60 PAIRS OF EYES FOLLOW ME!!!

Here in Nzara the nun running the hospital since I arrived here on December 16th has placed me in charge of the "Adult Medical Ward".
Because there are very few Obstetric and Gynecology cases at this hospital as they have NO Operating room. No certified Midwives, very few nurses who perform deliveries.

I am one of 2 Obstetrician and Gynecologists in the state and the ONLY American Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecology Surgeon in the ENTIRE country.

BUT I round on Medical Adults every day.
Since the war started in Ezo on November 18th, I have NOT performed ONE single surgery. No C-sections, no hysterectomies, no laparotomies. Nothing..
No Pre-natal clinic with many happy pregnant women.

But I decided to follow my Aunt Antonette's Motto, "Bloom where you are planted".

The 60 patients in the "Adult Medical Ward" that have AIDS, Malaria and TB have NEVER had a physician like me!!!
Haha!!!
When I first came I realized these people are all depressed. Not eating, not bathing, smelly clothes and bed sheets. They are dying, there is war.

So.........

I decided to shake it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I arrive in the morning, I greet them singing, in the local language, Good Morning Everyone!!!! Are you there????
This makes them all so happy and laugh because I make such a great effort to speak Zande and Arabic to them.
Then I go from bed to bed.
I sit on the edge of the bed, I ask them what they ate last night for supper as my first question which blows their mind.
Then I comment on how I enjoy local food such as Kpokuto Gardia which are greens prepared with ground nut paste and then steamed in banana leaves. YUMMY!!!!
Or Kpokuto Kpoto which is cow's skin cooked with Ground nut paste (peanut-butter). SUPER YUMMY!!!
And of course Bahkinde which is cassava flour mixed with water. It is sticky and thick. The carbohydrate base of the meal. YUM!
This makes them laugh and laugh that a white woman knows all about their food.
Because all the white people they know and most people from even other African countries do not eat their food.
But all those who know me, know that I enjoy trying new foods then commenting and discussing how delicious the food is.

I also whistle when they have taken a shower, bath and put on clean clothes.
Whistling is a "man's" thing to do here and not many men even know how to whistle as loudly as I do.
So they LOVE it.
They laugh and laugh.
Now they are all showering, putting on clean clothes, changing the bed sheets, eating food so they can tell me all about it.
It is so wonderful!!!!!!.

Originally I was told me that most of these people will die here but we have had many discharges and they go home happy because I make such a fuss over the excitement of their discharge!!
NOW in the morning.....
When I arrive at the hospital 60 pairs of eyes follow my every move.
The nurses are so happy with the change and the way we round.
The nurses ALL want me to stay here in Nzara and not go back to Ezo.

CD4 counts are checked because I am so curious, most are on last line therapy, Stage 4 AIDS.
We check TB status.
We give them the works. (of course what we can here with limited resources)
Why not?
They deserve to feel that I care and will fight for them.
Most people's CD4 count here by the way is between 15-25!!!!!
It should be greater than 500!!!
So even though I am not doing my passion; Obstetrics and Gynecology, NO Safe Motherhood, because of these insane circumstances of WAR!!!
I am TRULY happy to bring the love and joy of Jesus to these beautiful patients!!!
They love me so much but I love them MORE!!!!
Praise be Jesus Christ now and Forever!
Continue to pray for me please.

FAT WHITE WOMAN A LOT OF MONEY!!!!!

Have been here in Nzara now for almost 3 weeks.

Arrived here on December 16th. 

Was staying at the nice Volunteer Guest House that the Comboni Sisters (Nuns) have. 

It did not bother me that I was alone there with the Guard. 

NOW.....

Everything has changed here also!!!

My goodness...... is the insecurity following me?

Last Monday night, men entered a Convent near Yambio (about an hour drive from here) of the Solidarity Sisters and stole their 2 vehicles, their computers, their cell phone, money and everything they could get their hands on and then...

Assaulted one of them.....!!!! 

And beat a young volunteer. They were going to take her with them to the "bush" but somehow this woman managed to escape and hide. 

Starting the night before last night, (Friday) heavy gunfire heard here in Nzara. 

Last night gunfire most of the night. 

This morning 2 large blasts went off. 

Not sure if they were RPGs or actual Bombs as the Sisters said. 

The Nuns have suggested/ requested that I move in the Convent with them here. 

Not to be alone across the street at the Guest House. 

So yesterday I did. 

Also per the suggestion of the authorities and the Nuns, I have been requested NOT to walk anywhere alone not even up the street because now people are being abducted and women are being raped. 

I do not know how factual this is, or if this is a precaution or just a rumor BUT...

as my friend Moses from Uganda said, "Doctor just do it, life has NO spare...". 

Saturday I went to the Hospital with the Nun who is a Doctor. We biked together and came back together. 

This morning I walked the 100 feet to the church for Mass. Accompanied by the Sisters. 

Everyone knows that I like to do exercise and walk every afternoon and EVERYONE is coming up to me saying, "Doctor, do NOT go walking now anywhere at any time. You stay home. It is not safe. You are a fat, white woman. They will think to TAKE you for a lot of money." 

Thanks guys for caring about this FAT woman. 

Please pray for all of us here in South Sudan. 

In the Western Equatoria State. 

Maybe it is me...

It was famously quiet in Ezo, then war started, it was quiet in Yambio then war started. No one was abducted by the rebels but I was. It was quiet in Juba then killings started. It was quiet in Nzara now it has started here. 

Only common denominator is Rachael Consoli.....

OK, I know it is not me. 

Really I am SOOO grateful to our LORD for protecting me when I was abducted as those men did not touch or physically hurt me AT ALL!!! 

Even though that day I was wondering where the crown of Angels that my father prays everyday protect me was ...... 

the crown of Angels was there because I was not beaten nor much worse raped. 

Praise be Jesus Christ!!! 

Thank you dear Prayer Warriors for your continued prayers. 

BTW: I want you all to know that every day at the hospital we literally save lives. 

People very much need our services here now more than ever. 

I am grateful to God to have such an amazing vocation of being a life saver and hero to many everyday. 

A great friend told me the other day, "You have a noble work." 

Through God's grace of course. 

So please pray for our patients and our people here who are STILL in the bush suffering. 

Now I know why people in war zones die earlier deaths because the underlying stress of "insecurity" of what may happen next just eats at your mind and soul. 

God bless South Sudan.... 

God bless the Comboni Nuns who are treating me like one of their own community. 

So kind and loving. 

What amazing people I meet....!!!!!

One Month of War!!!!!!!!!

Can you imagine?
November 18th the war broke out in Ezo.
I was a blessed one evacuated by the United Nations.
But.......
My parish priest, my parish community, my beautiful pregnant women, my wonderful Gynecology patients, my local staff have been in the bush for one month now.
They are very low on food and water.
There have been 3 Maternal deaths in the past month since I left!!!!
Of course 3 babies as well.
The County Health Director sent me a copy of the "War" update report.
2 of the Maternal deaths were for simple malposition of the baby. (baby not in correct position)
Easily fixed with a less than 30 minute Cesarean Delivery.
1 death was for Post-partum hemorrhage.
Usually fixed with some basic steps and medicines.
If needed last resort (and I mean very last resort) to save the mother's life a hysterectomy.
So I feel like I want to know which one of my BEAUTIFUL pregnant patients that I love and make laugh attempting to speak Zande died?
Which 3?
I see all their smiling faces.
Please pray for them all.
I am here SAFE in Nzara with the Comboni nuns working at their hospital. So many interesting cases here.
A lot of severely dehydrated and malnourished women because no food or water in the bush and some manage to escape and make the 5 hour ride on the VERY DANGEROUS rode to Nzara from the various war zones.
Hoping that Ezo "cools" down so I can go back.
The United Nations does a "security" assessment.
I am so needed there.
Please pray for my parish priest Father Jacinto.

SAFE!!!!!!!

Thank you to all my friends, family, colleagues and prayer warriors!!!!!
I felt the prayers, thoughts and well wishes!!!
Since Tuesday afternoon, I have felt peace and security in my heart!!!!!
Today Thursday, I am in Juba the capitol city of South Sudan.
CMMB my organization is so wonderful!!!
They wanted me to have a week rest so I am at a hotel here in Juba and resting.
Of course there are some ground rules.
Do not leave the hotel alone.
Do not walk alone.
Agreed!!!!!!!
Of course I continue to pray for my beautiful Ezo and it's people. Who are STILL living in the bush in fear.
No food, no water.
Now it has been 2 full weeks since the conflict/insecurity/war started.
A person in Yambio told me yesterday that the pregnant women and children are sick. Living like that now for 2 weeks. Malaria, Typhoid, hunger, stress.
Many have left South Sudan to go to the Congo as refugees. Which is ironic considering we have a huge refugee camp in Ezo for the Congolese refugees. I am told it is completely empty.
Here I am enjoying running water, electricity, a soft bed and food.
I feel guilty. But I feel happy to have such things.
My mind is in conflict.
Should a missionary volunteer enjoy such luxuries?
But I am grateful to CMMB for being so caring to me.
When my week is up, I will maybe go to Nzara, with the Comboni Nuns who have a hospital there to work until Ezo is ready for me to come back.
Unfortunately in Nzara there is no Operating Room (Theater). But they DO have an ultrasound machine.
So this is sad to send patients to another referral hospital (Yambio) where they will NOT receive excellent surgical care.
But such is life in the Mission.
Like one of the CMMB staff said to me when I was saying to just send me back to Ezo.
"Dr Rachael, life has no spare. We need you, secure and alive."
Thank you Moses and thanks to all of YOU who pray for me and care about me.
God bless you abundantly!!!
Please pray I may go back to my Ezo to help all my beautiful pregnant mothers and lovely women!!!! They need me but I need them more.
They are my family and in my heart.
Please pray for those in Ezo.
Please pray for Peace in South Sudan.

KIDNAPPED!!!! I WAS TAKEN!!!!!!!

Yes.

Just when you think you are safe after being evacuated from the war zone, the conflict area. Just when you think things are better, they can become much worse very fast.

Yesterday, Sunday after Mass, at 10:30 AM I decided to exercise. Take a vigorous long walk (3-4 hours) for the first time since I left Ezo. In Ezo about 3 times per week I do so. Every day I take about a 1 hour walk. This helps me to meditate, clean my mind, and think better.

The streets were actually full with mostly women and children walking to and from church. At no point was I alone on the road.

After I crossed a small stream that had some wood covering it as a primitive bridge, a young man of about 18 asks me “Where are you going?” Now please understand that here every day, hundreds of people ask me any place I am walking this question. This is common practice. Even little children every day ask me this. So as per usual I told him, “I am walking.”

“Where?” he asked

“Just for exercise or sport” Funny how since no one except some soccer players do exercise, this is a difficult concept to grasp. But I felt this young man was a little more aggressive as he stood up and walked out into the road to ask me.

I continued walking. Then when I reached this little church, I just felt I should turn around.

But too late….

When I walked past that boy again, another boy who was drunk came out into the road and told me to stop right there. Since he was drunk I kept walking as I was talking telling them that I was going home and was just out walking for ‘sport’.

The first boy runs out into the road and tell me to STOP right there. Or he will arrest me. I asked how he could arrest me if he is not a police. He ran and from behind a tree grabbed a huge army rifle and cocked it pointed at me. 

I tried to get one of the 30 or so women and children walking on the road to help me but NO ONE defended me or told him to let me go. 

Maybe they were all scared. 

Very sad and scary situation when everyone looks away pretending not to see you, when NO ONE defends you, but I understand they are scared of them also.  

So I stopped walking.

He then told me to go and sit down. That I was walking on his territory and he does not know me. I could be a spy.

Oh… so I understood, he is a rebel or Arrow Boy or SSNLM (South Sudanese New Liberation Movement) person.

I explained I am a volunteer doctor working for free in Ezo helping HIS people, his wife, his mother, his daughter, and his sisters. I am with an organization called CMMB. I am a friend to all people and in Ezo have cared for hundreds of Arrow Boy women.

Of course this means nothing to him. He tells me I need to explain all this to his boss. I said fine. 

After 20 minutes his ‘boss’ arrives who also is intoxicated and again same questions, same accusations, then same explanation from me.

He states that I need to go and see his boss in the bush.

I asked him to please have mercy. I am sorry I was on his territory. Call the Arrow Boys in Ezo. I have cared for many of their women. Please let me go, I will never come here again. 

No, get on the motorbike and let us go to the bush to his boss.

So we drove into the bush for at least 45 minutes. 

Very scary as we go deeper and deeper in the bush, 

I started to quietly cry and then he yelled at me not to cry because someone on the road could think he hurt me. So I had to force myself not to cry. 

Not as easy as you would think.

Then we arrive to an area or compound where there were at least 50-75 men each with at least 2-3 rifles around their shoulders.

OH MY GOD!!!!!

In the back hiding in their Tukulos (huts) are some women and children. But they are ignoring me.

I am told to sit down.

I am told that this man in the middle is the Commander.

OK…..

He asks me what he should do with me.

I told him to please forgive me. I did not know it was his territory. Have mercy. I am a volunteer Doctor. I receive no pay. I help all his people in Ezo. I asked him to call his fellow rebels in Ezo to ask them about me. I explained that they all know me and love me.

He asked me why I was walking. I tried to explain for exercise. He does not get the concept. His younger men try to explain for sport, just to exercise. I explain, I am fat and want to reduce. He also does not get this concept and wants to know why I want to reduce. I try to explain for health. I find it so ironic that being fat and NOT doing exercise it more understandable to these people than trying to do exercise and reducing weight.

He states that he does not know who I am and someone needs to verify my identity. I told him let us call CMMB in Yambio. He states he does not know CMMB.  He will not call anyone from CMMB. He does not know or trust them. Who else?

I asked him if he trusts his own Arrow Boys or SSNLM people in Ezo. He said he does. I told him to call them. He apparently has someone do it and they tell him I was in the bush hiding with the Priest, that the priest is my friend.

He asks me if the Priest can verify my identity. Yes he can.

OK call him.

My FREAKING Network is not functioning. Also I have a new phone since my other one was not working and now was stolen from the CMMB compound in Ezo, that has all the phone numbers. On this phone I have 2 Priests number and the Deacon.

He tells me to give him the number. He goes to make the call. As the network is very crappy there in the FREAKING bush, it was difficult to call out.

Meanwhile the spokesperson of their group, the SSNLM (Arrow Boys/rebels) arrives and he is more educated and realizes they need to return me before they have trouble. He tells them from what I can gather that I can NOT go to the Congo with them. Thank God.

Finally the Commander finishes the call and tells me the priest identifies me and confirms all that I have said is true. OK. So let me go, right? NO…

Now he states that if the other tribe or the government sees me leaving they will kill me and blame it on them. So what can we do? Call the priest back and have him send someone to get me.

He states, “When a shirt falls into the river in the water what happens?”

I state, “It becomes wet.”

He states, “Exactly.”

I absolutely do not understand what he is trying to tell me. But later on someone explained that this means I need to help him.

He asks me what I can do for him.

I explain as a Doctor, if there is anyone sick, I can take care of them. I can help any woman here who is pregnant.

He says No, that he wants money and medicine.

I explain that I am from Ezo and had to be evacuated and all my things have been looted (stolen) in Ezo, that even to eat CMMB is the one to feed me.  That even the clothes I have on were donated by one of the midwives in CMMB.

Also for the medicines, if he wants we can go to Ezo and I can get medicines but here in Yambio I do not know even where they keep the medicines at the hospital. I explain I am a missionary. I have NO pay. No money. No medicine here.

Then he asks if I can connect him to the U.S. Embassy so they can help them. He tells me that God allowed me to come here to help them connect to the USA for help.

So I told him that when he releases me and I go back I can try and see what I can do for him. He likes that answer.

Then three hours later at 3:00pm still no one has come to get me. 2 journalists arrive, to interview the SSNLM and hear their demands. The journalist is very curious about me there. I can’t understand anything but he is asking about me.  The Commander explains something to him and starts to laugh. I see that the journalist is not convinced. When the journalist shakes my hand, I do NOT smile and I shake my head NO.

Apparently the Journalist goes back to the town and asks at the Curia (the Bishop’s house) if anyone knows me. They explain that yes and they are trying to come and rescue me. But they are having problems. So they send the motorbike driver (an Arrow Boy) who brought the journalists in the first place out to the bush to get me.

Meanwhile I am still in the bush. It is 4:00 pm and they are getting very anxious about me still being there after 4 hours. They keep saying that if the priests were serious they would have come and get me. They also say that they must leave and go to the Congo and to other places and I am delaying them. Now is the first time I get really anxious because I realize this is how people get shot and killed when the captors get nervous and want to get rid of this “problem” which by the way they created!

Then God had mercy on me and it started to rain. So they were distracted. We waited until the rain stopped. They could not leave either in the rain on motorbikes.

So I suggest we call CMMB. They will send a truck for me. They agree. I call CMMB. They of course immediately answer and say they will come.

Meanwhile the Arrow Boy motorbike guy comes and puts the priest on the phone who tells me to get on the motorbike and leave immediately and not to wait for CMMB to arrive because these people are now wanting to leave the area and wanting to get rid of me.

So I get on the bike and back we come. We go to the Curia. I called CMMB who immediately arrives to get me. But the Arrow Boy motorbike guy wants to take me to the National Security office to verify that I have not been physically harmed by the SSNLM/rebels.

CMMB people tell him, they will take me in the truck. So we go to the National Security Office. The director explained to me, in his opinion, who these SSNLM people are, their etiology, and their goals. He tells me do not make the same mistake again walking, crossing into their territory. That if the peace agreement had not been signed a few days ago I would probably be taken to the Congo, raped, hurt, killed and God only knows what else.

I assure him that I will not make that mistake again.

He says, “You leave now.”

Shakes my hand, and that is it. 

5 hours of my abduction, kidnapping is over. 

One hour of interrogation is over.

Conflict and war means no rest, no security ever. It is always present. 

This morning I called the CMMB program manager to ask if I could come walking to the office from the hotel. He said it was safe to do so. But I felt for the first time ever as a missionary, volunteer, world traveler real anxiety to walk the streets. 

But I made myself do so. 

I must NOT let fear continue to eat at my heart.

It is not over. 

The conflict continues. 

My parish priest in Ezo, Fr. Jacinto is sick, he is STILL in the bush after almost 13 days. The Deacon is still there as well. They are not eating properly. The CHD (County Health Director) of Ezo is bringing him medicine for malaria.

The Rebels are still seeking monetary compensation for me. This morning they came to the CMMB compound asking for money. 

So now I have been told I am NOT to walk anywhere alone. I must take the CMMB vehicle even for the short distance between the compound and the hotel. 

The National Security Office now has me as a possible threat to National Security. Because they can't understand what I was doing out walking. 

All I can say is DAMN exercise!!!!!!

I really do not feel safe here in Yambio. I know this feeling will pass but everyone I see is a possible spy for one side or the other checking up on me. 

I know this is NOT real but after everyone has been telling me this to scare me, I am starting to believe this. 

Thank God I am going to Juba on Wednesday for R&R and then going to Nzara Hospital to be with the Comboni nuns until things “cool down” in Ezo.

CMMB administration here has been so wonderful to me, so supportive and understanding.

Conflict like this between tribes is horrible. It never ends because the hatred never ends.

God please send your peace to South Sudan.

Pray for my Parish priest and the Deacon still in the bush.

Pray for me that my heart becomes peaceful and secure again. 

I miss walking. I miss exercise. 

I never thought I would say that. 

I am ALIVE!!!!! I SURVIVED!!!!!

 Last Wednesday I was at work, calmly finishing the blood pressures and weights of our pregnant mothers at the ANC (antenatal clinic).
I had just gone into the room where we measure fundal heights and fetal heart rates when I received a call from a friend who is a teacher who is not from Ezo, "Doctor, just so you do not become alarmed, all the children ran away from the school. We are expecting trouble this morning. If you can't get home go to the church."
Boy was that an understatement!!!!!
When I walked out of that office the hospital was deserted. How can 50 pregnant women run away so fast??
Then a midwife came to me and told me we need to go immediately to the CMMB compound because there is going to be trouble today between the soldiers who are from one tribe and the "rebels" who are from another tribe.
As we were walking away from the hospital, gunfire started.
We could not get home as our CMMB compound is past the Army Barracks.
So I suggested we run to the church. In the opposite direction.
The roads are deserted and the 6 of us CMMB staff went to the church.
The Catholic Priest and Deacon welcomed us and then the gunfire and RPGs (huge guns that make alot of noise) started to go off so we went to the bush to hide.
Among the ants, mosquitos and insects laying on the ground. Covered in the leaves, branches and trees.
Then after a few hours of war, the noise stopped and we were able to go back to the Parish Home.
A old woman was brought with a gunshot wound in her hip. They wanted me to help her. She had an entrance and exit wound and "only" soft tissue was injured.
She was in the right place (hiding in the bush) at the wrong time, a soldier was shooting and she was hit with a stray bullet.
So I cleaned the wound and dressed it and bathed her dirty body and we hid her in the priest's veranda.
The Catholic priest Fr. Jacinto and the Deacon Vairi were so kind. They gave us tea, hot chocolate, milk (great treat here) and food. The also had the altar boys boil hot water for us to bath.
Then the war started again.
Back to the bush.
That is where we stayed for 2 nights and 3 days. Then a guard from the abandoned U.N. compound came to get us to bring us to the UN compound in Ezo (abandoned because there was never trouble in Ezo).
That was a tension filled walk as the rebels were every where but left us alone and we were fearing meeting any of the soldiers who would be angry that the guard was walking us to the compound. At least that was what I was told.
We arrived at the ABANDONED UN compound and we had no water or food but shelter. So some little woman from another NGO (non-governmental organization) called World Vision left the compound alone and went to her home and retrieved food!!! How freaking brave!!!!
Then the next day Friday, a UN convoy with tanks and soldiers with huge guns came to rescue us.
They were surprised we did not have our passports or luggage. We tried to explain that we were at work when this started. They were very understanding and helped us so much.
God bless the U.N. people who rescued us.
The streets in Ezo were abandoned.
Except for the soldiers who were all out with guns. The rebels were all out with guns.
They were kind enough to allow the entire convoy to pass by our different NGO compounds.
Then.......
We left Ezo.
All the humanitarian workers in the area.
So now Ezo has NO ONE to help any one.
Then in the UN convoy from Ezo to Yambio (a 4-5 hour drive) they felt it was dangerous to continue so we stopped for the night and slept in the bush again.
Finally on the weekend we arrived in Yambio.
Our luggage was confiscated by the Security Police in Yambio thinking that we were helping the rebels.
How ridiculous!!!
Of course the soldiers and the rebels are our patients. All their wives, sisters, mothers, daughters are my patients.
I know them all.
I love them and serve them all.
War is so senseless.
Everyone in Ezo is hiding in the bush.
The 2 pregnant women who have transverse babies that had scheduled Cesarean Sections this week will eventually go into labor and eventually their babies will die and then they will die.
All the HIV patients who CMMB gives advanced treatment to will get sick.
The many women who suffer from Gynecologic illness and who were scheduled for surgery will bleed until very anemic and eventually die.
The many women who we follow for possible ectopic pregnancy and need surgery will die.
War is costly.
War is horrible.
Today Wednesday a week later, I finally received my laptop from the jail. They realized we did not help the rebels. Whatever....
This morning I called my friend the Deacon and he is still with Father Jacinto hiding in the bush. This morning many bombs and RP Gs went off.
A delegation from the government and leaders was going to Ezo to discuss peace and cease fire but with the intense fighting they turned back and did not reach Ezo.
My beautiful Ezo is destroyed.
My beautiful patients are hiding in the bush.
My beautiful mothers are suffering.
My heart is broken.
The only positive learning experience is now I know which leaves to use to wipe for number one and which to use to wipe for number two.
Also I know the perfect distance to squat; not to low as to have sticks and leaves poke you as you relieve yourself and not to high as to then soil yourself.
Please pray for my Ezo and my patients.

GET UNDER YOUR BED!! GUNSHOTS!!!

Last night around 11:30 PM. gun shots started very close to my house. For about 2 full minutes there was shooting continuously.
Then after that a few more.
I was still awake as I had been speaking on the phone until 11:00 PM and was reading my book.
I slowly got up and went to the window.
The owner of the compound where I live was quietly but quickly collecting all his belongings from outside and he and his 3 wives were still chatting but working to "close" the compound.
The midwife from Uganda happened to be sleeping at my house instead of her usual place at the CMMB compound because we had been told that there were insecurity issues this week. She did not feel safe at the CMMB compound so she came to my house.
We have been told that the local "Arrow Boys" who are the Zande rebels against the soldiers, are in the bush and are looting and stealing from people to survive in the "bush".
She came to my bedroom door and informed me that I should get under my bed and close all the windows.
Also I had just dialed a friend to inquire if that friend had also heard the gunshots. My friend had not. But also told me to close all my windows and get under the bed.
Annet the midwife called the CMMB administration in Yambio and they told her to not go outside the house. (Thanks for stating the obvious)
A few more gunshots were heard.
That was it.
This morning as usual I got up at 6:00 AM and went walking to Mass. Everyone greeted me as if nothing happened but I knew they were all talking about the gunshots.
I found out when I went to work that the "Arrow Boys" had been in the "bush" and had demanded supplies from the local Commissioner and he did not comply.
So they went to the solar panels of our ENTIRE WATER SUPPLY in Ezo and stole them. Now we will soon have absolutely no water.
They do not realize that they are hurting the people. Their people, whom they claim to be protecting. Not the Commissioner, what does he care. He has people to bring him water.
I am so saddened that we will have no water because of this reason.
Because of this "insecurity" the hospital is so different today and the past 2 weeks.
We did have office patients today in our Obstetrics and Gynecology Surgery department. But very few.
Of course still NO Gynecology Surgery patients at the hospital. They ran to the "bush" to wait for the insecurity to finish.
The entire week only 2 women delivered at the hospital, the rest are delivering at home or worse in the "bush" then come after delivery for complications only.
This makes me sad because my favorite patients are all the pregnant ones. I love these wonderful, funny, joyful loving mothers and mothers to be.
How conflict is so cruel to women and children. More so than to the men who start it.
By the way one complication was a 16 year old who delivered her first baby in the "bush" and came to our facility because of bleeding. Well the little patient had a fourth (4th) degree tear. Which in non-medical language is she tore herself all the way to her rectum.
Thank God in my residency, one of my senior residents, Dr. Creighton Likes III who is now a Fertility specialist in South Carolina taught me how to repair a 4th degree, it is not common. Since residency I have only had to repair about 25 and all have been during my Mission trips and volunteer experiences.
So since this girl was only 16, and this will affect her the rest of her life,  I was very glad that the CMMB midwife from Uganda had the prudence to call me.
Can you imagine if this girl had come to deliver in the hospital? She would have probably not had this complication.
No wonder why people speak of stress in war time. Even though I do not really fear and feel safe, still the constant rumors and talk have even taken their toll on me. I now understand in a very limited and small way the reason for Post traumatic stress syndrome.
Funny Story:
My friend that I told you about that I was speaking to on the phone, when I told that friend that Annet told me to close the windows and I feel that I will die of the heat.
My friend who I had woken up from sleep did not understand that I said from the heat and said to me, "You will not die!!" in a very serious manner.
At least that caused me to laugh the rest of the night.
Thank God for humor and laughter and great friends!!!!
Please keep me in your prayers.
But MORE importantly pray for the people of South Sudan and for the Arrow Boys.
That we will soon have true and lasting PEACE!!!
God bless beautiful South Sudan. This is a beautiful country and the people are even more beautiful!!!
I want to live here forever..........