October 29, 2009
This morning, despite a headache that had been lingering for some three days, I decided to get up and do some errands. Cafe Larem sounded like a great choice for breakfast, so I hopped a boda and made my way there. The cool wind against my skin helped the headache calm down a little, though I still found myself craving some cool water to swim in. Though the sun is beautiful, and the idea of basically living in a tropical paradise is nice, it does seem to get a bit old, especially when I think of the cool, crisp fall mornings in Oregon. Those ones that beg for the donning of a thick winter coat and scarf. I suppose I am not completely sad about leaving this place. Though I know that I will miss it horribly. I think, however, it is the arriving that I am more excited about, rather than the leaving. I have began to realize that if each day is seen as one more step towards finally arriving to real life, than I may never be bored again.
Iced coffee and a yogurt parfait were the prefect duo this morning. Then, couple good food with a good conversation and I felt completely full. I was able to chat with a good friend from home online and it was such an encouragement. I have never known how much of an effect ‘words from home’ have until now, but I pray I keep that close in my memory when my loved ones are away, for whatever reason.
After leaving Larem I made my way up to the hospital. I headed to the department and was greeted very enthusiastically by Atim. She lifted her hands as she waved and said “yes, Sister! You are welcome!” We greeted and I asked her how things were. She was good, but the films were still not in the department, meaning that the department was not open to receive patients. We went inside and I greeted little Angel once more as I gave Atim the things I had brought for her: a travel coffee mug for her morning porridge, filled with sweets, and a card containing pictures of her and her daughter. She let me hold Angel and we talked a little before I said my goodbye and went to visit Morris.
I proceeded up to the maternity ward where the ultrasound scanner is, so I could say my farewells. I knocked on the door, as he was in an exam, and when he answered he warmly greeted me. After waiting for him to finish the exam, he invited me into the exam room. I told him I was leaving soon and he thanked me for coming. I told him the next time I come I want to see him fully enjoying retirement and he agreed.
We left from the maternity to go see the M.S. so that I could say goodbye and thank you. W were able to walk through a newly renovated part of the hospital, which will be the new medical ward and it was beautiful! It has been funded by the Italian gov’t cooperative that has done a lot of work for Gulu Regional, and it will be such a blessing to this community. When we reached the M.S.’s office we spoke for a while about the film situation. It sounded like they will purchase some films from private suppliers in this emergency time, until the normal shipment can come. It was interesting for me to be in that sort of meeting, as I am really an outsider, being let in. A lot of this experience has been that. Me seeing what this is like, seeing what works and what doesn’t, and learning form it. It has been such a learning experience. As I told Morris, I feel like I’ve worked at both extremes (brand new, fully digital and most basic, hand dipping) and so now I feel mostly equipped to work anywhere. What a cool thing to say?!
After paying my respect to the M.S. I parted ways with Morris to go down tot he surgery ward and deliver a couple of pictures. When Charles had taken me around to the different wards I had taken a few pictures and a couple of patients I had told I’d bring pictures. So I made my way into the room they had been in, but couldn’t see them there. I went to the next room, but knew the first was the correct one. I went back in, and stepped in further, but both of the beds were empty. The one bed, closest to the window, had been where an old Mose I had radiographed was recovering from his broken hip. He had been hit by a boda and was in traction when I had taken his picture. The other bed had a man who had broken his leg in a boda accident two and half months prior. The Mose had come in during my second or third week at the hospital and as Charles later informed me, he has since passed away. Not a month after his accident, he passed. And I remember asking him how he was recovering and he told me that now he was having trouble in his stomach, but I suppose I didn’t expect it to be such a fatal thing. But I also don’t know. here, an infected toe can mean loss of the entire foot, so... I can’t imagine what a broken femur on a 70 something year old mean.s Probably not a good prognosis. I hope the same fate did not happen to the other man. He seemed much younger, but being in the hospital for two and half months probably took its toll on him.
After not finding the two patients, I headed back towards the department, as I had spoke with Charles and he was coming. I found him as he was coming in the gate and we chatted for a while. I gave him the card with pictures of his family inside and asked him to please still be at GRRH, so if I am able to return I will find him here. He said that he’d still be here in one or two years. I told him that if God allows, I’ll return in that time. And I really pray that happens. We said goodbye once more and I walked out those steel gates one more time. What an incredible blessing it has been to be at that hospital. To witness the resiliency of humanity, the compassion of strangers, the beauty of family and the pain of poverty on a people. I am forever indebted to those colleagues who patiently explained the way of life and work in Gulu to me, welcomed me in, and reminded me of what it is to really serve. I came here for five weeks and volunteered. They are serve this community every day of the work year. I came for a part of my life, this is life for them. They are they heroes, I simply was blessed to interact and somehow attempt to serve alongside them. I pray God showers down blessings on them.
As I left the hospital I got a hold of my friend Jeremy, and we decided to meet at Cafe Larem to chat for a bit. He was in the market and we convened for a conversation over a couple of Stoney’s. I love walking with him, as his experience has been so rich here and he has so much to share. We go back and forth like a couple of old friends, rabbit trailing all over the place as our conversation darts around like the bats that so often fill the evening sky in Gulu. He shared more of what his research has found, as well as some tidbits of British history. I hope to one day maybe visit him in Oxford, and learn even more form him. What an incredible life he’d lead, and he is continuing to lead. We even spoke about my unsettled spirit, and my desire to go, see and do, right now. He is a great encouragement to me, as he is over 60 years old and still going places like Gulu. We parted ways and I made my way home for a pancake lunch prepared by Alli and Jessie.
On my way I was joined by many children on their lunch breaks from school, and had fun joking with them an taking pictures that made them laugh. To hear young children laugh. There is not much more that is needed to bring joy to my heart. Regardless of nationality or race, I love it. These are beautiful and precious ones. I will miss them dearly.
After lunch the rain began again. Apparently rainy season is NOT over in Uganda. It just makes me laugh because it will be completely calm and then, almost in an instant, the rain begins and pours down. And its like you can feel it coming. You can feel it coming in, and then it pours out and everyone tries to find cover under some sort of shelter. In town, many people can be seen under gas station awnings, storefront outcroppings, and anything else that will keep the rain from hitting their heads. Luckily we only had to grab our clothes from the clothesline quickly and then we were able to be inside, and just be amazed by it all. Like many things here. I just stand amazed...
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