June 10, 2013
Morning QT: Isaiah 48 (vv. 9-11) For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise
I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I
have tested you in the furnace of affliction, For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How
can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
Lord, how far You go in patience with us for Your glory and fame. You take us upon Yourself
and carry us despite our shortcomings and flaws.
9:11am
Left house late around 8:10am. Didn't expect Addis Ababa rush hour traffic. I was given
information indirectly from pastor Park that there was morning prayer meetings during the
weekdays at 8:30am. I arrived at the SIM chapel to find empty seats...
Found SIM administrator Renae. No such prayer meeting exists. I'm thinking maybe pastor
Park recommended me to start off the day with prayer at the SIM chapel. The closest thing she
mentioned was Friday prayer with Ethiopian medical students.
Asked about Dr. Obi and I was relieved that at least this man existed. I was directed to the SIM
health clinic where I am waiting on Dr. Obi to finish his appointment with a patient.
SIM dining hall
Here's a wider angle
Lounge area right next to dining area
9:23am
Met Dr. Obi and Messarat (Messi). Dr. Obi is Nigerian and grew up in the UK. In his office
now.
Some notes from discussion:
• Job of physicians is to give what the body needs to cope
• The body is a work that God has made
• Illness is the failure of the body to cope
• Medicine is restoration. Help body fix itself. Quotes a French physician that he likes: “I
gave them medicine, God healed them.”
• Pattern of diseases
• Public health should be the primary focus of developing nations rather than complex
techniques and medications because basic things like sanitation, clean water, etc. will
prevent the bulk of the illnesses. The importance of preventive actions and government
politics.
• Important cultural note: People may ask for favors (i.e. financial help). Do not as in the
American way, respond that I would think about it and proceed to let them know next
week that I could not. Responding by saying that I would think about it means to them
that I will help, but need to sort out how I would help. To refuse, simply tell them that I
a, a student and did not come prepared to help in this manner. Tell them up front that it is
not possible. Later, if I can and want to help, do it then. Be careful not to give false
hope.
10:00am
Teatime!
Names of new people I met over coffee and tea:
• Afs' ada (clinic janitor)
• Mennas (involved in literature work and translations)
• Adana (computer network and technology at SIM)
• Nathaniel (travel agency)
10:35am
Back at the clinic. Dr. Obi sees another patient. Messi translates as Dr. Obi is not fluent in
Amharic.
Female with lower back pain, radiating down the leg.
12:40pm
Dr. Obi invited me to lunch with him at his quarters. I met Dr. Obi's wife Carole. Sholae called
me telling me he would come to SIM to see me in 20 minutes. Rain is delaying him.
2:10pm
Messarat takes me to visit Black Lion Hospital, the biggest hospital in Addis. Six or seven
floors. The facility is worn down and would not be necessarily considered clean when compared
to hospitals in the West. Not so well lit. Overcrowded, with many people waiting to be admitted.
4:00pm
Called Sholae, he can't meet until 6pm. Finally used internet with ipad at SIM. Unfortunately
the connection is not so good as it disconnects frequently.
4:30pm
Left for home and retired for the day. For tomorrow, Dr. Obi suggested I visit Dr. Lambert who
works at the ALERT hospital where they treat leprous patients.
Crossing the street. You don't find pedestrian lights in Addis...or traffic lights for that matter.
Everyday, you get to play frogger. Expert level skills are pretty much required.
Waiting for a taxi to take me from SIM to Mexico
Finally caught one. This is the money collector. Typically young boys/men.
Yell, “waraja le” in order to get off.
On my way back home. This is considered one of the better neighborhoods.
Fresh corn. The way it's made it has a dryer taste than what I'm used to. Costs 4 birr.
Turned into a smaller road from the main road. Almost home.
Money Spent ($1 = 18.59 birr)
23 @ bread
4 + 4 @ transportation
Morning QT: Isaiah 48 (vv. 9-11) For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise
I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I
have tested you in the furnace of affliction, For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How
can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
Lord, how far You go in patience with us for Your glory and fame. You take us upon Yourself
and carry us despite our shortcomings and flaws.
9:11am
Left house late around 8:10am. Didn't expect Addis Ababa rush hour traffic. I was given
information indirectly from pastor Park that there was morning prayer meetings during the
weekdays at 8:30am. I arrived at the SIM chapel to find empty seats...
Found SIM administrator Renae. No such prayer meeting exists. I'm thinking maybe pastor
Park recommended me to start off the day with prayer at the SIM chapel. The closest thing she
mentioned was Friday prayer with Ethiopian medical students.
Asked about Dr. Obi and I was relieved that at least this man existed. I was directed to the SIM
health clinic where I am waiting on Dr. Obi to finish his appointment with a patient.
SIM dining hall
Here's a wider angle
Lounge area right next to dining area
9:23am
Met Dr. Obi and Messarat (Messi). Dr. Obi is Nigerian and grew up in the UK. In his office
now.
Some notes from discussion:
• Job of physicians is to give what the body needs to cope
• The body is a work that God has made
• Illness is the failure of the body to cope
• Medicine is restoration. Help body fix itself. Quotes a French physician that he likes: “I
gave them medicine, God healed them.”
• Pattern of diseases
• Public health should be the primary focus of developing nations rather than complex
techniques and medications because basic things like sanitation, clean water, etc. will
prevent the bulk of the illnesses. The importance of preventive actions and government
politics.
• Important cultural note: People may ask for favors (i.e. financial help). Do not as in the
American way, respond that I would think about it and proceed to let them know next
week that I could not. Responding by saying that I would think about it means to them
that I will help, but need to sort out how I would help. To refuse, simply tell them that I
a, a student and did not come prepared to help in this manner. Tell them up front that it is
not possible. Later, if I can and want to help, do it then. Be careful not to give false
hope.
10:00am
Teatime!
Names of new people I met over coffee and tea:
• Afs' ada (clinic janitor)
• Mennas (involved in literature work and translations)
• Adana (computer network and technology at SIM)
• Nathaniel (travel agency)
10:35am
Back at the clinic. Dr. Obi sees another patient. Messi translates as Dr. Obi is not fluent in
Amharic.
Female with lower back pain, radiating down the leg.
12:40pm
Dr. Obi invited me to lunch with him at his quarters. I met Dr. Obi's wife Carole. Sholae called
me telling me he would come to SIM to see me in 20 minutes. Rain is delaying him.
2:10pm
Messarat takes me to visit Black Lion Hospital, the biggest hospital in Addis. Six or seven
floors. The facility is worn down and would not be necessarily considered clean when compared
to hospitals in the West. Not so well lit. Overcrowded, with many people waiting to be admitted.
4:00pm
Called Sholae, he can't meet until 6pm. Finally used internet with ipad at SIM. Unfortunately
the connection is not so good as it disconnects frequently.
4:30pm
Left for home and retired for the day. For tomorrow, Dr. Obi suggested I visit Dr. Lambert who
works at the ALERT hospital where they treat leprous patients.
Crossing the street. You don't find pedestrian lights in Addis...or traffic lights for that matter.
Everyday, you get to play frogger. Expert level skills are pretty much required.
Waiting for a taxi to take me from SIM to Mexico
Finally caught one. This is the money collector. Typically young boys/men.
Yell, “waraja le” in order to get off.
On my way back home. This is considered one of the better neighborhoods.
Fresh corn. The way it's made it has a dryer taste than what I'm used to. Costs 4 birr.
Turned into a smaller road from the main road. Almost home.
Money Spent ($1 = 18.59 birr)
23 @ bread
4 + 4 @ transportation
