Friday: November 9, 2012
Ministry of the day: Prayer
Location: Oldadai, Tanzania
Morning: I go into our host’s home, sit on the couch and open up my Bible to prepare for the day. But before I can read a word, my teammate comes into the room, looks at me and says, “I need to go to the doctor.” Thoughts: It’s early, and I’m not ready for the day.
Our host arranges for a taxi to come pick us up, and we wait. And wait. Then our host tells us that the taxi is still far away…could we take a motorbike into town and then catch the dala dala into the city? Great. “It will be about 15 minutes before it gets here.” Thoughts: This is going to be a long day.
The motorbikes arrive and I get on one with our interpreter, Rita. Now, you have to get the right picture of this: three people on one bike. I’m in the middle between the driver and Rita (who is in an ankle length skirt). There is literally no space between me and the driver, and I can’t wear my backpack on my back because Rita is behind me. So, my only option is to hold it to the side, resting on my knee. Thoughts: Ali, don’t drop this; your computer is in there.
If you have never experienced African roads, let me enlighten you: The equivalent of the African road in America is probably a dirt bike trail. They are bumpy, full of potholes, and either really dusty or really muddy, depending on the rain situation. Today, they are really dusty. There is a bike in front of ours, so dirt is being thrown up, and I can barely open my eyes. By the time we make it to the hospital, my face is covered in dust. As we travel I constantly hear, “Muzungu! Muzungu! Muzungu!” Thoughts: Please don’t clip the other bikes or people walking by.
We make it into town and get on the dala dala; the drivers are always very excited to have muzungus on their van. Each dala dala is a little bit different because each driver decorates them according to their personal style. Sometimes this means JESUS IS LORD written across the side. Sometimes it means skulls and crossbones. This one had Lil’ Wayne posters. We pack into the van and begin our way into the city, picking up people along the way. Thoughts: My head is hitting the top; I’m too tall for this vehicle.
We finally make it into the city and luckily are dropped off right in front of the hospital. Many businesses have big gates with a doorway in the gate, so we walk through and get the paper work to check my teammate in. The paperwork consists of filling out your name, your father’s name, your tribe, and your religion. We are then directed to the waiting area, which is outside and looks like a bus stop. And we wait. Next to the waiting area is a room labeled “Emergency/Casualties.” Thoughts: This makes me miss America.
After paying, we are asked to come inside where we wait a little more. Beside us is double doors labeled “ICU.” After a while, the door opens and a man points at me and says come in. We go into the ICU, which is a room with two beds. One bed has a lady and baby lying in it. The other is empty. My teammate is questioned and examined. At one point, a visitor walks through the door and asks the doctor a question. They have a short conversation. Thoughts: There isn’t much security or privacy here.
TO BE CONINTUED…
