What To Do?!

OK folks I'm going to need some feedback on this blog!! Things have been absolutely crazy since we got back and graduated from DTS. It's hard to believe that it's only been a month. So many great things happened on our outreach that I haven't even told you about and so many great things are happening right now that I haven't told you about. My issue is this...how do I balance telling you about the past AND fill you in on the future? Also!! Do you want to continue hearing about the outreach or are you more interested in what is happening right now? I need your feedback!!

I do want to give you a taste of right now. Brett and I will be working with the Community Development Team, which is lead by John and Carla Shaw. The CD team develops relationships in the community doing things such as feedings, tea time, and building homes. Our heart is all about relationship and getting those relationships to the point of family. John and Carla have been clear about mine and Brett's role for the next few months...watch them and see how they do it. In other words, take things slow and pay attention to how things are done. Their heart was not for us have to jump in and swim right off of DTS. Didn't happen!!

Last Wednesday, Sifiso, our newest home owner and worker on base, went to Carla and wanted to know if she could take Lizzy, his wife, to the dentist. Carla had just left base and was heading into Pretoria for our staff retreat. She sent me a whatsapp and asked if I could take her. "Yes we can" was our response. I say we because Brett and I are still learning the area and I needed him to go with me. We thought that maybe Lizzy just needed to have a tooth pulled and all would be well...NOT THE CASE! We got to the house and I knew as soon as I saw her that this was not going to be an easy visit to the dentist. The left side of her face was so swollen that it was actually moving down into her neck. Lizzy is very open and welcoming and I knew she was in a lot of pain when she just went and got in the car. No hug...no welcome...she was in terrible pain.

This next part has way too much detail to tell you, so I'm going to make it short and sweet. Went to dentist in White River. He saw her, took an x-ray, and said the following words..."she needs an IV antibiotic today and they may even admit her. This is life-threatening!" Life-threatening was not what we were prepared to hear. Took her to government hospital. Oh my! Can't even begin to tell you this chaotic story. Finally got back with the dentist there. Told him what other dentist said and his response was..."she just needs to take these oral antibiotics and come back Friday. She'll be fine until then!" I know we're not supposed to judge but, to me, he seemed uncaring and rude to her.

Now we have two completely different opinions! What do we do? How do we handle this situation? So glad we all have whatsapp on our phones! We were sending text like there was not tomorrow! Finally we came to a decision...take her to the private hospital. At the private hospital we had to wait about two hours in the Casualty, ER, until they called her back. Upon calling her back, they went right to work. She got three antibiotics and pain medicine through an IV. The Dr that treated her here was compassionate but firm about not ignoring swelling like this. He also said it was good that we brought her on in. The swelling could have choked her to death by Friday had we left it untreated. OK, then! Right decision made!

While Lizzy was being treated, Brett took Sifiso to get a few things that Lizzy would be able to eat and drink. While they were at the grocery store, Brett asked if the children like cereal. They have three precious children that have so much love to give! Sifiso said "they like Cornflakes" and so it was the big box! Finally all done at the hospital! Lizzy is pain free for a little bit and actually smiling. We got to the house and the children, who had been so concerned about their mommy, came running out to check on her. They wouldn't let go of her hand. It was beautiful! We put the groceries on the table and they were absolutely unaware of anything but their mom. UNTIL!! The big box of Cornflakes came in! Those kids eyes lit up like it was Christmas!! All three of them attacked Brett with kisses and hugs and THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

What can I say, except that in that moment, I knew two things...life is precious and even the small things can bring so much joy! To sum up our day...for about the equivalent of $200 two wonderful things happened...a life was saved and three children got to enjoy a great big box of Cornflakes! So for those of you who ask "what are you going to do in South Africa?" This is your answer!!