Merry Christmas!!!

Wow, sorry about not being in touch. I can't believe how much time has passed! I haven't been sick for the last month, but I have experienced what it is like to be sick in Africa. I haven't had anything serious, but the problem is you never know! I was sick for a week and then a week later I had an infection in my leg that made getting around quite difficult. Fortunately our Mamayama is a knowledgeable doctor and helped me out with my leg. But she had not yet arrived in Ghana when I was sick. I wanted to go to the hospital (the equivalent of going to the doctor at home) but listening to Anna there didn't seem much point. Anna is a fellow volunteer who is a nurse and was sick the same week. She went to the hospital just to rule out the possibility of malaria. Malaria isn't as scary here as it is when you hear about it at home. While you can be quite sick, it is like having the flu. And it is so common that they know what to do for it. In fact, it seems everything is treated as malaria. My symptoms were definitely not malaria, but I didn't know what they were. Anna said she didn't think they even had a bench for you to sit on let alone examine you at the hospital. So I didn't go. This was the third day of my illness when I really felt bad. I decided it was a digestive problem and so the next day I just didn't eat until supper time and I felt alright. At supper time I ate without difficulty and by the next day I was feeling fine, just lacking in energy. And from there I got better.

But wow - another dimension of life in Africa. They do not have it easy here. And things happen in this tropical climate that don't happen at home. I am blessed with a now healthy leg. I can't yet say the same for Sunday, one of the caregivers. He has been in the hospital with a painful foot that is the result of a simple cut. It is quite the ordeal and has been going on for over a month. Cuts and wounds do not heal quickly around here and can quickly become infected.

I am happy to say that there are now two tropical doctors living in our community and that does much to ease the fear of poor health care. We are so fortunate at PCC and much better off than many Ghanaians. One of those doctors is Albert, our community director, who has returned with his wife Jeanette from Holland. The other doctor is Ineke Bosman, who has also arrived from Holland with her husband Bob. I am very excited that they are here. Ineke is "Mamayama" whom I referred to earlier. Ineke founded the PCC Community. And getting to know her and Bob, I am discovering that she is a remarkable woman for other reasons as well. I am trying not to hero worship! But the moment they arrived was a beautiful day. As we were waiting for supper and they walked through the tables, they were hugging and kissing the children that are their family. Ineke only retired this year from her role as director of the community and her job at the hospital. She has returned to Holland after almost 40 years in Africa! Now she and Bob will live eight or nine months in Holland and three or four of the winter months at PCC.

Bob and I have become fast friends. He is quite the character. He loves music, among other things and has a lot of knowledge to share. He loves to sing and does so regularly. He seems to have a song for everything and loves to sing directly to people. I've been the recipient of his serenading many times! Bob is 79 years old and loves jazz and musicals. He is from Chicago and was a young man in the fifties going to jazz clubs and such. He has lots to tell!

I can't believe it is December 23! The usual tell tale signs are not here. I am sweating as usual and the sun is shining on dry, arid ground as it always does. There are no commercial signs of Christmas. Today and yesterday at PCC there is a big cleaning job going on and tomorrow we will decorate with the paper Christmas decorations that have been made for the last month. Three goats have arrived to join the animals that live in our community. But unlike the others, they will live here for only a week because they are destined to be Christmas dinner! Last night we had our last choir practice and those kids are hoppin'! They have an incredible spirit and the last song went on forever - a big party! Our first of five performances will be Christmas day. Starting tomorrow, different community choirs and dance groups will be coming to perform for us. The choir will be singing on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. And so I have changed the New Year plans I had mentioned earlier for Lake Bosumptwe. Instead I am staying home at PCC. There will be a bonfire New Year's Eve and later I will meet up with Bob and Ineke for a wee drink of Baileys. Just like at home mom! And I am making cookies for the occasion as well. Mom, your coconut cookies are a big hit - even without the chocolate chips! But it is so funny to be shredding fresh coconut!

And now I will wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! I hope to be healthy and in touch soon! Peace, blessings, and prayers, Debbie