Water Research Project

Forgot to add that Jake was given a grant by University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point to do a Water Research project. He got over one-hundred water samples from all different sources in Bwambo village and tested each for bacteria and ecoli counts.  He then set up a lab in the back closet in our house where he created sample containers, which he placed in an incubator, powered by a car battery to grow the bacteria. In the end his results were very clear.  The homes that had water tanks were very dirty, mostly from using water containers that were not clean, and the fresh water sources from the mountain were quite clean. Next year, he will return to re-test the water following a huge water project the group from the Netherlands is doing in Bwambo. Should be a really interesting study and one he could use for his future work in Hydrology and Water Management.

An Amazing Trip!

Dear Friends, Family, and Blog readers,

This was our fourth mission to Tanzania and it seems to get better each year. What an amazing mission trip we had this summer!  No one got any major sicknesses (accept for Molly's fungus on chin from kissing and holding too many babies with head fungus :) and no deaths to report at hospital. Forty babies born in month of July! Some emergency, but successful surgeries. Mark was able to give daily workshops on infant resuscitation and emergency medicine. Fr. Dr. Beda (the doctor in charge) and Fr. Josaphat (a medical student)  worked with Mark in clinic and with Swahili translations. Medically, much was accomplished and many patients were cared for. We were also able to do some house calls to elderly patients who could not travel by foot.

One highlight was visiting Fr. Beda's family in Kilomeni Town in the mountains. Six of his eleven siblings were there to greet us along with his beautiful, strong mama, with a big feast, laughter, prayer, and some tears of joy.

We also had many wonderful meals and exchanging of cultural recipes with the Catholic community and hospital staff. Fr. Beda and the boys sacrificed a goat for our final farewell meal, which was a great learning experience for all. Every single part of the animal was used from something, including a hand-braided intestine for roasting, the hooves for soup, and the fur for selling. We were pleasantly surprised by the sumptuous meal Mary created with sauce, rice, chapati, pilau, and cabbages. The food is so good!

The children planted over 700 trees near the hospital as a reforestation project. They spent a few weeks also refinishing wood and painting the Doctor's House which has been completely refurbished for future volunteers, thanks to a generous donor from Trinity School. Its really beautiful!

Molly restocked the pharmacy and created a cleaning schedule for the staff on maintenance duty. She was very pleased with the outcome and hopes it will last :).

The most exciting part of the trip was the painting of a new icon at the Church by Minnesota iconographer, Nicholas Markell. He not only created a lasting gift, "The Risen Christ of Bwambo", but he was able to teach Julian and Cecilia the arduous, but prayerful task of writing an icon. What a gift! Thank you Nick! You may never know how many people and prayers you've inspired through this beautiful work.

We are so very grateful for Fr. Dr. Beda for the many ways he made our work (and some relaxation :) possible. He is a generous and wonderful host, especially to the children who love and admire him. Fr. Michael, the Pastor, and Fr. Josaphat,  were also so kind and great with the little ones. Daily Mass with the three priests, beautiful music, and close friends was really the highlight. Molly and some of the children were able to attend daily adoration to pray for the mission, the patients, and personal intentions from home. This trip has been prayerful, life-giving, and truly inspiring.

Many thanks go to Bishop Rogath Kimaryo and the Vicar General for hosting us in Same for our first conference on life issues. Fr. Beda, Mark, and Molly gave a day-long conference for priests and religious at the Same (pronounced 'sommay') Diocese on the "Culture of Life in East Africa." Over eighty people attended and all went very well. We hope to continue this work with the assistance of Human Life International in the future.

Many, many thanks to you all for your love, prayers, and support. Friends, family, and Mission Doctors Association have made this all possible and we are truly grateful.

The Druffners

 

Busy

We have been here for one week and are settling into a routine. Fr. Dr. Beda is away on vacation for six days so Mark is covering the hospital alone which is very busy.

Fifty patients, two deliveries, and one minor surgery just today. Nick Markell, an Icon artist from Minnesota, is here now painting a beautiful Risen Christ icon in the Church.  All the Druffner children have been assisting him. Molly is working to keep all happy with supplies for projects, big meals made on wood stove and daily prayer in Chapel.  Work is hard  but very rewarding.  The sun shines, music rings out through the valley, new friends are made and we feel  just a bit closer to our heavenly home here.

(Sent by text to Elise: Photos to follow when we get internet access ;) )

Well we are off!

Minneapolis Airport

It was a long night of Jake packing his entire water research project into large boxes, including many glass viles, a pressure cooker, dry ice, and testing liquids. Mark madly copied our talks for a Culture of Life Workshop in the Diocese (not many photo copy options in Same Town). Molly repacked all of the bags after discovering that items were missing and some bags were over weight. We are now at 16 large duffles of medical supplies and nine personal carry-on bags. If it all makes it, it will be a great travel miracle. St. Christopher, pray for us!

Many thanks to all of you, friends and family, for your support and prayers. Without you, none of this would be possible.

Will update blog when next near wi-fi, which might be a while. Love that! Uhuru! Freedom!

Jake and Rose

Mary Therese and Rose

Bwambo or Bust!! Mission Trip 2013

Our fourteen, 50 pound duffle bags are packed in the living room filled with donations of medications, medical equipment, baby clothes, blankets, hospital sheets, catechists materials, and a few bags of chocolate chips for making cookies when the children get home sick.

We will be leaving on July 7th for seven weeks to one of our favorite places on earth - Bwambo
 
Molly has packed her spices, peanut butter, board games, and many great books for the children to read when they are missing the internet :)  This is such a special time for our family, as we are away from all distractions and can really spend some great family time together.


The kids are so excited to see their friends!  They have spent the last four summers with them and it will be so great to see how they have all grown and play hours of soccer with them.


Mark is furiously organizing medications, teaching manuals, and travel forms that we need to bring so many donated items into the country.  He is very excited to work with Fr. Dr. Beda again and to teach the nurses about infant resuscitation, safe delivery practices, and basic disease prevention.

This year, Molly and the children will be working on a reforestation project with Fr. Beda. Because of the climate changes throughout the entire country and the over use of wood products, trees are becoming scarce in the region.  This will be a great time for the children to learn about nature and wildlife in the South Pares.

Julian and Cecilia will be assisting Nick Markell, an Iconographer from Minnesota, who will be painting a beautiful Risen Christ mural in the church.  This will be an incredible opportunity for them to witness the work of an incredible artist.

Molly is working with the parish teaching catechesis and spending time with moms and babies in the in the maternity ward, which she absolutely loves!

We are all very excited to go and ask you for prayers, especially for safety.  Some of the car rides up the mountain can be a harrowing experience!!

Thank you all for your prayers, donations, and support.  We are so grateful to have such wonderful friends like you,

Under the protection of Jesus and Mary,

The Druffners