Week 3
Friends, I had every intention of being diligent about posting at least once a week, and writing well-thought out epistles about my life here. It isn't going to happen!
Since I have started working it seems to take a minor miracle to get anywhere near the internet, for reasons of electricity being on only every 24 hours and a limited number of places to access said internet. In addition, this new "work five days a week" thing is pretty difficult for me-- it turns out I really miss the old 12 hour shift program : ) I am TIRED! Life has pretty much been chugging alongthough, no sickness (praise the LORD) only minor side effects related to my malaria med that will hopefully clear up soon...
I spent last weekend relaxing/recovering from the busy week (I had my first MCC meeting at the end of week 2, enjoying the company of my MCC team and the benefit of some more orientation to life here--ie, we were shown where the "white people" grocery stores were so we can find things like cheese and ice cream if needed this year ; )I also continued the laundry learning process, which requires several buckets and amazing amounts of soap--and tenacity. If I didn't have assistance, let me tell you I would take days to get my clothes clean-and they wouldn't really be clean.
On Sunday I went with some of the other mazungoos (white people) that I have met at the hospital to meet this group of orphans in town. They have a brass band that is organized by the eldest of the boys, live in a garage and generally take care of themselves. I haven't gotten to hear them play yet, but I watched them play football(soccer) and in general enjoyed their company. They are trying to get NGO status at this point and are hoping that I and one of the other guys will give them a hand. Being a novice at Ugandan burocracy, this could take a serious amount of prayer. I am excited about spending more time with them and hearing them play this weekend-it sounds like they do several shows a week at various churches and other venues-- from what I hear they are fantastic. Abbey (the "director") has them practicing 3-4 hours a day, since most of them don't have money for school fees and so aren't enrolled anywhere.
Work has been typical for a first week in a very busy HIV/AIDS clinic in Uganda : ) I am very impressed with everyone I'm working with at the clinic--I couldn't even get near the nurses until today (they move to fast and have no time for talking!) I was oriented to general policies and clinic schedule on monday by Marian (who has been a counselor at the center since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began) and tuesday and wednesday were mostly spent bumbling around, helping out with vitals, weights, paperwork and patient flow where I was needed (but probably mostly getting in the way). Thursdays are study trial clinic day(patients are enrolled in a particular trial and come back for checkups and refills of their study med), so I was able to help with dispensing meds--given that every med here has a different name than I have previously known and that the meds are not what you would call "organized"- and the doctors have different abbreviations here-- I needed a lot of help! The biggest thrill though, was when I was allowed to draw blood! Nice to handle a needle again.. : ) Tomorrow is ART (antiretroviral therapy) clinic day- which judging by last friday, is the most hectic/stressful of the week. I'll probably be dispensing Septrine (DSBactrim) again, and taking BPs.
I'm not sure what I thought my work here would be like...but I'll get used to it! In a few weeks I'm going to go with a group of doctors out to a village and help with a clinic there. By then hopefully I'll have learned the equiptment and procedures a little better so I can help with IV meds and procedures. We'll see!
Thinking about the last three weeks (and it seems like it has been much longer than that) I am so thankful for God's caretaking and mercy as I have been adjusting. HE has blessed me with people supporting and encouraging me everywhere I turn. My biggest frustrations have been feeling inadequate for the tasks I have before me (which often aren't even clear) and I have been having to continually ask for humility and patience as I learn new definitions of service and what MCC calls "ministry of presence." Another MCC worker here reminded me this week that the relationships I am building with my coworkers, family and (eventually) patients, are the most important investments I am making--coming from a task oriented profession and lifestyle, it is hard to feel "unproductive"--but I am trusting that God's will will be done in this place and in this year.
Since I have started working it seems to take a minor miracle to get anywhere near the internet, for reasons of electricity being on only every 24 hours and a limited number of places to access said internet. In addition, this new "work five days a week" thing is pretty difficult for me-- it turns out I really miss the old 12 hour shift program : ) I am TIRED! Life has pretty much been chugging alongthough, no sickness (praise the LORD) only minor side effects related to my malaria med that will hopefully clear up soon...
I spent last weekend relaxing/recovering from the busy week (I had my first MCC meeting at the end of week 2, enjoying the company of my MCC team and the benefit of some more orientation to life here--ie, we were shown where the "white people" grocery stores were so we can find things like cheese and ice cream if needed this year ; )I also continued the laundry learning process, which requires several buckets and amazing amounts of soap--and tenacity. If I didn't have assistance, let me tell you I would take days to get my clothes clean-and they wouldn't really be clean.
On Sunday I went with some of the other mazungoos (white people) that I have met at the hospital to meet this group of orphans in town. They have a brass band that is organized by the eldest of the boys, live in a garage and generally take care of themselves. I haven't gotten to hear them play yet, but I watched them play football(soccer) and in general enjoyed their company. They are trying to get NGO status at this point and are hoping that I and one of the other guys will give them a hand. Being a novice at Ugandan burocracy, this could take a serious amount of prayer. I am excited about spending more time with them and hearing them play this weekend-it sounds like they do several shows a week at various churches and other venues-- from what I hear they are fantastic. Abbey (the "director") has them practicing 3-4 hours a day, since most of them don't have money for school fees and so aren't enrolled anywhere.
Work has been typical for a first week in a very busy HIV/AIDS clinic in Uganda : ) I am very impressed with everyone I'm working with at the clinic--I couldn't even get near the nurses until today (they move to fast and have no time for talking!) I was oriented to general policies and clinic schedule on monday by Marian (who has been a counselor at the center since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began) and tuesday and wednesday were mostly spent bumbling around, helping out with vitals, weights, paperwork and patient flow where I was needed (but probably mostly getting in the way). Thursdays are study trial clinic day(patients are enrolled in a particular trial and come back for checkups and refills of their study med), so I was able to help with dispensing meds--given that every med here has a different name than I have previously known and that the meds are not what you would call "organized"- and the doctors have different abbreviations here-- I needed a lot of help! The biggest thrill though, was when I was allowed to draw blood! Nice to handle a needle again.. : ) Tomorrow is ART (antiretroviral therapy) clinic day- which judging by last friday, is the most hectic/stressful of the week. I'll probably be dispensing Septrine (DSBactrim) again, and taking BPs.
I'm not sure what I thought my work here would be like...but I'll get used to it! In a few weeks I'm going to go with a group of doctors out to a village and help with a clinic there. By then hopefully I'll have learned the equiptment and procedures a little better so I can help with IV meds and procedures. We'll see!
Thinking about the last three weeks (and it seems like it has been much longer than that) I am so thankful for God's caretaking and mercy as I have been adjusting. HE has blessed me with people supporting and encouraging me everywhere I turn. My biggest frustrations have been feeling inadequate for the tasks I have before me (which often aren't even clear) and I have been having to continually ask for humility and patience as I learn new definitions of service and what MCC calls "ministry of presence." Another MCC worker here reminded me this week that the relationships I am building with my coworkers, family and (eventually) patients, are the most important investments I am making--coming from a task oriented profession and lifestyle, it is hard to feel "unproductive"--but I am trusting that God's will will be done in this place and in this year.
posted by Christi-Lynn at 5:25 PM
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