Still sick

Fried chicken meal

 My fever is still high though I've stopped vomiting. The coughing is bad though ... so much that I've got stomach cramps. I guess I need to sleep more and drink more fluids. The medicines don't seem to be working. And I feel really sick. My eyes are red and yellow and itch alot too. 

This morning there was a car bombing in a northern coastal city. It's not terrorist related but probably gang related. There's so much of it going around that people are afraid to go out in certain cities and towns. It's quite different from the terrorist attacks here in our parts of the City.

Despite being sick, I still go to the Ivrea convent 1km away to celebrate Mass. On the way there on Monday evening, I noticed a new restaurant opened. It sells fried chicken and I was really hungry so I bought some and ate it and didn't vomit. That was a good sign. Because practically everyone has gone home for summer holidays there's little food and leftovers in the fridge when I come home from work, so to have a hot meal I need to buy something from outside. However everything is expensive. The meal consisted of 3 pieces of chicken, potato wedges, a bun and garlic butter. Coleslaw was an extra 5 shekels. That costs US$10. People have been complaining about the inflation ... and last week there was a protest in Tel Aviv. But it's a global inflation right now so there's little the govt can do. We'll just have to ride this one out.

Covid wave 6 is dying out, so the ministry says in the newspapers. However a new variant is out and the ministry is on the watch out. And I'm not taking off my mask anytime soon.

Sick

Hawkers in summer

 I rested the whole of Sunday as I felt really sick. And it was hot. I didn't want to go out. So I stayed in my room. The cook made a small meal of egg noodles and fishballs and shrimp cakes which was very delicious, but I vomited after that. I can't seem to keep food inside me. This morning I had half a cup of coffee and a small piece of bread ... and I threw up everything again. I'm really not feeling well.

Our Custody chapter began this morning. I'm on standby in case they need documents and reports form the archives. Then at 4.30pm I must go to the Ivrea convent to celebrate Mass for the nuns there. Then I'll go straight home to sleep. 

Meantime lots of groups are here visiting the country. Last month alone, 1 million visitors came .... so reports the Ministry of Tourism. So come! There's nothing to be afraid of. 

Saturday

DMC at Tel Aviv

 This morning was an early ride out to Tel Aviv. There's a small chapel next to the central bus station where migrant groups organise Masses and other sacramental celebrations. This morning I went to celebrate Mass for the Eritrean community. It's my first time with the community in Tel Aviv; usually I celebrate with the community in Jerusalem. It went well, though the Tel Aviv community kept more to their rite with the hymns and prayers than do the Jerusalem community, so the Mass was longer than my usual time.

The chapel is called the DMC or Divine Mercy Centre. It was rented and maintained by the various migrant communities, which show how much faith they have. They're self-organised without any clergy behind them. The clergy only comes to provide the sacraments. That's the resilience and creative initiative spirit of the migrant workers.

The govt collapsed. The 5th in 3 years. We'll be back to elections in November. Let's hope situations change and we'll get a stable govt. 

Meantime I'm still not feeling well, despite my long journey to Tel Aviv this morning. Diarrhea and terrible coughing with phlegm. Tomorrow I'll ask my doc to change the medicines. They're not working.

Visit

 Still feeling sick though the fever has gone down a little. Still nausea though I'm able to eat a little more than before. Dr. John stopped by to see me yesterday. He said I am suffering from two infections - gastroenteritis and another respiratory. So I'm on more medication. I thoroughly dislike it but I need to get better soon.

Israelis at the library today

Though I'd love to rest today as many have told me to, I had to go to work because a group of local israelis came to visit the library. I had to bring out some ancient books to show them and explain the history. It was an interesting group asking questions and engaging in dialogue. This time I brought out a recently discovered book that's not been catalogued or inventoried. In fact we didn't even know it existed. Now that's an interesting find.

The weather is nice and breezy at about 29 degrees. Not too hot. Quite enjoyable for a walk outside. I might just go for a walk during lunch break, provided I don't vomit. Fingers crossed.

Talent

Balu's art expo

 I'm still feeling quite unwell. The fever has not subsided, and though I haven't vomited I still feel nausea. And the diarrhea hasn't stopped either. Dr. John came by and checked me up. He said my cough and sore throat is the result of something else and the stomach problem is gastroenteritis. He gave me medicines as well. I sure hope I'll get better as this Saturday I must go to Tel Aviv to celebrate Mass for the Ethiopic community. 

Yesterday there was a terrible attack at the Tomb of Joseph - the one who was sold into Egypt and became the number two man. A large group of jews went to the tomb accompanied by police but a local arab shot through the crowd, injuring 3 people. What a terrible way to start the summer.

There was also an earthquake last night. I think it was 3.6 on the Richter scale ... and as the newspapers report, it's one in a series so far. Well that works well with all the violence happening. What luck.

Art exhibition

On a happy note, our indian seminarian Balu held his first exhibition of his artistic skills ... painter, sculptor and calligrapher. He's done some very good pieces of oil on canvas, and lots of soap sculptures. It's so refreshing to have aspects of modernity and classic mixed in one. He is talented!

Sick

At my doctor's clinic

 I thought my gastroenteritis was over but this morning I felt really sick. My throat was very sore and I lost my voice. I still have a slight fever and I lost my appetite. I still went to the Ivrea convent this morning for Mass which is 1km away in a nearby village. 

But back home I stayed in bed as I really felt unwell. The whole day. I did go the the doctor. He's an old man and the neighbourhood poor go to him. I don't want to go to high class doctors with special treatment like all the rest of the guys in my community do. I came here to be with the poor, the neighbours living around our house. If they go to a poor clinic, then so do I. The old doctor has Parkinsons ... so when he gives me an injection, it hurts. Still that's what poor people have to go through. They don't have a choice. And I choose to share their experience.

Fever, nausea, runny nose, sore throat, lost of appetite ... it's not good. I hope it'll pass tomorrow. I have a lot of work to finish. The last thing I need is to back log work during the holidays.

Summer camp

Sr, Noel & the kids

 Thanks to your generosity, the Sisters of Charity (St. Vincent de Paul) in Bethany were able to organise a summer camp for underprivileged kids in and around the village. Summer camps are popular but it's beyond the financial means of poorer families. A sponsored camp such as this one is very much in demand but it needs your generosity. 

The parents of these children are at work and cannot care for them at home during the summer holidays. These children will learn from bad influences from the poor and dangerous environment they live in. By putting them in summer camps, we are sure they learn good Christian values and proper social responsibilities, have proper meals and healthy exercise.

Let's hope it won't be the last event for the poor children!

To those who donated to this ... thanks very much! God will bless you for caring for his children! And you can still donate to this cause!

Fun in the sun