Monday August 15

Makumbi pace of life…

Trying to adjust to having nothing to do…hard for an ADD person.  It is good for me to slow down.  Plenty to reflect upon here in Zimbabwe.  Struggling a bit with feeling guilty that I get to walk away…and return to a luxury life style… Many of you in the States are puzzled by 1 that my life style could be categorized as luxury, because by US standards I live a pretty simple life.  2…. my feeling guilty because more importantly for 90% of Zimbabweans there are no ways out.  In the US education is frequently a ticket out of poverty, not so here…because there is a failed economy there are no jobs.  96% unemployment is a staggering statistic.  Elections have been postponed, while an end to the current regime is desired there is little hope of fair elections.  Most of the talent of Zimbabwe has fled the country creating a huge refugee population and a void of professionals and brainpower.  Industry is at a stand still, and what will attract a company to invest in Zimbabwe?  Even practical issues like electricity…since leaving the hospital in Harare there has not been a day when the electricity has not been out.  On Sunday we had electricity for most of the day allowing me to take a hot shower.  Some say there is limited capacity; others say it is political control.

Yet my encounters with the folks out here in rural Zimbabwe is always one of meeting kind and gentle people living a life they carve out of little resources.  If you could only hear the singing and watch the swaying to the beat you can feel the energy.  I do not feel any threat here at the mission or surrounding villages.  I know there are many places where I could be beat up or killed just because I am white.  So Zimbabweans come to me the orphans, teachers, or folks who come to Makumbi mission.  Exploring Zimbabwe is not a safe option.  I do feel a bit captive…but even that is cause for reflection.  The only things I can do is listen to peoples stories…and respond at a very personal level to those I encounter with kindness and compassion.

But even here at Makumbi life is harsh.  2 weeks before I arrived one of the boys from the Children’s home died.  He had heart disease which I’m not clear what exactly sounds like a Rheumatic heart disease… with worsening CHF.  The nurse here at the mission says he was receiving an  penicillin injection once a month?  He died in his room immediately after receiving this injection.  Bro Ben is sure a mistake was made at the hospital and he died of anaphylactic shock.  Another girl in form 1( grade 9) committed suicide this year.  She had become pregnant and was afraid of her father's reaction.  Two lives lost...I also worry about the boy who is the father?   Another boy has severe high blood pressure on 5 medications at 15 years old and his treated BP is 158/110…not sure who decided what medications or if a Dr even prescribed these meds..

Sorry if this is a downer Blog…but these are the realities of life here in Zimbabwe in which I am immersed in.