Now that schools and the university are back in session, all the associated activities are also in full swing. Final year student rotations at the clinic are proceeding well, although our supplier keeps postponing the needed vaccine deliveries so we have been out of DAPP dog vaccines for almost a month. We are seeing plenty of interesting cases including distemper, parvo, mango worm, Ehrlichia and Babesia tick fevers, a hind limb amputation, and a possible case of rabies (sent to the state vet for testing).
Outside the clinic, I continue to help lead a women’s student Bible study on Monday nights and we have had great attendance by first year, as well as returning, students. On Wednesday nights I assist with a student witnessing training group and we are already planning outreaches for June and October during the breaks as well as monthly trips back to the village of Sixhundred. Fridays, my church hosts AWANA for about one hundred kids (1st-7th grade) and I do the record keeping. It is a bit overwhelming, but the kids are totally worth it. Finally, every other Saturday is our ladies meeting at church, but thankfully I’m not currently leading those meetings. It is nice to just be a participant!
Early in February, the Gestrings organized a showing of the movie “To Save a Life” and we had almost 200 students attend! Over 130 filled out comment cards and we have been working through visiting each of those students in their dorm rooms, answering questions, sharing the gospel, and inviting them to the Bible Studies.
Whew! Sounds like a lot when I see it all written out, but thankfully, I still have time for some gardening, reading, and working on French with Rosetta Stone.
In January’s prayer letter, I mentioned enjoying the rain while I was home, in Seattle, but I think I brought it back with me! It has been raining here at least weekly and we often receive more than an inch each time it rains. I’ve logged more than 12 inches in the past month. Thankfully, that means less time spent watering the garden :) Thank you so much for your prayers for rain over the past 18 months.
Unfortunately, the increased rain also means the recurrence of the nasty Mango worm. The flies lay eggs in moist ground or moist clothing hung out to dry. When the hatched larvae contact skin they quickly penetrate the skin and grow into maggots. Once they have grown large enough, they wiggle out a hole in the skin and turn into flies. Usually, Mafikeng is dry enough to prevent their development. Now, all clothing/sheets/towels hung outside to dry have to be ironed to kill the larvae. Since I don’t have a clothes dryer and hate ironing, I’ve invested in an indoor drying rack.
Now you have something to be thankful for when doing your laundry. No fear of Mango worm!
