Marasmus

I learned about all kinds of things in nursing school that I promptly stored in the darkest recesses of my mind, thinking “I’ll never need that.” Take marasmus for instance. Marasmus is the most serious form of malnutrition; wasting caused by a protein and calorie deficiency. This happens in infants when they don’t get enough milk. It is always serious, and if it lasts long enough, the infant dies.

I had never actually seen marasmus – until I got here. Now I see it a lot. Just last week we admitted 2 new babies and both have marasmus. Emanuel came to us from a far away village. His mother died after childbirth and dad took the baby home to be cared for by grandma. Grandma and grandpa were willing and appeared able to look after Emanuel. They owned a small shop and had lots of canned milk powder available. They also had a feeding bottle. Yet when we arrived at the home, there was Emanuel—starving. He had gained only 4 ounces since his birth the month before. Why??? We don’t know .

Chawanangwa arrived yesterday, from the mission hospital in nearby Ekwendeni. She has been at the hospital for the 2 months since her mother died in childbirth. Chawanangwa’s elderly aunt was caring for her. During this time she lost more than ½ pound. Her aunt was not feeding her enough. Instead, the aunt was diluting the milk she had brought, and even drinking some of it herself. Hospitals here do not provide any food or care – that is up to the family of the patient. Incredible as it sounds, a baby can die of starvation while being a patient in the hospital. Why? God knows.

What we do know is that these heartbreaking events are not uncommon. In fact, they are all too common. Without the Crisis Nursery both Emanuel & Chawanangwa would likely be facing a slow and painful death. Watching little ones like them thrive on the good food and good care provided by our dedicated nannies is the best part of this job.

Don't Have

“Don’t have” is a common phrase here in Malawi. It is used often and in the most unexpected places. Like today. We are in Lilongwe for a meeting. We made the 5 hour drive yesterday so we could stock up on things that are unavailable, (or more expensive) in Mzuzu—like brown rice, cheese, skim milk powder, and granola. We shopped as soon as we got here. But we didn’t follow the first rule of life in Africa…”If you need it and they have it – get it.” Today, this pertained specifically to fuel. We made it to Lilongwe with over ¼ tank to spare, enough to get us around Lilongwe the next couple of days. We had some serious shopping to do, so first things first. We could fill up before returning to Mzuzu. At the end of the day the announcement came over the radio: “Fuel shortage starting today…may last up to a week.” Country wide! A week!! Last year we were stuck in Lilongwe overnight with a fuel shortage. The thought of spending an entire week here was less than exhilarating. This was supposed to be a 2 day trip.

The next day, as we shopped for a giant cook pot, Paul mentioned our dilemma to an Indian shopkeeper . He graciously informed us that owners of the station he uses has their own truck fleet. So he called on our behalf and was told there was a fuel tanker arriving within in an hour. We quickly finished up our shopping and drove over to the station, where trucks of all descriptions were lining up. Crowds of Malawians huddled around the pumps, filling up their 5 gallon drums and carrying them away . The temperature was high and emotions higher still. There was lots sweating and jostling for positions. Only one diesel pump was open. It looked hopeless.

Jumping the cue, Paul maneuvered our pick up into the line, squeezing in between 2 enormous tractor trailers and about 10 can carrying Malawians. It took the truck in front of us 30 minutes to put the 700 litres of fuel into his 2 tanks. We waited tensely as the driver pulled away and Paul edged into place. But we made it! After a few drum fill ups we had our turn. It took us 2 ½ minutes to fill and pay. We would be able to return to Mzuzu when we planned!

You never know when things will be available. In Mzuzu, stores have run out of bread, sugar, meat (for a month), jam (all types), brown flour, yeast, candles, chicken and numerous other items. They just aren’t available – anywhere. You just do without. Restaurants may have an extensive menu, but if you order anything but “chicken & chips” they will often say, “Don’t have.”

Right now our fuel tank is full and we have most of the things on our shopping list. And on our next trip to Lilongwe the first place we will go when we arrive is the gas station. You just never know.

Would you like to see an amazing picture of the gas station grid lock?

“Don’t have.”

A Time For Everything

“We are coming to your house tomorrow.” announced the voice on the other end of the phone. At the time, we were having dinner with guests and should have ignored the call. But like Pavlov’s dog we have been trained to answer when the phone rings.

“Who is this?” I inquired. “This is the St. Andrew’s Church Women’s Guild, and we are coming to your house tomorrow at 3 o’clock.” Slightly taken aback I replied in my politest voice: “We will not be here tomorrow afternoon because we will be working at the Nursery. But you are welcome to visit us there.” The caller persisted: “We don’t know how to find the Nursery so we will come to your house.”

Eventually, the Women’s Guild relented and at 3 o’clock the next afternoon a small pick-up truck, bulging with a gang of Presbyterian Women, pulled into the Nursery courtyard. As they disembarked they also unloaded a truckload of goodies—sugar, potatoes, soap, soft drink, etc.

After a quick tour of the Nursery we shared devotional time led by a member of the Guild. Then came introductions, a few short speeches, and 2 presentations. Dada Maliska (Paul) received a brand new shirt from the market and Mama Maliska (Darlene) was presented with 4 meters of beautiful material to be made into a dress. We thanked the women for the personal gifts and also for their generosity in bringing all the sugar, potatoes, etc. for the Nursery.

Only after their departure did we finally get clued in. Not only the shirt and material, but all the food, soap, etc. were gifts meant not for the Nursery but for the minister and the minister’s spouse. It is the duty and privilege of the Women’s guild to look out for the well being of all the pastors (Muliska) related to their congregation. This was not a spur of the moment drop in just to interrupt our busy day to say hello. This was a well planned care program for me and Darlene. The women raised the funds, purchased the gifts, and actually called (a highly atypical concession to us Americans) to announce their arrival.

It is the first time in my 36 years as a pastor that we have received such a visit. And the first time we received a chicken from the church.

NOTE: In addition to being director of the Crisis Nursery Paul also serves as the associate pastor of the 1200 member congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Mzuzu.

The Fall

Falling in love is a wonderful thing. It’s like walking into a surprise party for two. Falling out of love is a painful thing. It’s like walking out of a funeral home. Yet, as I remind couples when I preach a marriage homily, the honeymoon always ends. Sooner or later we hit the ground and fall out of love. Only then does the work of real love begin. {Which is why most men should stay married—it’s the best chance we have for growing up!}

I fell in love with Malawi during my first visit here in 2002. After 2 months of immersion in Malawi life both Darlene & I became convinced that our love was real. Our desire to somehow return for a long term commitment was undeniable.

Six years later (after 2 more visits) we said our vows and “moved in.”On Aug. 7, 2008 we returned to Malawi for a three year term as PCUSA (Presbyterian Church USA) missionaries. However, we soon became painfully aware that there is a huge difference between casual visits and “living together”. In fact we had a devil of a time. The honeymoon was over, we hit the ground, we fell out of love.

August 7, 2009 when we left for a visit to the States, some people wondered if we would ever return to Malawi. In my darkest moments, so did I.

We had fallen out of love.

Nevertheless, along the way, we had also begun the hard work of real loving. Our feelings had changed but our commitment had not. We were growing up. Returning to Malawi & the Mzuzu Crisis Nursery after our visit to the States was truly returning home. (Be it ever so humble!)

Exorcism

What the devil is going on here?

The devil,

the father of lies,

the tempter of souls,

the destroyer of hope,

gets a kick out of kicking us

when we are down.

So we say:

“The Devil made me do it!”

Do you “believe” in the Devil?

No, not I.

Yet,

I know not

how better to name “it”.

The lies that corrupt my mind,

the trials that drag down my spirit,

the darkness that shrouds my soul,

Is real!

Until…..

all heaven breaks loose

and I glimpse

The Light—The Life—The Love

of One who alone is

Truth;

the One who lifts my soul

above the devil’s reach .

Paul Heller

Domestic Difficulties

We are back in Malawi and everything is running at full swing. Now we can start to deal with some of the everyday problems that arise. The most pressing domestic problem we have is the rat. Yes, we have a rat living with us at home. I saw it one night. Then I saw its’ path of destruction. It chewed through powdered milk packets and the flour bag. It worked on the spices and even ate through the precious taco seasoning mix from the States (that dirty rat!!). It ravaged Paul’s desk drawers, leaving evidence of its’ presence with chewed fragments of scotch tape and numerous poops. Eeeeeeeeeeeew!

After it ate the taco seasoning I declared WAR. The only good rat is a dead rat. I tried traps and rat poison. No luck. It seems our rat enjoyed peanut butter the most. So I mixed the rat pellets with the peanut butter making special “crunchy” peanut butter. No go. Nothing.

After numerous failed attempts to kill this obnoxious critter I asked our staff for help. They readily agreed. They were up for the challenge. So yesterday, while I was at work, they did the deed. They heard the rat behind the bookcase in the study, and cornered it. Gift guarded the area in case the rat took an escape route while Baulen ran for the broom. Then they pressed the bookcase against the wall until the dirty rat came scurrying out from behind it. WHAM !– Baulen nailed it using the “percussion method”. Bingo! He was so excited he called me at work, where I was equally excited.

Baulen told me that he had killed another rat in the study while we were gone. So this was not the first. That gives me hope that we are now rat free (for the time being). We’ll see how long it lasts.

While We were Gone

“Who is minding the store while you are here in the States?” It’s a question raised at almost every one of our 8 Nursery presentations during September.

The answer is simple—our competent Malawian staff. Augustine Harawa (Administrative Assistant), Anna Kamanga (Nurse), and Veronica Mwenelupembe (Staff Supervisor), took full responsibility for all administrative decisions. Our 12 nannies, 2 house-keepers, 2 watchmen, and 1 gardener, carried on faithfully.

Upon our return we were welcomed with songs and hugs. We were also welcomed by 15 healthy babies,

including 3 new arrivals Brandina, Eunice, and Gift. Alec, however, Alec who has filled our life with the joy of his smile, his play, and his hugs since our arrival last August, Alec has gone back to his home in the village. That is the joy of why the Nursery exists, but still it hurts.

Visiting our own “home village” in the States was a joy, but so is the return to our village here in Mzuzu.

Pictured are our 4 newest residents going to the clinic for their baby shots.

New Arrivals

We are currently in the States for a little American R & R (Running & Racing). While the pace is busy we are enjoying time with family and will soon be visiting churches to tell baby stories. Since leaving our home the Nursery has welcomed two new arrivals which has tipped the gender balance in favor of little girls.

Augustine, the Administrative Assistant, wrote to announce their admission.

“Yesterday we admitted a new baby girl by the name of Brandina Nyasulu and she is one and a half months old. Her birth weight was 3.7 kgs but her weight has gone down to 3 kgs during her admission date. The mother died some three weeks ago and the baby was being taken care of by her uncle. She is the sixth born in a family of six. We don't know yet if the mother had tested for HIV or not and what made her die. The attached photo of the baby was taken yesterday at the Mzuzu District Social Welfare Office.”

Last week Augustine emailed the arrival of 2 month old Eunice Nyasulu (no relation to Brandina). Her mother died on August 19 and she was admitted to the Nursry on the 21^st.

The Nursery is now operating at full capacity with a total number of fifteen babies.

During our time in the States, Paul & Darlene will be speaking about the mission of the Nursery at the following Presbyterian Churches:

Sunday 9/6 10:00 am Plattsburgh worship (518-561-3140)

Tuesday 9/8 6:00 pm Chazy potluck (846-7349)

Wed. 9/9 5:30 pm Saranac Lake potluck (891-3401)

Thur. 9/10 6:00 pm Potsdam potluck (265-9434)

Sat. 9/12 6:00 pm Watertown Stone potluck (788-5630)

Sun. 9/13 Watertown First worship

Tues. 9/15 11:00 am Rouses Point Presbytery meeting

Sun. 9/20 11:00 am Woods Memorial, Saverna Park, Md.