Hello everyone!
Thank you all for your prayers and comments. We are so enjoying reading them. Modern technology is amazing!
Today is Saturday, July 12 the internet is down at St. Monica's, so we are in "Gulutown" at an internet cafe. No coffee, just computers. Just so everyone sleeps a little better back home, we are very safe here. The people are peaceful and kind. We had a short bout of gastroenteritis last week after sampling street meat (bad idea). Other than that we have been very well. Our thoughts of losing weight in Africa have quickly gone by the wayside. The sisters are amazing cooks and get very upset if we don't eat 3 squares a day. Oh well...
We want to tell you the story of Sr. Victoria. The Sacred Heart sisters are a refugee order. They fled the Sudan
during the wars in the 1960's to Moyo and other towns in Northern Uganda. Since then they've become active again in the southern Sudan in times of relative peace. Because they themselves are refugees, their mission has been to serve refugees, orphans , and the poor. One of the nuns here has cancer. We had a chance to sit and talk with her about her medical history and her story. Sr Victoria is originally from the Sudan and wound up in Nairobi, Kenya. She developed a rare uterine cancer that has metastasized to her liver. The initial chemo did not work, and the 2nd type was too expensive for the nuns to afford. She was failing in Nairobi and Sr Rosemary fetched her back to St Monica's for recuperation and love. When we went to Moyo, we stopped at a few places where the sisters cried when seeing her because they thought she would be dead. A few days ago we had a Mass of Healing for her. She and several other sisters were annointed by Fr. Don (they never know if they'll have access to a priest should they suddenly become ill). It was very touching and beautiful. Sr Victoria shared with us a story of personal trauma. Her father had been shot by the SPLA and she was on her way to Khartum to bring him back to Uganda for treatment. Along the way, her car was commandeered by the army and she was forced to ride in the back of a truck with many other people. The SPLA ambushed the truck. "It was raining bullets for 5 minutes. 11 people died instantly and I was shot in my left shoulder. Another sisters applied a tight dressing to stop the bleeding and I went on to get my father." It was a month before she was able to have the bullet removed, but her father lived. She is a very inspiring woman. We are praying for her daily. She has accepted her diagnosis with great grace and is bearing the burden very lightly.
Everybody here has been affected by violence in some way. The other day we met Evelyn, one of the girls at St. Monica's who was one of the "wives" of Joseph Kony. He is the head of the terrorist organization LRA, which was responsible for the slaughter and abduction of many Ugandans over the past ten years. She bore 3 children by him. They are also at St. Monica's. The stories are endless, but the people have a great spirit and are trying hard to recover and rebuild their lives. Their faith in God carries them through.
On a lighter note, we actually had an opportunity to see some patients, minor illnesses only. We took the sisters out for dinner last night and had a blast. They were very funny fighting over the last Red Bull.
Some things are universal. Later today, Monique will be speaking to some of the girls about leadership, goal setting, self esteem, etc. Pray it goes well.
The weather has been great. Low 80's and dry. The butterflies are many and beautiful, as are the birds. No safari yet, but still hoping. Sorry, but pictures have not been technically feasible as we can't get online on our own computer. Photodocumentation is ongoing however.
Love to all. We miss you. Keep the comments coming--they make us smile.
Stan and Monique
Thank you all for your prayers and comments. We are so enjoying reading them. Modern technology is amazing!
Today is Saturday, July 12 the internet is down at St. Monica's, so we are in "Gulutown" at an internet cafe. No coffee, just computers. Just so everyone sleeps a little better back home, we are very safe here. The people are peaceful and kind. We had a short bout of gastroenteritis last week after sampling street meat (bad idea). Other than that we have been very well. Our thoughts of losing weight in Africa have quickly gone by the wayside. The sisters are amazing cooks and get very upset if we don't eat 3 squares a day. Oh well...
We want to tell you the story of Sr. Victoria. The Sacred Heart sisters are a refugee order. They fled the Sudan
during the wars in the 1960's to Moyo and other towns in Northern Uganda. Since then they've become active again in the southern Sudan in times of relative peace. Because they themselves are refugees, their mission has been to serve refugees, orphans , and the poor. One of the nuns here has cancer. We had a chance to sit and talk with her about her medical history and her story. Sr Victoria is originally from the Sudan and wound up in Nairobi, Kenya. She developed a rare uterine cancer that has metastasized to her liver. The initial chemo did not work, and the 2nd type was too expensive for the nuns to afford. She was failing in Nairobi and Sr Rosemary fetched her back to St Monica's for recuperation and love. When we went to Moyo, we stopped at a few places where the sisters cried when seeing her because they thought she would be dead. A few days ago we had a Mass of Healing for her. She and several other sisters were annointed by Fr. Don (they never know if they'll have access to a priest should they suddenly become ill). It was very touching and beautiful. Sr Victoria shared with us a story of personal trauma. Her father had been shot by the SPLA and she was on her way to Khartum to bring him back to Uganda for treatment. Along the way, her car was commandeered by the army and she was forced to ride in the back of a truck with many other people. The SPLA ambushed the truck. "It was raining bullets for 5 minutes. 11 people died instantly and I was shot in my left shoulder. Another sisters applied a tight dressing to stop the bleeding and I went on to get my father." It was a month before she was able to have the bullet removed, but her father lived. She is a very inspiring woman. We are praying for her daily. She has accepted her diagnosis with great grace and is bearing the burden very lightly.Everybody here has been affected by violence in some way. The other day we met Evelyn, one of the girls at St. Monica's who was one of the "wives" of Joseph Kony. He is the head of the terrorist organization LRA, which was responsible for the slaughter and abduction of many Ugandans over the past ten years. She bore 3 children by him. They are also at St. Monica's. The stories are endless, but the people have a great spirit and are trying hard to recover and rebuild their lives. Their faith in God carries them through.
On a lighter note, we actually had an opportunity to see some patients, minor illnesses only. We took the sisters out for dinner last night and had a blast. They were very funny fighting over the last Red Bull.
Some things are universal. Later today, Monique will be speaking to some of the girls about leadership, goal setting, self esteem, etc. Pray it goes well.The weather has been great. Low 80's and dry. The butterflies are many and beautiful, as are the birds. No safari yet, but still hoping. Sorry, but pictures have not been technically feasible as we can't get online on our own computer. Photodocumentation is ongoing however.
Love to all. We miss you. Keep the comments coming--they make us smile.
Stan and Monique
7 comments:
Glad to hear things are going so well. Keep up the good work, and know you are in our prayers. Can't wait to see the pictures (well, maybe not All the pictures...)
Jeff and Rosemary
What an amazing journey!!
What strikes me the most about how you describe your friends there is the stark difference in perception.
While most Americans would probably think that the people there have so much over which to feel sorry for themselves, it is clear through your stories that they have a strong sense of identity, good morale, and a generally upbeat approach to the challenges they face.
What an inspiration! I can think of no better testament to the Love of God than to see it outpour through the loving and happy hospitality of your hosts ... even amidst the horrors of their lives. If -- after witnessing the way joy finds its way into the lives of these people -- you're not convinced that there's a benevolent higher power who can reach into your life and lift you up, then I don't know what CAN convince you.
Anyway, you and your hosts/friends/patients are in our thoughts and prayers.
Take care and God Bless,
Sean and Sue (plus Liam and Helena)
Hey Aunt Monique & Uncle Stan!!! How is Africa? I miss you guys so much!!! Hope yall are having fun!!
Love you!!!!
XOXOXO,
Alyssa
Hi Guys, Thank you for taking the time to write your blogs. It is keping all of us well informed and less worried for your safety. But no worries as I am ready to mobilize a strike team if necessary. Your concigliori ( oh crap! I can't spell english let alone italian) is ready at your command.
On a more serious note, I can't imagine what you are witnessing over there, both on a pitiful level of the natives and on a charitable one. It sounds like you are are keeping the company of saints to be. WHat a special perspective you are gaining that I can't wait to have you share. Our trip to CA was a blast but not near as interesting as what you shall report one day.
God bless you both and all those you touch with you gracious unselfishness. Know that you are in our daily family prayers as well as my own and will continue to be. Words can't express how much both of you mean to me so be careful and don't do anything stupid. I only expound on the stupid comment because I know that burried deep somewhere in the Biggins geneology is a stupid gene that I have ofter referenced. Will blog again soon.
GOD SPEED!
Patrick
Hi guys!!
You two are having some wonderful experiences...and making some treasured memories, too! You are so brave and so amazing to me...it is just inspiring. It makes me want to run out and do something charitable for someone in need.
I can hardly wait to see the pictures you have taken. I do hope that you get to go on a real African safari! I am trying to picture Stan with the rooster - and some of the other adventures you have described. One question: How can you avoid the mosquitoes? Aren't they just everywhere?!!
Know that we are thinking of you, praying for you often, and waiting for you to return home safe and sound to see and hear about your trip. We love you lots, Shannon
So, glad to here all is well with you two. We look forward to coming in everyday to read your lates blog. The thought of being handed a live cock(it couldn't of been me), however gave everybody a good laugh. Can't wait for your safe return to hear all the stories in person. Thoughts and prays with you always.
Love, Kara and Sue
Stan and Monique,
What an awesome heart you must both have to use your talents to give back to others in such need. We look forward to reading and hearing about your trip when you get back. Our prays and thoughts are with you and those you are serving. Ryan and Kirsten
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