2006 Gifts

06It is Christmas Eve in South Africa and we are celebrating with our son in a beach house around an hour’s drive north of Durban. That’s right, I said drive because our travel restrictions were lifted, we rented a car and we have been set loose on South Africa for the Christmas holidays. Brendon learned to drive on the left very quickly but frequently uses the windshield wipers as turn signals. The normalcy of life in a house at the beach surrounded by amazing flora and fauna is enjoyed as pure pleasure but is also somewhat jarring. It is another reminder of life for the privileged in South Africa. Interestingly enough, we are not happier or more content in these semi-luxurious surroundings, only more comfortable. And as was pointed out in earlier blogs, comfort is often not conducive to growth. The night is very warm and balmy and the beach community uncannily resembles Kailua beach, where we started our journey so there is some sense of irony as well as familiarity. We have a few gifts for each other but they do not compare with the abundant gifts that came our way this year. Some of the more poignant blessings include:
1. This fantastic opportunity to serve the US Peace Corps in South Africa
2. Experiencing a new country and culture from the inside out instead of the outside in as tourists do
3. Healthier lifestyle which has come from casting off our cars and walking where we need to go or taking public transportation
4. Intimate connection with new neighbors and coworkers and an understanding of their lives and values
5. Empathy with ordinary people who stand by the side of the road waiting for a ride, quiet their children, try to find meaning in their lives and demonstrate dignity in their daily activities
6. Appreciation for the infrastructure and communication blessings of the US and the ease of doing business in the First World
7. Patience and flexibility and the peace of mind that comes from giving up control over every detail of one’s life.
8. Appreciation for the gift of health and good appetite and unrestricted access to food.
9. Understanding the value of critical thinking and the debilitating effects from a lack of education
10. Appreciation for ubuntu (Isizulu) or ohana (Hawaiian) - the concept of caring and love for each other in a community
11. The pleasure of having an interesting, creative job to do and the empowerment to get the job done
12. The great feeling of satisfaction that we are in the right place and that God is watching over us as we endeavor to make the most of this opportunity
13. The support of family, friends, community and church who are caring for our home, finances, and sons
Another gift is the opportunity to get to know the patients as people and engage them into participating in our Jabule (happiness) recreational therapy group. Many patients have been discharged since the group began but their beds are filled with new patients who do not have a head scarf (induku) and are well enough to try a sewing or craft project. After they finish hemming the head scarf they are given the choice of making booties, a small quilt, a cloth hand bag or a knitting/crochet project. The discharged patients sometimes leave the hospital wearing garments that they hand sewed in the Jabule group so I was taken aback when I spotted one of the best seamstresses wearing a camisole made out of a bed sheet brought from the US. (Course one hopes that none of the women will abscond -the hospital term for TB patients who sneak out before completion or their therapy- because she could sew an outfit and sneak past the guards. The first week we were at Mountain High a robe and gown were spotted lying on the road to the hospital) the patients get homesick because they are so far from home; the craft projects help to cure the “bored patient” syndrome and teach some skills. The patients in Jabule group sewed 50 red and white cloth bags which will be filled with sundry items and given to the patients on Christmas day as a Christmas gift from the hospital. Thanks to everyone who has provided materials and ideas this year.
The Jabule group (also known as the Ubuntu Workers) had a great time making evergreen wreathes as Christmas decorations using an idea from the mothers group at St. Peters by the Sea. First a wreath form was fashioned from heavy wire, evergreens from the trees around the hospital were inserted into the frame and a red satin bow was tied onto the wreath. This project is not part of the Zulu culture but it sure was a lot of fun as the women walked around the hospital grounds collecting pine and cypress branches singing Christmas carols. Bow formation brought a lot of laughs as the women fumbled with the red satin ribbon but finally achieved mastery of the decorative bows.
The Mountain High Newletter was born this week and deigned the “Mountain Views”. The director wanted to include pictures of the hospital employees in an effort to increase circulation so the Bond’s spent a big chunk of time this week taking pictures of the staff, editing photos and getting the newsletter to print. The hospital employees were excited about the draft edition with their pictures as few of the employees have cameras or any technology equipment. They are astounded when I tell them that they could be doing their stats and monthly reports on personal computers in a few years. They are leary but also anxious to learn keyboarding and basic skills so our next project looks like IT classes for the masses. What a way to start the New Year!