12/6/2018 It's been a long time since my last post.  The time has certainly gone by quickly. Since my last post I have conducted training for volunteers from the villages, been to America and back, and now I find myself sitting in a hospital in Dar es Salaam writing this blog post.  I guess I should probably start there and work backwards.

On Tuesday, just after returning from America for emergency leave I was bitten by a snake. This is what happened: my home is so hot during the night that I have to leave the windows open but when it rains the wind blows it right in the house so about 4 or 5 AM I got up to shut the windows. I turned the light on to check for creepy crawlies then opened the door to look outside. The snake must have been just outside the door and I didn't even notice it until I felt it going over my foot. My reaction was to step back which is when I stepped on it. I chased it around the house a little bit until I noticed the blood on my foot and figured out that it bit me. Didn't even feel it. After killing the snake I carried it to my neighbors house and he transported me to the local clinic for IVs, then the district hospital for anti venom. I took an ambulance to the local airport (picture a Model T on dirt roads) and a flight to Dar and here I am. The foot is swollen and painful but I have been trying to move around some. Not sure how long I will be here in Dar, but I don't think I will be heading back to my house until I have recovered enough to take care of myself again.

Travels to America. My step father passed away after some time in hospice care. I tried to make it back in time but it took me five days to get back. I got to see many people during my short time home and I really appreciate the support and love. I was not really aware of how much I needed the physical and spiritual break until I got there. I ended up putting on more than 10 pounds in the 2 weeks. To everyone I got to see, thank you for your love and support. For everyone I didn't get to see, I'm sorry and I owe you some time someday. I will make it up to you when I get the opportunity. May he rest in peace.

Training for the villagers. If you remember from my last post I was going to set up a training for basic medical response for the local subvillages. Well we had the training and it went great. There were 13 volunteers from the villages, my counterpart Peter, the Community Health Worker, and the doctor. I taught basic response and assessment, Peter taught about the 4 classes we taught together in the villages (HIV, malaria, water safety, and washing hands) the health worker taught about nutrition, the doctor taught about maternal health. After six hours of training and team building activities we were ready to start visiting the villages to teach about healthcare and getting the villagers the care they needed. Unfortunately that was just before the travels and hospitalization. The next phase will have to wait until things are going a little smoother.

Well that's it for now. Never a boring day here in Africa. I will keep you updated on my progress as often as I can.
Peace,
Brian

Photos: the foot, the snake, the training, the love of my life.