Because of Easter? Really?

So Doug was gone for a little over a week to Congo, and the kids and I fared pretty well.

Doug’s second night away, our guard Jeremiah was back for his VERY FIRST night on the job since his foot accident.  Patrick had a funeral to go to, so Jeremiah filled in.  He still can’t ride his bike, so he walked to our house for the night watch.  He lives quite a few miles out in a village, so I couldn’t believe it when he showed up walking on his recently injured foot.

I told him that on Sunday morning, I would be up early to call him a boda (motorcycle taxi) so he could get home for church.  He looked grateful.  At 7:30am, I called the taxi, and then I went out to tell him.

He was not ready to go.  He said he needed some pliers because some thieves had tried to break into our compound the night before and he needed to repair the fence.

"Oh.  Really?"

I told him he could wait until he returned that evening, but he said, “No.”  (And secretly, I was so thankful).

The thieves had cut through our neighbors fence, who really don’t care too much about safety, and they leave their gate open all night.  And then the thieves walked over to our fence, and cut it all the way down.

It was around 3am, and Jeremiah heard our dog, Lee, barking down by the latrine.  I’m not sure Jeremiah ever saw who was there.  I think Lee had them scared and running by then. 

That dog deserves a steak!

When I came back with two pairs of pliers, Jeremiah had a spool of wire to re-wire the chainlink fence back together, and some friends.

All the neighborhood watchmen, whom we love, were there to help him.

Kylie watching them inspect the damage

Sunday, Geoffrey, and Joel were already helping Jeremiah when Jack pulled up on the boda to take Jeremiah home.  I told Jack what they were doing and he would have to wait a bit, and then next thing you know, Jack was helping, too.

The sight made me smile, so I took a picture of these guys who care so much.

From left:  Sunday, Joel, Geoffrey, Jack, and Jeremiah.  Pulling the barb wire tighter and re-attaching it.

When Alice found out, she said, “There are many thieves around.  They are breaking in everywhere, because it is so close to Easter.”

She said it so matter of factly, but I wanted to say so badly, “You mean to say, to celebrate my Savior dying and rising from the dead, these thieves find it necessary to steal so they can get money to buy meat and new clothing for Easter?”

I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking somebody’s missing out on the “reason for the season.”

Don't lose your lunch...warning!

One morning at the end of February, when Jeremiah was preparing to ride his bike home after guarding the compound all night, he had a "little" mishap.

He got off his bike at the last minute and ran to wash his hands at the tap behind the house.

Unfortunately, he fell in a drainage ditch that runs around our house.

This ditch could EASILY break an ankle or shin bone, but instead, his foot, caught on a nail sticking out of the cement, and it ripped his foot open.

I could hear Doug saying, "Oh my.  I think you are going to need stitches."

But when I saw it, I could hardly believe my eyes.

 A nail?  Really?


I ran for the camera while Jeremiah was sitting so calmly trying to wrap his foot with a dirty rag.

I told him I would get him a clean one, but he said he didn't want... shock, I imagine.

Anyway, I made lots of phone calls to try to find the best place for him to go, because I do not trust the city's hospital.

The mayor's wife recommended a clinic, and after her husband made a call, Doug was off and running.

No one was there when Doug arrived, so he went looking for them.  After 15 minutes, Jeremiah was getting some attention.


His foot was stitched and wrapped, and Doug took him home.

In the meantime, the neighbor's guard was concerned, so I showed him the picture.

Then, he wanted to show the ladies across the way.

Then the guard across the street came over, and he wanted to see.

You should have heard all the "tsk, tsks" and "oohs."  But of course, you probably did the same thing, right?

I will only admit this once, but while I was crossing the street after showing the women, I got light-headed and had to sit down after I entered my gate.  I nearly fainted.



Three days later, Doug had to take him to change his bandages and check the stitches.  I sent the camera with him. 


YUCK!

 No air had gotten to the cut, and there was dried blood everywhere.

Plus, for the first time, I saw a picture of the stitches.   Look at the size of those things!!!

Unbelievable.




THEN, the next day...they took the stitches out!!  Do they take out stitches that quickly in the States??  I've never had stitches, so I don't know.  (I know after looking at the pictures why...the skin was growing over the strings).

Anyway, Doug had taken the camera again, and he took more pictures.

 

Surprise, surprise!  As you might have guessed, he had an infection, so they gave him a shot.  Doug also had to help the nurse wrap his foot because she didn't know how.


Lovely.


Then Doug was told to bring him in the next three days for a shot each day.

By the way, I did not send the camera with Doug anymore after this.

I think we all get the idea.



We are more than happy to help Jeremiah recover, but it would also be nice to have complete trust in our medical care here.

Also, Patrick has done an amazing job watching the compound every night.  We haven't had a day guard, but we are doing fine, and Jeremiah's spirits are great.

You can pray for him (if you aren't in the bathroom throwing up)!