go away. I have been able to roll on my right side really, really slowly, but have to roll back with out turning my head. I just want to sleep it off but I can't get comfortable.

22 Feb 2011 11:20am
Around 5:30am the roosters woke up the rest of the ladies and they heard me whimpering. As wonderful as they are, they all came to my bedside to help me. I still couldn't move so Yvonne gave me 3 Advil and than Jen had bio-freeze (a topical pain reliever) that she rubbed all over my neck and shoulders it made it tingle and feel much better. But every once in awhile when she touched certain spots it was extreme pain again.
I felt horrible for keeping everyone awake to attend to me. But they were so great to me. Dennis came in and comforted me too. Yvonne gave me 1/2 a pill to calm me down. Shannon lad by my bedside to keep  me company, what a great friend.
I feel asleep for a little, but woke up to get up and stretch. It has still been hurting, I  can't fully move my neck and some times the nerve will shoot with pain that goes all the way down to my toes. But I think I'm doing better. But I'm sure my group won't agree.
Since I'm not fully mobile, I even needed help to get dressed! Thanks to Yvonne and Shannon that's what friends are for!
We split in to teams and some went to the clinic for the last day of dentistry work, some to construction for the library and the rest to finish handing out the letters to the last 4 rooms we couldn't get to yesterday.
Shannon, Dennis, Ryann and I went to the baby room first. We handed out colored pictures we did last night and silly band bracelets, which was a hit! They aer so cute!
Than we headed to the Primary 7 room, handed out letters, pens, and toothbrushes. All the children were so happy. The classes are going to write back so we can bring them back to America with us.
Than we decided to jump rope with the kids. So much fun! They knew how to jump rope and just loved it!
Now I'm relaxing and the girls are helping Tony our chef, cook lunch.
Coloring the baby classes letters the night before

Dennis handing out the colorings

Shannon and Ryann in the baby class

My proud hubby!

The primary 7 class

Little jump rope
Shannon and Jen helping Tony cook