Caralee was just here for a visit in Lospalos. Caralee was in Timor together with us last year, and it was a sweet treat to have a friend come and slide right in, not surprised or afraid of the heat, the insects, the toilets, the lack of electricity. When she and Jacinta (her Aussie friend/midwife/nurse) arrived last Sunday, the water wasn’t running, and the tanki (the water storage container in the bathroom) was running low, but we all managed to find what we needed to bathe, flush, and clean the dishes with, until it turned back on again Monday afternoon. Not exactly how you hope to welcome a visitor: sorry, the water’s not on; but, there you have it. We are lucky to have running water in the house, truly, as most in Timor carry it from near or far for everything they need.
Caralee and Jacinta were welcomed to spend time helping out in the clinic on Monday. A good thing, as we saw 130 patients, and we were short staffed by 2 people. As they’ve both been just in Bali, their Indonesian language skills made them assets for the day, and the week, actually, as they stepped in much of the time, and were invited back by the staff!
I love the clinic. I always have an assistant to help with translation, and I love these women. They are hungry for knowledge, know very much by practice alone, and are very sincere and kind to the patients. Lots of worms here in Timor: moms come in complaining of the child/ren pooping worms, or even vomiting worms. fortuneately, there is medicine for this! Sadly, every day I see very malnourished children. Mothers either don’t have the money to feed children, or don’t understand how frequently they need to feed their non-breastfeeding 1 year old. Painful abscesses come in; or rather, children adn adults with big, swollen infections, from the noses to the eyelids to the feet. The naturopathic physician has a real appreciation for simple antibiotics in this environment.
So, Caralee got to see lots of this. Also, a 55 year old woman with a uterus the size of a basketball. I sent her for an ultrasound, and the results came back to me: ” a great uterine mass”. Hmmm. I knew that without the hightech USG. So, I will consult with dr.Dan in dili, and I am thinking the woman may have tuberculosis. this would be better than the alternatives, as we can treat TB just fine here.
I was treated to a blessing ceremony/dinner last night by Caralee, to celebrate the coming baby. All of you in the birth community in duluth were present, via candles lit in your names! I appreciate all the prayers, well-wishes and support over these next months as we prepare for yet another transition, Baby number 2! Hannah is ready. By the way, she is speaking Tetum very well now. Time to go, lots of love, Monica
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Hi Monica ~ Is that Caralee, midwife, who volunteered at Bairo Pite Clinic in 2008? I was a manager at the Clinic, from
April until March. If it is the same Caralee, could you please say hi to her for me and give her my e-mail?
(ngaire90 at gmail dot com) Thank-you!! I think we might have met as well, although I don’t think you were in Los Palos then….(????) Keep up the good work! love ~ Nyree.
Amazing work, Kids! Your blog is followed by many ac ross the USA and you are in our thoughts, prayers daily. Our love to you all FOUR! Mom/Lorene
so glad to hear more from your end of the world. we’re thinking of you often and sending prayers your way. very excited to hear about the coming of a new one!!! and yes, we are so blessed to have running water, thank you for reminding me! you are missed but i know you are doing what you are meant to do! love to you all.
ellen, trevor, solomon and ezra
So wonderful to hear an update from LosPalos!!! We have thought of you frequently… William brought you up today and said he wants to go see you
And lo and behold there is an update! He says hi and that he is happy. He wants to say that, because that will make you happy.
A baby!!! We are icredibly happy for you all! Congrats Congrats Congrats! We are sending you lots of wonderful thoughts and vibes! Make sure to take your prenatals and get lots of rest
We are all well here. Finley is 8 months old and just cut his first tooth. William will be 3 in a month…. I just wonder where my little boys went?
Keep up the good work and love to you all!
Peace- Sarah, Al, Willy and Fin
Tom and Monica! Hello from snowy duluth! We know you can’t get to the internet often but we ALL wanted to tell you how often we think of you and talk about you. Good energy is pouring down the hill into the lake and to you via some current somehow I am sure. Congratulations and god bless with this baby. What an extraordinary journey for all of you. Know that we send our love. As for us..we are well…we are welcoming winter and a new puppy this month to our home. We are getting over a ‘failed’ adoption and holding out hope for another chance. But over all we are happy and healthy. Please say hello to Hannah from Ben. Take great care–julie, alison and ben.
Hi Monica – Great Update and thank you. We woke up to -4 this morning and everyone in our house is excited about the snow. Augie will be 9 on Saturday the 12th and wants Pumpkin Pie and Sausages for his birthday – a wonder, but easy enough to deliver. Life is very urban, middle class america here and brian and I are slowly working through what we want to do for the next transition. Will keep you posted. Though we miss you, we know that you are doing your life’s work and wish you well. I keep in mind what Tom said, that you never wake up wondering what God wants you to do. Perfect. Love Kristin, Brian, Augie and Joel.