This morning 149 babies and children came to the Child Center. We knew that we would have a bunch of children again today and we knew that we did not have enough baby clothes and stuffed bears to accommodate all the children so we scrounged around and gathered up more things; we did not want anyone to go away empty handed. We added baby blankets, miniature blow up beach balls and children’s rain hats to the mix. The mothers are so happy with whatever they get.
Meri’s 3 year old daughter was sick today. Meri is one of the interpreters for the Center. The little girl’s name is Freheda. She comes to work with Meri every day. Freheda slept all morning and her eyes were swollen and matted. Meri said that she thought she was getting a cold but there seemed to be more going on than just a cold.
Amama, the lady that helps in the house, came back to work this morning. She said that she was feeling some better. Remember she did not come to work yesterday because she had a headache. Steve took her blood pressure and it was 187 / 95 which is more than high enough for concern. Steve sent her to the clinic near the mission house and she came back with a prescription for blood pressure medicine and instructions to stop using salt; eating red meat; and oil. Naturally she is very worried; she is especially worried about cooking for her husband because she knows he will not accept food without salt, oil and meat. Amama’s husband has 2 other wives and the wives are always in competition trying to cook the best food for their husbands. Amama is the first wife and she makes the most money so her food should be of a higher quality than the other wives. The wives take turns cooking for the whole family and Amama knows that without salt, bouillon, oil and meat the other wives will make fun of her cooking. She will just have to take her portion out and season the rest. Steve will probably have a continuing education class on hypertension so all the workers will be aware of the danger of high blood pressure and treatment and prevention.
Last year we helped a young girl Warihana get the treatment she needed to correct the bone infection in her leg. Her father called Zorash this morning and told her that he had been bitten by a snake while he was working in his farm. Zorash said that he was going to come to the mission house so we could help him with the money for ASV (anti-snake venom medicine) but he never showed up. Sometimes they do not want to get the ASV or go to the hospital; they like to try to treat the snakebite with “local” medicine first. This practice puts their lives in danger and causes them to have to have more ASV when they finally seek medical attention.
Hope you have a great day! Please keep the work and the people in your prayers.
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
