Quick Update

After my two week break I decided to dedicate a day to catch up on my blogs. Let's be real, I'm only posting a summary about everything I would have written about. From the demon possessions to the so real feeling I have about leaving. 

Demon possessions - So the whole country shut down school for a week because of the mass hysteria that was going on. Once school started again the craziness commenced also. I had stopped trying to put a label on whatever was going on. Whatever it was the devil seemed to be on the winning side of the girls lives. The situation almost split the church and all of Bere. 

One day, one of my friends was carried to the hospital due to demon possession. Charis, Naomi, and I decided we should go over to the hospital and pray with her. (We had been praying for all the girls, but we wanted to physically be there for our friend). That is how I was able to see firsthand how the doctors treated this situation. 

I have to commend the doctors. It is a tough situation to deal with, and I feel like they handled it really well. Honestly, at first I was a little confused about their tactics, but I knew they had a reason behind their actions. Basically, Olen was yelling and asking my friend what her name was. She started to act up and get crazy again, so he pushed her down onto the hospital bed. He continued to scream and ask his questions as he inflicted a little bit of pain, whether it was bending the finger back or a finger pinch.

The church elders were all over Charis and I trying to make us see their side of things. They were mad that Olen kicked them out of the room because it was demon possession and a matter for prayer. We told them we were staying out of the situation. If they really felt compelled they should discuss it with the doctors at a more appropriate time. (Honestly, I wondered why they took all the girls to the hospital if they thought the only thing the girls needed was prayer).

The next day, Olen explained his actions during staff meeting while Danae went to talk with the children at the Adventist school. Danae answered all the teenagers questions and told the girls that if anyone else faked a demon possession they would be kicked out of school. Olen used the Bible as his support. He pointed how Jesus asked a possessed man what is your name and the response was Legion, not the man's name. That is why his first question to all the girls was what is your name. He continued to go through the Bible, story after story, showing how in the Bible the demon possessed cut themselves, threw themselves on the fire, or had no sense of pain. Within 10 seconds most of the girls would be telling him their name and answering all of Olen's question with the slightest bit of pain. 

After giving his argument for why he felt it wasn't demon possession, he continued to explain why he felt these girls were putting on a show. He used my friend as an example because everyone knew her. (She lives with her uncle who use to work in the hospital). She is far from her immediate family. Her father isn't around and the uncle she was living with took off for other reasons not involving her. Basically, she has no male influence in her life. However, when she throws herself on the floor and fakes a devil possession all her male classmate run to hold her down. The men of the church come and pray for her during her attack, and after every man is concerned for her. Boys and men come to visit her and ensure she is doing ok. It makes sense to do if you desperately want attention, but the girls obviously didn't think of the repercussions. No one will want to marry someone who is/was devil possessed. So they had a short moment of attention and then they will be even worse off from when they started.

It has been two weeks since these talks and there have been no more demon possessions. 

Gymnastics - We weren't able to get a show together because of the craziness with the girls. I am a little bummed about it, but I thank God for the time I had with the kids. They still come to gymnastics excited to practice and learn something new.

Crochet classes - I have been trying to write a pattern book for all the woman. I want to make sure they can continue on their own after I leave. I have made a pretty decent pattern book on my iPad, but the lady I wanted to teach how to read it got sick. Basically, she got a few splinters from pounding boule. The stick splintered while she was using it and the cuts got infected. Her thumb had doubled in size due to swelling and infection. For two weeks she was unable to come to class because she couldn't crochet. At first the sante-sante was only giving her Ibuprofen shots! Her hand kept getting worse and worse. I heard the she was only getting Ibu and said something to Naomi, but I'm not sure if the woman was told. Either way the next week she her hand was looking much better when she came to class. She was even able to crochet. So I pray that I can teach her and Naomi everything they need to know before I leave.

 

Party - I threw a small traditional Tchadian party at my house this past Saturday night. Let's be real, I tried to make it traditional, but what I imagined in my head isn't what took place. Most of my friends work in the hospital, so they were all called in for an emergency and were unable to come. Therefore, my party was composed of mostly party crashers and children. At first I was really upset, but I still had a lot of fun and enjoyed myself. I invited these amazing drummers for music, but they never came... I don't know what happened to them. Naomi said that they had confirmed they were coming Sabbath morning, but something must have happened. Our thoughts is someone died and they had to go and play for the funeral instead. (We just played the radio instead). Either way we had a ton of good food and funny moments. All of the men left early, but it was for the best. My family and the other kids had a blast with Charis and I. We taught them the cupid shuffle and tried to show them how to salsa dance. They taught us traditional Tchadian dances and we had a good time. It probably would have been more awkward then fun if all the men stayed. Charis and I are sure they wouldn't have danced. 

As of now everyone is gone...well almost everyone. The Parkers and the Blands left last week, and Charis left yesterday morning. The compound is really empty now. I am the only person left in the group of friends I made. Lionel and Charis left for home and the Tchadians are on a trip in N'Djamena. Therefore, I have been very lonely lately. I still go out and talk to/hang out with people, but it isn't the same. However, the more lonely I get the more excited I am to go home and see all my friends and family. I am still really sad to leave, but at the same time I miss you guys a ton!

Yeast Infection Clinic

I was finally able to make it over to Naomi's house to take a picture of the new infection clinic building. It is a top of the line fire red brick house that will last for a very long time. Thank you for all your donation and support. There is no way we could have done this without you. The building isn't officially open yet, however,  Naomi is hard at work treating as many people as she can. There are many people who struggle with yeast infections who are now able to find relief through Naomi's remedies. 

Time is Short!!

Sorry my blogs seem to get shorter and shorter. I thought I was doing a lot of stuff in the beginning, but now I realize I was wrong. Ya, I did some stuff, however, it is nothing like what I am doing now. It just hit me that I only have one month left in Tchad. I have learned to love and/or accept both good and bad things that Bere (Tchad in general) has to offer. 

I have made close friends, which forces me to learn and use the language. We have many inside jokes. I have laughed and cried with these friends. From feasting together to comforting my friends at a loved one's funeral, we have gotten really close. I truly understand what Pastor Rich and everyone else meant when they said every SM goes through a cycle. I'm sure you can even recognize my stages based on blog posts alone.

It is sad to think about how short time truly is. Therefore, I am trying to do anything and everything with the time I have left. This means I have a lot to blog about, but very little time to do it in. (For example, I have a 5 year old Fulani son now. His name is Matidi. He is too cute and too fun to explain shortly. All you need to know for now is that everyone thinks he is Leonel's and my kid. Matidi favors both of us and is with us all the time). I don't even have a real day off anymore. Ya I get tired, but I am loving every minute of it.

I was able to find a wonderful translator for the new purse program. So every Sunday morning, for four hours,  we go out and walk around Bere finding people to talk to and possibly help. It has been a true blessing. I wish I could write individual stories about every person we have spoken with, and who we were able help. 

Also the crochet lessons are going really well. My plan is to teach them how to read crochet patterns so they can continue to learn and make new things after I have left. Therefore, I have been on the slow internet trying to download patterns and their corresponding pictures of various things. I am getting really stressed because I want them to learn and understand everything, but there is so little time. 

In regards to gymnastics we really want to get a show together before I leave. We haven't started working on a routine yet...so we have a month to get performance ready. It is exciting, but very rushed at the same time. The children really love gymnastics and it seems like there is someone new every time. (Not all of the children come consistently though, so most of the time it feels like the same amount of kids).

I know Danae wants to do a children's church and is hoping the SMs will help. That means it will be before we leave. There is so much for me, and everyone else, to do and so little time. I have started many blogs, but haven't finished any. I really want to post pictures and have a lot to say, but I guess you might have to wait until I get back to hear all of my stories. I will hopefully finish some more posts very slowly and post them. However, just know that I am doing great now. I am just trying to enjoy every second I have left here.

Something Fishy is Happening

Something fishy is going on in Bere. I have decided to label it demon possession. Whether it is truly demon possession or not this situation still needs your prayers. More girls have been leaving school, and even coming to the hospital, due to demon possession. Honestly, at first I thought that many people were putting on a show for attention or to get out of tests. People love putting on shows here. 

For example, there was a woman in labor who refused to push. It was her first child. She had been fully dilated for hours and the baby made no progress. Everyone kept saying the baby wasn't coming because there wasn't enough room for its head to fit. But Danae knew what was truly going on. The woman wasn't pushing although she could push. We had to basically drag the woman to the OR and use forceps. It took 9 people to get the baby out. 7 or the 9 people were holding the woman down. Instead of pushing the baby out during contractions she would push the nurses and I away. In the end Danae and Dr. Bland pulled the baby out themselves because the woman didn't want to listen or help the process go faster. She had a fourth degree localized rip because she refused to push the baby out!! Basically her vagina and anus because one big hole!! I have never come across a more difficult patient in the duration of my trip!!

Anyways, back on track, there are no mental health institutes (or even psychologists) here or anywhere in Tchad. So we don't really know if it is show, truly demon possession, or a bad mental disorder. However, I honestly think that Esther has a demon.

We know, or at least think, Esther's is legit because she has snapped out of her episodes in time to take her exams. She has been able to take all her test this week. Also, her father is threatening to disown her because she is refusing to go to the traditional healer.  I don't think she would give up her family and a livelihood just for a little attention. She has also had episodes of extreme strength... It could still be a mental disorder, but I don't think it is. 

I thought the first few other girls were seeing the attention Esther was getting and wanted some attention too. Or they saw it as a reason to get out of tests. But more and more girls were rushed to the hospital because of demon possessions. Even girls from nearby public schools were coming to the hospital due to what we think were episodes due to demonic possession. In total, we had 16 girls sent to the hospital for demon possession and many more were sent home. The Adventist school even canceled school because there were so many people getting sick.

This is really affecting everyone around us. Girls are afraid to touch each other because they don't want to get possessed. They think that even with a simple handshake you can get possessed. The men think that they can touch the girls and won't get possessed, which is good. However, I think they believe only girls can get possess. I don't know what their reasoning is behind this thought. Also, this situation gives men even more reason to push women even lower and lower in society. Some say it is because the girls don't pray, or were weak?? Ugh...I was honestly too frustrated to fully listen and understand the reasoning behind all of the things said. 

All I know is this is bigger than people trying to get out of tests or seeking attention. I feel that the devil is at play in this situation although it doesn't sound like the typical demon possessions I have heard stories about in the past. A few had extra strength, and none of their voices changed. A few had to be held down, but many were walk or carried into the hospital. However, all of them were prayed for.

I think the devil knows his time is getting shorter and shorter. Therefore, he is working even harder to win more souls. Demonic possession isn't as frequent (or easily overlooked) in America. However, it is a very real and very big problem in Tchad. Because of this, I truly don't know what to do or say other then to pray for the girls. I hope you will continue to keep Bere and all of Tchad in your prayers as well.

Pray for Esther!

There is a girl at the Adventist school, Esther, who struggles with satanic possession. She has tried many things and can't seem to get ride of her demonic squatters. Just today she had an episode at school. She took off her clothes and ran around campus in her bra and underwear. Some of the staff saw what was taking place and tried to stop her. First, they had to chase after her all around campus. Then they had to hold her tight as they tried to talk to and pray for her. She was trying to wrench her arms from their grip. Esther ended up falling on the floor from fighting their grip.

In the end she snapped out of it. She even asked why the teachers had her on the ground although she was the one who got on the ground. She didn't remember anything about her episode. After hearing what had happened she thanked the teachers for praying for her. 

Esther realizes that pray is the only thing that can help her. All she can turn to is God. However, her family thinks she is crazy for trusting in the power of prayer. They want her to go to a witch doctor. Although Esther continues to refuse visiting the witch doctor her parents won't give up. They put various "remedies" they received from the witch doctor into her meals and drinks. She has to be very careful now and her prayers have become more intense.

Just like Esther, I and the other missionaries believe in the power of prayer. All of the missionaries have signed up for a hour slot to pray for Esther. That doesn't mean we are praying for her for a full hour. It just means that every hour God is hearing a plea for Esther from somebody's lips. I am hoping that even more people will start praying for her as well. That is why I am posting this blog. Please remember Esther and keep her in your prayers.