You are Awesome

I just Love you all because I knew if this site was created you would come... and you have.  Your comments have me smiling and often laughing.  All I can do next is to continue to share that with everyone we meet.  Thank You.

Well, I learned pretty quickly that there is a reason for quiet time in the mid-day.  After my last post, I trekked on back to the Mission and very nearly had heat stoke.  But all is very well.  Lots of water and a nice cold coke did the trick.  And they had this HUGE meal waiting for me when I returned.  (about a pound of sweet potatoes, sort of stewed with a broth containing bits of fish. YUM)  OH, and have I mentioned the mangos yet.  They are in season and so plentiful and perfect.  We can't let a day go by without one !!  Potatoe stew- local style

So, a lot has happened since Tues... and I want to find a way to keep you up to date without making this too much of a novel.

• Why do they have wounds??  Don't we all occasionally ??  Except here there is a danger of infection from the dust/dirt and a poor understanding of cleaning it and treating it in the beginning... I suppose that's why.   I've decided not to mention snake bites; it may worry some of you... Oops, now I went and did it !!  I've never seen a snake here.  When I return home I'd like for us to create a donation box of bandages to send.  They have gauze and cotton... vet-wrap and band-aids would be a fantastic supplement.
• Two Sisters and I went on a "house" call.  The people here are divided into walled family compounds... the entire family unit lives and shares in one large space that will have separate buildings within it, trees, and sometimes even a TV.  What we saw, experienced, and did, still leaves me speechless................
• Sometimes the wind kicks up (once or twice a day) and they have a "sand storm".... run for cover my friends !!!!
• The Mission compound is about the size of a Walmart... they have three buildings, some fruit trees, a garden, and lots of space.  It is typical of all Missionaries of Charity, CLEAN.  There is a lot of JOY; it's as simple as my trying to say a word in Bambaran and the entire group will burst into laughter (with me always, never at me... in this land Respect for Self and Others is understood as the Norm)
• Yesterday, immediately following the Mass, I was delightfully greeted by the man sitting right next to me on the bench.  His name is Ralph, which is short for Raphael , and he teaches English and French.  So conversation was just like home!!  He was overjoyed because I reminded him of his English Teacher, Mrs. Graham (originally from Ohio) when he was a small boy.  It gets better..... He is from the Tribe Dogon.  OK... so now I need to tell you a bit more about our journey (which I have been quiet about.... did you think this was only about volunteering?)  On Saturday we will be flapping our wings again.  We started in a city, we are now in a town, and next week we will be trekking with a guide into tribal villages... the "bush".  The numerous villages we will visit are Dogon.  If you'd like to read more about the Dogon, just click on this Link.  So Raphael is a huge supplement to our journey.  It was great to meet him and he has invited us to his home on Friday for a large meal.  Stayed tuned
• Finally, in the afternoon, all of the women (about 20) living currently at the mission with their sick babies decided to give us a proper celebration.  They had 3 really wild drums, sang, and we all danced, generally in a circle; but sometimes someone would break into the middle for a solo.  There was so much laughter and clapping.  Where we live this type of celebration only seems to occur during the "fun" part of a wedding.  Here it was created in the blink of an eye, only the women, and no alcohol in site.  Sister Clara was right there with us; I never laughed so hard.  

OK, so now we are up to date.  Today is Thursday, the 19th and I have the day to myself.  The Mission is "quiet" on Thursday's and Sunday's to allow the Sisters to rest and pray.  All that is done today is to medicate the babies.

Questions:  Sorry Alison,  no Elephants yet... but you can dream them into the experience any time you want.  Let us know how it goes.  For Karen Donovan,  Sister Shalom is from Westport, County Mayo, Ireland... I've been there with my friend Cindy back in 87 I think.