Run Through the Jungle

I had a conversation with Elma a few months ago, about how we are yanked out of our comfort zone and plunked into some strange land where we can't even take our own kids to the doctor. Like our experience barometer was completely reset, there's nothin' there! I remember that in full detail as we attempted to deal with Joel's surgery, and I wasn't even able to tell the receptionist what his height was. Maybe there's a reason why at first you don't know what's going on in a new culture, maybe it's a way to ease the shock of adjusting.

So as we've lived here for 8 months, I have definitely come to realize there are some very different ways of doing things here. Let me tell you of our experience yesterday.

Both Joel and Kezia have weird things on their skin, so I realized I would at some point have to take them to the doctor. I went with money in my pocket, right next to my dictionary, and off we went on the micro. We were heading to the same clinic where Laurie took Joel and I in September. I got there, fully capable of asking for an appointment, giving the receptionist the information and payment.

We saw the doctor right away instead of waiting for 2 hours, which totally shocked me She looked at Joel's spots, and Kezia's rash and chatted with me. There was only one sentence that I didn't understand, but she was patient with me. What I got out of our conversation was that Joel had something she had never seen before and needed to go to a dermatologist. Kezia on the other hand, had something caused by bacteria and she gave me a prescription for cream and oral meds. Okay, so we got that straight. Then I tried to figure out where I could go to see a dermatologist. She gave me the name of a doctor, and wrote directions for his office. I had to ask her to re-write it because her stereotypical doctor's writing was awful.

We hailed a taxi and I tried to explain where this other clinic was, but I had never been there before. He dropped us off, and I went hunting in a large building. We finally found it on the 2nd floor and I asked to see the doctor. Again, I was asked a bunch of questions, and since I was getting tired, there were a few more that I had to ask to be repeated. That office was empty, and so we got in right away.

The doctor first looked at Kezia's rash and said it wasn't caused by bacteria, and took the other doctor's prescription from me. He told me it was caused by a ____________ and she probably got it from ___________ and it may cause problems with her ___________. Otra vez por favor? _______ was probably caused by a ___________ from a cat or a dog. I should have asked him if he spoke English. Sigh. My guess is that she probably got ring worm. Is there anything else that you can get from cats and dogs that makes a funny ring shaped rash?

So he wrote me a new prescription that I couldn't read. All I gathered was jarabe (syrup) and a second thing that just had squiggles and a #1. He kind of wrote her name on the top, but no one would be able to tell it said Kezia.

Then he looked at Joel and I asked him if it was verrugas (warts) and he said, maybe. Then he went on to explain something to me, that I only caught half of. Kind of like the teacher in Charlie Brown, that's all I heard. Well, okay, maybe a bit more.... He told me he would burn them off with some brown liquid, and that I should pick them off in a few days and apply the same cream for Kezia to Joel. Then I could come back next Wednesday and he'd do the same procedure. Okay, so I come back next week? Yes. That's good.

I paid cash, received no receipt or anything, and then we left.

I realized once we got out on to the main road, that we were on the 1st ring and could just take a micro home. Well, we hopped on one, but it was going the opposite way and we ended up going all the way around the city before it dropped us off close to home, only 5 blocks away from the clinic. Oh, for pity's sake!

There was a pharmacy right there, so I decided to fill it instead of walking home. I took a ticket and when my number was called, I went up to the counter with my prescription. She asked me if I wanted to get both items, and I asked her how much and what they were. One was a syrup and the other was a ___________. I told her they were for my daughter. She asked me if I wanted to get the __________ here. ?????? Do you want the medicine administered here or are you going back to the doctor? Oh, no, here would be great. Okay, another 4Bs. That's fine. I got the meds and realized there was a syringe in the bag. What's this for?

We were directed to a back room and Joel was told to sit on the table. The girl, who except for the lab coat had no resemblance to any nurse or lab tech I've ever seen, wiped Joel's arm and started breaking open the glass viles for the injection. I asked her what it was for, and she said it was an antibiotic.

Here, and many other places in the world, rather give antibiotics with a quick needle to the bum. It's faster than 10 days of syrups, but it's certainly something I'm not used to at all.

So she just pricked Joel and we waited to see if he had a reaction in the waiting area. Nope. Nothing. So off we went back and he got a shot to the buttock. I asked about the bottle of syrup that didn't appear to be syrup at all, and the lady told me I have to mix it with water.

We walked home, Joel a little bit more gingerly, kind of confused about what just happened that afternoon.

Once I sat down with Carl, he asked how it went. I think alright, I mean, I was sort of able to understand what was going on, but I was getting tired at the end, so maybe I missed a few things? I couldn't figure which kid had the bacteria, which kid had the viral thing, or was it a parasite? Between both doctors I couldn't keep the bits of information I had straight. Carl looked at the prescription paper and noticed it was Kezia's name on the top. Remember there were two things? A syrup and something else? Well, that something else was the injection, I think, because that's the only other thing that I got at the pharmacy. But Joel got the shot? What?!

Grrrr.....how could that happen? I handed them the paper! Couldn't they figure out the squiggles? I told them it was para mi HIJA-JA-JA, not my son. And of course, I was too blitzed or confused to figure it out.

Well, another thing, the syrup that I picked up will only last for 8 days, and I need 15 days worth of medicine, so I have to go back. The crazy bottle didn't even have proper instructions, and as if we'd find any specific instructions on the doctor's note aka chicken scratch and chicken scratch in Spanish to boot!

So, this afternoon, I'll go back with Kezia, with my scribbled paper in hand, to buy another bottle of powder-mix-with-water, and to get Kezia's shot in the dingy back room with the 15 year old lab tech.

There's a reason why we don't get everything in the first few months, or else we couldn't survive the shock of it all.

You Are Always on My Mind....

If I Would Blow

This morning I was reminded of how easy it would be for me to totally lose my cool and blast the closest person next to me. It was a bit of a rough morning as I watched and only partially understand someone taking their frustrations out on a number of people.

I didn't blast anyone this morning, in case you are wondering :)

Although I can see it; there is something totally freeing in the moment of just letting it all out, and holding nothing back. I have to say that since I'm a fairly passionate person and quite verbal, I'm ashamed that those times have happened in the past more than I would like to admit.

Unfortunately that moment of release is followed by days, weeks and even months of regret and pain. It's just not worth it. Consider the other precious person that has to now deal with the wounds that you've inflicted. I've been on the receiving end in the past, and it is absolutely awful.

I'm hoping it's more than understanding the consequences of verbally lacerating someone that has bettered me. Maybe the following things have shaped me too and today I was reminded of them. I'm going to make a list because Carl thinks it's hilarious how I have to categorize things; now I just make lists to confirm to him my obsession!

1) I served alongside Carl in a church

2) I was a teacher and I am a mom

3) I am unable to express myself passionately in Spanish

4) I married Carl


So this whole church thing, being in a pastoral role, well, that really shaped me. I discovered pretty quickly the pedestal we were placed on. We were responsible for many people's well-being and I couldn't just go spouting off any time I felt like it. I had to stop and think and talk and pray and put the other person first. Oh, that was hard. Maybe it was first to make sure I didn't get my husband fired, but after a short while, I realized that this calling of ours would be compromised and relationships would be harmed, people would be hurt.

Being a teacher, well, I don't have to do much explanation. A kid drives me nuts, I want to strangle him, but I don't, so I don't get fired. Okay, okay, not really. But as I began to understand the calling in a pastoral role, I realized that with a calling (including the one as a teacher) comes the opportunity to influence lives.

My role as a mother, well, everyday has it's challenges. Can I hear an Amen?! Someone, somewhere said that if you want to change the world, there are two places to do that; become a teacher or become a parent. I would say that this is true. But what a high calling, eh? There are days that I get frustrated and just would like to let that geiser blow, but then I stop for a second. I look down at the faces of small children, 6, 4, and 1. I think. What would that do to them now? What lasting impact will this make? How will this shape how they relate to others and eventually their own children? Is the release of my frustration worth that? Who do I want to model?

Living here, and not being fluent in the language does have it's limitations. But it's also like a lovely safety check for my quick mouth. I can relay information, ask questions, and I can even tell a joke in Spanish. But I can't get mad and express myself in Spanish and I can't quickly respond when someone else is mad. That pretty much takes out any opportunity for me to get into a fight with someone in Spanish. Such a lovely safety device. I hope that will remain long past my increasing fluency.

My dear husband is a long-suffering individual. It takes quite a bit to get him outwardly angry. He's not shallow emotionally by any means, and it some ways his still waters run deeper than my emotions on my sleeve. Over the years, I have seen him get very upset about things, passionate and angry. But never have I seen him blast into someone just to get something off his chest. Oh, there were so many opportunities, and he chose the high road, bit his tongue and walked away. But afterwards, he went back, talked calmly, expressed himself, worked through the situation. He put the other person first, even though it meant he had to carry his issue longer and farther. Many times, I would get angry that people didn't put Carl first. But he continued to take the high road. From that, I have learned a great deal.

So what am I trying to say with all this? Well, I realize that it has to be more than the consequences that stop us from lacing into someone else verbally. It can't just be about self preservation, ooooo...I might lose my job! They won't like me! I'll be a bad example! It's not about us, it's about the other person. What about their well-being? What about the relationship that is now poisoned? What about what they learn about interacting with other people?

If I have a problem with someone or something or I need to get something off my chest, how should I do it? I could speak in Spanish....:) or I could stop and wait and focus on the other person. Did you know you can get your point across and exchange words in a way that edifies both people? Did you know that the release from calmly and thoroughly talking with someone is much healthier than that destructive hollow feeling that drowns you once you blast someone?

I felt awful today for the people that were on the receiving end of someone's strong emotions. I understand that particular person had to get something off their chest, but there were so many better ways to do it. Carl and I later tried to be an encouragement, and we hope that we were able to help in the healing for the recipients. I learned a bit more today about relationships today. If everyone focused on the other person, even when we are angry, even when it's hard, we'd all be happier and healthier for it.

But I won't lie, there are just some days......

Thanks Lord, for walking with me on those days.

Our World This Week

It's been an interesting week. I'm not feeling like story telling right now, but thought you'd appreciated some tid-bits of our life.

*Joel got a cold this week and has been self-moderating the amount of sugar he's been eating. So he's refusing anything sugary, so that he can make a full and quick recovery.

*Kezia learned how to whistle this week and is proud as punch. She's showing off to everyone. Yet another skill she learned before her brother.

*Joel doesn't care that he can't whistle, he's busy with this whole sugar/cold/immune system thing.

*And he's starting to read, he can sound out quite a few words already.

*Carl took Terry from Winkler around the city to help Terry prepare for a youth missions' trip here in Bolivia next year.

*Asha learned a new phrase, "Get it!". Not sure about that one, especially when it follows our "No" after she asks for candy or pop.

*Carl has a head cold and has read 2 books this week.

*I have a cold, but unfortunately can't stop with the sugar intake and have received much advice from Joel about immune system suppression.

*Kezia had gymastics pictures Saturday morning that last the entire morning. In a hot stuffy gym with an even stuffier waiting area for the poor parents.

*Asha said "Love you" to us when we were putting her to bed.

*I got black oil paint into the grooves of my ring when I was painting the perimeter fence and managed to get it out by soaking it in gasoline.

*Asha has officially joined the Kezia's-obsessed-with-dresses-and-skirts Club

*I killed a scorpion in our bathroom and now have a problem walking barefoot anywhere.

*Carl and I went on a fabulous date night on Saturday and ate ourselves round with Italian food.

*I am currently fighting a battle over territory with the ants in my bathroom.

*Carl located the horrendous smell in the deposito; a dead rat in the garbage can.

*Neither Carl or I have been to the market this week. Our fridge is a little empty.

*Carl will be preaching at Sinai in 10 hours so I probably should get off the computer so he can prepare.

Easter, as in Pascua

This past weekend we celebrated Easter, a little different than last year or the year before.

Friday was a quiet day at home. Kezia had a fever so we didn't go to the evening church service. And it didn't even bother me that we didn't do the "usual" on Good Friday. What exactly is usual for us anymore?

Saturday we drove out to Chorovi, which is east of Santa Cruz. The Mennonite Evangelical Mission was celebrating their 40th anniversary this weekend, and Carl's parents were missionaries with the organization in the 70's and again in the 90's. So going out to Chorovi for Carl was heading back to a place where he used to live as a tot. As we drove up, everything seemed strangely familiar to Carl.

We had the chance to visit with people as they arrived. Many people remembered Carl and his parents and over and over again exclaimed, "You have really grown! I remember you when you were this high and could speak three languages!". I think 15 different people said that to him and Carl just smiled.

Of course the evening didn't go as scheduled, which stressed those in charge out a bit, but we took it all in stride. Well, almost all of us. Asha was cranky the moment we got there and was fussy and whiney and down right annoying almost the entire afternoon and evening. The only time she was remotely happy was when we were feeding her candy or when she was toddling around with Jake Thiessen.

We got home very late on Saturday night and it seemed Easter morning came very quickly. I was pleasantly surprised by a package of chocolates on the pillow next to me from my very sweet husband. We had pan de pascua for breakfast and Carl made cream cheese icing. YUM! Except for all the people, it was kind of like Easter breakfast at church.

That morning at church was a good morning. Carl said he was really moved by the message (I was in Sunday School with Asha) and later we partook in communion. A very meaningful morning to celebrate Christ's resurrection and to remember his coming again.

For lunch, we had invited Cesar and Lizette and Cesar and Clara over for lunch. We ate and ate and talked and laughed and ate more. It was a blessed time to spend with them. I was glad they could come and that we could share Easter with someone.

I think what made this weekend more meaningful and less of a disappointment was that I had made an effort to remove my pre-conceived notions on what Easter should be all about. I think last year, it was hard because it was our first time away from family, the first time without familiar cooking, first time without the service at our church. Of course, church was kind of lame last year....but that's besides the point. I realized that you can celebrate in very different ways the death and resurrection of Christ. That may mean a morning service, an evening service, or none at all. You can go with the big meal or have sandwiches at the beach.

It doesn't matter what you do, just how you do it. What mind frame you are in, how you process this season, how you absorb the amazing and awesome thing that Christ did for you.

Easter was different this year, and okay, I'll be honest, I missed the family gatherings, I missed those weird gelatin eggs, but we had a blessed time, a different time, a good time.

Painting Eggs

We were blessed this past week to receive care packages from both sets of grandparents. My parents sent candy and birthday presents, and Carl's parents sent more candy, activity books and the coveted maple extract. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! They also sent an Easter egg painting kit and Joel was ready to get the eggs boiled right that moment!

We planned to do egg painting on Thursday, because Nati was watching the all the kids in the morning since they had no school. But unfortunately, Kezia had a high fever the night before and was sick, so we decided to postpone it until another day.

Yesterday, Carl boiled a bunch of eggs and the kids and I had some for breakfast before we coloured the rest. Asha was a bit confused with the whole egg painting thing. She thought we were going to eat more boiled eggs (why not? we just ate them 15 minutes ago!) and was sorely disappointed when she couldn't crack the eggs destined for dying. Sigh, probrecita!

Each of the older kids had three eggs to dye and Asha was done after one. If she couldn't eat it, she had no use for the activity. I gave her some chocolate eggs that Grandma sent, and she was happy with those ones. It was a fun morning for all of us.

As I was thinking about last Easter, in Fresno, and the Easter before that, in Winnipeg and I got a bit homesick. We said goodbye to the Tanakas at Easter last year. Has it been a whole year since we've seen them? Man, time flies....things change.

Anyways, the eggs turned out quite nice. The kids will enjoy looking at them, and Asha will be thrilled to learn that yes, indeed, after a day in the fridge, you do eat coloured Easter Eggs.

Dia de la Deportiva

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A few Saturdays ago, Joel and Kezia had a School Sports Day. It was postponed for 3 weeks because of rain, but finally, they were able to have their event. It was an all school event and Carl took the kids because I was running our Feria de Cachivachi at MCC.

I was sad not to have been able to go, but the kids had a wonderful time with their classmates, doing their prepared cheer, and competing in relays. Carl got some really good pictures, got to know more parents despite the roar of the kids, and once they got home, they did their cheer for me (and now for you too!).

Kezia's New-ish Thing

We enrolled Kezia in gymnastics in November as sort of something that was going to be a nice distraction during the summer holidays. When the month was over, we stopped sending her, since it was Christmas. Well, ever since mid-January, Kezia has been asking if she's going to back to gymnastics this week. We figured she really liked it!

Well, in the beginning of March, we walked down to the gym to register her again. The instructors remembered her and told her that she was missed. That totally made her day. I was wondering if it would be a bit much, having school every morning and then gymnastics 3 afternoons a week. But Kezia has been practically running to class, week after week.

So on Tuesday, when I took her, her instructor said that she was doing really well, and presented me with a slip to inform me of her class change. She talked pretty fast, but once my brain caught up, I understood that Kezia was doing really well, and this new class, with older girls, would work on more rhythmic and dance routines, instead of just tumbling. I haven't been able to watch her while she's been in her previous class, so I'm following the class' activities through Kezia's commentaries. Maybe this other class will be in the main gym and I'll be able to watch from the balcony!

Kezia was very excited about moving up to another class. It's a bit later in the afternoon, over supper hour, but she wasn't concerned at all. "I can have a snack, and then eat supper later; that'll work fine Mom!" We are really proud of her and know that she'll do well, because she's enjoying it so much.

Now hopefully I can get a sneak peak....maybe even some pictures or a video!