Baby Joshua

Yesterday, October 27th at 5:24 pm baby Joshua came into this world. Assisted by myself, Emily Whit, Naomi Lampard and Lindsey Beiler. Momma's name was Dauda. At 15 years old she did beautifully and with little complications. She tore slightly, but was strong and very brave through it all. During the times she thought she couldn't get through it, we all prayed over her and encouraged her that she could. At one point the call to prayer was heard and she looked up at me and motioned for me to pray. I did. Soon after she met her little boy in person.
What an honor for me to be able to assist the doctor in the first seconds of baby Joshua's life. When he was beginning to make his way out into the world, the doctor handed me a conga. Before I knew it I was catching the little one in my hands and wrapped him up and put him on momma's tummy. I'm officially addicted. A beautiful start to a beautiful journey as a midwife in Africa.

A day with the Masai

On Monday our team took a trip to a nearby Masai village. Our purpose in spending the day with them was to just learn from them, especially about what they do during pregnancy and childbirth. We shared a lot of laughs when it came to awkward conversations about husbands and wives meeting together, the positions that they deliver in, and various other topics. And despite our translator being a young single male, he did well in translating without too much deviation of what was really stated by our team or the Masai women. However, we all wished at various times that the men present would go for a bush walk so we could REALLY talk to the women :) They were extremely open and I am really impressed with how much they were willing to share with us. It was an amazing opportunity for and we were all really blessed by what they taught us.

I spent most of that day holding one of the babies in the village. If I wasn't holding her, I was trying to steal her away from momma or whoever else had her. She was so precious. Smiles, slobber, and a whole lot of cuteness. Nothing better than kisses from a baby.

All in all the day was pretty spectacular. We are praying about more opportunities like this until we can get into the hospitals.

We are still waiting for our workers visas. Until approval we are continuing to seek out new opportunities and ways of serving the local villages. We are working on our Community Profile project almost daily which has often proved itself to be difficult, but it has also been very rewarding to be able to learn so much about the communities we are surrounded by. There is a lot of interviewing that we are doing to find out how we can best serve the local people and bring positive change in their ways of nutrition and basic health. It will hopefully be helpful for future teams who come as well.

Blog complications...

Sorry. I have tried posting the last two weeks and each of those times my post was deleted. Update soon to follow.

Habari!

Africa is pretty spectacular. An adventure is what I asked for and I got it.

On our day off, Beth, Celia and I were able to break away from the white people we see everyday and get out into the city to explore the unknown. We are starting to feel really comfortable here and were able to get to the places we needed without any problems. Swahili is becoming more understandable and we will pick up little phrases and words here and there that help a lot for the next time we go out. This morning we took a ferry for the first time and it was pretty awesome. We then were able to find an amazing beach resort and spent the morning in solitude. It was beautiful. The time alone was much needed. In the early afternoon we decided to hop back on the ferry and come back to the city to get internet. We chose a great location. A hotel that overlooks the coast and is equipped with great food, air conditioning, and wireless internet. Perfection.

My time in Africa has proved difficult at times, but the rewards of being here are far worth any difficulty that comes my way. I am surrounded by a culture so rich that already I know it will be hard to leave. Reverse culture shock is the one thing waiting for me back home that I am terrified to face. Thankfully I have 7 more months before having to deal with that.

I was able to spend time in the clinic one day and I felt like I was definitely in my element there. I know why I am here. If I could spend everyday in the clinic for even an hour, I would. It is an honor and a blessing to be able to serve people in such a profound way. Healthcare is a simple way to connect with people. Not only are we as midwives able to bring healing medically but also emotionally and spiritually. That is the true blessing.

I need to go. I would love to write more, but time has run out. Another update will soon come. I will try and upload a few pictures as well.

In Tanzania...

Just a quick update.
I arrived safely on Monday and have started to adjust to life in Tanzania. Have mastered the art of bucket showers, accidentally overexposed myself in a rather embarrassing situation, went to an incredible beach on our day off, found our way back to the base on our own, and have actually enjoyed the food for the most part (just leave out the dried fish please).
Mosquitoes love me. Thank goodness for doxy, mosquito spray and mosquito nets. The first night my arm was butchered by the little pests. Ugh. The worst! ABC diaper cream to the rescue! We are still waiting for our workers visas/permits. Beginning next week we will possibly begin healthcare teachings in the community.
Pictures are soon to come.