Rough Day

Yesterday was a rough day. We had a 6 yr old girl come in who had a nasty cut under her eye. I had to hold her legs down. Brother Adalid held her head and brother philip injected lidocaine into her face and then gave her stitches. The screaming was horrible. I felt terrible for her. Then later on we had a another screamer. An elderly woman with stomach pain. I started and IV on her and hooked her up to a saline bag. Then Brother Adalid injected medicine into the back. We eventually sent her to the hospital in town. Lots of sick patients. It was continuous all day. To top it off I think I picked up something. I had the runs all day yesterday. I'm feeling better today though.
Yesterday my stress was playing basketball next door which they are the precious blood of jesus community. We played against a team from Morogoro. The hoops here are not ten feet tall. My guess is that there nine and a half feet because I can dunk. I made a nice block and a steal with 4 points in the half. At the end of the game one guy asked me if he was good enough to play college. I said, "to be honest probably not. You have to practice a lot more." He is about 6'5" and can jump but I don't think he has the skills or quick enough. I said, "Americans are really good. It's probably our best sport ".
I love cold showers. Well you don't get hot showers here but I wouldn't want a hot shower anyways.
Ifakara was the ordination of the new dioceses. The Arch bishop of Dar es Salaam became the bishop of the new dioceses. It was a huge celebration. The 2nd president was there along with the former prime minister and 30 out of 34 bishops were there. I was sweating like crazy. Just dripping. I could only imagine all those bishops up there with all there garments on as hats and caps and everything else. I was so glad I wasn't them. They had to be miserable. It had to be about 88 and humid. It was 3.5 hours long. I swear everyone up there gave a speech. It was neat to see but it got long. The ladies infront of me were really rowdy. They were the highlight to watch. They would get up and make this high pitch yiyiyiyiyiyiyi call. It was entertaining. The Cardinal of Tanzania was there and gave the bishop a brand new car. The diocese of Dar Es Salamm gave the bishop $10,000. I really hope he helps the people out and deserves all these gifts. I met a few of the bishops. I didn't realize I was suppose to bow and kiss there hand as a sign of respect. I was the American that just smiled said Hello in Kiswahili and shook there hands. Oh well. I can't imagine a foriegner offending them. The food afterwards was quit good. Even though all I cared about was cold water and there was none. Pop, Beer and water were all outside at daily temperature so it wasn't too refreshing.
The poeple here HIGHLY respect the religous clergy. People are constanly shouting praises to them when they walk by cheering them on. I'm sure a lot of them have done a lot of good things for the community. I hope it is not just a status thing.
There little kids love to come up to me and talk to me. They are speaking pretty good english at a young age here. These church communties and done a lot of educating for the people. Lots of the schools are becoming english only speaking classes. Well I know that is true at the college level.
I read about African ethics which I found very profound. I'll have to get a copy or post some of the highlights sometime. Another book that I am reading now is about Sangowa or African Shaman healers. It is definitely a calling to become one. It is interesting the tests they have to go through on there graduation day to prove they have done there training correctly and to prove that the ancestors really talk to them. Life never ends in Africa. When you die you are still apart of the community. The ancestors are there to talk to you and guide you in life. If bad things are happening to you in your life it is because you upset your ancestors and they are punishing you.
Community is very strong here. I think I said this before but the saying here is, "I am because WE ARE". The community comes first before any individual. Each person is willing to sacrifice him/herself for the great good of the community. It is not how can I improve my life. It is how can I improve the communities life.
As far as the water project I'm not sure what is going to happen with that. There is some sort of conflict going on. I think part of it might be waiting for more funding. I think part of it is some disagreement going on in the personnel. I shouldn't jump to any conclusions until I get the real story. I am anxious about it but I will have to just take a seat for now. I need to get a lot better with my Kiswahili anyways. I feel I have a long ways to go.

Usiku Mwema - Good night