Lupata Lollipop

Wednesday marked our 6th full day at Macha. The morning began with Corie and myself meeting with a woman who works for MRT and has lots of responsibilities doing data entry, going out to rural healthposts, and counseling those who may be HIV negative or positive. She was very kind to spend time with us and also took us for a tour of the ART clinic which treats HIV patients. At the clinic, children and adults can get tested for HIV, get exams, medication, counseling, and check in on a regular basis to make sure that they can remain and improve to be as healthy as possible. We heard stories of how children were in very poor shape, but after being on HIV drugs they made tremendous progress. Corie and I felt a little intrusive walking in on counseling sessions, but privacy doesn't seem to be as big of a deal as it would be in the States. In fact, at the hospital, patient beds are all in one room and very close to one another. It is a very different setting than a North American hospital.

Our next meeting of the day was to go to a women's Bible study in Lupata. Lupata is a local village in Macha and is a recent church plant begun by good friends of the Thumas. Vera, the reverend's wife, invited us to come. She was a delight to be with and the woman were welcoming. There were about 12 of us. Elaine and Vera translated the conversations and content from Tonga to English for Corie and I. This was Liam's first women's Bible study and he spent a lot of time outside. It was also his first lollipop. A young local woman with a baby on her back came over to talk to us. She said, "baby, baby, baby, do you like sweets? Come." She picked Liam up and took him into her little shop (and when I say little I mean perhaps the size of a potting shed) and gave him a lollipop. Liam also played with 3 children from the village who were with their goats. They chased the goats around the yard of the church.

I gotta wrap this up, but the guys had a meeting about a potential Push The Rock opportunity for the summer, toured the ART clinic, and climbed the water tower. We can't wait to show pictures when we get home!

peace,

Christie