I am still worrying about the baby that we saw being born yesterday. The mother did not have a bed; only a thin plastic mat. There was no baby bed. No stock pile of diapers. It is truly amazing that the babies survive. Our babies are born in such a sterile atmosphere. Once again I am so proud that I was born an American in America. The thing these babies have going for them is that it is hot most of the time. I mean seriously hot. It was well over 100 degrees yesterday! That helps keep the babies’ body temperatures up.
Speaking of hot weather, the high temperature today was 109 degrees with a heat index of 128 degrees. The dry hot season is upon us! We hope to have a few more showers of rain before it dries up completely. We are beginning to see more of the Harmattan (the dust that blows in off the Sahara desert). The dust makes everything feel gritty but it filters out the sun and makes it a little cooler.
First thing this morning Steve and Mr. Iddrisu went to visit Mr. Coomes, the new Municipal Chief Executive. Mr. Coomes is the top political man in the Yendi District. He was newly appointed to the position earlier this year. We have known Mr. Coomes for almost 15 years. He was very kind to us and instrumental in helping with some of the problems we encountered when we were trying to get the Child Center registered. Steve took him 100 pounds of rice as to welcoming him back to Yendi and congratulating him on his new appointment. He was very happy to see Steve and to know that the Child Center was still up and running.
This afternoon we went to town and country planning. We were on a fact finding mission. We still need to get the mission property registered with the land commission in Tamale but we are not sure exactly what documents we need and to see if we even have everything that’s needed. The officer was not around but we met a man who knew someone who knew how to get in touch with him. We ended up going to his house and picking him up because his motorcycle was in the shop and he had no way of getting to the office. He was very helpful and we are going to meet with him and his boss tomorrow. Hopefully they will be able to direct us on the next step in the process.
Last week one of the mothers that have been visiting the Child Center came with her 2 month old twins. The mother said that she was sick, her stomach was seriously swollen. She said she had been to the hospital but they could not tell her what was wrong. Today her friend came in with the twins and told us that she died 2 days ago. So sad! Of course we started the babies on formula. The friend also said that the babies’ father is also seriously sick. We wish we knew what was wrong with them because the twins might be in danger too.
Take care and keep these little ones in your prayers.
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
