I am in Ndola enjoying the luxury of staying in a very modest lodge. There is electricity and running water – hallelulia. We came because I needed a rest from village life and to bring two old ladies who speak not a word of English to visit the Dr ( the only one I trust) They have enjoyed staying at the lodge and the maids have helped with interpretation. We also brought Arnold whose young brother is in hospital here.
We had a car accident on the way – a man drove right over the white line towards us. Freddy swerved hard but the car hit the back passenger door and wheel. Thank God for such a big strong car. None of us were hurt in the least but the car needs a Dr… Within minutes of the crash we were surrounded by at least 100 people swarming all over the busy highway and car- it was a bit unnerving to say the least. We had to go to the police station to write a report etc and I had to pay the policeman some money.!!
We thought at first it was just surface damage but where the other car hit the back tyre it caused damage to the bearings and axle thingy. So we limped into Ndola for 40 kms at only 20KPH and smoke periodically coming from the wheel. As I write this there is a team of men out there banging and welding things back together. Freddy dropped me off at the lodge at about 6.30pm and went to stay with his friend so he could borrow his car the next day, so there I was with no food, no money, no coffee AND no car, just like most Zambians I meet in the rural area.
The Dr confirmed my diagnosis of the two ladies. I am amazed at how God gives me correct diagnoses for the people I see. One lady weighed in at only 37.5kgs but she is ok. She had a fall and broke a rib. The other one has a cataract and we took her to the eye hospital. Arnold’s brother Kelvin who is only 19 is in a locked ward that reeks of urine, has no lights and unwashed bodies lie on simple dark blankets rather than nice clean sheets. There were many pathetic looking men there – one was crying and I was glad to leave. I prayed for Kelvin and for another man who called out, “Mother”. I spoke to the ward doctor today because the family had little information and it seems Kelvin has been smoking dope and drinking alcohol and went haywire. He was remarkably lucid this morning and I felt it was in answer to our prayer. I now have some idea how to assist the family.
I can report that at last the sewing club women are back and willing to sew again-a great outcome to a tricky situation. I am so grateful for your prayers in this. “Gods hand has turned the tide…the hand of God is raised in victory..Psalm 118. There were actually only a few who were causing the trouble. The Headman has told them he never wants them to be so mean ever again. Strangely now that it is over is when I feel like falling apart.
Having the car enables me to do home visits to the sick and I love doing this as I get to meet the whole family. I am often surprised who is related to whom. We found a dear old lady, older than me (is that possible?) who has had a stroke and her family stopped feeding her so she can die sooner!! I found her in this tiny dark hovel no bigger than most Australian toilets crying with pain and anguish, freezing cold and lying on a hard narrow bed made of bamboo sticks. I made my new hips kneel down so I could talk to her. I chatted away even though she couldn’t understand me. I stroked her face, and just loved her and held her hand. When I prayed for her I remembered the local word for God, Nzambi, and repeated that several times and was rewarded with the most beautiful smile. I rushed home and got my pillow and some panadol and some milk for her to drink. Such luxury. The family have agreed to care for her better. In Australia or NZ she would be in a hospital.
We were an ambulance again this week – a man ran to our village to ask for help as a young woman was unconscious. It was about 8.30pm almost bed time. Freddy and I hopped in the car and raced to collect her. Four people plus her 6 week old baby piled into the back seat and we set off to the nearest clinic 40 kms away. It was a bit nerve wracking driving fast on a narrow road in the dark. The generator at the clinic was broken so they began to insert a cannula into the woman’s black hand in the dark using the light from a mobile phone!! I ran and got my torch from the car and held the light for them during the procedure. The woman turned out to be Lydian, one of my precious sewing group. The nurse said she was suffering hysteria after a domestic with her husband. He was drunk… but next morning when he came to ask for travel money to go and get his wife he got a severe talking to from me!!! Rare is the Zambian man who cares for and understands his wife.
Having the car has opened up the way to befriend more people. We serve a big God and it seems His plan is bigger than what I realised. But jealousy is rife here, that and small minded back biting and trying to bring anyone down who is the tiniest bit successful. Elizabeth’s (our teacher) aunt hung herself from a tree last week because people were unkind to her, calling called her a witch. The gossip is really cruel here. Its evil even, designed to keep people poor and sick. We attended the funeral to support Eliza and met her family. She lives alone so we invited her to share our meal when she returned home. It has been an opportunity to build a friendship with her.
We have two chickens who are clucky and sitting on about twenty eggs so when we get home we will have little chickens everywhere. I am becoming a real farmer. Owen and his friend Philan built me a fence and a hedge to keep the children and goats away. The fence gives me so much pleasure. I think it represents containment to me and safety. The exposure of village life can be too much, always on show etc. Its hard to explain but yesterday one girl giggled to her friend, "I talked to a white lady"
Freddy had two black snakes visit him in one night, one by our bathroom and one in his bedroom. My sheets are black and white so you can be sure I checked every stripe with the torch before getting into bed that night!!!
I miss friends and family so much. Thank you to those who have given to our work and to those who continue to pray for me. In the hard times I remember that I am not alone but you are all with me encouraging me.
Be blessed dear friends
Durelle
No comments:
Post a Comment