Notes from the jungle

April 15, 2008

Notes from the jungle.

Tomorrow I will be flying out with a nurse to the jungle station of Macuma. There is a couple there, the Hedlands who are working with the Shuar Indians to translate the Bible into the Shuar language. They will be my hosts in Macuma and are the link between the Indian tribes and Shell. I have been corresponding with Norma Hedland for information on what is needed in Macuma and thought her insights and thoughts might find some interest with my readers.

Tell Barb who wishes to do therapy with the sick ones here that it is fine that she come, and any time, but to let us and the people around know her plans. Tell her to plan to stay at Ankuashes for a night or two and see his situation, then return here and she can sleep in the Guest house and do therapy with the two gals here. (Have her plan to bring her food, as we are
on a huge deadline with SIL over the scriptures so will not be entertaining these weeks. Also tell her that if she waits until after the 9th or so, then another gal would be in the Guest House for 5 weeks and could help feed her, etc. We don't have her exact dates of arrival yet, so we should keep in touch with barb. Going back and forth across the river would be more work than it is worth. Tell Barb that his sons, 4 or 5 of them all live right there, plus Raul is in shouting range, so he has an army at attention, you might say! He will walk with them as he has been trying to do. He was so excited about his therapy when he arrived today and told us all about it.

It will be easy for Ankuash to have walking poles put in place so he can go between them and sit at each end. He is planning that. He is also going to have a tall table made for standing to eat and read. It can all be done in a matter of minutes and would be fin for Barb to see how easily they can make tables and benches.

That's it for tonight - rain bugs out - see you next week. Let Kerstin know of your coming and maybe the food I ordered with her can come then. Thanks.
Norma

Dear Barbara,
Greetings from Makuma. We know that you would like to visit here and see two or three patients, and we like that idea. When do you time? And can we coordinate it with their care-givers? - are the two questions we have.

Esteban Ankuash Sant Pauch wants you to know that he is walking between his sons each day, always a bit farther and better. And he navigates the steps almost alone now. He had urinated three times without the sonda by last Tuesday and was very happy about that progress. He cannot get his toes to pick up paper yet but works at it. Nor has he found a tough rubber to use for strengthening his legs. He would like you to come when you can before you leave. And he wanted me to write you this news, saying ask her what else do I do now?

Angelita Tsenkush, the crippled arthritic woman in her forties could use help putting up exercise ropes, etc. as she is now in her own little house. She told me today to tell the nurses that she cannot use her right hand for writing hardly at all and has terrible pain there and in other places in spite of the meds she takes each week - the small yellow pill. She hardly
gets up in the wheelchair these weeks.

The other patient Sandra -----? (forgot her last name) is not here right now as she was in such pain yet that her family took her to Macas - but I saw her husband last week and he hopes he can have her home by the time you would come.

Well, let us know what you think as to dates. We have place you can stay while here. Ankush wants you to come to his house for over night and we think that would be good too. Do what you want!
See you or hear from you soon, Norma Hedlund

Dear Manuela,

Cuando Huente lluega la proxima vez a Shell, favor de hacerle ir al Hospital Vozandes para hablar con Barbara Walker, la fisioterapista. Tal vez ella pueda ayudar con la punta de las maletas. Hable con ella para saber cual is lo mejor y si ella tiene o no.

Dear Barbara,
Manuela works in Puyo and is president of the Women's Waorani organization. Her brother lost his leg in a fishing accident as a boy. He still lives in the jungle and has been maneuvering thru the jungle trails with these crutches for several decades. Well, I guess this is his second or third pair now. He actually walks out on jungle trails, that I would not attempt with both legs. Needless to say, he wears out the tips of the crutches unusually fast. He has creatively made some from various jungle materials, but they don't last. He saves his best ones for when he comes to town. If you could possibly help him find some good sturdy ones that would be great.
Thank,
Miriam

(Miriam is a nurse who works with many different jungle tribes through out the pastaza region. She is another link for the Indians with medical care and works hard to get them the help they need)

Hi Barbara,
Hope you have been able to check on flights from there as I haven't been able to from here and we are not aware of a Friday one. As to how much time you may need with the patients, I don't know what to say there. I would think an overnight will work for Esteban Ankuash. Angelita could use someone working with her every day for weeks!! She so needs to get motivated about it all but we pray that you will have some ideas about how
to set up a rope and exercise bar. In fact, bring along some rope that would work for that if you can. Ours here is rather thin or very heavy.

Ankuash will be so happy for the elastic/rubber for his legs.

About what else to bring, we are wondering if you would mind buying some groceries for us that we would pay you for? Hope our list doesn't make you collapse!

It is:
2 dozen eggs
Matches - a package of small packages would be great
Pack of T.P.
"Virginia" liquid dish soap
Bag of corn meal- polenta
1 or 2 pounds of raisens
3 heads lettuce
5 pounds tomatoes
10 maracuya - passion fruit
1 chicken - whole chicken works best

Hope this is not a burden. Even if you decided to walk in, this could come
in on Monday's flight.

Thanks much,
Norma

Barb,

You will have a better reception with the people here if you dress like a woman while among them. It may seem legalistic but that’s where this culture is at present. You will probably see plenty of young girls in pants or shorts but it is not appreciated by the majority and your Christian testimony will be more readily received if you dress appropriate to the culture. If you need such I have skirts you can borrow while here. It would be wise and helpful if you are able to bring your own overnight supplies for visits with the Shuar. That might include sleeping needs like a mat and bag or blanket and a net.

Speaking of more supplies is there any chance you might be able to find a bag of course ground corn meal and a bag or two of parmesan cheese?

We will meet you at the plane but doubt that we will have any bells on.