----------- A Compassionate Outreach-----

"Rising Out Of The Clouds"-------------------------------------
Me wearing Maria's Traditional Wrap---standing in my front yard
Dear Friends-------------------------------------------------------Nov. 24, 2007

I have only just returned from an adventure of a day and have decided to write about it while it is still fresh in my mind .Today was the third HIV Testing “Outreach” we have done with the donated Rapid HIV Tests from Dr. Kevin Diekhaus, the American Infectious Disease Specialist who was brave enough to actually ask me what he could do to help our HIV Program.(Ha)

We didn’t drive very far , but to an organization called “Compassion” which is an Anglican Faith Based organization that has several programs, one being to help AIDS Orphans. They had requested we test their children, so with Tests in hand we arrived and hopping over puddles and climbing up a steep rock hill, we set up shop in their church.

I was equally nervous and excited because it would be “children’s” little fingers I would be pricking, but all of these children, like our Saturday Program, had lost one or both parents from AIDS and needed the follow up.

Also the Lab Tech who had gone previously was “in charge” and liked it that way, often leaving me standing around wondering what to do. Today, I would be in charge, working with a Lab Tech. new to the “Outreach” experience, but certainly not new to the actual testing procedures themselves..

I really prepared for this “Outreach” being mindful of the disorder in the two previous ones and coming up with ideas I hoped would turn potential chaos into order.. I made up cards with duplicate numbers giving one to the child while we kept the other to then be marked “R” for reactive or “NR” for non reactive, as the case may be.

Mr. Stanislaus, our head counselor, took their information , gave them a numbered card, which they brought to the table., so although he had their information, in a log book, Confidentiality was maintained.

I bought thin felt tip pens to write the numbers on the tests, as the marker pen we used in the past smeared.. That, unfortunately, was not successful (numbers faded into nothing) but the masking tape I had brought with no purpose in mind, ended up being the perfect answer; easily applied to a strip of tests, easily written on by any pen and simply discarded into the trash with the Tests at the end of the day.

I was concerned about testing children because of “fear” issues and wondered how to comfort them and still get the job done, but God already had that covered by sending two lovely young Swedish women to help. Neither I, nor they, knew they would be helping but when I met them this morning at the AIDS Orphans Saturday Program, I lightly said ”Sure wish you could come along” And they said “We’d love to help, just tell us what to do” Well I am not particularly known for my shyness and had no difficulty “ordering” them around. (smile).

It was a total success of a day and Eva and Lina are one of the reasons why. All I had to do was name the challenge and they either thought of ways to solve it or simply did what was necessary to fix it. For example: since it rained hard off and on all day, the darkness made it difficult to work effectively, so we picked up and moved closer to the opened door where light could stream in.. Both young women are leaning toward careers in Social Work and both are warm, friendly and great with children. Eva took the role of “distracter” while I prepared the sample, cleaned and, pricked the finger and dropped the blood on the litmus paper. She asked every child their name, how old they were, were they in school or on holiday etc. Whatever it took to get their mind off of what I was about to do.(Ha).

Lina’s job was to entertain the other children, so they would not be peeking around the corner to see what I and Phillip, the Lab. Tech. were doing to their friends..

It all went amazingly well and in less than 3 hrs. we had tested 86 children between the ages of 5 and about 15 years old. There was only one Positive, which was confirmed with a second (different) test. The Childs Caregivers with be notified and treatment of Septrim (Bactrin to us) will be started to prevent Opportunistic Infections, while a work up is done to determine where the child is in the disease process and if ARV’s are indicated..

So it was a ‘good” day in many ways, certainly ones of those days when I know what I am doing here in Uganda, so far from all things familiar and Giradelli Choc and Pink Canada Mints-Ha

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..Last night at 11:30pm , as I walked home from feeding Michael, I was in awe of where I am in my life, both physically and emotionally. The moon lit up the pathway in such a fashion that I didn’t even need to use my torch (flashlight),. The sounds were mellow and there was an unfamiliar scent of a bush or flower that filled the air.: not sweet like honeysuckle but slightly musky and clean. In any case, I trod along the path minus light feeling sooooo blessed to be here in this beautiful temperate country. We have no air conditioning or heat and rarely a need for either. There is a good bit of rain and the mud puddles can wreck havoc on your shoes and permanently stain your feet with dirt, but it is a small price to pay to be surrounded with such beauty. My Call here was God’s and Lay Mission Helpers idea, but the work I am doing is becoming very signature, very much a personal thing between me and God and the beautiful people of Uganda.

------------------God loves the world thru Us---------------------------
---------------------------- Mother Teresa-----------------------------------

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Tomorrow, Sunday the 25^th , will be my” Thanksgiving”. After Mass, if the rain has stopped, I will pick up Baby Michael for a days outing with me in my home. Then I will prepare a roast chicken dinner, make an attempt to fix stuffing, Irish Potatoes, most likely baked, as I don’t have a masher and canned corn. ------OK, it certainly won’t be anything like the Thanksgiving meal you probably had, but with Michael in my home and my arms (when I am not cooking, of course) and Fr. John’s company for dinner, I anticipate a wonderful day!

------------------------Blessings-------------------------------------
-----------------------Marie-----------------------------------------

The Thanksgiving That Never Was

------------------------Mama Michael and Michael----------------------------------------
-------------------The new name the nurses have given me----------------------------- Friends
This title may seem a bit misleading but ,in truth,I did miss Thanksgiving altogether. You see I am the only American Missionary in Kisoro and I thought Thanksgiving was always the last Thur. in November, not the fourth (which is usually the last, but not this time). Anyway, Thur. is my day off so I went to Kisoro and shopped and spent several wasted hours on the Internet as it all disappeared before my very eyes. I did hear young visiting Americans speak of Thanksgiving but thought they were referring to next week.
I arrived home at 8 pm and received a wonderful phone call from all my fellow missionaries in Nychbale (several hours away) wishing me a "Happy Thanksgiving!"
When I realized they were not joking, I laughed myself to sleep thinking of my parents in the heavens who ,I imagined, were also laughing at my mistake.
But don't cry for me Argentina or anywhere else for that matter, as I will celebrate my Turkey Day on sunday the 26th , only I'll cook chicken and have Baby Michael with me all day (in my own home). Also Fr. John will join me for dinner, so it should be a lovely, if not unusual, Thanksgiving day for me.
This Blog is a letter I started to my friend Mary Johns in AZ. and soon realized it contained stories you all might enjoy about my life in Uganda.
I am thankful for each one of you who is reading this Blog
Marie
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Dear Mary November 22, 2007
I was so happy to receive your email, not hearing from you is disconcerting for me.
Somehow you are a link for me between “all my worlds” and when I don’t hear from you I get them all mixed up and make stupid decisions or get off balance (have you a clue what a “glue” you are for me?)
So much to say that I really wish I could talk to you. Instead of sending another package call Carol or Carolyn and ask how to get “One Suite “ phone minutes, so I can hear your voice.
Let’s see: Teresa Wilson is gravely ill with that very fast growing Breast Cancer. I am not sure why you couldn’t get her site but I’ll try to forward Rebecca’s email with the web site on it www.teresasjourney.com Actually , I think you should be able to just click on it from my email, try it. The concert was Nov 10th and an auction Nov 11th. Rebecca seems to be spending most of her time in AZ. with her Mom. It is very sad, no one deserves it less than Teresa, the epitome of healthy living and living a Faith filled life.
Then Dr. Gladys daughter, Bobs sister, Analea, died from breast cancer the 18th of this month. She ,Teresa and my friend Lynn were all diagnosed about the same time.
-------Lynn is doing great! Her bags are packed and she would be here in a millisecond if life allowed. I am not depending on them coming for my survival, rather looking at the future possibility as a huge gift from God. I just can’t see it, but then I can’t ‘see” a lot of things these days.
My life is soooo full! Michael takes up a lot of my “spare” time and most of my heart. I try to feed him 2 or 3 times a day. Most of the nurses are great, have named me “Mama Michael” but a couple seem annoyed by my presence. Also the nursing students (which practically run the hospital) are , again, mostly good but some hover around me and Michael, ignoring the other sick preemie babies. Sometimes I want to scream “Do you know what claustrophobia is?” Yesterday the electrician came in the Nursery to change light bulbs: We’ll he uses a ladder (unstable) and it is very crowded in there . I was worried about the other two preemies who might have something fall on them etc., as I was holding Michael and protecting him. I said to the “hovering” students ”Your first concern should be those two babies, make sure they are safe” They smiled and didn’t move. I said” Do you not understand what I am saying, should I say it another way?” They said “you said we should protect the two babies” I said “yes, so why don’t you do that?” They just smiled and continued to hover! Finally the electrician himself ask for their help to move the isolates for safety, which they reluctantly did. It all worked out alright, but I wanted to scream!!
Michael weighs 1.8 kg now x 2.2 = 3.6 lbs and is 4 months old! He is strong and amazingly healthy and though strong willed (need to be to survive) is a gentle little soul. I really don’t know what will happen in his future. I try to give him and the situation to God every night and pick it up, again, in the morning. I, Mama Marie, would take him temporarily or permanently in a millisecond, but. I want what is best for Michael, not my heart or my ego., that is why I keep giving it to God.
We did get permission from the grandmother to baptize him, so one way or the other I’ll be his godmother. I am hoping Cynthia can find the Christening outfit worn by my sister Theresa some 53 years ago and Heather and many other babies over the years. I had it in a frame, hanging on my bedroom wall, so it should be with my other pictures frames etc. Wouldn’t that be awesome to dress him in that much used, much blessed little dress? No hurry as he is still too small for it-ha.
I can’t express the calmness and joy I feel when holding and feeding Michael. It is as if for that short time I feel completely “whole” “at One with the Universe” He looks at me and I don’t see a baby but rather my savior ,my God. It is all so profound, words cannot begin to explain ….. All these years I have fought the concept that a person, any human person, could “complete” me: Certainly no man ever could or even my genuine love for Heather, or my precious Laney, but for an hour or so a day, I do feel that “wholeness”. What a gift!
Yet, and this is the part that is hard to describe, I am perfectly willing to let him go to his extended family to live and grow up , if that is what God wills for him. I feel such an unselfish love for him and respect for his battle to live when the odds were against him, that I don’t want to do anything to mess up his “mission” in this life, hopefully I will only enhance it.

Enough about my “love” for Baby Michael, let me tell about some of the other Love that has been pouring out on me recently: As I have mentioned I became very close to three students( two of whom were pictured in the previous blog and the third in this one. All three are My "Dancing Angels" as they performed the "Praise You Father" Dance at Mass several weeks ago).They have recently graduated from Nursing School and have gone back to the villages where they are from. I love them each individually and couldn’t ‘choose” if I had to. Robina, Juliet and Suzy (the three girls who did the “Praise You Father” dance on my blogs are remarkable young women ,bright and funny and each has a heart as big as Texas.

They send me wonderful text messages that continue to brighten my day , like “Tomorrow, look outside: It is so pleasant! The sun will be smiling for you, the birds will be singing for you, trees dancing for you because I ask them to wish you a nice day. Good nite and I miss you”

Another reads “’’’’’’This’’’ is God’s Rain’’’’’of ‘’’Blessings. May every drop bring you joy, peace and love of JESUS! Thank you so much for all you have done and all you’ve been and everything. Till we meet again—luv you sweetheart”

A third reads ”To share joy is to show love ,to show love is to do good and to do good is to spread happiness. Thanks for everything, all was so great! Goodnight, God bless you”..
Another reads “It is a nice feeling when you know that someone loves you, misses you and needs you , but it feels much better when you know that someone will never forget you, that is me. Pray for us, dear”

And the last one is “ Suddenly if today you smile and feel good and you are not quite sure why…It might have something to do with the big HUG I just sent your way”.

These wonderful text messages started long before they left and the first one from Suzie has a funny story atttached to it.
It read” Friends are gifts wrapped in a ribbon of love, trimmed with care, given to us by God, to stay, not just for a day but forever. You will always be treasured. Love you and miss you dear.” Well I so appreciated the message, I chose to forward it to some friends, as text messages are fairly cheap for me to send from here to USA. I sent one to my friend Michele in Pa. Because I have not had any contact with her in forever (she doesn’t do email) and she text messaged back “ HOW TRUE! Who is this?” I am still laughing when I think of it. Ha! In any case we did finally connect and hopefully will more frequently in the future.

Another young person in my life, who seems to find me worthy of his caring heart, is Emmanuel (or Emma for short ). It took me forever to call a guy Emma, but now it seems quite natural. He owns the local DVD- Video Store, fixes computers etc while he attends college in Kampala for advanced studies in Computer Tech. Emma , like the nursing students is only in his twenties but for reasons I can’t explain enjoys my company. Presently he is in Kampala at school (comes back and forth every so often) and the Queen of England is in Kampala on a much awaited visit., this country has been preparing for- for over a year. Some big political ballyhoo of many countries, that she is to facilitate and I know little about. It is called CHOGUM, which stands for something but in essence means” Queen Elizabeth is coming to town”. Emma’s text message today reads “Morning my Chogum, extend my greetings to Prince Michael, have a blessed day” . Must say, I’ve never been called anyones Chogum before-ha, though Baby Michael is certainly the Prince who has stole my heart. -------------------------------------------------------------------------Dinner for 4 in my home and Marie and Maria embrace


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It is all very exciting and I feel honored to be a part of this process. Between caring for Baby Michael, doing Outreaches, an occasional Home visit and frequent visits from my pt and new friend Maria Goretti, as well as remaining active on the Quality Assurance Team for ARV’s (though I have retired from being Chairperson-smile) and my regular job giving Immunizations to the many babies that come into Public Health daily, it is no wonder that I have lost some 30 pounds of unneeded fat-Ha.
In the beginning I lost weight because I couldn’t find food I liked but now I think it is ALL the walking I do every day.. In America we are so used to hoping into our car and driving every where (even to the mailbox) but here it is only shoe leather that gets me around, except once a week when I hire a car to drive me to Kisoro to shop and use the
Internet Café, which is what I am about to do right now.
My helper Grace has been busy with her own personal issues as well as caring for her aging grandmother, but she did find time to till the soil and plant all the vegetable seeds my friends have sent. It will be fun to see what grows as she didn’t mark anything-ha. Maybe by March when friends come for holiday, I’ll have a garden full of lettuce, radishes, beans, cauliflower and who know what.
O, I almost forgot to tell you…… dear friend Bert Self, husband of my precious friend Becky who died last Feb. 24th, is coming here to visit, spending Christmas with me in Uganda! Jonathan, their amazing son encouraged his Dad to take the trip of a lifetime and he has been traveling thru China and Tibet, even teaching English as a second language in China. I can’t wait for his arrival and to hear all the stories of his adventures. He insists he can get here from Entebbe, Kampala Airport himself and I guess if he has been backpacking thru China and Tibet , he’ll do just fine.
Also joining me for my first Christmas in Uganda will be Diana Sherrod, my fellow missionary and possible Trish, an Australian nurse working with Diana.
I shall do my best to create an American-Ugandan Christmas we’ll never forget, even if I have to chop down a cherry tree myself (O, that’s another holiday, silly me). I have a live Turkey with my name on it, just waiting for Christmas dinner. Trust me it will look a lot more like what I am used to seeing by the time I start to cook it on Christmas-smile. I even asked Carol Balderree to send me a large container of Stove Top Stuffing, so it will really feel like home. Don’t know where to get lights to put on the ”cherry” tree but I expect they will come out of the woodwork ,like all the other blessing that come my way.

Gotta run, take formula to Michael (they do not have refrigeration in the hospital) , then off to Kisoro to shop and send this to you..
--------------------------Much love and many blessings from Uganda
----------------------------------Missionary Marie.

Me on my first "outreach" to do HIV Rapid Finger stick Testing

Be Busy but Not A "Busybody"

Dear Friends,
Today is the 33rd Sunday in Ordianry Time : and the scripture reading from 2Thessalonians 3:11 is:
We hear that some are conducting thenselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others.

Father John was particularily funny and adament about the need to work for what you need and want and not sit around looking for handouts,but since most of his homily was in Rufumbria,I missed most of the jokes. Fortunately the kind woman next to me translated the jist of his talk,so I could join in the lightheartedness of his words and pantomine as he described people coming to his home and then just hanging around waiting for service.

My Living Word daily reading says : Some of the Thessalonians thought the Second Coming of Jesus was just around the corner. Consequently, they stopped working. St. Paul scolds them for being lazy and tells everyone who is able to get back to work and earn their keep---just as he himself does. Paul also chides some of the Thessalonians for meddling in other peoples' affairs and being a "busybody"
Prayer: Jesus , help me prepare for your Coming by my positive attitudes toward my earthly tasks and refraining from all gossip
----------------------------------------------Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D

------Long before Sr. Melannie and Fr. John or even St. Paul, a man of Wisdom spoke on this subject and I thank my friend Marilyn Ball for sending the following to me and pray she forgives my editing.


Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear, or are about to
repeat, a rumor.

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his
wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance that ran
up to him excitedly and said, 'Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one
of your students?'

'Wait a moment,' Socrates replied. 'Before you tell me, I'd like you to
pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three.'

'Test of Three?'

'That's correct,' Socrates continued. 'Before you talk to me about my
student, let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first
test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to
tell me is true?'

'No,' the man replied, 'actually I just heard about it.'

'All right,' said Socrates. 'So you don't really know if it's true or
not. Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are
about to tell me about my student something good?'

'No, to the contrary...'

'So,' Socrates continued, 'you want to tell me something bad about him
even though you're not certain it's true?'

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, 'You may
still pass though because there is a third test, the filter of Usefulness.
Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?'

'No, not really.'

'Well,' concluded Socrates, 'if what you want to tell me is neither True
nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?'

The man was defeated and ashamed, and said no more.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such
high esteem.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I don't have the appropriate photo to go with this blog so I will attempt to add a photo of me and two special Nursing students( actually brand new graduates)Robina and Juliet as we celebrated at a Farewell "Picnic". What fun we had as I dressed "down" for an American picnic, while they dressed "up" heels and all,for a cathered meal. Ha!
More on Michael and the wonderful work God has given me to do in Uganda soon.
----------------------------Marie
ps: Hold in prayer my dear friends: Jeff, who is to have brain surgery tomorrow (the 19th) and Teresa Wilson who is fighting the battle of breast Cancer. Check out her website at www.teresasjourney.com

Baby Michael-The Bootlegger?

Dear Friends
Just a quick pic of Michael in the smallest booties I could find in Uganda-Ha
I am afraid they look a bit like hip boots on him. Can't wait till some the the preemie stuff you friends have sent arrives.
Michael is now officially 3 lbs. and 4 mo. old (not even a pound a month) but he is strong and more alert every day.
It is the highlight of my day when I am able to feed and spend time with him
Marie