my latest drama.

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My latest Drama.

 I am really glad that Ican actually write down this story right now. I thought I would still be in the police cell till now.

 On this fateful day “Onsdag” 26th of October 2011,I woke up early in the morning and did my daily devotion (pray and read the Bible). After reading the bible, I prayed a short prayer but in it asked God to lead and direct me through out the day. I looked at my diary and realized that at 11:00am, I had to meet Veronica (a former Hald student that went toNepalin her year) so  right away, I dashed to the kitchen to make some “frokost” (breakfast) for myself – you can guess it was bread, butter and brown cheese of course.

 Before I could finish eating my bread, Evans – my team mate was ready. Then he said that we had only 7 mins to catch the “Bybanen” – (a light train that I will prefer to call  “bb” in this story) then he said that he was going ahead so he could buy some chocolate from Rimi to carry as a small gift to Veronica and that we should meet at the Noneseter station. On reaching Noneseter, Evans was not yet there but I realized I had forgotten my phone in the house yet I have to call veronica so I ran back to pick it. Arriving at  Noneseter again, Evans was now there waiting and disappointed because the bb had just left and he could not go and leave me.

 There were like 6 mins left for the next bb to come, so as we waited, I decided to withdraw some money since the ATM was nearby. When I came back to join Evans where he was standing, another African man (wearing a cap) came the and purchased a ticket and then stood next to us. When the bb arrived, we all entered. Then I sat next to Evans and we don’t know where the other fellow African guy sat.

The arrest.

We were now quite late to catch up with the appointment so evans said to me, “In about 11 mins, we shall be there” and before he could complete his sentence, the bb stopped and two Norwegian men dressed casually came to us showed their “politi” (police) ID and said that we were under arrest. Reason? We were not allowed to ask questions. We were pulled out of the bb and handcuffed. Two men searched Evans while two others searched me. They took away my keys, wallet, bus, library and ATM cards. Immediately, I car came and I was put inside and driven away while Evans remained at the scene (the next time I saw Evans was when we were getting out of the police cell).

 On our way, one of the policemen said, “This is Europe my friend”- I don’t know why he said that. On reaching the police station, I was asked where I live, with whom I live, where I come from, where Evans comes from, why I am in Bergen and if I have any drugs in my house and they threatened to go and open the apartment since they had the key. I was asked if I knew some Norwegian law and I said no. “We can keep u here a maximum of 72 hours as our investigation continues”, he said.

One of the uniformed policemen took me to the 1^st cell, it had no pictures painted on the wall. Then he took me the one empty small room opposite the 1st one and it had pictures of animals like rhino, zebras, antelopes and buffalo. Then he said, “You see those animals, this is Africa and we will keep you here”. I wept in my heart and thought of why he said this coz it sounded like racism to me. Then he told me to take off my shoes, belt and remove ALL my clothes, and he searched them again. I was given back only my trouser and t-shirt. The rest were taken. The floor and the mattress were cold and I was given a thin threaded blanket. It could not keep any warmth at all. The policeman locked the door and walked away.

 One hour later, another policeman came in and told me that I was arrested because the African guy (with a cap) that stood next to us at the bb station was a drug dealer so they think we are working with him and that they were still investigating so they would keep me in the cell for some time. I asked him why i had to be treated the way i was treated but he just said that they if their investigation shows that we are innocent, then we will be released.

 Meanwhile, Veronica called on my phone so the policemen found the missed call and called her back. They asked her a lot of questions about me and Evans including what we were going to do at her home. What saved us is that the story that veronica told them matched with what me and Evans said and it had nothing to do with drugs so we were released 2 and half hrs after our arrest. This was the next time I saw Evans. Some of the policemen apologized for inconveniencing us, sarcastically wished us a nice stay in Bergen and promised that this would not be repeated.

On the other hand, I think that it has helped me and the other African people who have heard this story to be more aware and vigilant for their own safety. I also remind myself continually that this is part of the experience and to take it positively and move on. This is just the beginning of my stay in Bergenso being low will not make me any helpful. It was good when I prayed and shared with my friends and teachers and more secure now and ready to face the challenge to the Glory of God. I delayed to post this story because i was still in shock but i am now fine thanks to everyone for the support and prayers i love you all. God bless.

“Malaria in Norway”

(slidesshow) 

My Norwegian hospital experience:

 Surprises never cease to happen, i was surprised to learn that i actually had malaria in Norway. By arriving inNorway, i thought that i had escaped  from the malaria inAfrica, i was wrong. It began by a simple fever for abou 2 days. I was very sure that this was just a simple sicknesss that would go away after taking a few tablets.

 On the third day, I am not going to say that ‘’Jesus rose again’’ but the fever intensified and I began feeling unusually cold (yet I was covered in a blanket), some weakness around the joints in the legs and arms and I even lost appetite for the nice food cooked at Hald (yet it is very rare for me to loose appetite for food). Then I knew maybe this sickness is taking another level but I did not want to go to the Hospital. My faith was telling me that I am going to be fine.

 But my fellow students and friends Håkon, Hanna Charlotte and my team mate Evans karanja went and borrowed a car and ‘’forced’’ me to the small hospital in Mandal town. On reaching the hospital, we had to wait at the queue since there were other patients. When it came to my turn to see the doctor, he just looked at my eyes, the way I was shivering and took a few tests then he said he could not handle the situation and that he was not sure exactly with what I was suffering from. At this point I was not feeling very weak even to stand up. Then he advised my friends to drive me to the bigger hospital inKristiansandwhich was about 45 minutes from Mandal so that they could carry out further tests.

 On reaching the hospital inKristiansand, I was rushed to the emergency unit. I was given a bed and the nurses began to draw blood from my veins so they could test it. At first, she could not even trace for my Veins because i was so cold until she used a warm cloth to rub on the arm. It took quite long before the results of the blood test could be brought back.

 Then here comes the shock. Finally the doctor came with the ‘’bad news’’. He began, ‘’Are you Justin Olupot?’’ Then I replied in a low tone ‘’yes.’’ The he continued with a rather sad tone, ‘’I am sorry but the results from our test show that you tested positive for malaria, I mean you have malaria.’’ But I was just easy and was not surprised at all. Then he asked, “Did you hear what I just said?” Then I replied, ‘’yes, but it is ok I will be fine’’. He was so surprised because inNorwaymalaria is not common and is dangerous yet inUganda, malaria is common but not that very dangerous to people above 5 years of age and it can easily be cured with good medication.

 It was very shocking to the doctor that I was not scared of having malaria. InUganda, malaria is very common and you are not given that very much attention because they know you will be fine soon. But here inNorway, I realized when you have malaria, everyone will be concerned and scared. This was so good because I saw the love from all the teachers and students at Hald. Thank you all for the love and care you showed me when I was sick. Gud valsigne alle sammen.