Most of the boys still have school on Saturdays. For the boys in High School they had school ALL day! The younger boys though had no school, so I spent the morning around with them. I walked in my room at one point and for a moment thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I assumed I was imagining things, so I went on. About an hour later I had to go back and get something else, and this time I was sure that I saw something small and black run into the corner of my room. Let me set the room up for you quickly. There is a single bed with a misquito net over it, a big moveable closet with some clothes I had left here from last year, as well as donated items like medical supplies, school supplies, clothing, etc. I am in the process of getting a desk and hopefully a shelf, but until than, that is all. My clothes are all still in my suitcases which are in the far corner of my room.
Anyways, like I do…being a silly mzungu girl…I give a little scream and go out of the room. The boys (3 young ones) come running to find out whats going on. They go into my room..move everything around, and declare me crazy. But I am certain that I saw something, so I decide it is time to go through the things in the closet. As we begin to pull things out, it seems like it is true, I have imagined it..until Robert pulls away some of the clothes…and finds…a hug rest of baby rats! Yep. I immediately exit the room, (which the boys laugh at) and they dispose of the babies. But now I know that the parents have to be somewhere. We take out all of the drawers and find more clothes spoiled by the rats, and rat poop everywhere! Thankfully in a moment when I am no longer in the rooms they find the 2 rats, and chase after them. Unfortunately though, this time the rats a smart…and the escape out the door and out of the house.
The boys (although they find It quite funny that I am so scared) are good to me though, and clean up all of the mess. They take out all of the clothes to be washed, and sweep up and remains. When it is all put away, they declare the room rat free.
So that is that. Until it comes to having to sleep in the house all alone…and in the VERY room rats were living. That night I couldn’t decide whether I should sleep with the light on or off. On meant they were more likely to stay away, but if they DID come back..i would see them. Off meant that if they did come, there was a chance that I could be oblivious...but they feel safer in the dark, so they are more bold. Anyways, I decided for lights off, and God blessed my with a heavy rainfall so I couldn’t hear anything…and eventually fell asleep.
It has been 3 nights now, and still no rats (atleast not to my knowledge). I am becoming more comfortable with coming in and out of my room – especially with the boys around..but the nights are still difficult!
We bought rat poison to catch them if they did return, but so far it has not been put into use. Maybe tonite!
For anyone who knows me, they know that there is nothing that I am more scared of than a rat (or even a mouse – and yes I realize that this is ridiculous). I have always felt that someday my fear of rats would somehow be used to hinder me in my work in Uganda…(that’s how much I hate them)..but I will continue to trust God..AND to recognize that its only a rat..lol.
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