Monday, July 8, 2013
New Sweaters
Orphans receiving new school sweaters through the Mutolere Orphans Program.
Looks like they need them, doesn't it??!
Looks like they need them, doesn't it??!
Post from Teresa
Here is special blog post, from Lou and Marty's daughter Teresa about her time in Uganda with the family.
Mom thought that for the last group e-mail from this particular Ugandan adventure, it would be a fun shift in perspective to have me, Teresa, write about the month that I (along with my brother John and Carla, a friend from church who has tagged along) have had here in Mutolore.
The month has been a mix of relaxation and work. Carla and Anthony are manning the playroom at the hospital for the pediatric patients and their siblings; John accompanies Dad on his rounds at the hospital; I’ve been teaching classes at the local nursing school on the spiritual dimension of nursing. I have loved seeing what my family’s day-to-day routine looks like, after having heard many stories. Dad spends his days at the hospital, of course, Anthony does his school work and various other artistic pursuits (guitar playing, drawing, sculpting his abs), and mom puts the social into social work by heading the hospitality committee. Various people visit her throughout the day – the vegetable man, the passion fruit lady, so-and-so from down the road, this person from the hospital, that person from church, etc. The rest of us retreat when we hear a knock at the door, but mom represents Americans well with a smile, a cup of instant coffee, and friendly conversation. Sorry, America, I’d rather read Les Mis! Additionally, it is a full time job for mom to cook for a family of six (or seven or eight, since we tend to pick up various visiting medical students and whatnot). In a land where there are no shortcuts or convenience foods, much of the day is spent scrubbing, peeling, chopping, boiling, and baking.
One of our frequent and favorite pastimes here is taking long walks throughout the surrounding mountains and farms. It really is a beautiful area. Last weekend, a friend of my parents invited us to his house for afternoon coffee and tea. We all hiked there, were welcomed in by the friend’s house-helper who was expecting us, and enjoyed drinks and cookies together. After two hours or so, we left without the friend having made an appearance. It was a mildly awkward encounter (or lack thereof), but hey, we avoided pleasantries and small talk and got to be our full-Coda selves (read: slightly cynical and a tad bit snarky) without offending anyone.
All in all, it has been a fantastic month. I will say that a few days ago, I had my first “I’m ready to go home moment.” Dad was putting his shoes on before work, and when his foot felt something nestled in the front part of his boot, he reached his hand in to retrieve the object. He quickly snatched his hand out when it was bitten by a spider that had found itself a new home. He dumped the spider out, and I am not kidding you, it was the size of my hand. Okay, maybe that’s a little bit of an exaggeration…but not much! The spider was HUGE. Of course Dad had a great time reflecting on the bite: “If I lose my hand, I lose my hand. If I die, I die. It will have all been for a good cause.” Needless to say, the spider was not poisonous, Dad was fine, and it is making an easier parting for me.
Love,
Teresa
Mom thought that for the last group e-mail from this particular Ugandan adventure, it would be a fun shift in perspective to have me, Teresa, write about the month that I (along with my brother John and Carla, a friend from church who has tagged along) have had here in Mutolore.
The month has been a mix of relaxation and work. Carla and Anthony are manning the playroom at the hospital for the pediatric patients and their siblings; John accompanies Dad on his rounds at the hospital; I’ve been teaching classes at the local nursing school on the spiritual dimension of nursing. I have loved seeing what my family’s day-to-day routine looks like, after having heard many stories. Dad spends his days at the hospital, of course, Anthony does his school work and various other artistic pursuits (guitar playing, drawing, sculpting his abs), and mom puts the social into social work by heading the hospitality committee. Various people visit her throughout the day – the vegetable man, the passion fruit lady, so-and-so from down the road, this person from the hospital, that person from church, etc. The rest of us retreat when we hear a knock at the door, but mom represents Americans well with a smile, a cup of instant coffee, and friendly conversation. Sorry, America, I’d rather read Les Mis! Additionally, it is a full time job for mom to cook for a family of six (or seven or eight, since we tend to pick up various visiting medical students and whatnot). In a land where there are no shortcuts or convenience foods, much of the day is spent scrubbing, peeling, chopping, boiling, and baking.
One of our frequent and favorite pastimes here is taking long walks throughout the surrounding mountains and farms. It really is a beautiful area. Last weekend, a friend of my parents invited us to his house for afternoon coffee and tea. We all hiked there, were welcomed in by the friend’s house-helper who was expecting us, and enjoyed drinks and cookies together. After two hours or so, we left without the friend having made an appearance. It was a mildly awkward encounter (or lack thereof), but hey, we avoided pleasantries and small talk and got to be our full-Coda selves (read: slightly cynical and a tad bit snarky) without offending anyone.
All in all, it has been a fantastic month. I will say that a few days ago, I had my first “I’m ready to go home moment.” Dad was putting his shoes on before work, and when his foot felt something nestled in the front part of his boot, he reached his hand in to retrieve the object. He quickly snatched his hand out when it was bitten by a spider that had found itself a new home. He dumped the spider out, and I am not kidding you, it was the size of my hand. Okay, maybe that’s a little bit of an exaggeration…but not much! The spider was HUGE. Of course Dad had a great time reflecting on the bite: “If I lose my hand, I lose my hand. If I die, I die. It will have all been for a good cause.” Needless to say, the spider was not poisonous, Dad was fine, and it is making an easier parting for me.
Love,
Teresa
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