The gift of a week

We have been in Kabul over a week!                                                                                                      Each day holds a surprise or two. Yesterday three of us women from the guest house went to get pedicures and a haircut at a salon where deaf Afghani women are apprenticed.  What a delight to have our dust-clad feet washed, scrubbed, massaged, and beautified!  But, alas, one of the supervisors became dizzy and  proceeded to have a seizure, scaring everyone there.  Debra, from our group,helped care for her, a nurse was summoned and it was determined she needed IV hydration, so we volunteered our driver and van to take her to a hospital. Debra helped the other girls stay calm.  Mostly I prayed.  I got to sit up front with the driver because of the full load, and despite awful traffic, we delivered her to the hospital.  Upon changing seats myself, my camera fell off my lap into the shallow ditch.  I grabbed it, but it is not working yet.  Aggravating.  I was taking pictures of traffic since I had the front seat.  Now I will always keep the cover  nearby.  Hopefully, it will revive and/or the old one we brought will continue working.

To backtrack, the hospital had a farewell for Dr. Tim and Patti Fader on Monday, along with a retiring British midwife.  There were many speeches and gifts and much food.  Jon was also introduced and asked to speak.  He reassured them of his eagerness to work with them and his qualifications of experience.

Marita and Jon with Dr. Farooq

Jon and Tim with the Senior class

That was Tim's last day at the hospital and Jon has been in charge since.  It is becoming easier and they've accomplished some of the 42 things on the list Tim wrote down!  Today is his first day off and he slept in and is napping again.

     On Tuesday, Tim took Jon and I to Murad Khane, the last remaining section of the old city, developed in the 18th century but fallen into disrepair.  Much of it was lost through demolition, conflict, and neglect, but was listed on the World Monuments Fund's 2008 Watch List of the world's most endangered sites.  Turquoise Mountain, a Kabul-based charity, engaged in a wide-ranging architectural conservation project, restoring over twenty historic buildings and building a number of new buildings in the old style.  Tons of garbage had to be removed first, up to six-feet deep!  The Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture are divided into four schools:  Woodworking, Ceramics, Jewelry, and Calligraphy. Afshar Hospital was invited to operate a clinic in this project, opening just two months ago.  Jon is excited about working  with the residents there.

   Today is Funday, the Holy Day for Muslims......a good day to get together with the expat community and fellowship.  A group of men of all ages has been hanging out at the guest house today, waiting for their flight home.  They have been working on installing a soy plant up north somewhere.  These groups will be coming through every Friday.  WE are inspired and amazed by the dedicated people who are assisting Afghanistan in untold ways.  Their hearts are large.

    We have much to be thankful for....it's easy to dwell on the irritations, but with a bit of time, we get used to them.  Nothing a good night's sleep can't help!  Tomorrow Mosa, our driver, will take us shopping.  He's known to be a real sleauth!  On Tuesday, Nell and Cloudia are taking me shopping.  Between these two excursions, we should be closer to independent living.  Just need to have Akram hire a painter for the new room and have the air conditioner conditioned.  Cloudia has been an angel for me.  She and husband, with two little boys, are staying here this month, also.  They are Community Developers up north, but have had to take a break.  She and two others took me shopping to the fabric bazaar where I picked out three fabrics and they are at the tailor now.  She's advising me on decorating the room we will rent, took me to the FINEST grocer where I got Jon his beloved Pepsi Light and Ice-Cream Bars, invited me to watch a DVD with her one night, brought me a doughnut from the 'French' Bakery, and led the trek to the beauty salon.  We are having fun.  I will make my first sock animals for her boys soon.

     Your prayers are precious.  You are precious.  God's people here in Afghanistan are precious.  This is an opportunity we are glad to participate in and trust our needs will be met daily.
Blessings to each one of you,
Marita and Jon