When it rains it pours, but it doesn’t have to rain to flood…

This week has had several crappy days. Just don’t know another way to put it. I do have to say there has some positive amongst all the negative. If you search hard enough you can find a bright side to anything!

We started off the week with a visit to the HIV clinic. 4 American girls, 1 Tanzanian and 4 beautiful babies all pile into to the SUV for the short ride down the road to the clinic. I’m sorry it just sucks that we even have to take these precious angels to this appointment. But, they were all so good with very few tears shed. Bahati fell asleep in Christy’s arms, Clinton was all smiles with Suma, Rehma was content and laughing in Emma’s lap and sweet Helena rested quietly as I held her. All the babies’ numbers from the viral load test indicated they are all HIV positive, but Rehma’s were the only one high enough to start ARV’s. That is somewhat good news for Bahati, Clinton and Helena except, it meant they must have blood drawn again for the CD4 (I think that’s what it’s called) test. We are praying the results remain consistent. The later they have to begin ARV’s the better. Before coming I’d read all the statistics about AIDS and it prevalence in Africa, but I never imagined having it become so personal. It’s numbing to think about how the sins of the parents of these babies determine their future. It doesn’t seem fair, but I know God has a wonderful plan for the lives of these children of His.

Me and Helana just after she had blood drawn.

Christy with snoozing Bahati!

After several hours, just imagine taking 4 babies at once to a doctors appointment, we arrived back at CoL. Davona was patiently awaiting our arrival to advise that immigration had paid her a visit. That should be enough said, right…it’s NEVER fun to have to deal with immigration. They want to verify we all have the appropriate visa, which basically just means they want us to pay an additional $120. I’m still trying to find the bright side of this…

And, I must say it’s really annoying to have ants EVERYWHERE. I kid you not, I’ve already killed 3 on my computer screen while typing this!

We did have a Birthday party for Hope, Larzaro, Michael and Bryan. Now that was lots of FUN. Each baby had a piece of cake. And, then we just let them have at it! It was so fun to watch them devour their yummy treat. Check Hallie’s blog boundforafrica.blogspot.com for those fun details!

Michael, Hope, Lazaro and Bryan all waiting to dig in...well, probably actually wondering what is going on!

Now here go the toddlers diggin' in!

Christy and I also had a wonderful weekend. We spent the night with our friends Hannah and Zac on Friday and then went to Moshi for a Rugby tournament all day Saturday. It was so fun to enjoy the beautiful day watching rugby. We joined our Aussie friends in their cheers. It was similar to an intramural game at home except across the field I’d see Acacia Trees and hear the Kenya’s singing in Swahili. In case anyone cares, Arusha (our team) came in 2nd place; those Kenyans sure did get pumped up at the end!

Me, Hannah, Christy and Bridget watching the rugby tournament.

After a wonderful weekend, Monday was the day to pay immigration a visit. WooWhoo! So, we went into town and it was actually pretty painless. We all have to complete a bunch of paper work and send it in to Dar for approval. Not too painful just a huge inconvenience, which is pretty typical in Africa. You never know what the day will bring.

For example, coming home from town to Davona advising “Brace yourself, your entire apartment in flooded!” Well, that put some pep in our step, for sure! We ran upstairs to find David, the gardener, and Emma, a volunteer from CA, mopping up the mess. I don’t know if we mentioned the fact that sometimes the water just stops running. Well, that happened this morning when Emma was rinsing out some clothes in her shower. So, she turned the knob to what she thought was off. Whoopsies, it was the wrong way! Due to the full stream of water and the stellar African plumbing it didn’t take long to over flow out of the low tub, into the bedrooms, living room and kitchen. Evidently there had been about 2 inches of water in through out the apartment. But, we were all so lucky that nothing was really damaged, just wet. Oh, and the floor got mopped!!!

After spending sometime trying to figure out some logistical matters we all went to bed laughing when the power went out!

Gotta love Africa!



Upcoming plans -
I’m leaving on Wednesday for a trip to Uganda with a few friends to raft the Nile. Chirsty, Heath and Hallie are staying here to hold down the fort.

Oct 17th is our last day at CoL

Oct 23rd Christy and I leave for South Africa, where we will be spending our last few months working with Luo in Jeffery’s Bay and Baby Haven in Johannesburg.