A Tale of Two Women

There once were two women. One was American; one was Ugandan. Both were pregnant and due within ten days of each other. The women and subsequently their husbands had become friends, living near each other in their Aruan neighborhood. Two weeks ago the four of them had met for bible study and even talked of making such meeting a regular occasion. Since neither couple was originally from Arua, there was a natural companionship, a friendship really which was only heightened by the joint pregnancy. Tuesday night the Ugandan husband called the American husband to relate that they had just returned from the hospital where they discovered his wife had miscarried.
Joanna is the American woman. Tina is the Ugandan woman. Her husband is Imam. We found ourselves in their little one room (think small) “residence” two nights ago; the only light being a single candle balanced on an empty TANG juice container. We could speculate on their call but since both are strangers in Arua (just here for work) we aren’t sure they had anyone else to call.
The paradoxes of living anywhere cross culturally dance a thin line that borders between circumstances being hysterical and overwhelming. This one leaned more towards the overwhelming side. The silly thought that crossed our minds this week was could it be that over time of living in such paradoxes, we ourselves become the paradox. The whole time Joanna sat next to the woman who just lost her baby, she was conscious of our baby kicking. We returned from their Tang candled dorm room to security lights flooding our yard. How do you process? Understand? Relate? Pray? Or even be grateful? Are you allowed? Should you?
As with all of life anywhere, the more practical question is not how do I process but when? There is no time. Early yesterday we took Tina and Imam to the mission hospital outside of town. Several German doctors work there, including an OB/GYN. She worked with us to get Tina the proper attention she needed and thankfully, we were able to bring her home even yesterday afternoon. We are grateful for Jesus’ providential provision and mercy to spare Tina. While the circumstances are painful and confusing, we are thankful for the opportunity to grow closer to these our new friends.
Living the Paradox…