Mission to Tanzania 5th Letter
Dear Friends, Loved Ones and Prayer Partners-
Today we began the transition from tourists to mission-minded travellers. This morning we boarded our bus at 7:30am and drove 13km from Arusha to Selian Lutheran Hospital. None of us knew what to expect. We had been invited to visit and our only instructions were to be there at 8:00am. We were met by a young man who led us to the small chapel that was filled to capacity with doctors, nurses, maintenance staff and just about everybody else who was working at the hospital today. Of course, this being a Lutheran chapel at a Lutheran hospital, the only available seating was in the first two rows. We made our way to these seats of honor.
A hospital chaplain led a brief devotion in Swahili and then there was some singing - no instruments, just voices. A heavenly sound. Then the chief of staff, an American missionary doctor named Mark Jacobsen stood up and welcomed us. He mentioned that we were associated with Erik and Beth Hanson and there was a definite buzz in the room. Thank you mamaanya (Beth's nickname over here) for setting this up. Because of you we were treated as family.
Then the medical staff began a briefing on the various patients- those who had died during the night (2), yesterday's admission (9), planned surgeries (a ton) and total bed count (92 out of 100). The first question asked (and unanswered) with each death concerned HIV status. As the doctors presented their cases and debated treatment strategies, we listened, fascinated, using our American pseudo TV-based medical knowledge to try to keep up.
Then the meeting broke up and people got to work. We were given a tour guide, an Aussie occupational therapist named Sarah Wallis, another close friend of the Hansons. She led us around the hospital, taking us in almost every room. Please don't take this as a throw-away description - Sarah is one of those very rare people who captivate people. The patients lit up when she poked her head in their rooms, even those who she wasn't treating.
Our group's overall impression of Selian — if we were sick, we would want to be treated there. The equipment is nowhere near state-of-the-art, but the place practically screams "healing." The staff is amazing, especially the woman who runs the labor and delivery wing. We saw some pretty cute newborns, none more so than the premie born at 26-weeks who is now 2 months old and still weighs less than 3 pounds. The staff refer to her as the "miracle baby."
As Sarah gracefully led us around, we sat with many of the patients and communicated as best we could. There was an amazing story of a terrible bus accident in Arusha several weeks ago where 45 people were killed 30 more had severe injuries. Most were taken to the government hospital in Arusha but that hospital's orthopedic wing consists of putting people in traction and hoping they get better. Yesterday 7 of those patients were transferred to Selian and four underwent orthopedic surgery yesterday and 3 more did today. That's some kind of surgical speed record, but more than that, 7 people will walk again because of Selian.
Many children are treated for misshapen legs and are sent home with a chance at a future. Massai mothers who have been ostracized from their communities because of their childbirth traumas that lead to incontinence are being fixed up both medically and socially. AIDS patients are being loved.
As we shook hands to leave, one of our group members handed Dr. Jacobsen a check $300.00 and asked that it be put to good use. Dr. Jacobsen replied that 2 children would have their misshapen legs fixed. Talk about a tangible result.
As we made our way back to the main road, we entered a different world - one we had been seeking for days. You see, Arusha is a wonderful town, but we have mostly experienced our hotel, the ATM and surrounding resturaunts. Since our hotel is in a somewhat busy tourist area, there are street sellers who come running to offer you a "good price" on everything from beaded jewelry to, no joke, machetes. They quickly become tiring.
This was not that. The dusty road leading to Selian had been awakened from it's morning slumber and was now transformed into the very picture of a lively African market. We asked the driver to stop and popped out of the bus and began to walk the streets. We were the only white people around. The locals treated us warmly without any pushy tourist sales tactics. There were hundreds upon hundreds of roadside stands, each selling items such as fruit, beans, lumber, shoes and nearly everything else under the African sun. What a rush.
At the beginning, I was separated from the group and as I searched for them, I learned that Swahili has a word for "white tourist." So as I walked the streets, I simply said that word (I don't want to butcher it here) and the shopkeepers pointed me in the right direction. It is an amazing thing to be the only person of non-color in a large mass of humanity and still be treated with respect. As always, we can learn much from our African brothers and sisters.
You will be happy to know that after our African market experience, we proceeded directly to a traditional Chinese resturaunt for lunch. They even Mandarin on the menu, chopsticks and some great hot and sour soup. However, we were told by the owner that there is currently a chicken shortage in Arusha and therefore we could only order beef, seafood or vegetable dishes. Just another of those "only in Africa" moments.
The afternoon was spent purchasing supplies for our visit to Kikarara Church that commences tomorrow. We did, however, find time for a cappachino at the coffee shop.
Tomorrow we will meet the AIDS orphans we have been thinking about these many months and the pastor who cares for them, Godbless Mamwke. By the end of the day, we hope to make Pastor Mamkwe a motor vehicle owner. We thought a motorcycle might be good since he travels all over Northern Tanzania to do youth ministry. But there is one problem — Pastor Mamkwe has two small children. So we are going car shopping instead. And because people are still giving money to the cause, we might just be able to pull it off. We at least are going to kick some tires.
I'm amazed at the response we have received from people who have shared the story of what we are trying to do here. Checks are still being written, many from people who only know us through someone else. Thanks again. Tomorrow, we will give some gifts that will go far beyond what we had hoped to give.
We leave at 9:00am tomorrow morning. We are stopping at the Kilimanjaro Airport to see if my lost bag has finally arrived (probably not, but a guy can hope) and then we pass directly under the shadow of MT. Kilimanjaro as we make our way to Kikarara. I hope it's a clear day.
Please pray for the AIDS orphans as we meet them for the first time. Please pray that our car shopping is successful. Please pray that we will all remain healthy. But most of all, as we head into the unknown, pray that we will trust in the Father who loves knows no bound.
There is no doubt that we are blessed to be here. Now it's time to do some blessing of our own.
Pastor Rick Sherrill (with help from Susan and Lois, fact checkers par excelance) for the entire team
P.S. Dave Tribby wrote back within minutes of last night's e-mail to say that there were 6 Toyota Land Cruisers mentioned. Score one for the Stanford grad.