The bad news was that she hadn't felt her baby move for several days. She was febrile, and weak, and had joint aches and headaches, classic symptoms of malaria. For reasons that aren't clearly understood, malaria affects pregnant women more severely than it affects others, and often causes miscarriages. My heart sank, as I'd experienced this scenario more times than I like to think. As I ushered her into the ultrasound room I prepared myself for the long, careful, painful search for the baby's unbeating heart, and prepared the words that I'd say to try to offer comfort.
The good news was that shortly after putting the ultrasound transducer on her tummy, I saw the tell-tale jumping and kicking of an alive, active fetus, and shortly after that found the beating heart. She didn't seem to understand much Pidgin, and her relative translated what I said for her. However, she didn't need translation of my expression of joy at seeing that the baby is alive and presumably well. She answered with a big smile.
The bad news was that he has been smoking pot for 8 years, and his dad's heart was breaking. Two days ago he had a brief psychotic episode, probably associated with either marijuana use or withdrawal. The family has left their traditional home, and are living in Mount Hagen, where there are plenty of bad influences. Apparently in seeking friends in this place, he choose the wrong ones.
The good news is that he let his dad pray with him, and he's determined stop using drugs. We talked about the things that could influence him back into his old ways, and what would help keep him on a good path. We talked about the importance of letting God direct his life. Please pray for this young man and his dad.
The bad news is that one of the largest landslides in recent years has destroyed a mile-long piece of the Highlands Highway. This is the only non-air route between the coast and the highlands. The main impact that this will have on us is that tanker trucks with diesel and gasoline, and container trucks with stock for the grocery stores won't be getting through for several months. Apparently the slide started high up on the mountain. A huge portion of the mountain, including several houses just slid down, carrying the highway with it.
The good news is abundant on this one. First, there was no loss of life--people in the houses just rode down the mountain. Second, we can still travel around our area if we need to, and if we have fuel for the vehicles (there won't be any unnecessary travel, I assure you). Third, we had some extra income this month, and Judy was able to stock up on groceries in a big way today. The shelves in the pantry are groaning under the weight! There was no cheese in town, but then again, there hasn't been any cheese in town for months. We had the last of the cheese on our tacos this evening. See? We're not suffering! Besides, Judy will be flying down to the coase in a couple of weeks, and she will bring a huge stock of cheese back. Finally, we've heard a rumor that they can put a temporary pipeline across the landslide, and tanker trucks on the other side can pump diesel or gasoline to tankers on our side. Sounds like a great solution to the problem to me! Now, if they could just find a way to pump groceries across!
The bad news is that during a recent power fluctuation our TV stopped working. Judy has said that it "blew up" but that's pretty dramatic. It just stopped working. We use that TV for watching DVDs and videos, and for watching the one broadcast channel that's available here. The cites have cable systems that have channels from the US and Australia, but elsewhere if you get any TV at all it is "EM-TV," a play on the Pidgin phrase that means "that's TV." The main thing we care about on it is the news. They also carry some locally-produced programs, and a few US or Australian programs. They broadcast hours and hours of rugby and cricket. When EM-TV finishes their scheduled broadcast for the day, they feed "Australia Network," the Land Down Under's answer to PBS. It has pretty good documentaries, international news and a few other programs. We catch a bit of that late at night, and on Saturday mornings.The good news is that the repair place in Mount Hagen was able to make it work again, and for a very small fee! Not the most important thing in life, by any means, but it's nice to have.
The last item is just good news. No bad here. Our friends and colleagues the Dooleys are back. They had a good home assignment, but are back here, serving in many ways. Get some details, and see pictures of three of the loveliest little girls you'll ever hope to see anywhere, on their blog.
Photos:#1 This isn't the Highlands Highway, but it's somewhere in the distance.
#2Andy on maternity ward
#3 Recent volunteer Dr. Kevin Raymer in Kundiawa, on the Highlands Highway and near the landslide
#4 I thought you'd all enjoy a spider picture
Hello from Seattle, WA! This is Cindy from Seattle Aurora. your blog is so fun! Enjoy your graduation party, Sam! We have a box of books for you, Judy. Where should we send them? Remember when you were at our church our librarian was putting together some books for you to take back, but you weren't able to connect with her. She is wondering where to send them.
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