Saba Saba

Thursday, July 7

SABA SABA!

We woke up today around 6:30. Many of us hear the morning call to worship for the nuns, and all of us hear the rooster that never fails to wake us all. We go down to breakfast to have our usual pieces of bread and coffee.

Barbara told us last night that we might need to move to a different location to stay because of miscommunications about necessary accommodations, so we all packed last night just in case. This morning we were told that we were staying put, so we had to unpack our entire luggage.

We made our way to Mazimbu, observing the surroundings: people, animals, mountains, and buildings. Many people live in extreme poverty, but they go about their day, trying to stay busy and support their families. When we arrived at the hospital, we were amazed to discover there was no electricity. Evidently, there is a shortage of electricity and TANESCO (Tanzania Electric Supply Company) manages the shortage by rotating blackouts. July 7 is Saba Saba in Tanzania (saba means 7), a national holiday, so the blackouts were more extensive today. Barbara jokes that TANESCO’s slogan should be “Keeping the power on….sorta.” There is, in fact, a generator, but it is currently not working and the part to repair it is not readily available. We were supposed to perform five surgeries today, and all of our patients were there, with empty fasting stomachs, waiting for their scheduled surgeries. We had to reschedule all of them because of the electricity situation. These people are truly a patient and caring people. They never once complained when our doctors explained the situation to them. The positive aspect of the situation was we got to see so many patients in the clinical setting.

While at the hospital, many of us were privileged to see our first Masai, Nasaa. He was a very tall and thin man, and his “regular clothing” was so captivating. He wore a wrapped skirt and a shirt and vest. On his belt hung a knife and he carried a staff which looks like a pole. We took him to Dr. Doug; the next Tuesday, he will come back for surgery. He gave Anne a particular greeting and offered her his hand in parting.

The whole team has worked constantly. The work is demanding: keeping records for surgery, conferring with the doctors, checking patients who have been referred to us, and treating our patients. Through all of our busy times, the work is absolutely rewarding, gifting, and priceless.

One of our countless gifts happened when Anne was sitting on the bench feeling a little sleepy. Two young boys joined her. Suddenly, Noni, one of our young and talented translators, came to Anne with a request: she had been approached by a women in the ward, who was there caring for one of her family members (an inpatient) and she wanted to know if the team could help her 15 year old daughter, Grace, who has never walked or spoken. Anne was overwhelmed at the request because she has a grandchild who has special needs and is also named Grace. She went with Noni to meet the woman and shared her story. Anne asked her if she knew Jesus, and the woman responded that she did, and Anne said she would pray for Grace.

All in all, it’s been another amazing day as we all work as a team to share the love of Christ through our medical assistance with our beloved patients.

God’s work. Our hands.

1 Cor. 15:58- Beloved brethren, remain steadfast, immovable, ever abounding in the work of the Lord; knowing that your labor is not in vain.