Private lives of Burkinabe are usually kept secret…

However, since we were at the language school for 24 hours/week and in need to make conversation with our French, each day we talked about life’s events with our instructors. Of the many people we have met here, the director of the school seems to live a life parallel to ours in the states. He is not much younger than we, has gone to college, is Christian and has a small family with adult children who no longer live at home. Even his wardrobe resembles that which is worn in the states, “business casual”. His personality is fun-loving and gentle, a pleasure to know. But, the big difference between his life and ours is his dependence on rain and medical care.

Rain? Yes, everyone here, without exception, is dependent on the consistency of showers during the rainy season. Without it, the intense sun withers the crops and leaves little to eat the entire year. Of course, one would think the shipments of food from other countries would help tremendously. Unfortunately, most of that is stolen by employees of the government. There is a fear in the air already since many people, including us at the orphanage, have already had to replant their fields due to a lack of rain. If the rains don’t come soon, we will see many deaths from starvation and malnutrition in the 2007. There has been a real positive in this situation: there was a huge prayer meeting, with Muslims and Christians alike, begging God for rain. The very next day, it did rain--for hours! Hopefully, this is the beginning of the season.

Although we all know the healthcare here is far substandard to the US, to see a glimpse of those affected is mind blowing. The director, Mr. Fulgence, has had two situations arise that he shared with us in this past month:

The day after Mr. Fulgence was absent, he apologized and provided his excuse: he had to attend the funeral of his niece and her baby. She needed a cesarean section, but both she and the baby died on the operating table. She left behind two other children and a grieving husband. We have knowledge of several mothers who have died in this way, although many more die in childbirth.

One week after the deaths, Mr. Fulgence received the news that his wife needs a hysterectomy. She has many uterine fibroids and may have cancer. After the niece’s death during surgery, how can he trust that his wife will survive a similar operation? Before surgery in the states, we sign a form of consent, acknowledging that during the operation many adverse reactions are possible…including death. Seldom is that a reality.

I become more and more grateful for my US citizenship every day I am here. Wow, are we ever blessed! This Independence Day will mean more to me than ever before. Shoot off a bottle rocket for me, will you?!!

In His love,
Connie