Running with the Zebras!

Tea Time with the Nursing Girls



At the HIV clinic with fellow Native Nursing Students

Wow! It is amazing to wake up in the morning and go on a run with ZEBRAS!!! On Monday, Me, Kelly, and Kara went on a run through the game reserve and saw 6 zebras..we also saw them this morning (Wednesday) so our plan is to visit them very Mon, Weds, and Fri on our runs! woo!! It makes running that much better..!! I haven't been able to get a picture with them yet because I keep forgetting my camera but hopefully I will soon..!!

Yesterday (Tuesday) was my first day out at one of the clinical sites. I was at Mason's Clinic, which is an HIV clinic that serves a more rural area. I have been told the statistics of AIDS and HIV, that about 50% of the population here is infected..that statistic became so much more real today seeing patient after patient who was either HIV positive or had AIDS. It was also mind-blowing to hear the patients as they talked about family members who were also infected, including children as young as three years old. I also just couldn't grasp how some of the partners of the infected patients do not get tested at all. The Doctor explained to be that they just don't want to know that they are sick or have a disease..he also explained that even after they do find out they are infected, they are in denial and often do not treat it until over a year after the initial diagnosis. This was hard for me to wrap my mind around since often Americans are so careful and precautions with their health..and its just hard because since there is a denial factor, the disease continues to spread. It makes me so grateful for the education I do have regarding health and health issues..please pray for these people, for healing and for the Doctors and Nurses to continue to pour into their lives, educating and motivating them to combat this widespread disease.

The Doctor I worked with was so great. I learned so much and he allowed Katelyn and I to do assessments on the patients. I learned that the side effects of the HIV medication makes the females loose their fat, specifically in the butt and calf area...and the calf's turn more into muscle. The women complain because they take pride in their more full-figured physiques and Katelyn and I were blown away at how different it is from US culture, where woman often strive to obtain a certain thin physique. When asked the African nursing students at the clinic, what they thought of Americans they quickly responded with "fast-paced and rich". I am so grateful for the slower pace I have taken on here and hope to take parts of it back with me to the US. It is so important for me to slow down and acknowledge the God who goes before me..and I just can't seem to have enough opportunities to that in the States because of my 100 mile pace.

On Sunday, we attended a local church..which I always love worshipping in a new country. It always blows my mind that we are worshipping the same God in a place that is thousands of miles away. I have to say I did get rather distracted and had to kinda giggle with my friends when we sang "Why should I gain from his reward, I cannot give an 'AUHHHNNNSWER'" instead of the oh-so poetic way we say AAAAANSWER. haha the English accents are just precious! They also call the stop-lights "robots" and sweaters "jerseys". We are catching on quickly to the lingo but learning Zulu is a whole other story!! I just cant get the clicks in the right places or remember the words!! Tonight is my first Zulu class but it was fun to practice yesterday in the clinic, it added some humor for the patients!

Today, is very exciting because I get to go to the MALL for the first time. I have been in need of some shampoo and conditioner..!! Wednesday is the nurses day off, or rather our time to do our online nursing research class but today is different in that we have History of South Africa and Zulu..both of which I'm excited to take even though it is our day off because I am itching to learn more of both..which is neat to experience. I have valued my education before but being here and see education is just SO important makes me appreciate even more. On Mondays and Fridays, we are in nursing classes pretty much all day including Community Health and Nursing Ethics. But, when I say ALL DAY that includes breaks for tea, which are just amazing! Our profs are great..one is a Doctor and one is a Nurse and they really are a great team together. On Tuesday and Thursdays, we go to clinics and I cannot wait to return to Mason's tomorrow. Hope all is going well at home..love and miss you all..keep me updates when you can!!

"Be strong and bold- have no fear of them, because it is the LORD your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you" -Deut 31:6