The Heart of Dixie

First Day of Therapy

Today is the first formal day of therapy! Yesterday our team assessed 78 infants and toddlers. The assessment included an observation of basic things: sucking,swallowing, & feeding, trunk control, eye contact & ability to track, responding to name and sound, imitation of movement and sound or speech, and basic cognitive abilities. Instead of using formal standardized assessments or checklists, we relied on things we have learned and experienced. The graduate students were assigned their "clients", although the word "clients" seems odd in this setting because they are more like "our babies". The evening was spent planning for tomorrow's sessions.

One of the exciting moments for me yesterday was discovering that several of the nipples used on the bottles were cracked or had wholes in them. One of our leading team experts in feeding and swallowing showed the Aunties what to look for and explained why it is so critical to have a "good" nipple. This simple observation will make a profound difference in the infant's sucking/swallowing abilities, nutrition, and overall health. What a revelation!

Yes, we really do take things for granted!

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Confidence

Confidence. Auntie Jennifer said in the children's bible class she conducted, "Hold up your hand! Hold up your hand with confidence!" I thought about that for a while. It takes confidence to raise your hand. It takes confidence to volunteer. And it takes courage to give the impression that you have confidence. One of the veteran students on this mission said he walks through the airport and through customs like he knows what he's doing. That's confidence. I will take his advice and approach this day with confidence!

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Stories

Stories. I love to hear stories expressed by those who have the gift of oral expression. Some of us just tell stories and get the message across. Others totally captivate the audience and embrase us with their words.

While here in Zambia I am exposed to so many stories. I want to remember them all. Yesterday we listened to Dr. Weaver and Dr. Tullos tell story after story. The words flowed and my visual imagery was working overtime. I found myself like a little girl sitting at the feet of wise people. Good storytellers.

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Babies

Almost everyone loves babies. The students who have been to The Haven tell story after story of The Babies. The students traveling with us talk with anticipation of working with The Babies. So finally we met The Babies. And there are plenty who are taken care of round the clock by The Aunties.

There are babies who, when you meet them, you instantly form a bond. There are babies whose eyes reflect hope and joy and love. Other eyes reflect sadness. But all eyes are on us and every baby seems to say with their eyes,"Pick Me!"

Two of THE most precious babies are far away in Baton Rouge, LA. MK & TG are our grand babies. These Babies have two awesome parents who love each other and their children. These babies are constantly bombarded with love and surrounded in a nurturing, loving environment. The world should be filled with such.

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Lesson One

Today is Saturday, the second full day in Zambia. The trip was exhausting, but it is clearly what I expected, so I was prepared. I watched 4 movies in between napping and eating and walking the isle, so I was entertained. We stayed in Johannesburg the first night and quickly learned to wait. And wait. And wait. So, I am trying to learn to be patient but it is hard when I expect speed and efficiency. I now understand "WTA" - "Welcome to Africa"! LESSON ONE!

The next morning we flew to Livingstone, Zambia. Before the plane departed, the flight attendant sprayed the cabin with something. It reminded me of the days my brothers and friends and I ran behind the truck pulling the contraption emitting "mosquito spray" (I think it was DDT!) When we arrived at the airport, we went through customs again. Guess what--we had to wait and I thought I had learned LESSON ONE!

We were met by Rod and Sue Calder and escorted to Nanwianga. Their daughter, Emily who had been in school in Searcy, traveled with us. The Caulders even had iced cold drinks for us! The Caulders live and work at the mission and gladly gave us a warm welcome.

The bus ride to The Mission took a little over an hour and we arrived just before dark. We met Leonard the head cook and enjoyed a dinner. Following dinner we went to our assigned living quarters. There are 6 supervisors, including me and 18 students, some of whom are from Abilene Christian. Shortly following our arrival the electricity went out and remained out for a few hours. We unpacked in the dark but I was prepared with my flashlight and headlamp!

Throughout all the hustle & bustle of preparing for this trip I wonder if I will ever really learn LESSON ONE : wait & have patience!