THE MAASAI

 Yesterday I had a Maasai Patient a woman who had her ear lobes sliced and stretched into long thick string like loops. The Maasai are a curiosity to all travelers because of this unique thing that the Tribe does to the Men and Women. The women wear many rows of beads that make the look like princesses. The Men dress in something like a dress and most have sandals made of cut car tires. They carry a sword on their side. The Massai are primarily cattle herders for this reason are not poor. They move around to accommodate the need for food for the cattle. This area has quite a few and they usually come to the hospital on market days combining what is often a long walk for two purposes. The Men have very fine facial qualities and good presentation of themselves. They sleep out in crude shelters they make from vegetation in the area. I see their cattle corals, which are piles of thorns trees branches that would stop anyone because the thorns are about three inches long  Fr Thedeus says they also have many wives like the Muslims. Yesterday I heard a strange sound outside in the front of the hospital. I went out and saw a Maasai woman standing near the road making this strange noise which I could see by her wiping her eyes was crying. Sister Elizabeth inquired of a Maasai Man what was the matter. Her Mother had been admitted earlier that day with some serious problem with her throat and tongue that she could not talk. When the young woman went to see her mother she was so sad seeing her like this that she came outside and became overwhelmed with sadness. I felt badly for her.

        Norma told me that you want some pictures of me in the wilds of Africa. I plan on taking some soon and they will be with a heard of goats especially for my friends at Martin Memorial who love Goat stories and in honor of Fr Benedict who is the inspiration for my mission here and who was a goat herder when a little boy. You may also see some of the sheep here that have black heads; brown fleece and thick bulbous tails that Fr Thedeus says are a most delicious delicacy. For those of the squeamish among you just remember that Jesus killed fish and cooked them after the Resurrection for His Apostles. Ff Priscus says they will do me the honor of letting me kill a goat for a meal. I told him I never have actually killed an animal. He said he would help by counseling me so that I can adjust to the real life away from MacDonald’s restaurants and Publix Meat counter.

     To Carol: Fr Priscus is trying to reach Fr Calistus about the water pump. The Nun you mention said she would write you this weekend.

      To Elena: I had sent an Email a while ago to congratulate you for receiving the Bronze Star for your last tour in Iraq but I just noticed that is was not sent. How proud can a father be? I am trying to be as strong as you in training the Nuns to do ultrasound as you were training the nurses and staff to be prepared to do trauma surgery. How successful you were. Thank you.