John's new blue whiskers

Early Monday evening was proceeding like one of our normal days – I was in the kitchen starting supper preparations, and Adam was out on our front porch with John and Sam. Suddenly, I heard a cry from the porch. I hurried out to see what had happened, and saw Adam holding John who was bleeding.

John had fallen face first out of the swing onto the cement porch, and split a deep gash in his chin. We decided pretty quickly that we should take him to Gamboula, a town west of Berberati, where we knew a doctor who could determine whether or not John needed stitches (and who could do them!)

So after hurriedly packing a few bags, we set out on a bumpy dirt road, just before sundown. As the last rays of light were disappearing from the sky, and we were bouncing crazily along the (very bad) road, our headlights (only the high beams were even working at that point) suddenly went out! Adam was able to figure out an ingenious way to have light, by turning on the left turn signal which also turned on an extra headlight to illumine the side where the vehicle would be turning. We had enough light to continue our journey and finally, about three hours after leaving Berberati, we finished the 40-mile trek to Gamboula.

Dr. Wester took John right into his house and decided he needed stitches. So he and another doctor put John on the kitchen table and right there put six neat stitches into his chin. We spent the night in a guest room at the center there.

The next morning, before leaving the large center where the hospital is located, we visited an amazing garden called “The Garden of Eden,” which has been planted by some missionaries whose focus is on agriculture. The garden is a huge expanse with paths running through it, and filled with all types of fruit trees imaginable. In fact, as John and I walked through it in the morning, I saw many fruits that I had never even seen pictures of before, and have no clue what they are! But it was amazing. After spending about half an hour walking through the Garden of Eden, I decided I have definitely found the ultimate CAR vacation destination.

Here is John with his new blue whiskers. He is doing just fine.