Chessells in Africa:

Fri 18^th Oct

So much can happen in a day when you expect the unexpected! God’s creation is so wonderful. Thurs we flew MAF with pilot Simon from Yei to Arua.  It was quite strange sitting at Yei airport waiting for our plane as we were the only ones flying and the airport is in the middle of nowhere.  The MAF flight has been known to be several hours late depending on their schedule. Fortunately for us it was only 10 mins late. On arrival at Arua, Uganda, just the 7 of us, our bags were thoroughly searched on a table outside, our passports stamped and then the wait for a taxi big enough to fit us all..  That afternoon after settling in our accom we took a “boda” ride into town.  These guys are amazingly good at dodging the potholes in the road.  One really needs to hang on well.  In town we were shocked by the busyness of this little town-even busier than Yei.  Crossing the road was a real dare devil experience.  A malk through the markets is a must.  They go on for ever with anything and everything.  Very hot, humid and stifling.  Back home on a boda.                                                                                                 This morning we were picked up by our guide, Ronald & driver Osmund, for the next part of our holiday—game park visit. After a 2 hour drive we arrived at Murchison National Park where the top of the vehicle was lifted and we got to stand with our heads looking out the top. To our amazement within minutes we saw giraffes, antelopes, water buffalo, wart hogs  & Elephants.  On arrival at the Lodge we were given a 3 course meal and for the rest of the afternoon we hung out around the pool. Our accom here is right on the banks of the River Nile and from our balcony we can watch it flow by.  The food here is amazing which is great for the Pooles who have had limited meals for the past 6 months. We have been warned not to wander at night. Tomorrow we will take an early morning game drive followed be a cruise to the bottom of the falls and a hike up to the top of the falls.            If you don’t here from me tomorrow I may not have made it back. I am praying for an overcast day.

Chessells in Africa:

Thanks for praying! I am feeling so much better tonight. Graham gave me some meds which also helped. I will continue on them for 6 days and hopefully not have any more symptoms.
Keith  and I went to school assembly this morning & watched the chn sing & raise the flag. Later in the day Keith gave chapel to Grade 4.  He had a great time.

Keith playing with some of the kids

Keith at chapel

One of the many holes in the road.  Not looking forward to tomorrows drive as they are worse after rain.

 

While we were having dinner the rains came down and so we were unable to go to the Bible study group in one of the villages as was planned.
Tomorrow sadly we have to leave Yei but happily our family are coming with us to Arua, Uganda. We will stay there overnight and be picked up by our guide early in the morning who will drive us to our accom in Murchison National Park. Please continue to pray for Linda as her back is really giving her grief at present and long trips in planes & cars will be difficult.

Chessells in Africa:

Quieter day today!  Helen has some sort of "bug".  If I still have it tomorrow they will take blood and test for Typhoid.  A few others have this at present.  I was vaccinated so hoping it is not anything like that.  I spent a fair amount of time on my bed trying to rest--so hot & humid.  Thankful for mosquito nets to keep out the flies.  Keith hung out with the children doing school work and playing.  Late afternoon some German visitors arrived so we sat under the Mango trees chatting while the children played.  They don't seem to feel the heat like we do.
Shower time is between 6pm & 9pm if you want hot water so we all go to bed clean.  Necessary after a day on the compound where it is very dusty. We wear thongs outside & bare feet inside while the children prefer bare feet all the time so they are mega dirty.
The orphanage children have been on 2 days holiday this week - a Muslim holiday that the whole country recognises so the children have had lots of friends to play with the past 2 days.
The hospital has been very busy while we have been here with lots of natural births and Caesars, a few deaths which is always a sad occasion.  Not sure how one copes with that day after day!.  Graham is certainly in need of a holiday as are the rest of the family. Linda has been struggling with a bad back for a few days so please pray for her to be well enough to enjoy the holiday & the plane and car trips that we will be taking.

Ice cream treat for the orphans

Walking to Tukul town

Caleb hanging upside down on the rope ladder

Chessells in Africa

More new experiences today!
This morning we went for a walk outside the compound, through the jungle(which is very lush), along walking tracks to a village.  People everywhere want to shake hands.  The children come running out of their Tukuls(thatched roof homes) waving at us and yelling "kwaja"(white people).  Keith was happy to do the high-five thing with them-even the children want to shake your hand.  Truly fascinating walking in & out of different family areas seeing them cooking, gardening and playing.
Tonight we went into Yei for a roast goat dinner at the Presbyterian compound. We had 20 people including the hospital staff and the American team who are here at present. A beautiful area on the Yei River.  Driving home @ 7pm was crazy-just as busy as during the day, motorbikes, people, cars, music blaring, chn playing.  The roads seem even worse at night.

Josiah often wears this outfit day and night - a proud Hawk

Chessells in Africa:

Hot, Humid  and sticky today!
10am church service. The first hour was singing and dancing followed by a testimony and a 40min sermon. Afterwards they called people to the front to be prayed for and then called the students who are about to sit for exams and prayed for them.  These Africans have certainly got the rhythm happening.  Helen cuddled baby Eve for most of the service.  She is the baby in my earlier photos.
Linda and Graham had visitors for lunch today.  We all ate in the Pyat(eating house) together.  You may remember the American baby that had to be medi-vacced out last year well that was the visiting family so we got to see the famous Jordan who is believed to be the first white baby born in South Sudan. There were other visitors also from America who were on a mission  from their church.  They had travelled through 11 African countries finding a list of pressing needs to take back to their church to make a decision for support.  We are certainly meeting some very interesting people who are extremely mission minded.
Our afternoon was spent in a very leisurely way sitting around editing photos and reading(too hot for anything else). Late afternoon when it cooled down a little the boys played soccer, some of us had dance fun with the American team that is staying here and a short stroll around the property.
Darkness falls by 7pm and that is when we see the fireflies lighting the path. Amazing!

 

Chessells in Africa:

Saturday morning and we headed for Yei town along the bone shattering roads amidst the people, motor bikes, cars & trucks all trying to dodge the puddles and chasms in the road. What an amazing time!  Street stalls with everything from potty chairs to cows hoofs to fabric and beads. The food market was packed with all sorts of veges, many we had never seen before, "fresh fish" imported from Uganda most probably, dishes of flour, spices, peanut butter being made on the spot to mention a few.  You can pretty much get whatever you want if you are game.
Linda bought fabric for curtains in her new house and then we went to an Ethiopian restaurant for coffee and some local fare. Coffee was very strong!
Then the trip back to the compound. Oooh Aaah!
The weather has been very kind to us - a good time for us to visit.
In the afternoon we went over to the hospital to visit the new mums and babies I had seen born the day before.  What a joy!
God has blessed us with so many new experiences in such a short time as well as giving us a wonderful time with our loved ones here.  Life is harsh in this environment and the S. Sudanese are tough.  The children are just like children anywhere else who need lots of love and attention & we have been able to share this in so many ways.
Thankyou to so many people who are praying for us and the people on this compound. They are working so hard and sharing God's love in so many ways.  God is good!


Coffee in Yei
Playground games

 

Chessells in Africa:

What an amazing day I have had today! This morning I experienced clinic for little ones coming to get weighed and immunizations.  I cuddled babies of all sizes.  Some of them are soooo small.  Afterwards I attended a natural birth.  Baby got stuck so Dr Graham had to use some force.  She weighed 2 lb - a good size for here.  This afternoon I attended a Caesarian birth of twins. Both boys were living and screaming and mother appeared to be ok.  This is unusual for all 3 to survive.  What an education of God's amazing creation! Maybe I should come home and study nursing.  In Australia we would be shocked by the operating room being open for the flies to circulate in.  However the medical staff scrub and gown up for the procedure.
Keith has spent most of the day with the children.  They love having him around.
Very hot & humid today!