An Update From Jolene

Will did a wonderful job updating you all about our travels and first few days here in Chad (encore to him, right?).  It has been an eventful few days with so much that happened that it seems like we’ve been here for a week at least.  We already feel endeared to the Chadians and the other volunteer missionaries.

Bekki put Will to work the afternoon we got in from our 8 hour bus ride to Moundou.  She did allow him to eat first, but they both have a lot to learn and do together that she went right down to business taking him around to the different patients and their cases.  I went along for the fun of it and to see the wards and patients.  I had prepared myself to see some pretty disgusting things while I was here, so I braced myself for the worst.  But, it really wasn’t that bad walking around with Will and Bekki…

…Until Friday morning during rounds.  Will and I thought it would be good to see how rounds go and watch the wound care and dressing changes.  The day before, everyone’s wounds were bound up, but that morning they were undressed for the doctor to see them.  If any of you have seen the pictures on Gardner’s blog, you know what I’m talking about here.  My stomach started twisting inside me to see all the open gaping wounds, some deeper and larger than others.  I avoided certain beds when I caught glimpses of their wounds.  When we went into the men’s ward, oh the smells that accost your nostrils!  A mix of betadine, body odor, urine and whatever infected wounds smell like (it’s gross).  I felt my stomach trying to expel its contents into my throat, so I quickly left the ward before I vomited on everything.  I had to stay out of the ward for a while before I could try going inside again.  I’ve been told by Scott and the volunteer missionaries that it’s common even for the most calloused health care workers to feel a bit queasy for a few weeks/months when they visit the wards or help with surgeries.  It’s just such a shock for all the senses.  Will seemed to handle it just fine.  I’m sure I’ll get a little better, but I am the owner of a very weak stomach, so how much I can get better is probably pretty minimal.

Even then, I hope to help out as best I can.  I have hunted, sorted and gathered all the dental supplies that were scattered abroad around the hospital compound and today I plan on trying to figure out the sterilizer.  A few Chadians have mentioned needing dental help or wanting me to look at something.  Sadly, because I don’t have my official paper license with me (it’s sitting in the mail at my house), they can’t advertise any dental care I’m available to do on the radio because the government would have a fit.  Don’t want any problems with the government, so we’re just advertising to the patient’s families and the church members.  So, I’m not sure I’ll be doing very much dental care, except for a few cases, and those will probably just need extractions.  I brought cleaning supplies, but when accidents, death and sore teeth are the bigger problems here, people don’t put value in getting their teeth cleaned.  I might get a few interested people, but it will only be a handful I’m sure.  But even if I don’t get to clean/extract teeth as much as I planned, that’s okay; there are still lots of work to be done here.

The Gardner’s have a huge shipping container that has all sorts of medical supplies and things for their home in it.  It took months for it to finally land on their doorstep (read their blog more if you’re interested in the details), and now we have our work cut out for us.  The house is literally buried in boxes.  We spent the majority of today unloading the shipping container and unpacking the boxes in the house.  When Gardners kept talking about their “container,” I was thinking of a small box… no, this is the kind of container that you see trains carrying… yeah, those huge metal things.  Those things are bigger than you realize.  So much was crammed in there and it’s still not completely unloaded yet!  Needless to say, we will all sleep really, really well tonight.

We wish we could post more pictures of our adventures here, but sadly, Chad has made picture-taking illegal unless you get a permit.  Some of the missionaries had problems with the police because they were taking pictures of tortoises.  So, most of the pictures that we will show of life outside of the hospital compound were sneakily captured with our iPhones as we nonchalantly pretend to be fiddling on our phones.  So far, no problems.  But this makes sharing pictures really difficult.

Church on Sabbath was interesting and so neat!  Sabbath is my favorite day whenever I am on a mission trip because it’s such a cultural experience and I love seeing how different cultures worship God.  The Chadians love to sing and move with the music.  They don’t have accompaniment, just drums and cymbals (some churches in America would cringe).  All of us volunteer missionaries had a really hard time not laughing when the choir starting singing a religious song to the tune of “In the Jungle” from the Lion King!  We all looked at each other and tried stifling our giggles.  I wish I knew their words to it.  Most likely it’s a common African tune which is no surprise it was added to the movie.  We enjoyed the rest of the service through translation.

I believe I’m becoming a real Chadian… riding a moto (small motorcycle) in a skirt.  It’s a challenge to do but I think I’m getting the hang of it!  See, in Chad, it is improper for ladies to show their knees, so to hoist yourself onto a moto while keeping your skirt or dress below the knee is a little challenging, then add on a bag or two from the market that you are holding, and it makes it even more difficult, but I somehow today managed all this and stayed completely modest.  I felt like a pro as I rode behind the driver with a bag in hand and my skirt blowing in the breeze.  It is pure joy to ride on a moto.  If I were a male Chadian that would be the career I would choose.  It is so hot at times, and yet, on a moto, it refreshes me with the breeze. 

Tomorrow is our first year anniversary!  Can’t believe it’s been a year!  Surely, it has been the most blissful and happy year of married life that either of us could imagine.  Because Will is leaving early tomorrow to head down to the refugee camps south of here, we don’t have anything spectacular planned, which is fine, because we had a little celebration at Olive Garden before we left for Africa, well knowing we may not be able to do anything here.  It will be fun to later tell our children about our first year anniversary in Africa!  We look forward to eternity together.

We were able to talk to our parents today, which was so nice and I’m sure a relief to them.  We only have about 2 more weeks left before we leave.  Thank you all for the continued prayers.  

Jolene on a moto with Scott taking a Sabbath ride

Our ride to church... we fit 22 people in this thing

Church service Chadian style

Sabbath Rest

It has come.

I knew it would sneak up on me quicker than I anticipated.  And it did.

School has a way of doing that to you.

I can't believe it.  I'm actually in the program I've been pursuing; the program I've been aiming at for over 3 years now.  My goal is becoming a reality.  And I'm still dazed.

I was walking across campus today from having spent a few hours studying in the library, when I happened to look down and notice the scrubs I was wearing.  How can I describe the excitement that bubbled up in me?  Wow.  I'm in my dental hygiene program.  I'm actually in.

God is good.

But now I must add that this isn't any easy program I've begun.  Never did I realize how much anatomy is hidden in the oral cavity.  And trying to learn each tooth by a numeric system is incredibly challenging.  Just wait till I learn all the facial bones, muscles, circulator system and nerves.  And how about trying to learn all that, while also trying to learn how to take a perfect radiograph (x-ray) of the teeth, probe around your patient's mouth without jabbing them, and hold a mirror in your non-dominant hand.  Oh, I know it's possible.  Lots of hygienists have done it in the past.  My respect for them has tripled, to say the least.

My 5 other classmates - all girls ranging from 20 to 26 - are just as excited.  Yet, our enthusiasm seemed to quickly get smothered under the heavy load of books to read, assignments to complete, and exams to take.  I hear more sighs; I see more yawns; I hear more groans.  I try to remind myself of how blessed I am to be in this program.  Of how blessed I am to be learning all this.  Of what a help I'll be to people who need oral care.  Then, the book load isn't so heavy, the assignments not so burdensome, the exams not so tedious.

And, once in a while, when my screensaver kicks on as my computer dozes, I see pictures of India.  Then, I'm reminded of why I'm doing this.

Already, I've learned so much in the program (and it's only been two weeks!).  So many things I would do differently if I were to be in India again.  I can't imagine how much I'll know after two years of this!

How happy I am to have the Sabbath.  I really need it after an exhausting week of school.

Yet, I had two exams to complete online this weekend.  When I got out of class Friday at noon and realized that I only had a few hours till sundown and that I had hardly had enough time to study for my two exams and that the Sabbath was smack in the middle of my weekend, a sudden feeling of panic enveloped me.  Realizing my predicament, I internally freaked out.

But then, I remembered something.

Before school began, I emailed my lead professor and explained to her about my Sabbath and my desire to honor that day by abstaining from doing or thinking of school on my rest day.  I politely asked if there were any exams, assignments, field trips or the like that would fall on my Sabbath and would she please let me know ahead of time so I could make arrangements if necessary.  She replied sweetly that they would do their absolute best to work with me.

She then forwarded my email to several of my other online professors.  I then later found out that all the professors had gotten together and planned out their schedules to that all the exams and assignments would not be on Saturday, or would be over a two-day period so as to allow me to make each deadline.  Wow.  Isn't God good?!

So, I was talking with one of my classmates Friday about the weekend.  I made mention of how I would have to leave the library at 3 to get some things done before sundown and wouldn't be able to study till Saturday night.  She is familiar with SDA's and she asked me, "is it because of your Sabbath?"  I replied the affirmative.  She commented, "that's so cool that you just take a whole day of your week and not even think about school.  You must feel so refreshed after it."

I opened my mouth to respond, but closed it feeling a bit of shame.  How could I ignore the beautiful truth of the Sabbath rest?  She was right.

So I laid my plans for the weekend at His feet, knowing that He would bless my desire to keep His Sabbath holy.  I claimed His promises and entered into the Sabbath hours with nary a burden.  And I had a wonderful Sabbath indeed.

And guess what?  I got both my exams done Sunday morning bright and early.  What a relief.

"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath..." 

Seoul Korea!

I realize that I love experiencing different cultures!

Me with some girls in the traditional Korean costume

  Whatever part of the culture it is.  On the tour, we went to the palace of a king from a dynasty of long ago.  I learned different things about the Korean history.  And I got to talk with one of the Korean ladies on the tour and I learned a ton more.  She says that Korea has a very vibrant economy right now, but doesn't have much for natural resources (much like Japan, which was a factor that played into the WWII). They put a huge focus on education, but not creativity.  So she says that they don't have many "Steve Jobs", as she put it.  And yet they're super smart, but not allowed to use those smarts appropriately.  She's disappointed that Korea is only known for the Korean War and that's about it.  I could understand that.

  Anyway, the funnest part of the tour for me, was to eat at a local restaurant.  I ordered something called Bi Bim Bap.  It was a red rice topped with an assortment of vegetables.  It was delicious except for the fact that they put a blob of runny egg on the top.  I tried to gingerly pick the egg off with my spoon, but was horrified when the whole thing burst upon my touch and started to run onto all my delicious vegetables!  I've never been a connoisseur of eggs and actually pretty much despise them unless they're fried really well.  Thankfully, because I choose to be vegan and I'm actually allergic to eggs, I don't ever have to search hard for an excuse not to eat them... except when they've exploded onto your whole lunch.  Yuck!  I picked around the egg as much as possible, but was still disgusted when I would get a slight taste of it.  Oh well.  Otherwise, the meal was wonderful!  I got to try kimchi, which was yummy except that it was a tad too spicy for my taste.  And, hey!  I've gotten pretty good at eating with chopsticks now!  I'm pretty proud of myself! :)

  I sat with two gentlemen who turned out to be so very nice!  King is Thai and so we talked a lot about Thailand and it's culture and what not.  And Bob is from New York, a single man who loves to travel and has been vegan for over 15 years!  He loved talking about eating vegan/vegetarian and I found that we hit it off really well.  He mentioned that he does green drinks whenever possible and I couldn't contain myself!  When I told him we did green drinks, he laughed long and hard.  He couldn't believe it!  It was a fun conversation, to say the least!  And now, King is considering trying the vegetarian thing!  How neat!

  Anyway, both guys stuck with me as we explored the walking souvenir street, which was a relief to me.  There wasn't much new that I hadn't seen from Thailand or India.  Seems like these Asian countries have a similar taste in... pretty much everything.  But I bought a scarf (I love scarves!) and some postcards.  I had to get something from Korea.

  We also visited a Buddhist temple.  I didn't have the guts to walk inside in the middle of their worship service.  It reminded me a lot of Catholicism... the candles, the huge statues (of Buddha), the prayer beads.  It all seemed vaguely familiar, yet foreign at the same time.  Pillows were placed on the floor and several ladies were doing some sort of prayer that involved them kneeling with their face to the floor then standing up, then kneeling, then standing... a workout in and of itself.  Who needs a gym when your Buddhist?

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  But, I was saddened to see these dear people so steeped in their religion of works.  Near the temple was a tall structure that was some sort of prayer thing too.  Several people were seen walking around it. According to Dam Bi, our tour guide, the people walk around it so many times to ask their petition.  They pause at different places to bow with hands together, praying.  Then they continue on their journey around the structure... for who knows how long.  And then, they walk away fully believing that they've been heard.  By whom?

  But I was surprised to learn that South Korea is half Christian and half% Buddhist (after learning this, I looked it up.  Here's the stats - 46% no religion, 23% Buddhist, 30% Christian.  Not too bad).  That's more Christian then a lot of other Asian countries.  Like India, which is 80% Hinduism and only 2.3% Christian.  That's a sizable difference.

Anyhow, I did enjoy my tour a lot and was thankful I took it.  I was really tired after, for I hadn't gotten hardly any sleep since Sunday night.  But it was worth it (the tour)!  What a great experience!

A Much Needed Update!

Wow.  It’s amazing how busy I’ve been without having a chance to blog!  Or maybe, it’s because I’m enjoying myself so much I find other exciting things to do.  Maybe it’s both.  Probably so.

Mango Sticky Rice!

  Either way, I’ve been enjoying myself immensely and have started having feelings of sadness that I’m leaving so soon (tonight!).  Several people have mentioned that there’s an option that I can stay longer because Korean Air offers the first flight change free of charge.  So I could change my departure until one of two weeks later!  I can’t help but chuckle!  Aunt Lynette, Lisa Sharon and Mrs. Steck have all hinted at the idea (or maybe more than hinted… suggested strongly).

At the Night Safari!

  Yet, I am ready to go home.  I miss my family, especially my dad whose health hasn’t been the best since my leaving.  He caught pneumonia, which is a scary thing with his immune system being shot from his recent surgery.  So I’m anxious to get home and see him and help my mom.  If I stayed here longer, I’d want them to come here too! :)  I’m jealous of my time with them.

Riding a huge tortoise... not.

  What have I been doing since being here in Thailand?  Well, I swam in the pool with the kids almost everyday last week.  I’ve helped cook and clean.  I went to a Sunday night market, which was pretty awesome since I could get mango sticky rice!  That made the whole thing worthwhile!  I hope to go back this Sunday night.  I went with the family and the Mackins (a dear women and her adopted Chinese daughter) to the Night Safari, which was pretty cool!  We got to see all these neat animals in their nocturnal states!  I saw an albino raccoon, which was so cool and a giraffe stuck its head in the tram we were in and begged for food.  I never knew giraffes were so BIG!  That was my favorite part of the whole Safari!  I was only disappointed that I couldn’t take any pictures because it got too dark.

  Let’s see… oh! And we went to a sticky waterfall!  That was incredible!  The water has a lot of calcium in it, so the calcium has deposited and created this awesome cascade of waterfalls!  And you can walk right up the face of the falls, which made things even more interesting and exciting.  We found two freshwater crabs.  That generated a mix of excited shouts and nervous chattering.  Some were poking curiously at the creature while others watched nervously perched atop a safe location away from the action (Can you guess which group I was in?).  After walking around on the waterfalls a bit, we had a fabulous picnic lunch.

At the Sticky Waterfall!

Our picnic lunch

Micah looking for fish

 

Looking at the freshwater crab

 A freshwater crab!

  This last weekend, there was a retreat held here in Chiang Mai for missionaries in the south Asian countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, etc.).  It was at a fancy hotel in downtown Chiang Mai and quite a number of people came.  I was able to see the Sharons, who I haven’t seen for years!  And the Stecks!  What fun it was to see all these missionaries come together!  The main speaker was a huge disappointment, so we didn’t attend any of his meetings, but rather stayed in the hotel room and read our Huguenot story and drew.

  I’ve taught Elyssa and Micah a little bit about shading techniques in drawing.  Elyssa’s really gotten the hang of it!  She’s into horses so we’ve practiced drawing horses and making them as realistic as possible.  She’s done really well, although she claims it’s mostly me.  But I disagree… I help her, but she’s learning.

A foal.

Elyssa's second drawing.  Incredible!

Destiny, Lisa's Karen baby

  Right now, the “Rawling hotel” has no vacancy!  There are a total of 26 people here!  That includes all their babies and us, but still, that’s a lot of people in one house!  The Stecks (4), Lisa Sharon and her baby (2), Myers (4), Adams (or, at least some of them) (8), Sunny (1), Mackins (2), Rawlings (4), and me!  Pretty full.  Babies crying, fingers typing on computers, boys swimming in the pond behind the house, girls making lunch, mothers chatting… it could easily be called chaos.  I’ve done my share of babysitting.  All the Karen babies are so cute!  Several of the missionaries have “adopted” them.  There are a total of 6 adopted Karen babies here.  My favorite is Lisa’s, who is such a happy little girl!  It doesn’t take much to make her smile!  I just love her!

  Well, I leave tonight.  I have mixed feelings, but mostly, I’m excited to get back to my family!  I miss them so much!  And my friends… I miss them too.  I look forward to catching up with some of you as soon as I can get back! :)

Last Sabbath In India

My last Sabbath in India was such a blessed one.  News had spread that I had bought a sari and had plans to wear it that Sabbath.  The girls were so excited that they mentioned they would wear their saris for Sabbath.  It soon spread to everyone and on Sabbath, I was surprised to see every single girl, including the Horners and female staff, wearing their saris!  Wow.  I didn't expect that.

  So after church, we took group pictures.  Here they are.

Our group!

Every girl in her sari

Namuna, me, Phul Kumari, Bimala, and Kalpana Rai

Bipana, Me, Sarah, Rebica (hidden behind Sarah) and Kalpana Magar

My best Assamese friend... Renu

With the Pozos!

Sandra Miss, myself and Mrs. Horner 

Jamuna and me

Hannah, my favorite lady translator! ( look so white next to her!)

Mina!  And she even smiled!

Krystle and me 

My favorite roommate ever!

God Used Me

Who would’ve thought we could get so close and love each other so intensely in only a short 3 ½ weeks?  I find it hard to believe.  Yet, I could see the proof.

  A program just for me.  A poem written with me in mind.  Special musics done by the shiest of the girls.  Words of gratitude from young and old.  Gifts given lovingly.  Tears shed.

  I didn't know they had all this in mind.  I didn't even know the girls and staff all felt this way about my leaving.  Yet, looking around the group, I could see tear stained faces.  One was even bawling with her head in her hands.  All because of me?

  I wondered what was going on when I was told we were going to the church for worship that evening.  We usually had staff worship in the kitchen.  And why did all the staff come trotting giddily up behind me as I entered the church building?  Then I found out.  This is what I saw.

Singing

Tears sprung to my eyes especially after reading the first one.  I turned around and faced the girls, who sat there looking at me with expectant faces.  I called them to come give me a group hug.  The tears started flowing, falling on the heads of each girl I hugged and it started mingling with their own tears.

  "Of course, I want to come back," I said with trembling lips.  Funny thing is, I never really felt that way until that moment.  But at that moment, I realized that I would give the world to come back and see each girl.

Sandra Miss giving her appreciation

  I was then asked to sit at the front of the church as they gave their program planned just for me.  I couldn't stop the tears that kept falling down my cheeks.  I noticed several in the same predicament.  A special music was sung about the 6 seasons of India, which they all knew I had been intrigued about.  A poem was given that, through translation, said something about how amazing it was that we had grown so close over such a short period of time and that we were sad to say goodbye yet we knew that we would meet again.

Poem by Namuna

  Testimonies were given.  First it was Sandra Miss.  Then it was Bipana, the shy girl who would erupt in hysterical laughter with even the lightest touch because of her overly ticklishness.  Then Mrs. Horner spoke.  Then Chandrakala, the girl who arrived only a few days before my leaving.  Then Joseph (the only guy there that night).  Although not all of them could speak English, I caught bits and pieces (through translation)... you won our hearts... you have such an infectious smile... you encouraged me to be cheerful and always smile... thank you for cleaning my teeth... thank you for teaching me how to clean my teeth... thank you for teaching me how to lead VBS... thank you for teaching English... you were so helpful...I will miss you... we love you.

Special music by the shy Assamese girls

  Who wouldn't cry?  I realized that I was loved.   I realized that these people were more than friends... they had become a part of me.  I realized that I would miss them and I also realized that I didn't want to leave.  I let my tears flow.

Receiving my gift

  Another special music, then I was asked to sit back at the front of the church in my special spot.  I was then given two gifts.  One, Sandra Miss carried behind her back.  All the girls giggled excitedly.  A beautiful black lacy scarf was placed around my neck and then Sandra hugged me.  My next gift was carried by two girls (Rebica and Sajanna) and placed carefully on my lap.  It turned out to be a gorgeous picture that the girls said was my "home."  I felt like laughing and crying, so I did both.

The picture

  What had happened during these past 3 1/2 weeks?  Where had time gone?  How had I drawn so incredibly close to these girls in only a short time that would cause them to put on a whole program for me?

"God be with you till we meet again..."

  And I can't help but think, what if I had stayed longer?  What if I hadn't stayed 3 1/2 weeks but 3 1/2 months... or years?  How much would I affect them then?  If I could affect them this much in only 3 1/2 weeks, what could happen in a longer period of time?  What amazing bonding had taken place in these short weeks!

  And God used me.  Me.  Tall, blond, awkward, humorous, clumsy me.  If God could use me to create an impact on these girls' lives, then what can He do with you?

God used me.

  

Photos

Well, I finally have fast enough internet to post pictures.  I'm in Thailand now, but haven't had a chance to blog.  I'll do more later, but here's to let you know that I've posted pictures on different blogs.  The easiest way to find those pictures is to click on the label at the end of this post that says "photos" and it will bring up all the posts that have pictures on them.

  I'll post some pictures here too of different events with my comments.  Enjoy!

Our little home (with the green sheet in the doorway)

Our bathroom, where we bathe, relieve ourselves and do laundry

Krystle and me heading to market

Waiting at a print shop

Walkin through market

Meeting some girls from the center

Displaying our water bottles

Teaching a Women's Ministries class 

Hannah translated for me

Christian sleeping on the way back from Siliguri

Being good company to Krystle... I really did need a nap though

Holding a very pocky fruit which I can't remember the name of

At market in Siliguri

Helping buy produce for the Center

Returning from market with Sandra Miss and Krystle

Our favorite snack!

Cleaning Suzanna's teeth

Krystle surprised me with her camera!

Cleaning