The Story’s Not Finished Yet…

Written By Jennifer Bridges on March 7, 2014

When I finished with this post and read it a few more times, it seems like my tone is negative. My desire is really to give you a peek into the reality of the obstacles and to show how everyday is not a win all by itself. Only in heaven will we fully appreciate and see all of His plan. I was actually encouraged by what God is doing with our own medical in comparison to other programs and to continue to learn. Thank you for your grace as you read.

The very full days filled with physical activity, at times leave me wanting more sleep when time for buna (coffee) is called. Today we were in a hurry to climb the mountain to meet the expert at the deaf school in Nekempte. I was packing my overnight bag anticipating a shower; I think I’ve had three since I left a month ago. Any obstacles can be muted with bribery of a shower… I’m still weak like that. I had two sick patients to take care of and prepared the plate of treatment for the little boy so mama could supervise him tonight. Alex called the woman we had the appointment with and reminded her we were coming from far away and she dropped the first challenge.

Sometimes I think we are on the Amazing Race or something…we needed to be there by noon as she had other communities to visit after that. I frantically hurried my getting ready and huffed and puffed as fast as I could up the mountain as it was already 9AM and I had no idea how we were going to make it.

Once we made it to the bus station we learned there were no mini buses (vans). My heart has been disciplined to limit feeling but if I had one it was despair.   How were we going to make it, the time and energy and effort? I held on to my own bribe of the shower.

A sweet lady brought out a wooden chair from her house at the bus station having pity on me. She began talking and finally sharing her motive, to get rid of her kids. I ignore her. I am on a mission to the deaf school and I’m behind schedule. I chatted with the kids, precious yet filthy, snot running down their upper lips and again I must close my heart. Desperate people living in an impossible system, some imposed, some carried as tradition and some learned helplessness.

We get put on a list for the next available seats and finally a van comes. So thankful. There was nearly a fight over the coveted spots. We arrive in Nekempte with 15 minutes to spare and bribe the bus driver with some extra money to take us to the alley near the school. Walking in the gate right on time.

We met the lady we came to see and followed her to a room where she was going to check Jeldu’s ears. She took a small plastic basket and pulled out a small piece of equipment to peer inside. She announced they were clean. His ears were clean. Yes I know, I cleaned them. After a few minutes of discussion she informed us that the power was out and she could not test his ability to hear. Deflated. How I wish I had my solar. Even our power is better than this.

A kind man from Europe had been walking across the campus and entered the room. We discussed everything more clearly and he took us to the director. We discussed the services they had to offer and what was available locally. We talked about healthcare in general, complications with culture, how to get treatments and special services and aid from the government and other NGOs. Thankful to share more insights.

The very knowledgeable director and the kind man invited us to get our hotel room, eat lunch and they would call us when the power returned. What about the lady who said she would not be available after noon and put so much pressure on us? The director was surprised and said she would be around, no big deal (sometimes in an effort to be important a attitude of unavailability is imposed). Trying not to think of my rushing and huffing and puffing up the mountain. My unnecessarily inflicted panic.

We walk and take a crowded three wheeled taxi to the hotel and find out it is booked. No vacancy in the city with rooms that would be safe for me because of some meetings or something. All dreams of the shower bribery go down the drain.

By now it is 1:30 and we need some lunch. We walk again and go to “our restaurant.” The four of us order, all of the food comes except mine, they need 45 minutes to cook it. Bread with veggies. Ok.

We start to get worried, with no hotel we might get stuck without transportation. We finish our lunch, still no power and go to the bus station. We also have to get home before dark to climb down the mountain.

Finally we get a van and by 4:15 in the van and on our way back. We get the call…the power is on. Oh my goodness, this crazy life. Could we try again Tuesday? We are in route.

Truthfully I’m not sure she has what we are looking for. I want a clear diagnosis with current health of his ear. I want to know whether a hearing assistance device would make a difference and if so, what kind and finally info on current learning info. Even being 20 or so years old he has never had his ears checked. He was never allowed to go to school. Who cares about my silly shower? I certainly should not whine.

We arrive to the mountain just before dark and make our decent. Almost immediately it begins to pour down rain and I’m so thankful we didn’t get stuck in it. Ashebir is stuck away from home in the mud and will have to sleep somewhere.

Thankful to be home. Thankful to learn more today. Disappointed that it wasn’t my plan but surely that means God has something better.

A challenging way of life and a God who is in all of it. In the mess with me. My perceived mess is His creation that He loves and adores. The story is His and it’s not finished yet.