When will the digging end?
Last week was quite eventful here on New Bagamoyo Road: lots and lots of digging outside (Seriously? How many digs does it take to install a piping system? We counted and we think this is the 5th time in 2.5 years!), some of our first power outages since our return, and a busy week in our household.
We finished out the previous week with one of the most exciting days of the school year – International Day. It’s such a joyous and celebratory day. So many nations represented by the students that attend Haven of Peace Academy, each one taking their turn parading in the gymnasium to their country’s national anthem [I always get teary]. And so much delicious food from all over the world!
Sadly, we learned this past Thursday morning that Jua, our German Shepherd puppy, died of rabies Wednesday night at the vet clinic. Obviously, it’s bad news to lose a pet – she was only with us for three weeks – but rabies adds a whole new dimension.
After getting the news from the vet, we planned to go straight to the (human) clinic after school that day, to get the vaccinations ourselves because all of us had contact with Jua when she was salivating incessantly. However, not more than an hour after receiving the call about Jua's death, Elliott’s teacher called to let us know he was having an asthma attack. And several hours after that, Aidan’s teacher called worried because he had a high fever and was in a lot of pain in his neck and back.
Needless to say, we were quite shaken and after getting both boys from school and getting Elliott’s breathing under control, we headed straight to the clinic to begin the 5-injection treatment. We learned that Aidan is actually the most fortunate of us all, because he had the 5-injection series when we first arrived in Dar in 2008, after an incident with a dog.
I’m not sure how many text messages I sent out that day, but there were many - to people near and far. Friends and family who called prayer chains, stopped meetings to pray, and sent love and support from down the street and from 10,000 miles away.
We’ve gotten 2 of the 5 injections out of the way. And both Aidan and Elliott are recovering well from their ailments. Thank you to all who prayed for us this week!
We finished off a challenging week with some fun. I had a very special breakfast Saturday morning with some wonderful friends and then spent the afternoon having fun with the boys and our good friend Rebecca, while Doug prepared his teaching for Sunday (that was fantastic, by the way).
The worship team praying before the serviceOur service on Sunday morning was great!
Our first Swahili teacher and great friend Omega (she is also Aidan and Elliott's Swahili teacher at school) Then we had a delicious tanzanian lunch (njegere na nazi, wali na masala, nyama, cabbage and chapatti) after church with our friend Omega and her family.
And then we headed off to some other friends' house for injection number two. Lisa jabbed us all and her thoughtful husband Jim gave us Hershey’s kisses from the USA since we took our shots bravely.
Our friend and trained nurse Lisa taking care of us
I feel tremendously thankful today: for our health, which we so often take for granted; for our wonderful family; for amazing friends that are truly a gift; for God always, always, always being faithful; for special food and for the fresh turkey (slaughtered Friday by our dear friends at the German boarding house) that is sitting in my freezer.