One week has passed and this is the third time I’ve started writing this blog post because I haven’t really known where to start. You come to a new place, you’re surrounded by hundreds of new people from 32 different countries, doing tons of new things, and your emotions are all over the place. How to even being to put my thoughts down? Well, here goes….:)
One of my favorite things to do this last week was going to the juvenile detention center. There were 16 kids in a cement room, the youngest being 5yrs old. We played games, where I was made very proficient in bouncing a soccer ball off my head! We spent time praying with each child in the cells and had a mini Bible study! Laying on the dirty cement floor during one of the activities we had, my nursing mind started reeling with the thought of germs, but I’ve found that the love Jesus gives, and the love we have for Him is enough to spur us on to do some pretty crazy things, and I’m learning to love it! Those kids made me laugh so hard and I learned several new handshakes as well….watch out Michigan I’ll be bringing these home with me ;)
This week I also started working in the hospital, we call it the Ward. I work in Ward A and already I’ve seen enough Inguinal hernias to last me a lifetime. I’ve had children from the age of 4 thru adults. There are ten beds in a room and I usually have 5 patients. All Charting is done on paper and all medications are mixed per the nurse. We wash and reuse everything. The patients lay in the beds while the family members have mattresses under the beds where they spend the night. Children of patients or parents of patients mill around our small ward at all hours. We have a worship service and mini Bible study every afternoon, but there are so many other times where people break out with drums and dancing. Translators work every shift to help us communicate discharge instructions or post op orders to each patient. These translators are just wonderful and I’m slowing getting to know them all better. We pray at the beginning and end of every day and before each surgery!
Went to the market today with some friends! We met up with about five Togonese guys and they took us all over the market. I bought a postcard with a giraffe on it…which made me happy. Tonight we had dinner at a French restaurant where at the end of the meal they lost power. Thanks to the good old I-phone with its flashlight app we were able to finish eating….haha. We are in Africa for sure! Church on Sunday was a highlight as well, people dancing and Amens shouted from all over the room. Such a Joyful group of people. Kevin my new friend here on board from Togo said” the Togonese people can’t just stand and clap, they have to worship God with everything they have!”
If you made it thru this post congrats! Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers. I love and miss you all. My emotions have been all over the place but the Lord is teaching me to trust Him in all things. Such a hard but worthy lesson that won’t end in Africa I’m sure!
8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
