Congo Week 4

This week started off with homeschooling Cherissa, Karis and Ezra.  I had a cold and didn't feel well enought to work in the hospital.  These three are great to homeschool, though.  The rest of the week, though, was filled with lots of exciting hospital work!  Yay!
I got to watch two surgeries!!! And one of them I actually got to assist with.  It was a somewhat minor surgery, draining a really big cyst on a little girl's leg.  It was so cool!  I was planning on just watching, but it ended up just being me and Dr. Noe, so I had to hold the girl's leg in place, and hand Dr. Noe tools and cloth.  I poured medicine on the wound and cleaned up pus and blood through the whole procedure.  Dr. Noe said he wants me to be there the next time he does surgery because I was a really big help.  I'm not sure about that but I would like to see another surgery.

Kate bought a pet.  IT IS SO CUTE!!!!  Baby monkey or baby sloth?  We're not sure what it is but we know it's nocturnal.  Two boys showed up on our doorstep and asked if we wanted it so we paid the equivalent of 25 cents for it.  We are going to give it a bath. It has the softest fur I have ever felt.

Bonanza

I got to see another baby delivery and I will probably never see another one like it!  It was supposed to be a C-section but when we got to the OR, Paige started to put in a catheter, and the baby just popped out, feet first.  Then we realized there was a second baby.  The second took a few minutes to deliver and also came out feet first, blue and with the cord around its neck.  It took a while to get the baby to start breathing and then the mother bled alot.  They are all fine now!

On Saturday evening, I was so tired and hoping to go to bed early and catch up on my sleep.  I wanted to be rested for my last week here. I had grand plans of getting in bed early, sleeping late and it almost worked.  ALMOST. BUT NO.  So guess what time I got in bed?  6 in the MORNING!

I was in bed by 8:30 but I wasn't very tired so I decided I would write in my journal for a while.  Then I read a letter from the Kennedy girls and finished my book from Grammy.  By that time, it was 10:30, not too late since I thought I would get to rest and sleep in.  HA!  I lay there awake, trying to fall asleep until about 11:15 when the radio starts going off.  It's someone from maternity, calling for Dr. Noe.  I stay in bed, but they keep calling him for about five minutes.  I hear the other girls get up so I come out of my bedroom in time to see Hannah and Kate half in pajamas and half in clothes trying to get out the door.  Hannah and I run to maternity and Hannah brings Dr. Noe, who decides the lady in labor needs an emergency C-section because of placenta previa.  Hannah and I run to the OR, grab a stretcher and the two of us carry her to the OR, get her on the operating table.  We run to change into scrubs and face masks and so forth.  And the I got to watch a C-section!  It was so cool! I am definetly interested in OR nursing.  Anyway, it all worked out well.

So then Hannah, Kate and I were about to change out of the OR scrubs, when the surgeon stops us and tells us there is another lady in labor and he may need to perform another C-section.  We changed back into our scrubs, brought the next lady up (she was overdue and not wanting to push at all) but Kate managed to convince her to walk around and push some.  She had a normal delivery   Then Hannah and I carried her on a stretcher to the maternity ward and we got her all settled in.  Then we changed clothes and came back home.  By that time it was 5:30am.  So the three of us drank a vitamin C dring and now I feel better.  I had an awesome night!!!!

Apparently, I'm the natural choice to kill the chicken.  The girls all want a real southern meal:  fried chicken, mashed potatoes and sweet tea.  I'm the cook tonight, too. :)

The meal turned out pretty well.  That was a muscular chicken, though.

Congo Week 3

Joyce, Dr. Henri's wife, if SO SWEET!!!  She made us brownies and muffins and jello for the 4th of July!  She is such an amazing person to even think of doing something like that for us, since she is super stressed out right now, and trying to get their family ready to move. But she still makes us snacks and has us over for Bible studies and things.

"Even in the worst times of life, these are the things that keep us going.  Brownies make us feel alive!"

Karis is a wonderful homeschool student.  I love her and her siblings!

 The wifi has been out most of the week.  Dr. Henri finally got it fixed.  Yay!!

I learned how to take vital signs and blood pressure and I got to take out several IVs.  I got to assist with a baby delivery (and yes, I did a lot more than just watch).  That made me more certain I do not want to be a midwife.  And WE FINISHED THE PHARMACY!! Now I'm actually doing medical things.  Basically, I've had a great week!

Paige learning to clean a fish for the first time.

My little friend.  I don't know her name - I don't know who her mother is and when I ask her to tell me her name, she just laughs and gives me a fist bump!

In my scrubs for the first time in Congo!!!!

Thank you Kennedy girls for a beautiful wall while I'm away from home. I love you all!

Dr. Loes.  

Dr. Noe

Dr. Loes is from Arizona and Dr. Noe is from DRC.  They are the best of friends.  We call them the dynamic duo - they are hilarious together - our comic relief team!

Great News!

Over the past few days, we have seen a big improvement in Justine!  She has been walking around a lot and actually smiled for us the other day!  Faith and I taught her how to do the handclap to Miss Mary Mack and she actually did it a few times after she saw the other kids having so much fun with it.  Also, her mother has been a lot more gentle with her.  

She was in church this morning, in her wheelchair, with her sister and brother and mother.  When to portion of the service came for people to share Bible verses or testimonies, Justine's mother got up and said she wanted to thank God for saving Justine and for her fast healing!  We were all so surprised and happy and most of us cried.  Up until the last few days, her mother has been really detached and harsh with her.  It was so amazing!

Justine

Congo Week 2

Week 2 was packed!  We have chapel service every morning.  This is really special.  Sunday morning we had worship service and all of us who don't know the language crowded around the only english interpreter.  He spoke very softly so I only caught parts of the sermon. Still, it was a really nice service.

Sunday Night Live!  We had a great time singing, talking, playing games, giving testimonies and lots of music.

I love all the letters that came with me to the Congo - from my family and friends.  I am very thankful to Heidi, Hope and Greta who wrote me a letter to open every day I'm here.  Thanks to them my wall looks like this:

I began a more regular routine this week.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I will be homeschooling the Samoutou children.  Their parents are the eye doctor and nurse who work here at the hospital.  They will be leaving later this summer to return to Hong Kong and raise support for a separate eye clinic in another part of Congo.  I love this family!  They are wonderful.

It seems that all the babies born here are preemies and sick preemies.  I love the babies!  They are precious.  I hope to work with Kate a bit in the maternity ward before I leave.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Faith and I are cleaning and doing inventory in the pharmacy.  It desperately needs it!  I also help Justine with physical therapy, help Dr. Loes a bit and do whatever I'm asked to do. 

Here was a very fast ride into town with Dr. Henri. 

Here is a video of my and Rebekah's end of the house

Motorcycle lessons:  I have very strict instructions to never get on one. :)  I'll try not to Dad!

Baby Benoni and Faith

My home for five weeks.

Gorgeous sunset!!

Cool plant that folds in on itself when you touch it.  It distracts me so much when I'm walking from one place to another.  I want to stop and touch them all!

The flowers here look unreal, they are so beautiful!

Ambulance practice session with Dr. Harvey! I got to ride home in the ambulance.

Game night!  We're playing Egyptian Ratscrew.

Next week will be much the same with homeschooling and finishing the pharmacy plus lots of other things to fill in the time.  I miss everyone at home but I love it here!

Congo Week 1

My first trip out of the US has actually been pretty smooth.  All our luggage and medical supplies (except one air pump for bouncy balls) went through security. That was an answer to prayer!  I love travelling with these three wonderful friends!  Kate is going to be an amazing nurse.  She is going to work at Pioneer Mission Hospital for two years.  Her two sisters, Esther and Faith, are staying a shorter time, like me.  Faith and I will return home together in five weeks.

We flew out of Dulles Int. on Sunday evening. An eight hour flight from Dulles International to Charles De Gaulle (Paris) and then another eight hour flight to Brazzaville, Congo.  We arrived in Brazzaville on Monday.  We arrived at the Global Outreach Mission guest house that evening.  Talia was there to greet us and make us at home.  We had to stay at the guest house until Wednesday, waiting for a plane ride to Impfondo.  I calculated 34 hours with no sleep at this point.  I just couldn't sleep on the plane!

We visited the market in Brazzaville.  The meat is not refrigerated and to denote what kind of meat you are buying, the seller puts the head of the animal there with the meat.  It is illegal to take pictures of the market.  You actually have to have a license.  So I didn't get any photos of the animal heads. :(  I think it's beans and rice for me!

This is how my hair will look for the next five weeks.  Jamie is praying for lice prevention and I'm helping all I can!

I LOVE THE BABIES HERE! I WOULD LOVE TO BRING THEM HOME WITH ME!
It is considered very rude to take pictures without asking first so I haven't really gotten any pictures of the babies.  I don't know the language yet and I'm a little shy of asking mamas for photo ops.  It is extremely hot and humid here.  Lorien would melt into a puddle!  There is a lot to smell here, too.

This is Cherissa.  She asked if she could call me autie Arwen. :)  Her father is the eye doctor (Dr. Henri) and her mother a nurse (Joyce).  They homeschool Cherissa and her sister Karis and her brother Ezra.  I will help with their schooling while I am here.  They use the same math and history curriculums that we used at that age.  Cherissa is VERY talented!  She is teaching me to play the ukulele.  She has amazing pitch with the violin.  Faith is giving her violin lessons.  Rebekah is teaching her some piano.

The congolese version of Coke.  I had to try it!

This is Rebekah.  She and I homeschool together.  It's quite funny that I have ended up being the math teacher. ;)  Daddy should appreciate that!

Jessie and Dr. Loes

This is Cherissa's younger sister, Karis.  

Rebekah, Cherissa and Faith

On Saturday, June 24, we celebrated three birthdays:  Cherissa, Kari and baby Benonie.  Cherissa's and Karis' mother, Joyce did a wonderful job organizing the party.  It was the best birthday party I have ever attended!

Jessie, Ezra and Karis playing Chinese checker.

Paige and Karis.  Paige is a nursing student and a great friend. I love everyone here - they are all wonderful!

Joyce and Kate

Mama Sarah, another missionary nurse here at the hospital.

Joyce organized the best games.  One was a mix between charades and telephone. :) I can't wait to play them with my cousins!

Mrs. Harvey - she is such a wonderful lady!

Dr. Harvey and Mama Sarah.  Dr. Harvey is the medical coordinator here - the head doctor. Please pray for him as he has MS and has a heavy burden.