Today was one of those days when we were pretty much busy all day, but we didn’t really do much. It started out with no water again, but we were expecting it when last night the water began to only trickle out. I’m on OB this week, which really just means c-sections and anything gynecological. The women who deliver vaginally are usually taken care of by the nurses, unless there is some complication. We rounded, checked on the labor ward, got our morning chai from the kitchens, checked on the labor ward, saw OB clinic patients, checked on the labor ward (we had one patient that really wasn’t progressing; we finally broke her water just before lunch). After lunch (during which time the water came back), we had 2 deliveries back to back, and I played pediatrician again to take care of the babies. Both did very well, so there wasn’t much to do except examine them, then wrap them up.
The nurses all started laughing at me when I talked to the newborns. I know they can’t understand me, but the tone of voice can be heard and soothing in this scary new world, right? Oh well, I liked talking to them, and they didn’t cry at the sound of my voice so that’s all that matters. After some more clinic patients (and a failed attempt to make a breech baby go the right way), it was time to go home. I had ample free time today to take lots of pictures in the hospital and listen to the service given by the hospital chaplains on the female surgical ward. It was another intro to Christianity kind of talk, and most of the women on the ward raised their hands to pray to accept Jesus into their hearts. It was a pretty interesting thing to see, not having been raised in the tradition of altar calls; I’m not used to witnessing that particular type of service. The hospital chaplains here take their jobs very seriously, and they do their best to reach all the patients.
Tonight we hosted dinner for some of the Kenyans who have had us over for meals. I’ll think there were 12 people altogether…I’m not sure how we all fit inside! No goat for dinner tonight, but I don’t think anyone was disappointed. Hosting dinner is a big affair, as we have to have rice and cabbage (or some other vegetable), meat of some sort (we made a sausage, potato, and bean stew), and chai to follow. I also made pumpkin bread to use up the last of the big pumpkin we were given a while ago, and it was a big hit. Thankfully all the food turned out well, even though I don’t think any of us have ever cooked for that many people! The power started to flicker right after everyone left, and due to peculiarities in the wiring system (or something, we’re not exactly sure why) every time the power went out the tap on the sink gave off really bad electrical shocks if touched. It made doing dishes pretty interesting, but we’re told that it won’t cause bad power problems and that we don’t have to worry about the house burning down or anything. There is always something going on here!