Tuesday 18 November
One week today! I woke up better, prayed about the day before and today and delivered everything, including my feelings, into Christ’s hands. After my devotional, I took a shower and put my nursing clothing on as I would attend some pregnant ladies today. The plan was for me to start the consultations the week after, after the team leaves, but one of the nurses present wanted to see a consultation and sonogram done here, and at least try one out herself as well. So we decided to only accept the ladies who come unplanned today, but not to call all the pregnant ladies, otherwise, before we’d know it, the waiting line would be long. We ended up helping two ladies. We did the consultation and the sonogram and planned for the ladies to come back after about a month.
Later in the morning, Codo came to say hi and show me her baby! Baby Braima! The baby I only knew in her belly before. The baby who was causing her headache and high blood pressure. Coitado, just kidding. He is now 5 months old, nice and chubby and the jolliest little thing.
In the afternoon, I helped tidy in the big room, where one was having a deadly nap, fed and hydrated the healthcare workers, took some snaps of dentist Rute doing her magic, received a golfing 101 class from Gabriel and baked Curaçaoan pumpkin pancakes with the huge pumpkin Codo had brought us. Mamadu the baker was very happy to learn how to make these. I think he is ready to visit Curaçao now.
We also received a little goat today. We named her Cicília. But afterwards I believe that wasn’t the bestest of ideas, because that evening she sadly became our dinner. And the only thing I was seeing was Cicília. So I passed, and I couldn’t eat her.
Tonight I’m going to bed early, because I need to wake back up on time to watch Curaçao’s football match against Jamaica. Which will decide if we go to the World Cup or not. My goodness, my belly.
Wednesday 19 November
What a beautiful sleepless night I just had! B-E-A-UTIFUL!! WE MADE IT TO THE WORLD CUP!!! AHHH!! And YES, I am screaming!! And crying, and I am just super duper proud of my island, our nation, our Tiny Big Curaçao. Well, at first I fell asleep before the game started. Here it started at 1:00h, and I think I was more tired than I thought I’d be, haha. But then, thank God, in the second half I woke up and watched the rest of the game. Also, I did that in pretty much complete silence, as I was sleeping in the tent with Catarina and had snoring neighbours as well. And it was hard, staying silent, because the referee was testing our patience several times. The almost penalty moment, then so much extra time, and then not freaking calling the game to an end till 4 minutes extra on top of the 5 minutes overtime. So I guess that’s why God allowed me to sleep through the first half, because I heard I missed many more stressful moments, and I might have woken people up or would have gone to bed with high blood pressure. I am so proud of my island, my goodness! I really wished I was there to watch the game and celebrate all together. What a big and historical moment for us. I called my family, my cousin, my mother, sister and step-father, and my father and step-mother! I managed to take just one screenshot, one with my father, as I scream in silence and he screams on a very low volume with me. Just brilliant. In showing my love, I hung the flag of Curaçao right outside our tent.
That morning, we went to the village about 5km away, called Gikoi. There Hope For Fulanis has built a new school, and today was the inauguration. On our way there, we spotted a monkey! I didn’t even know they lived here so close. Some people drove in the car, and many went in the cargo box in the back of the pickup. Dentist Rute being one of those courageous ones. When we arrived, we were welcomed with musicians playing for us and many children waiting to dance with us. A whole live cow was given to us. Unfortunately, not to keep as a pet, but to kill and eat. This time, I didn’t want to go see the cow, nor even think of a name, so I could eat it too. Just had a small piece tho, but still, I believe it worked, haha.
In the first hours, Gaby gave some classes and refreshed some material with the teachers of the school. Rute gave a class and instructions about dental hygiene. And both Rute and Laura prepared a little musical piece to perform for the teachers as part of an illustration and listening exercise. Somewhere in between, I recorded a podcast episode with Rute & Mathieu, which turned out to be more emotional than I thought it would be. But very good.
We then had the ceremony of the inauguration, where Gaby spoke, a couple of chiefs and elders of the village, one of the first teachers in the area, and then Gabriel and Laura as well. Ah, and somewhere mid those speeches the ladies came in from the village towards the school where we were, dancing, singing, holding a very bright present to give to Gabriel. This was yet another way of them saying thank you to Gabriel, Laura, Hope For Fulanis and all the years of heart-filled work and service they gave.
After all the speeches were speeched, they cut the ribbon and woohoo, the new school was inaugurated! Then the kids went crazy as some started popping the balloons hung on the pillars of the building. And then Gabriel had the brilliant idea to send us to go play with the children in the field, a few meters from the school, so that they could have the space to start cleaning up and finalising the last conversations. And so we went, all jolly and fun at first, but we quickly learned it wasn’t the easiest to get the kids to follow the rules of the games. The plan was for each kid to “win” a lollipop after they did the limbo right or wrong. But after trying and trying, one said it might be better if we just gave them to each one separately without doing the game, because they were so focused on the lollipop. Well, they went from crazy to ballistic in a split second. I had one bag in my hands, so a group of kids ran towards me, surrounded me and started to pull at my clothes. One of the girls, Maria, jumped in to literally support my back. It made us both emotional, I almost started to cry, and in the car on our way back home, I did shed a few hidden tears. I was shocked by how big a difference the two villages had, just 5km apart. The people of Tabanane are much more disciplined, they have more respect, and it’s here that I learned that they are such a true example to their surrounding villages. I also learned how much of a difference the presence of Hope For Fulanis makes in a village. The impact they leave. The transformation they contribute to. It’s so beautiful. What a humbling honour to be part of this.
At night, as it was the last night of the team being here, we had this circle of sharing that Gabriel traditionally does every mission trip they do. These circles are always tear-jerkers, if not a snot-fest. Everyone shared what they would take back home with them after this trip. How has this trip impacted them? Well, for me, I shared that I feel like my mission is only about to start. And that I can’t wait to see all that it holds. Having zero expectations, but completely expectant of what God will do.
Thursday 20 November
The day everyone went back to the city. The day I stayed alone, living in the village. The day it all really started. The day I could let it all just sink in. The morning was filled with many hugs. Then we had a moment in the cafeteria, where the students get their breakfast. Gabriel shared the Word of God, Psalm 23. He left some reminders, announced my stay for 2 months and then return for another 2 months till May next year, and then Gabriel asked the people of the village present to join him in praying for me. He did, they did, and I cried. Of course. The people welcomed me and promised to take care of me, as if I were their own. How could I not cry? What a welcome. God is so good.
When everyone had left, I just took some time to sit and stare into the abyss. Just acclimate and allow my feelings to sink in a bit deeper. After that, I started tidying and preparing my tent and new “room”. Cleaned the floor and the bathroom, and then the men placed a tent inside the centre. I cleaned the tent and then placed the mattresses (two on top of each other, to sleep a bit higher), my luggage and one chair inside. Right when I was about to finish everything, Mamadu the baker’s brother, came asking for help, as his mother wasn’t well. He asked to come and check her quick, because she wasn’t responding anymore. So the other Mamadu and I prepared a bag with a blood pressure machine, thermometer, gloves and some more material to take with us. So, in the dark we went. With flashlights and a bit of a rush. When we arrived, she was sitting up straight in bed, feeling a bit better already. We checked what we could, but she seemed fine. She explained she went out to work in the field, in the sun. She hadn’t drunk enough, nor had she an appetite to eat. We concluded that she was probably a bit dehydrated. We gave her instructions on what to do and gave her Paracetamol for the headache.
Friday 21 November
This morning I had some nice devotional time. No need to rush, I just took my time. So good. I managed to go through my pictures and videos and edit a video to post as well. Mamadu and I then cleaned the tents outside and broke them down to put them back in their bags and then in the storage room. In the afternoon, I joined the students during their physical education (P.E.) class. Every Friday at 16:00h, groups 3 and 4 have their class. I decided to not only join them today, but to join them every Friday. I guess it’ll be my moment of exercising as well, because I am not sure yet how I’ll be doing that here, as normally I run, swim or surf. One thing I definitely could do is some exercises before I start the day. But we’ll see. Ramatulai joined me in class, and I came back sweatier than she was. Ramatulai is a 17-year-old girl who likes being around and helping where she can. She often helps wash the clothes of the volunteers who are here. I’ll be staying longer term, so I already told her that I’ll wash my own clothes, but we’ll definitely find other things for her to help with. In the evening, I finished tidying the kitchen racks, placing all my shopping on the shelves and organising it all tidily.
Saturday 22 November
Today I took a bit of a resting day, where I took things a bit more slowly. The only more active thing I did was tidying my room. Which now has lights! They are actually outdoor lights with this tiny solar panel that charges them. That part I left outside of course, but the lights come inside and light my room very fairy-like.
Sunday 23 November
This morning, I woke up with the urge to get up and get out. I felt uncomfortable staying where I was. In bed, yes. But also, where I spiritually am. This is not my home, not my place, not my destination. I have new spiritual levels to reach. It was bugging me, thus making me uncomfortable. Good. I got up and did my devotion. During the devotion, I understood I had to make a change in my schedule; I had to make a new plan. I’ll be here for 6 months. That’s not short. So, my old routine and scheduling can’t stay the same and “wait” for me to be back. I also prayed a new prayer. One that is new to me. Not that I pray the same prayers daily, but this type of prayer I hadn’t prayed before. Not like this.
Then I went out to visit people. On my way to entering the village, I see this lady with her two kids drying rice on the basketball field. After brooming the floor, she spread the rice out in about 1/4 of the field. But next to her, there were pieces of goat faeces. You know those little black raisins? Well, actually, dark chocolate-covered raisi.ns. This is not very hygienic, and one of the topics I would like to talk about during the classes I plan to do with the villagers as well. Two houses in. I visited Cadidjatu right when she came back from picking leaves and okra for dinner. She also showed me how she prepares the rice to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Two houses out. I said hi to Assamou and walked a small round in the village, taking a shortcut to Mamadu’s house, where I sat a bit on the porch. I then went back home.
In the afternoon, some kids came to say hi. They had brought their exercise notebooks to practice reading. It kinda looked like they were memorising the words, and really reading the letters and words. So I wanted to test the theory and gave them one of the books I brought for them to read. And indeed, this didn’t go as easily or swiftly as reading their own notebooks. So we did some reading together. It’s so beautiful seeing how excited they get when they get a word right. They are very eager to learn more and get better. So good. Tomorrow more. At least, that’s what they said, but we’ll see. I gave them some cookies, and they went their way. Now I write, and in a bit I’ll call my family to say happy birthday to my niece while I slice potatoes to make some fries. Early shower and early bedtime, because tomorrow the new routine starts!
Monday 24 November
Today we started consultations. We officially started the service, but we haven’t finished organising everything yet. Which is okay, because it’s a lot as well, but it does mess with my head a bit. You know, that OCD dust that lingers in the head, but okay. We had planned 7 people in for the morning, two of them pregnant, but later we added 3 more. We started at 10:00h and finished by 13:30h. Our plan was to start by 9:00h and finish by 11:00h, but both Mamadu and I were a bit late. I wasn’t even sure he was still coming, because he had called me last night saying he had a fever again and shivers. This morning I found out he has typhoid fever. That is what they found out at the health care centre in Contoebel. He has received two types of antibiotics, and he’s doing both.
Also, the people started showing up from 9:30h on. And actually, throughout the day, people kept coming, during times Mamadu wasn’t here to translate, during lunch time and also in the evening when everything is pitch black outside, people kept coming. We tried to explain that the health care or consultation services will be done on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And that they need to come early, from 9:00h on. Depending on the case, of course. Urgencies, mothers, pregnant ladies, babies, young children, elders and people who travel from other villages will receive triage first to see if it can wait or not. If not, then of course we help them. If it can wait, then they come back on the next consultation day, or the next day if it can’t wait too long.
I think by the end of the day, we helped about 15-17 people, and had to ask about 5 people to come back either tomorrow or Wednesday. And today I cut off and burned two amulets. I saw, and I cut. No fear, no doubt. And I believe this is only the beginning. I’m pretty sure.
In the afternoon, the girls came back to read as well. So good! This time, they brought friends. Great even! And I brought an extra book. They were excited again to read, to try and try again. Even some of their mothers joined in to read. But only after they finished sweeping the floor together in the school garden. Then they all left to cook, the mothers, and the young girls to help their mothers.
Throughout the day, I had many visitors again, just to say hi and see how I am. I received roasted peanuts from Candidjatu, cooked rice from Asamou and a loaf of bread from Mamadu the baker. And again, my eyes water with tears. They have almost nothing, practically nothing, and still they come and give. Their food, their time, their energy, their love. I am blessed to be here with them and in their midst.
And that is how my second week went. Isn’t that crazy? How have 2 weeks passed me by already?
The last time I wrote: “And I believe the silence, the time alone, the settling, will help me sink into this reality a bit more.” — it surely did. Because now, now I can say that I am sunk in. This is all very, very real, and I am enjoying every part.
Thank you for joining this journey and taking your time to read! I will do my best to update you every week. For videos you can also follow @tashmness on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
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