Highlights from Rundu, Namibia

Six months ago I left home to begin a grand journey.
My life has grown and changed and I will never the same again.

Village Life.
Within a couple of months of moving to Namibia I saw an opportunity to break cultural norms and prejudices by moving from town to a local village Kaisosi. Just this morning when telling someone where I live she was shocked. She said, "But only black people life there!" Little did I know that much of my ministry is to break down walls of apartheid. There are many ways one can break down walls of apartheid, and living in the village is just one. Moreover, I have learned that it is essential to treat all people no matter their race or socioeconomic level with love and respect. In 1991, Namibia gained independence but deep-seeded roots of "Whites are better than blacks" still exists. Just yesterday, I was telling a boy, "Not we ‘white people’ are not better, just different. He thought because we had more things we were innately better. The clothes one wears and the job that one has does not make you innately better or worse. Even in the West, we compare. "I'm more attractive (better) for I get to wear name brand clothes." We need to stop comparing.

Rundu State Hospital.
Another main area of ministry is working and serving at Rundu State Hospital. I primarily work in the Theatre. We do not watch movies *unless we are really bored!* typically we just watch surgery. Yes, the Theatre means Operating Room. Some days are very busy and others are quite slow. Most days I scrub at least a couple of cases and lately we have been a bit understaffed. I realized recently that there are only six people in all of Rundu that are trained to do my job, including myself--only six people who know how to scrub surgeries! In the theatre, I have seen some strange and unique things, but the most frequent cases we get are exploratory laboratory and c-sections. We often get cases from a day of two travel into Angola. These cases frequently are quite complex and very advanced. One of the biggest hindrances to health care is its lack of availability. Angola has a poor system of health care so being a bordering city to Angola, we receive a large number of cases from Angola.

Upcoming adventures.
My time with Africa Inland Mission is quickly coming to a close. I anticipate spending a couple weeks in July with my parents who will be visiting. Together, we will travel to Zambia and work with a family from the church my dad pastors, the Zebells. We will be assisting in the building of a Christian school in Zambia. I also plan on doing a bit of travel before returning home in August.

In Christ,
Alysse
alysse.cuthbert@gmail.com

Uniquely Namibian

Unique things that you will only truly understand if you come to Namibia….

“That side” – with a click in a general direction. Inside of saying I live on Pinegrove street, just click in a general direction and say, “that side”.

Lots of people say, “Is it?” which half the time I reply with “It is!” – This means something similar to someone saying, “Really?” or “Is that true?”

Shaking the bus so that you can squeeze in just a little more gas.

Understanding the importance of Sunlight and Moonlight: Sunlight means you can be outside, cook and bike without falling in pot holes. Moonlight is very helpful when you are bathing outside.

When it rains people say, “Today is a day for the blankets.” Meaning you want to sleep all day and not work!

As a white person I feel strange if I am NOT being stared at and hollered at. When I see a lot of white people I feel very out of place!

It is not people that scare me it is dogs!

Yes, I have turned into an African for…
I can make the squeaky sound when doing laundry.
I do not mind eating the same types of food daily.
I walk.
I get very cold when the temperature is anything below 70 degrees.

Independence day vs. TB

Independence Day verses International Tuberculosis (TB) awareness: On Monday March 21st 2011 it was the 21st Birthday of Namibia – their Golden Birthday! Independence Day! Many of the shops were closed and no school, a national holiday. Unlike Independence day in America though there were no great celebration, except maybe a few braiis (cookout) and I believe the main event for the day may have been rained out. On Thursday, March 24th 2011 it was International TB awareness day events. Did any of you know that?! It was a big deal here in Namibia. There was packed out event to bring awareness to TB. First there was a parade from the hospital to the sports stadium. At the stadium there was a drama, singing, and speakers from the World Health Organization, USAID speaker, and the Minister of Health for Namibia. I laughed as I compared and contrasted U.S.A. culture from Namibian culture. Hardly anyone in the U.S.A. even knows what TB is but everyone knows how celebrate Independence Day! When asking a friend about why they celebrate TB awareness day more then Independence Day, he replied, “TB is something that affects a large population now. Family members and friends are dying from not seeking proper treatment. We care about the things that are really affecting our country today.” Made me ponder. Do we care more about our past and traditions over the health of the future? (sorry i am posting this so late... will try to post again soon on more current events)