MUSLIM SURPRISE

Last week I came out of the ultrasound room and encountered a muslim woman with a head piece that had the tinest slit for the eyes. I did a double take and the people started laughing. I laughed and they all laughed the more. We had a great laughing session. i usually sit next to sister Ernesta when she sees patients. when the muslim woman came in she closed the door and took the veil off and gave me the most beautiful smile and started laughing. my sides hurt. comic relief for the day.

THE VODACOM INCIDENT

The Vodacom Incident

Today I went to the vodacom Store in Moshi, Tanzania about 1 ½  hrs from our African home.

We spent the day shopping for a few things and visited with  a sister to help her apply for an Ultrasound machine for the medical center. I stopped by the Vodacom center to get a moden for Fr Thedeus and to check on mine to see when it would expire its monthly subscription. I complained to the man who had helped us many times and was always very acomidating and helpful. I told him I appreciated his customer interaction. I proceeded to tell him how unhappy I was with the performance of the internet service of Vodacom as I described in my previous entry. He explained that this was a third world country and could not compete with America. I told him if I was the CEO I would try my best to compete. I had to show my passport to get the new modem and I presented the copy I had gotten . We shook hands and we left. Later in the afternoon I realized that  I had forgotten to get my passport copy back. We raced back to the office and got there a few minutes after 5 pm. I knocked on the locked door and a man inside waved me off signaling that the place was closed. I motioned with my finger for him to come to the door. He walked away.. I banged on the door. Another person came and motioned that they were closed. I motioned for them to come to listen. They walked away. I kept banging on the door. The security guard who had first come went to the door on the opposite side. I ran around and yelled passport many times. He walked away again. I could not believe someone could be so ignorant to not come and see what this person was banging on the door  Finally I saw a man with a Vodacom shirt on outside and asked him to tell them I wanted my passport. He mouthed the words to some woman inside and finally someone came  to the door with my passport. I asked him why someone could not come to the door and see why I  was banging on the door.  He told me I had made enough of a disturbance and had gotten what I wanted and why did’nt I just go. I was not believing someone could be so ignorant. He was overheard saying that I used bad language which was not true at all. We left laughing that Vodacome had yet again inflicted pain and aggravation true to their policy of “just give us the money and chalk it up to third country whimpering.”
 America My home Sweet Home.   

VODAPHONE MODEMS

VODAPHONE  MODEMS

I bro^ght my laptop comp^ter so that I co^ld talk to my very sweet wife who was self sacrificing eno^gh to grant me three months leave to do what the Lord  p^t on my heart to do here in Ngarenoirobi Please exc^se my keyboard I can not type a period or a letter pronounced yo^ or ewe bec^ase I was s^tpid eno^gh to try to clean Ngarenoiroibi ever present d^st off my keyboard with toothpaste I fiig^red if it can whitten teeth it can whiten my keyboard Common sense was sacrificed to logic Any way I wanted to be smart and talk to My Q^erida on Skype All I needed was the internet Little did I know what was in store for me To get the internet in Tanzania yo^ have to drive 1/12 ho^rs to Moshi Town and b^y a thing like a Flash drive that is called a modem I p^rchsed one sold by Vodacom Yo^ p^t the modem in the ^sb port of yo^r laptop and it is s^ppose to find the signal and connect yo^ to the internet The tower for the thing is abo^t two football fields from the ho^se It only works some days and every time yo^ try to get on line it tell yo^ yo^ are not connected I try to talk to Norma and even tho^gh connected it says yo are off line or yo^ modem is not responding We talk sometimes a few seconds and it c^ts o^t It is the poorest exc^se for technology I have ever ^sed I think the owners of this company are outright robbers taking the peoples money and delivering s^ch a scandol^s  ab^se of h^mane respect If I were to live here longer I wo^ld organize a law s^it against these robbers of the p^blic I have spent ho^rs wresling with the thing trying to downlod a simple application for someone I wish I cold talk to an exective of s^ch an o^trage of a larceny b^t I do^bt they have a conscience It told me it wo^ld take two and one half hors to download one application PEOPLE OF TANZANIA RISE ^P 

A LITTLE BOY

      The other day a mother came to the hospital with some other people and was carrying a four year old boy who looked asleep I was concerned and followed her into the area where the sisters discuss with the patient
After some discussion Sr Daria was asking the mother to sit the child up so that she could give some crushed pills and water The mother
shook the boy squeezed his face and shook him to try to wake him up It became obvious he was unconscious I became alarmed and noticed that his breathing was very rapid and shallow in a very short time the sisters carried him off to the ward I learned later that they had taken him to
a government hospital reporting that he had had some seizures and was given some very minimal meds and sent home where he got worse The
sisters accurately diagnosed malaria which was confirmed by lab tests
the next day they gave him anti seizure meds. and other anti malarial
weapons later in the day I went by the ward to check on him and found that he was still unconcious I feared for his life and gave the mother a pat on the shoulder to show my support for her We all agreed the case needed prayers and later that night after supper I mentioned to Fr Priscus about the case and how sad it was to see that young mother holding that 4 year old son, to big for her lap, and trying to wake him ^p He asked if they were Catholic so that he co^ld anoint him He told me very often anointing would turn people around quickly Sr Daria called back and said the family was Muslim We all prayed and the next day he woke up I stopped in to see him on the way to the ultrasound room and Sr Daria went with me and told the mother that we had all prayed
for him He was still sleeping after being up for a while but I smiled
at the Mom and went to work Two days later she came with Sister to my room and said to tell me she did not want to leave before thanking me for my prayers for her son I felt privledged to be with those who had helped a young Muslim mother who witnessed some caring Christians and the power of Jesus

ANTHRAX

Two days ago sister asked me to check antibiotic recommendations for anthrax She had seen the patient two weeks ago and had sent him to the government hospital so that he could be quarantined and reported to the authorities in his geographic area so that his family would be checked and his livestock checked. Because of the very famous case in the U.S. about the laboratory technologist who decided he wanted to wipe out the staff of a newspaper rag” in Boca Raton by sending a letter with anthrax spores in it which affected 63 people at the paper I was very concerned and interested. I had visiting me an animal research person who was very concerned about the mention of anthrax. Sister assured him later that she had handled the case properly. He told me they diagnose the animals by their rigid hair and bleeding from any body orifices. He told me that they will bury the animal and the area is restricted for forty years which is the life of the spores. They would go to check all his animals.At the original visit the man had bleeding ulceration area on his face which made an easy diagnosis. I was grateful I did not deal with the person because the incidence of infection is very high for oral and lung because of the spores. However if treated with Cipro and doxicycline the course of improvement is usually successful.

Tuesday I went to KCMC. Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Christian Medical Center to accompany Fr Thaddeus for a chest x-ray and CAT scan of the head that his doctor had ordered. We planned on leaving at 5:30 to get there early and get a first place in the line for insurance approval. We left at 5:50 that is 5:30 African time and early African time at that. We got there at 7:30 and Father read a sign that read they open at 8 am.

We were in the first of 40 seats. We saw people coming to open the place. Fr tried to approach them. They said his name would be called. 8:40 they opened for business. About 9:20. We went to get a chest x-ray that was ordered just one view.

That took an hour of waiting. No such thing as appointments. We waited another 2&1/2 hours for a CAT scan of the head. In between the non contrast views and the contrast views the manager held an impromptu department meeting with the techs about how some tribe was aggravating the doctors. The medical center was however a very impressive campus with medical school. It even had a chapel where a large group of people were praying and singing at lunchtime. There were nice garden restaurants where we finally got lunch where three of us had a full dinner for 7 dollars with drinks.

   We stopped on the way home to by some sunflower cooking oil for the Nuns. I waited in the truck while Fr Thaddeus and Madingi , the driver, went to look for a good price. I was looking across the street where a large Public bus was stopped. I saw a man arguing vehemently with the driver of the bus. He was standing outside the bus at the driver’s window. At one point he punched the driver and the driver swung at him with a short round rope. The driver then closed the window. The mean went and stood in front of the bus  and picked up a rock. Some one hit his arm and knocked it out of his arm. He then ran across the street in front of our truck, picked up a stone at least one foot in diameter and as the driver was trying to make a fast getaway, threw the rock at a large window next to a passenger seat. The window fortunately caved in in a “V”shape and did not shatter. The Bus turn around and came back to the scene. A very large crowd gathered and the man disappeared. People we standing looking. The man as well as I can tell got away with no problem. A large group of young men gathered near the truck looking across the street . I became a little uneasy and was looking to see where Fr and Madengi were. I was glad when they finally came. I said a prayer to the Holy spirit to dispel the atomshere of violence.

I decided to do my best not to travel by bus or let my loved ones do so. I am not saying that Africa is any different than US in violence. It is everywhere. Police coverage is definitely better in US. The police did come some time later. I was very grateful for the care and protection that the priests provide for me a pilgrim and stranger in a foreign land.

COMM^NITY LIVING

FRIDAY  FEB 3 2012

  

YESTERDAY I convinced Sr Alina to go walking with me. Her time was very limited so we walked very fast since I have been limited the last few days to doing my unaccompanied walking up and down the road close to the house. We came upon a road she had never been on and she decided to aventure down it. I was so surprised. I said this is whwere the people live. It was a village out of a Hollywood story. There were neat little blocks of properties with very small houses and paths with gardens and fenced yards. She recognized some parishioners and stoped to chat.It was what America has lost. It is closeness with neighbors. Groups of children came out to see the Nzugu or white man. Some women greeted her and said they had been to a house where they met for prayer. They told her she should have been there to bring more spirit. I felt like I was truly in a community that surpassed a condo community in almost every respect except for the pool.

SHOPPING EXPERIENCES

Tuesday I went to KCMC. Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Christian Medical Center to accompany Fr Thaddeus for a chest x-ray and CAT scan of the head that his doctor had ordered. We planned on leaving at 5:30 to get there early and get a first place in the line for insurance approval. We left at 5:50 that is 5:30 African time and early African time at that. We got there at 7:30 and Father read a sign that read they open at 8 am.

We were in the first of 40 seats. We saw people coming to open the place. Fr tried to approach them. They said his name would be called. 8:40 they opened for business. About 9:20. We went to get a chest x-ray that was ordered just one view.

That took an hour of waiting. No such thing as appointments. We waited another 2&1/2 hours for a CAT scan of the head. In between the non contrast views and the contrast views the manager held an impromptu department meeting with the techs about how some tribe was aggravating the doctors. The medical center was however a very impressive campus with medical school. It even had a chapel where a large group of people were praying and singing at lunchtime. There were nice garden restaurants where we finally got lunch where three of us had a full dinner for 7 dollars with drinks.

   We stopped on the way home to by some sunflower cooking oil for the Nuns. I waited in the truck while Fr Thaddeus and Madingi , the driver, went to look for a good price. I was looking across the street where a large Public bus was stopped. I saw a man arguing vehemently with the driver of the bus. He was standing outside the bus at the driver’s window. At one point he punched the driver and the driver swung at him with a short round rope. The driver then closed the window. The mean went and stood in front of the bus  and picked up a rock. Some one hit his arm and knocked it out of his arm. He then ran across the street in front of our truck, picked up a stone at least one foot in diameter and as the driver was trying to make a fast getaway, threw the rock at a large window next to a passenger seat. The window fortunately caved in in a “V”shape and did not shatter. The Bus turn around and came back to the scene. A very large crowd gathered and the man disappeared. People we standing looking. The man as well as I can tell got away with no problem. A large group of young men gathered near the truck looking across the street . I became a little uneasy and was looking to see where Fr and Madengi were. I was glad when they finally came. I said a prayer to the Holy spirit to dispel the atomshere of violence.

I decided to do my best not to travel by bus or let my loved ones do so. I am not saying that Africa is any different than US in violence. It is everywhere. Police coverage is definitely better in US. The police did come some time later. I was very grateful for the care and protection that the priests provide for me a pilgrim and stranger in a foreign land.

TYPICAL HOSPITAL PATIENTS

Today I spent the most of the morning with Sr Daria who was seeing patients and taking care of in patients one after another. Average time with patients was five to ten minutes. I thought it would be a good idea to list some of the patient problems.

Amoeba, pneumonia, paracytes, scabbies,malaria,asthma,chest pain, abdominal pain, typhoid, peptic ulcer,diahrrea X 4days possible malaria, stye in eye, pregnant women with swelling in face and limbs clubbing of fingers. Possible pre eclampsia I did an echo cardiogram to rule out congenital heart disease. I also checked the baby for confirmation of gestational age and any anomalies. I wanted to tell the mother she had a boy but Sr Daria said she may be hard toward the baby if she wanted a girl. Most of them were sent to the lab for confirmatory tests.

THE ASCENT

FR Joseph pulled up to a winding steep road off the main road. He got out to change the hubs to four wheel drive. I soon realized we were not on a road but just rutts that gave only a clue as to where we were going. The angle of ascent quickly got me thinking of geometry trying to come up with an angle to justify any injuries I could possible incur because I thought it a very real possibility. Mary Laguerre and Allison Lawton were in the rear seat. Their eyes told me they had the same realization. All holding on so hard no time to grab the rosary. This ascent did not end what we thought might be a driveway American style. We soon realized this was only the beginning of a  place of intense mountain and slope dwellers. We had plenty of time for intense prayer. After one of those eterni ties we came to what looked like an haven of level ground realatively speaking which turned out to be the house of Fr Josephs father. We soon were introduced to this man of great peace, the father of three priests. We saw his house built in 1946 of tree branches tightly weaved into a fairly tight barrier against the elements. We enjoyed  a wonderfull meal and went to sleep looking forward to the three kilometer descent down a mountain path to where the church is located for Sunday Mass. I was awaked in the middle of the night with shortness of breath due to some unknown allergy and the effects of a healing ear infection. I was pacing back and forth trying to breathe and say my rosary waiting for dawn before it finally dawned on me take my pseudofed to clear the nasal passages. I finally when back to sleep for two hours till morning. The 10,000 ft altitude had triggered a more acute reaction. I told Fr Joseph that I would feel more comfortable going back to town to Moshi. 

ARRIVAL EVENTS

January 15 2012

       I arrived after midnight of Jan. 6, my beloved grandmothers birthday. This was the very day I had planned after praying for guidance but when Fr Mark Mlay asked me to accompany Mary Laguerre who had already made her reservations I selected the same day she had made her reservations so that she would have companionship because of her young age and being her first trip. However delayed flights caused Allison Lawton and I to spend a day in Atlanta as guest of Delta Airlines to catch the same flight 24 hours later. We arrived in Kilimanjaro Airport late as well and didn’t get to Fr Joseph Israel’s house in Soweto section of Moshi town till after 1 am. The kind priest offered us food and we finally hit the sack 2:30 or so.

        The next day we toured the primary and secondary schools where Allison and Mary were going to teach and help out. I was impressed  some of the large dormitory rooms where bunk beds for 40 or so students would sleep. I appreciated the wonderful intense social life these students would enjoy under the guidance of The Nuns of Our Lady of Usumbara.

      We enjoyed the Warm welcome of The Nuns and  The Priests of Aposotolic Life Community of Priests in Santi Spiritu and being welcomed in to their Community life.

Allison and Mary were doing quick studies of the language and answering people in Swahili.

       On Sunday Fr Joseph Israel took the three of us on a trip to his parents house that none of us will ever forget I am sure.