Kim Reaves’ Blog

Day 16, 17, 18

Hello again,

It is currently Monday afternoon in Africa. We had a busy morning but first let’s recap the last few days:

Saturday Evening

After we used the computers at the mall we grabbed a pizza and a few groceries then headed back to the misson house. 

Sunday:

Church started around 8:00 am on Sunday morning. We were some of the first people at the service.  It was a very lively service with dancing and singing. It lasted til after 11:30 which is probably one of the longest services I have ever been to.  They did communion as well as a sermon and lots and lots of dancing.  Ashley and I left around 11:30 to head for lunch and the pool at La Palm.  It was very sunny at the pool and apparently the dust has settled. If we were missing out on a tan before we both caught up quickly.  I was very pink when we got back last night.  At the pool, we met a couple from Canada here to work in the local orphanage.  We might go by and see the place in the next few days.  The couple pointed out that they do not have running water and are using buckets to take baths and heating water on the stove.  Suddenly I began to feel like we had it pretty nice.  Ashley and I walked down to Ladodi beach resort to eat dinner after the pool.  I had the same meal as before (chicken and Jollof rice).  It was a good evening.  We took a taxi back to the mission house. This was probably the first rude taxi driver we have encountered.  After a couple cold showers we were both fast asleep.

Monday:

Today we got to the clinic around 9:00 am to discover that Dr. Akosua was not able to come in because her son was ill so Ashley and I ran our own room for clinic.  We saw a pretty even mix of adults and children.  If we had any questions we asked the doctor in the room next door.  I saw a lot of hypertension, diabetes and people with malaria.  We had one girl with some significant periorbital swelling who we had to admit to the hospital.  It was really nice to be in control for the morning.  I am sure it was only a small taste of what residency will be like.

After clinic, we ate lunch at the canteen and then walked down the road to talk to Gilbert’s wife about making a couple of dresses for us.  We were lucky enough to have a chance to come back and type a blog.  This is kind of the abrided version because we have to leave the office so they can close.  Hope all is well back home.

Thanks,

Kim