Random thoughts, insights and happenings from the dental clinic and house #G7, ELWA compound, Monrovia, Liberia

My faithful dog has shown his true colours.  A female dog named Princess from 2 houses over is in heat and suddenly I am no longer the best thing since Kibbles n’ Bits.  He showed up for about a minute today but then HAD to run off again before he even got a chance to eat.  This too shall pass.

We had a lovely birthday party brunch for Rahel Schutte at my house this past Saturday. My stove’s propane tank was empty (yikes) but thanks to the electric frying pan and an electric hotplate we were still able to make crepes and French toast. A lot of fun!

A 10 lb. Bag of potatoes costs $13.00 but, oh, so worth it.

The seas have been very rough with high tides this past week causing a lot of trash to wash up on the beach each day. A young guy named Immanuel Blackie cleans the beach in front of my house every day so my part is cleaner than the rest.  Immanuel kept hanging around my house asking for work and sometimes getting in the way as he tried to help with whatever was happening. I finally told him if he’d keep the beach clean I’d pay him $20.00 a month.  He has taken this job very seriously. 

If you buy eggs in the store here you have to wash them before you can use them.  They still have “organic matter” all over them, straight from the chicken!

I now have security lights outside my house all night long, even when the campus generator is off.  Before, everything was nicely lit up until 12 midnight and then my house was plunged into darkness just like all the other houses on campus.  When would you come out if you were the rogue?  Now two 12v. batteries charge up while the power is on.  My outside lights are wired to this inverter so when the main power source goes of these lights keep shining.  The security guards from the houses around me are most grateful as it makes their job so much easier.  I also sleep better knowing the rogues no longer can hide so easily around my place.

I’m having problems with the air compressor at the clinic.  The air hose from motor to the tank cracked causing the compressor to run continually.  A replacement hose of the same size has not yet been found and our “mickey mouse” fix-up is not too dependable.  Do I look for a new compressor (reasonably easy to find) to the tune of $200-$300 or do I spend my days off stomping all over Monrovia looking for the right hose?  I sure wish I had a competent maintenance person who could do this kind of stuff for me.

For the past 5 weeks I have been struggling with a growing pain in my right foot.  I’m beginning to think I am dealing with a stress fracture.  The past 2 days I have had to be driven to and from the clinic.  Not sure how to deal with it. 

I’ve had problems with mice and cockroaches.  Some sticky, gooey stuff took care of one mouse, who was still “shrieking’ as I threw him/her outside, hopelessly stuck to the cardboard.  There still seems to be one who is too smart to fall for the ‘sticky, gooey’ trick.  My cat is either immune to mice or can’t stand the taste of them, I don’t know.  The cockroaches are another story.  Captain Schutte had given me a real potent gel that worked on the ship. It seemed to have worked.  However, this last Saturday night, as I was washing dishes, a huge roach climbed out from behind the cupboard.  I flicked him off onto the floor and then smashed him with a flip-flop.  No sooner had I swept him up when several more of varying sizes appeared from the same place and then even more.  It was an invasion!  I freaked, smashing them with my bare hands.  It was like a horror movie!  There was no time or space for flip-flops.  When I swept them up the dustpan had over 13 cockroach carcasses in it!  (Maybe they were trying to migrate, to get away from the horrible gel that was decimating their numbers)

Mr. Fuchs, (the fickle dog) has just shown up.  I think a bigger dog has put him in his place and he has come home to lick his wounds, literally.  He was “dog tired” too, falling asleep immediately.  He needed to learn his place, for his own good.

Some things I find myself pondering are serious and need further pondering.  In those I need God’s understanding and enlightenment.  Other things I’ll just have to wait for the answers, as they are not so important, just wandering around in my thoughts.  Two things I question, no three; Why is God still making wisdom teeth, why did He think cockroaches were necessary and…why hyenas?

Steal the dog!

Mr. Fuchs, my trusty dog, had been sleeping under my bedroom window.  If something/someone woke him he'd bark, I'd get up, open my window and call out so anyone out there knows I'm awake and watchful.

A few nights ago Mr. Fuchs was especially noisy so I knew something was up.  At 2:30 a.m. I turned on my head lamp and read rather than being re-awoken many times over.  Fuchs had been quiet for some time so I thought "someone" had left.  Suddenly Fuchs yelped as though startled out of sleep and I heard a human grunt.  After calling security (who has to then come on foot about 1/2 mile) I screwed up the courage to open the back door to see if Fuchs was still even out there.  He was right by the door and SHOt inside , shaking and whimpering.  His neck was all wet with something.  He stayed inside the rest of the night and now sleeps inside every night. 

I had tried to get him inside numerous times earlier as there is a thing here where rogues lace some meat with snuff (tabacco) which the dog ingests, then becomes too weak to do anything.  They can then proceed to rob and pillage without a dog "humbugging" them.  I did not want to lose Fuchs this way so wanted him inside where he could bark at intruders just as well and much more safely.  Since this episode Fuchs is happy to come inside each night, lays down on the mat I have convinced him he must stay on and is ready to go out again at daybreak.  We are both happier and sleeping much better.

I have just heard there is a dental team coming out to help in late Oct.  Their times are exactly the same as another team that wants to come at that time!  When it rains it pours.  Seeing i do not wish to discourage anyone from coming i am going to swing it somehow.  One team will work here at ELWA and the other will go out to the interior where we have a hospital ready to accommodate them. Pray with me as I make all the arrangements. This is an opportunity I CAN'T  miss. 

Did you know it is possible to phone me?  You just dial 01 231 5 663 163.  You'd have to make arrangements at the bank first (just kidding) but it is not the cheapest call.  Just in case you wanted to know.  Not sure what happened with the font here but it won't change to the nicer one.  Sorry.

Time to run.  Write me,

frieda

washing machines and mixers

How to make a missionary smile;

Kitchen Aid mixers and washing machines; the one was a straight out gift, the other a gift by a more circuitous route.  Now, to explain.

When serving as a missionary, everything we own, receive, purchase or make is either straight out or indirectly, a gift.  We are able to do what we do purely because others believe in what we do and are generous enough to give to keep us out here.  Payday is a thing of the past and every time I request for and receive cash from our mission cashier I am aware of the sacrifice made so that I am able to do so.

Recently I was being given a tour on the African Mercy, the new Mercy Ship docked here in Monrovia.  As I was shown through the lovely 6-unit mini-galley in which the crew can do their own cooking or baking should they wish to, I admired the beautiful Kitchen Aid mixers at each station.  Someone had donated these for the crew to use and I was floored by the generosity this gift which was beyond merely practical but, oh so wonderful.  I remarked that I had never had one but that most of my sisters and nieces had one in their kitchens.  (of course, they all cook/bake more than I do)  As I was leaving the ship my tour guide asked me to wait a bit. She returned bearing a Kitchen Aid!  It was a spare one for which she had earlier received permission to give it as a gift to someone who may need one.  Now I’m making my own bread.  I love to listen to the dough hook do my kneading for me.  It makes me smile.

The washing machine…Laundry in this climate is a challenge. Nothing should be worn twice due to the sweat factor in this humidity but that makes for lots of laundry.  If you don’t have a washing machine you hire a “wash lady” who comes weekly to pummel and wring your clothes out of shape, all the while getting them very clean.  Bare hands rarely are able to wring them out as dry as the spin cycle so drying time is longer.  In rainy season my rooms often looked like a Chinese laundry as I tried to get my clothes as dry as possible before putting them away.  SIM was having a container set our way so I asked the purchasing person there to please buy me a basic washing machine and debit it from my support account.

You can not imagine the glee of unpacking, hooking up and then washing your first load of laundry in your own washing machine! And then to have God so graciously arrange for a dry 2 days in the midst of rainy season.  I gathered up all the things I’d been saving for this moment, things too difficult to wash well by hand.  In went the throw rugs and out they came, cleaner than I could ever remember.  In went a blanket and out it came, fresh and dry after  2 hours in the sun.  In went an unusable foam pillow that smelled like mouldy cheese and out it came, smelling better than new.  My T-shirts are actually regaining some of their original shape.  No longer am I restricted to doing laundry only Saturday.  I can do a load after work if the sun happens to be shining.  That too makes me smile.

While my life is so much more than laundry and the occasional bread baking spree I want to give God glory for the special ways He blesses His children, just because He loves us and wants to do this for us.

I am in week 2 of a 2-week holiday from the clinic.  I chose not to go anywhere but to use this time to do catch–up work.  A change is supposed to be as good as a rest.  The painting in my bedroom is almost finished, the security bars between garage and house are almost finished, my wardrobe and bookcase are to be delivered today but then need painting before they come inside, my bathroom still needs its paint put on and towel hooks screwed on to the concrete walls (hard work) and my letter writing still needs finishing.  I have 6 days to finish all that is still incomplete…sigh!  It may be good to get back to the clinic to get a break from these somewhat mundane but needful tasks.

I have been asked to “preach” at the church I attend on the last Sunday in July. There are about 300-400 people there each Sunday. I want to speak God’s word. I want to be an encourager and to talk of God’s great faithfulness, something on the “tell it to your children and your children’s children” theme.  I feel it is so important that we keep the history of God’s working in our lives alive for future generations.  We all love stories and what better way to speak of God’s faithfulness than through stories. I would appreciate your prayers.

I’m baking bread today and then making soup of some kind because Wayne and Donna are coming for supper.  But first I have to get to the internet, pick up money to pay all the pipers (carpenters, welders  and masoners), fetch the car to go to town to get more propane so I can actually bake the bread…and I wanted to finish painting the bedroom too.  See you!

A week and a half later;  I made pie for dessert, inspite of not having any pie pans or a rolling pin.  and it was good!

The bedroom is painted and lovely, the bathroom too is painted and has potential....(not so lovely a colour, oh well), the metal security grates are up outside and painted and it is SO VERY GOOD  to be back to work in the clinic again.

Today is Liberia's Independance day, a big holiday here. A perfect chance to get on line seeing so few are on so it is faster.  Now I must go get my laundry on the line while the sun is still shining. 

Love to you all,

frieda

Currently Reading Marker By Robin Cook see related

Last day of May!

How did this happen?  the year is almost halfway through! 

The new Mercy Ship, the Africa Mercy arrived last week.  It is huge!  Haven't been on it yet, maybe tomorrow when I go to pick up a futon couch and a desk, along with some other small stuff.  Soon I can offer guests a place to sit other than dining room chairs. 

I have someone washing my floors right now so cleared out to get out of the way.  I am at the SIM office, which is now a mere 3 minute walk from my house.  This is where I come every Thursday to do my e-mailing, etc.

This next month will be devoted to getting things finished in the house. I have to put in some better security measures.  Doing that without looking like a fortress is the challenge.  I want it to look nice.  The breezeway between house and garage will actually become a nice little outdoor living room once the 2 walls are up, protecting the hidden back door better.  I'll put some cheap, cane country furniture out there with some plants...should be nice. The fence around the house is a different matter.  Could be very expensive, don't want to cut off the breeze from the ocean, needs to look nice but be able to keep out intruders.  How big to make it? I can't decide.  I may end up making a small private garden type place behind the house so the bedroom windows are within the fence, leaving the rest of the yard open.  Wouldn't you just love to come help plan and build this with me?

If you are reading my blog I"d love to get little comments, just so I know who is interested, who is reading it.  Neil always answers and encourages me, as does Terri.

This past week-end was a blur of activity as an architect from the UK came to look at the sight, interview some contractors here and meet with the ELWA  board, asking questions and opening our eyes to lots of stuff.  I was pleased to see how much Keith and I already had covered, before he came.  We will soon have a web-site up. should be www.trinitydental.com. 

My personal project this next month is to get all my thank-you letters out to my supporters.  I have been so very blessed with people who are faithfully supporting me.  This will take discipline to get this done but once done will feel so good. Look for your letter in the mail.  I am going to do "snail mail" as well for those who like stamps and the fun of getting a letter mailed  to them specifically.  Pray for me as I tackle this.  I'm serious!!

The waves today are spectacular.  Liberia is becoming known for it's surfing places.  For true!  There is even a movie/documentary being made, soon out.  here they call it sliding, not surfing.  So, if you want me to plan a surfing/sliding holiday let me know.  Keith, my partner in the Trinity Dental clinic is crazy about surfing.  He'll make sure you have a good time.

Must go.  Someone else is looking longingly at my internet hook-up cord so should be considerate.  My floor is probably already clean too so I can go back to the house.  Soon my blog should have pictures too. I'm going to figure it out.

Love from frieda

How different one week can be from the next at the ELWA dental clinic!  Last week was overloaded with swellings; several people in such a state they couldn’t open their mouths enough for me to identify the offending tooth/teeth.  I had to go back into the clinic on a regular day off to treat 3 women who had been placed on antibiotics earlier in the week and couldn’t wait until Monday for treatment.  This week there hasn’t been one swelling yet and most of my patients have been women.  That doesn’t mean their teeth are any easier to remove!!  Not by a long shot!  Aloysius and I are a regular tag team.  He can see things from his angle on the patient’s left which I may not see from my side on the right.  He gives suggestions, which often work, or, I give the instrument to him to use from his vantage point.  I don’t know how I could do this clinic without him.

Everyday I see something that hurts to the core of my being.  It is something different each day, usually to do with someone’s suffering or aloneness.  I realize how adept I have become at just keeping these things to myself but they gnaw at me constantly.  Sometimes I wish I could just quit noticing things for a while.  Examples:

-Yesterday it was a woman who has been in my clinic 2 different times with pain in teeth that are absolutely sound.  It has been in different teeth each time and I couldn’t give her a treatment that would relieve this pain.  As I searched about in my mind for a reason I simply asked her, “Are you worrying a lot about something?”  Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded.  After she talked we prayed together.  She is to return in one week for reassessment. 

-This morning I passed a very skinny woman as I hurried to work.  I was astounded at how skinny she was but took no further notice, nor did I offer to walk with her.  An hour later I stepped out of the hospital to make a phone call on my cell (poor reception inside) and there she was, lying on a cement and dirt planter, too weak to sit up.  She looked too pitiful. I asked her whom she was waiting for.  She had come to ELWA to pick up her retroviral drugs for her HIV/AIDS condition.  She was completely alone!  No one had escorted this painfully thin, sick woman to the hospital. Who loves her?  Who grieves for her in her state?  Who abandoned her because of her sickness?   She had walked in the ½ mile from the taxi drop-off.  By the time I helped her across the yard to the right place she was breathing in short gasps, barely able to place one foot ahead of the other.  How many others live in her sort of aloneness, with no one to care for them?

-Tonight I talked to a fellow missionary woman here on campus that 2 weeks ago had a rogue in their house late at night, who had first tied up her 17 yr. old son and put him in the back porch, threatening him with a cutlass if he didn’t say where the money was.  Tom and Melanie, the parents, met this rogue at the bedroom door, had time to defend themselves with a chair and their own cutlass and the rogue fled, taking only the keys for the house and car (and my bike, which was in their back porch.)  Needless to say, Melanie feels very vulnerable.  A new missionary, in a strange land with her husband and 4 children, arriving full of ideals of what mission life is to be; only to be met with sickness, break-ins, people who she can’t trust, sensory overload; all the while aware of the “safe” home they left behind in the States.  How does she remain faithful?  How can she keep herself from packing up kids and simply bolting for home?  By prayer, determination, tears, deep breaths and friends who come by and pray with her.  Pray for Tom and Melanie.

A total change of subject; the kittens have potty trained themselves!  It is so cute to watch them being so grown-up. They tease their mother something awful but she just licks them into submission.  Mr. Fuchs has taken to attacking anyone who is running toward, or by, me.  I make apologies every day to someone! 

Did I mention my Maringa trees before?  4 weeks ago I planted three 12” Maringa trees (look them up on the net), which are now 3 feet tall.  The leaves are most edible, tasting peppery and green and are very high in protein; the bark, when boiled and used as a tea treats malaria and typhoid as well as glaucoma and hypertension.  And then, this last week a patient brought me a Neem tree, another wonder tree God provided to treat many ailments. This I’ve planted in my front yard.  Things grow like weeds here and I love it!  Next to be planted is lemon grass for cooking and to repel insects. 

What does it mean to be a missionary?  Let me know your thoughts.  Somedays I find myself wondering too.