Take that, Malaria! Tuesday

It’s Tuesday, so I took my weekly dose of anti-malaria medicine. Hooray! I hope you all are well J we miss you guys!

 So, you have probably heard about all of the different kinds of therapies and interactions we are experiencing here. I have done language therapy under Kara and Dr. Tullos so far. I am now doing feeding and language with B Weave, Liz, Lauren, and Cari.

Today B Weave went to pick up her daughter and several others coming to hang with us until we leave, so we were on our own for feeding group. This afternoon we had an interesting encounter of sorts with an individual I like to call “preacher man”…

Before I go on, let me give you a little background info:

This individual deemed “preacher man” is an older gentleman who reportedly had a stroke and now exhibits a fluent aphasia as well as probable cognitive issues. It has been reported that he used to be very active in the church here, but has since been “kicked out” because of his behavior. It has been said that he used to be a preacher, but I am not sure about that. Anyhow, so today was not our first encounter with preacher man. We have seen and heard him numerous times around the Havens—mostly outside. He is usually in khakis, a button down shirt, and a ragged-looking jacket. He wears a red had on his head and carries with him an umbrella and the skeleton of an iron. He is often talking into what appears to be a broken radio of some kind. He is “preaching”, so we are told. Preacher man has also been noted to gesture to the air or to you if eye contact is made. One day while on the playground with the toddlers, preacher man approached Dr. Tullos, pulled out a disposable razor, gestured toward Dr. Tullos, and then imitated shaving. At first I thought preacher man wanted help shaving, but Dr. Tullos informed me later that preacher man was offering it to him. I am sure that some of you are wondering where he might live or why he is just roaming around outside and in—yes, inside—the Havens, but a lot of us are wondering those very things as well. It is very telling of the way of life here to see him out on the streets—if you will—and not in a home or among a family to take care of him. Having worked at a Rehab Hospital and encountered patients with odd behaviors and communicative issues post-stroke, it is hard for me to wrap my mind around preacher man’s obvious lack of care. Like many things we have encountered here, it is just another reminder of the reality of being in a third-world country.

So this afternoon, Liz, Cari, Lauren, and I were in a room in Haven 1 doing feeding class by ourselves when preacher man came to the door of our room and stood there. Cari sort of noticed him, but kept doing her thing. The next thing she knew preacher man was leaning down and talking to her. He gave her somewhat of a fright, and we all sort of laughed it off and kept on with our class. Preacher man left and came back several times during class. He stood at the door speaking and gesturing as we worked with the babies. At one point he saw us laughing or smiling and he started laughing and we just all laughed together. Truth be told, we were very nervous about him just wandering around the Haven and watching us work. Not only is there an obvious cog/comm impairment, but there is also the whole language barrier issue—we don’t know if he understands English or not. Since he was in the doorway, we weren’t sure how we would get past him if he was still there when it was time to go. He ended up walking off before we left, so we didn’t worry about it. So that was that.

I thought that this would be something new and interesting to share aside from talking about the beautiful and fun kiddos we are working with every day. I am in love with them all—okay and I have my favorites I will brag on later J

Let me just say that I am so glad I am here and I have learned so much about myself and the world and our Lord since the trip began. Let us all count our abundant blessings and be Jesus to the world we find ourselves in today and always.

Much love,

Anna