Tsala's Follow Up

On Tuesday (March 17) three weeks after she was admitted to the hospital’s special nutrition unit, Tsala and her Grandmother returned to the village. Darlene (RN), Anna (RN), & Veronica (Supervisor) went to visit her on Wednesday and were encouraged to see marked improvement. Thanks to a generous donation to the Crisis Nursery we were able to supply Tsala with 12 cans of Lactogen , enough formula to last her about a month.

Tsala’s grandmother is doing her best. However, Tsala’s stepmother will have nothing to do with the baby, and her father has refused to give money for her support. So the Grandmother has asked permission from the father to move with Sara back to her home village, several hours away. We think that the grandmother is Tsala’s best hope. With even a little support from her father we believe that Tsara will make it. In a few weeks we will check on her again to evaluate her progress.

This picture is of beautiful Tsara at her first follow-up visit on Wednesday. Pray that she will again be a bright and well cared for baby.

Poverty

Poverty,
like promiscuity,
can
pervert more than eyes can see.
Some—thing,
deeper than any—thing,
when undernourished,
Stops
simply growing
{simply saying it poorly}!
Some—how
seeds
of curiosity & creativity,
reason & rationality,
inventiveness & individuality,
remain
ungerminated
beneath layers of
superstition,
repetition,
& conformity.
What can
penetrate such perverting poverty
Save
the Light
of the World?

Paul Heller

Anniversary

Twelve hour days, no time off, malaria dragging down staff and babies, short-staffed due to vacations, financial worries – it was all getting to us. So last weekend (thanks to a generous friend) we stole away to a resort 1 ½ hours from here to stay the whole weekend. This was only the second full weekend we have had off since August. It was time for a break.

The Chinteche Inn is a beautiful resort on the shores of Lake Malawi. Upon our arrival we were met with a cool drink of orange and passion fruit juice with ICE! Then we were shown to our cottage on the lake with a private patio and a kitchenette. The lake was sparkling, the cottage perfect.

For 2 glorious days we focused our energy on sleeping, eating, and eating some more. The food itself made us feel like we had somehow suddenly left the country, and we relished every bite. Chicken stuffed with feta cheese, roast beef, salad with black olives, and a wonderful vegetable soup. A chocolate something for dessert topped with vanilla ice cream sealed the meal. It was fabulous!

The best part was Saturday night – our actual anniversary date. We celebrated our 38 years together with dinner on the beach. A private table, complete with white linen table cloth and candles, was set out near the water. Four torches lighted the surrounding area. The gently blowing tropical breeze, waves lightly lapping on the shore, night bugs softly trilling, and the expansive African night sky made it was heavenly. Unforgettable!

We swam, kayaked, walked, ate, and rested. It seems we didn’t realize how tired we were until we got a chance to stop. Then we crashed for 2 days, taking a much needed leave and enjoying every minute of it.

So here we are back in Mzuzu starting our 39th year together. Learning a new culture, a new language, a new life style has its difficult moments. But it’s an adventure that we’re doing together with your help. We wouldn’t have it any other way.