The Rains Have Arrived

Hi everyone

The rains have come and what a blessed relief after 8 months of dry. Rain settles the dust, clears the air and signals the planting season. Rain also fills our well which is rank and almost dry. Each day brings massive thunder and lightning storms. Frogs of all shapes and sizes jump about and often land inside. My pet frogs who live in the banana plants are pale green and as small as ants. Because my door is always open and we are close to the ground all sorts of insects come to visit.

All the houses have been re-thatched and everyone is dry except me – the person who did my house did a cheap job. Wouldn’t you know it after paying for all the thatching my house is the only one that leaks. Those who are first shall be last!

This morning my first patient arrived at 6am… then at 9am I collected 6 children from the school for treatment – mostly infected eyes and sores that won't heal. One of our very sick people that we took to hospital was diagnosed HIV positive. I phoned the Dr for his results and I cried when I heard for he has become a dear friend. Luckily Freddy advised me - I must not show any emotion or judgement as the person with HIV in Zambia has more rights than the person they may give it to. I am not even allowed to speak to his wife and advise her to get tested. If I tell anyone he can sue me. They lost a young baby this year so that was probably from Aids too. I am in a strange land. Anyway he is now on retroviral drugs and we have saved his life. He calls me his angel. This week another man has been diagnosed positive also. At the clinic we talked about having a campaign here next year with free testing. Most are terrified of being tested. Freddy has a passion for people to know their status and so he will spearhead this campaign. Here your status has to do with HIV not your social standing!!

Most people don’t have the resources to go to the Dr or hospital and just stay sick for months. My friends above have been sick for over a year. To register at the hospital for treatment costs K15,000 ($4) plus travel to Solwezi K20,000 ($5). Even these small amounts are not readily available to the families here. Even if they manage the first visit they are often they are asked to report back the following week. The Doctors only see my patients because I’m white and pay!!

A woman came last week – she has been suffering with body pain in her ribs and tiredness since the birth of her last child 6 years ago, She is also a grandmother. Intuitively I felt that her symptoms were a kind of birth control….. Although married she appears starved of affection. I loved her with all my might, held her, touched her, prayed for her, gave her simple antacids and paracetamol, placed the lovely cross I was wearing around her neck and was rewarded with the most beautiful smile, the first I’ve ever seen on her face. Not being a medic I did take her to the hospital for x-rays just to be safe. She continues to get strong and is now more active. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the poverty and lack around me and even though I am quite comfortable I long for a lovely hot shower, or to sit in a café with friends, or to eat a dinner I haven’t cooked.

We have an albino girl in our midst – school has been a constant struggle for her and her teachers because she can only see a few inches in front of her during the bright sunny days. We decided to take her to an optician and she now has prescription glasses which allow her to see the black board for the first time in her life. Her parents are overjoyed and so grateful and Thelma has a grin from ear to ear these days – she was inclined to be morose before. The headmaster at the school is also very grateful for they were struggling to meet her needs.

The vehicle has made a huge difference to the work here, visiting the sick etc . We have been visiting a different church each Sunday and been warmly welcomed. As we meet more people we have become aware of vulnerable people especially the elderly. Surprisingly there are quite a few 70yrs and over (like me) and we have been delivering mealie meal to them. I am planning to have a gathering for them closer to Christmas when Kezia and Rebecca are here to help.

The young students are coming back to the village from boarding school and we will begin a holiday coaching school to help them catch up. Many are behind in their learning. Owen is home and it was great to have him accompany us to church on Sunday. He is a member of Scripture Union at his school.

My biggest challenges have been re-connecting with the women's sewing group and coming to terms with the fact that a trusted member of the team has stolen thousands of dollars from our funds. When I confronted the man he and an elder of the church told me I wasn’t welcome here and threatened me with mob violence. There were many rumours and much gossip going around mostly from this man's family who also make up at least half of the women's group. My feelings of hurt and betrayal have overwhelmed me and made it hard to function. A few days after that confrontation he was involved in a bad car accident. His friend was killed when the car rolled about 6 times but he is safe. This issue still has to be dealt with.

I approached the headman, Jackson, and he graciously agreed to chair a meeting with the women and also to help sort out the theft issue. The women are not willing to let any new members join the club and have been quite militant in their demands. It has broken my heart because I have loved them so much and thought I was leading them to greater things… They are behaving like rebellious children and the lack of education does not help. I am waiting on God for the way forward - letting the dust settle, praying constantly. And I keep doing good deeds which balance some of the stories circulating. These challenges make other things like rats eating my food, hornets making nests in my clothes and tiredness seem very insignificant.

Asking Freddy to be my assistant was such a good move. We are slowly getting used to rural life and beginning to work as a team now. He helps in so many ways – sometimes just to have a trusted person to chat to makes a huge difference. He is a buffer between me and the people so I don’t get so wrung out. He is teaching me the Bemba language. I have so much more freedom to move among the people because he is always available to interpret.

Thank you so much for your prayers – I can feel them when its tough here. I miss friendship and people who love me. My hips are amazing and I am so grateful for the wonderful result of my op but I still can't wash my toes!!!

Much love
Durelle