"A Day of Rest..."

Today we partnered with another family, in doing that we get the Land Rovers for 8 hours instead of 4 hours, and went to a place called "Bab's Dock". Mercy Ships Crew loves to go to Bab's Dock. Today there were 8 Land Rovers of us that went. Now, just so you know, each Land Rover can hold 9-10 people. But being on the conservative side, I figure there were probably 65-70 of us there. The best way to describe Bab's Dock is as an Oasis. When you are there you forget you are in poverty stricken Africa, you forget your a "Yovo", you forget you don't speak french, you forget your responsibilites aboard ship, and you just sit and relax while the kids play. No Worries.To get to Bab's Dock, you have to take a 5 minute board ride through this channel to an open lagoon. Today it took a bit longer because we had to turn back for a hat that flew into the water...I'm not totally convinced the child didn't throw the hat in the water! Kids are kids... Then you are dropped of at a pontoon dock, greeted warmly by the owner and released to play (for the kids) or relax (for the adults).You walk up the pontoon dock and find a place to sit and rest. There is a restaurant there and you can order basic food-french fries, BBQ chicken, vegetables and drinks. The water is only shoulder high, in the middle, so the kids have a blast playing in the kyacks, canoes, sailboat, volleyball net or just sitting in a hammock with a friend chatting. One thing I have learned about Africa is to see the beauty in simple things and in the unusual. I am just amazed at the bright flowers that grew out of this spindley tree (You don't often see flowers either.)When our time is up, we head back to the ship. For me it is always a sobering ride home. While I have just relaxed and am heading back to the ship...comfort...I am always confronted with many people's reality on the way home. Often we see scenes like this. People sleeping in the sand, just outside their hut of a home. When the person wakes up the area will also become the kitchen and bath area.Or our senses are assaulted by the smell of burning garbage along the side of the road. Just behind the piles of garbage are people's shacks. The "western" looking home to the right is most likely empty. People cannot afford the rent.These are just simple reminders of why we are here. To bring hope and healing to the poorest of the poor.

"A Day of Fun..."

Compared to my last entry, today was a day of fun. While the Academy kids, were up on Deck 6 were having "Twin Day" (The first Spirit Day of the year.)... We on the hospital deck (deck 3) had story and craft time with some of the younger patients. The story of "Daniel and the Lions Den" was told in English and then translated into Fon. The kids (and some of the adults) sat their mesmerized as the story unfolded. Then we did a craft with the kids of lion masks to remind them that even though we face trials in our lives (sickness or bad times) that the one True God is always there to help. Then we took their pictures with the Lion Mask on and one without. They love to have their pictures taken and then see it on the back of the camera. Often they will laugh and laugh and laugh at their picture.
One of the things I have grown to love about the Africa kids, is the joy they have. You can see it in their smiles (when they do smile) and in the sparkle of their eyes. They have nothing, but that does not stop them from grinning ear to ear.
Then Sally and I went into the cargo hold, where they have all the outpatients waiting. We really were looking for some of the outpatients, but they did not show up. Somehow we unintentionally ended up dancing. Sally showed them how we dance in the west. (I was quite content at first to take pictures).

And they showed us how they dance in Africa. It's a bit blury because you move a lot...especially your shoulders and your hips. And you kind of wave your arms like a chicken. The people waiting laughed more at Sally and me (us Yovo's/white people) trying to dance African...our bodies just don't move that way! Yes, in the end I did give into peer pressure and attempt to dance. Fortunately there is no proof...sorry Sally =)

We had fun and laughed at ourselves and they laughed at us. Hey...we brought joy to some very downcast faces. Once again...the simple things in life bring joy.

"Yesterday..."

Yesterday was a really tough day. I did not sleep well the night before so I was tired and slightly on the emotional side to start.

The day started with Sally (the speech therapist) and I going down the the wards to see patients...our normal routine. Little did we know what God would have in store for us. I watched Sally work her charm with a very shy and stubborn 18 year old who had surgery a few weeks ago.

We then proceeded into one of the wards to meet with new patients who would be having surgery. (Sally likes to get an idea about how they speak before surgery.) We stopped quickly to see how one of the babies on the feeding programs was doing...rejoicing over the weight the baby has gained in the last few weeks. We then saw Akoko.

Akoko has a large tumor in her jaw that makes her face almost twice the size in length as it was intended to be. Akoko very bashfully looked up at Sally and me, not making eye contact because she has such a strong sense of shame. Sally explained to me what type of surgery Akoko was going to have. Then Dana, the ward discipler, approached us and informed us she was unable to have surgery.

Instead of leaving Akoko, we decided we would talk with her (through a translator) and just "love" her. Through the course of events, which I won't go into, we ended up having to tell Akoko she was unable to have her surgery. I have never left so helpless and hopeless in all my life. This precious woman just let the tears fall. How do you explain to someone who is looking forward to getting this burden removed that it's not going to happen. I just sat there with tears in my eyes, holding her hand. Sally, with tears in her eyes, had her hand on Akoko's shoulder. Dana, with tears in her eyes, through the translator (who was in tears also) was trying her best (and doing a magnificent job) at trying to explain to Akoko why surgery was not going to happen. The depth of pain we saw in Akoko's eyes was overwhelming. I wanted to get the test rerun...I wanted God right then and there to heal...I wanted God to do something for this broken hearted woman. I wanted to scream at the injustice. I wanted everything to be fixed. I wanted.... It's not about "I wanted"...it's about God. It's about God and HIS plan for Akoko...it's about God...and God alone.

What do you do? What do you say? We sat there with her...holding her...letting her cry. Crying with her. We prayed...we prayed that God would intervene in her life somehow...someway...

As I write this my heart is still heavy for Akoko and there are tears in my eyes...where is she? How is she? Will she be able to come to Togo for surgery?...Will she have the money to travel to Togo?... Will she live? These questions are all in God's hands.

There are times when we cannot offer healing to the poor. And dare I say sometimes we cannot even offer hope. My prayer is that Akoko will make it to Togo for surgery...but if she does not then maybe we gave her a taste of God's love and compassion for her just by sharing ever so briefly in her pain. Just maybe...

"Becca's Story of Abla..."

A few days ago I showed you the before and after pictures of a little girl...her name is Abla. One of our friends, Becca, is a nurse who was with Abla on the ward. She has written a very touching blog on her and I had to share it with you. Thanks Becca for sharing your heart. Love ya!

"God has definitely been working in my heart in amazing ways over this past month. As you all know I had asked you to pray for a special little patient of mine named Abla. God used this little girl to touch my heart and show me another dimension of his love and how he uses all things to make his light shine to all people and all nations.

Little Abla: My evening shift started like any other shift; after getting report, I went around and assessed my patients, started doing vital signs, passing out meds, etc. As I stood at the bedside of one of my patients out of the corner of my eye I noticed this little girl come in and quickly huddle behind her mothers leg. As the translators explained to her and her mother different things about what they needed to do I watched her carefully. This little girl had a sheet draped over her head and looked downcast at the floor and stayed close to her mom. The translator then brought her and her mother over to the bathroom for her pre-operation shower. After getting handed all of the shower supplies the mother took the sheet off the little girls head. Under this sheet stood a skinny 8-year-old little girl with sad eyes and a downcast face. Around her lower jaw sat a rag that was wet, dirty, and malodorous. Once the sheet had been taken off of her head she quickly huddled closer to her mother and then off into the shower they went. A few minutes later the charge nurse approached me to tell me I would be getting a new admission, a little 8 year old girl who would be getting a mandiblectomy and tumor debulking in 2 days. Guess who?

Once the little girl had showered I showed her and her mother to their bed. I introduced myself and mom shyly introduced her and her daughter Abla to me. I soon found out that they had traveled many hours to get to the ship and spoke a dialect that most of our translators could not speak. So after talking with them for a bit I went off to see what the plan would be for the night. As I went about my business I glanced over at Abla to see how she was doing my heart instantly stung as I saw this little girl cuddled in a ball under blankets with her face turned away in embarrassment towards the wall. I took a deep breath and held my tears back…

How do I speak to this little girl? How do I let her know that she is loved? How do I reach out to her? I said prayer, then grabbed some goods, and started to work my magic. It is amazing to me how much you can say without words. Over the next 8 hours Abla and I colored together (she had NEVER colored before and didn’t even know how to hold a crayon/pencil), she listened to her heart with my stethoscope, she showed me the correct way to hold a baby doll (in this culture if you have a deformity you are demon possessed and an outcast, due to this Abla is rarely around other people especially babies). By the end of my shift her mother had fallen asleep and Abla waved me over because she needed to go to the bathroom so I picked her up and as we started walking towards the bathroom her little hand slipped into mine (another tear jerking moment). She trusted me and knew that she was loved.

The next evening I came back and was able to have another blessed shift with Abla and her mother. I used some of the skills taught by my beloved child life specialists and grabbed a little baby doll and showed Abla what the dressings would look like when she got out of surgery, I helped answer some of her moms questions and anxieties and did my best to pour love over them both. Later in the evening the pre op picture guys came in to get some photos. Since
Abla had come in she had not removed the rag from her bottom jaw except to eat and shower and even then she always made sure she was hidden. Well poor Abla had to take off her rag and have multiple pictures taken of her tumor. The tumor stuck out about 2 inches from her jaw was about 4 inches long and hit her upper jaw. As soon as they finished taking their photos she quickly covered herself under the blankets and turned back towards the wall. My heart fell again thinking that everything that we had accomplished over the past 2 days had just been thrown into the water. But to my great surprise about 15 minutes later I saw this little hand pop out from under the blankets and her summon me over. Phew!

The next morning Abla went into surgery and was in and out in about 3 hours. The surgery went way better than the doctor had originally thought. He thought he was going to have to take out her lower jaw and basically form her a new one but once he got in there he basically only had to cut out the tumor. Thank you for all of you who prayed for Abla during this time, the prayers were definitely felt.

I came onto shift just as she was getting back from surgery. Unlike in America when a patient comes back from surgery they still are pretty full of anesthesia so I gave her a few hours to wake up. After giving her some water, bread and pain meds and seeing that she was able to sit up and stay awake I said a prayer and then brought a mirror over to Abla so that she would see what she looked like. I was excited, nervous, and scared all at once. As Abla took the mirror in her hand and held it up to her face she stared at her face for about 3 seconds my thoughts ran imagining the joy she must be feeling seeing her new face for the first time BUT instead she quickly slammed the mirror down and looked away towards the wall. My heart sank, my stomach turned and my mind fizzled. ‘What is she thinking? Why is she upset? God comfort
her be with her.’ I gave her a few minutes and through a translator talked with mom and asked her to give Abla the mirror again when she thinks she is ready. About 5 minutes later Abla slowly picked up the mirror and stared at her mouth as if it wasn’t really hers. She then handed me the mirror and raised her hand to touch her jaw where the tumor once was. A single tear pooled in her eye and streamed down her face. I then grabbed her mom and then the tears starting pouring. Over the next few hours Abla would intermittently grab her mirror and then just touch her face and EVERY TIME my heart would melt.

Today at church we listened to the song “Shine Jesus Shine” and as I sang God popped a little picture of Abla in my mind. Everyday I ask myself how can I be a better disciple, friend, nurse, sister, daughter etc.? How can I be most effective for you God? How can I shine your light to those who are in darkness? How do I spread the good news to all those who have been unreached? And then I realized that that is exactly what Mercy Ships is doing. Abla will be WAY more effective and influential then I will ever be. Sending Abla back to her village and having all of those people that have treated her as if she was demon possessed and shunning her from their village, to see her come back with a bright and joyful smile speaks louder and clearer than any words ever would. Abla truly will shine Jesus’ light.

Mark 2: Jesus heals a paralytic " I tell you, get up, take your mat, and go home".. "this amazed everyone and they praised God." Shine Jesus shine, fill this nation with grace and mercy!"

"Dzemi-djans"

After the seriousness of yesterday's blog...I thought I would add some Dzemi-djans "Zemi" (meaning let's go) sights. People drive these motorbikes everywhere...literally...the motorbikes have the right of way. They can be seen going down the opposite side of the road, on the sidewalks, on the boulevards, basically anywhere. They also can be seen loaded up with all sorts of things. People have told me they have seen one with a coffin, one with a goat, and one with 5 people (which seems to be the record...3-4 people is not uncommon).

A wicker sofa and 4 chairs.
A fridge.

Large plastic tanks.

Okay...I have no idea how she stays balanced...great thigh control! =)

"Simple Things in Life..."

Warning, the following picture is not for the faint of heart.

Yes, it is unsettling, but this is the reality of some of our patience. Our medical team does a miraculous job in removing such tumors and providing a brand new life for people. It is amazing to see the before and after effects of surgery. I was in the ward with this patient after the tumor was removed. A simple thing as a smile, is now possible. To be able to drink from a cup, is now possible. To give mom a kiss...is now possible. To see the hope that is now in her eyes and the eyes of the mother. Her child now has a future...many lives have been transformed...patient, mom, family, and community. The verse from Jeremiah comes to mind..."For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord...to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE..."

(Photos taken from the ship transfer drive.)

"TIA...This is Africa"

We got word on Friday afternoon that the ship was going to be moved late Friday to see if that part of our dock area needed to be dredged. Needless to say we were all excited about the possibility of "sailing". (The simple things in life now are exciting.) Well...TIA..."This is Africa"...later Friday we got word the move would not happen until Saturday morning. So, we made plans to go to the local fabric market to occupy some time.This is one of the shops at the fabric market. Literally floor to ceiling is fabric. You can only buy fabric in two precut sizes...6 meters or 12 meters...no other size. And the average price is about $1-$2 a meter. Although, when they see us coming, the "Yovo" (Fon for white person) or the "Americanos" the price is at least doubled and you have to barter back to the original price. So we purchased our fabric and headed back to the ship. Only to find out the moving of the ship was to be delayed until 2pm. So, at 2pm we all headed out to watch the happenings. The above picture is the dredge. We have been watching it dredge out the channel for the last 3 weeks, it works 24/7.

Saturday afternoon-The aft (back of the ship) gangway was brought up onto the 8th deck. And we waited in anticipation...TIA (This is Africa)...only to find out that, once again, the moving of the ship would be delayed until Sunday morning. Sunday morning-(8 am) we watch the forward gangway be hoisted up onto Deck 8. And we wait...and wait...and wait...finally we notice we are moving...
(9:30 am) this little tug is pulling us away from the dock and we are on our way...

With great excitment we are finally moving...people are lined up on decks 7 and 8...to watch us head 200m to the end of the dock.The whole process takes about 2 hours...nothing happens quickly.
So, finally we are tied up at the end of the dock. They sounded (tested the depth by depth finder) our berthing space only to find out it does not need to be dredged. At 3 pm or so (I took a nap...too much excitment for me) we were then moved back to our original spot. Just another day in the life of Mercy Ships.

"Bread for life..."

Today we went out to the opening ceremonies for the Agricultural Center that we partnered with Bethesda to build. Mike had talked about this center on a previous blog (see Aug. 8/09). The main purpose of this center is to educate men and women in biblical agricultural principles.

This is the front of the building. I had to laugh, because the family farm we lived on was painted the same color of light green.

This is the area the men and women will gather to eat their meals. On either side of this room there are long halls with 6 sets of dorm rooms.

I love watching African women dance. They have more rhythm in their baby toes than I have in my whole body. I often laugh, because if I tried to move the way they did, I would seriously hurt myself.

Mercy Ships sign.

The ribbon cutting to commemorate the official opening.

The whole ceremony took around 3 hours. Everyone had to be introduced and greeted. Many people had to give speeches, then the speeches had to be translated, dancing had to be done...songs had to be sung...but the bottom line for everyone was this facility was dedicated to God and for the use of biblical agricultural training.

"A man named Sunday..."

Let me first introduce to you and man named Sunday. Sunday came from Nigeria to have surgery on a tumor he has had for 28 years. (I had previously mentioned him in an earlier blog.) He is an amazing man and we had great times talking over the last few days. Today Sunday went home. His children are excited to see him...they have never known him without his tumor. He said people will not know him because he has always been identified/known by his tumor. But before he left, he came to the ward to say good-bye to everyone who he has come in contact with since before his surgery. He told me that he is very excited to go home and visit all the churches he is involved in and proclaim the wonderful thing God has done for him in bringing him to the ship to provide for the removal of his tumor. During the last few days, he has spent his time in the ward and in the hospitality center (a place where patients can stay after they have been released from the hospital but still need to come back to the ship for post-operative care) "testifying". I am sure there is not one person who has not heard his story and about the love of Jesus Christ and the provision of eternal life through Christ.

This next picture is of Mike and me after church on Sunday. It is a tradition to provide guests with a coconut. Apparently one of the members of the church went first thing Sunday morning, climbed the coconut tree and retrieved the coconuts that we are going to drink the milk from and eat the pulp. I have to admit I was unable to finish my coconut milk...there was a lot of liquid! (It also is not like the coconuts from Hawaii.) Mike did much better than me and finished his "drink". Oh, I should tell you the coconut was chopped open with a machete (see next picture). Then when you're done you just throw the coconut out

the window...yet another experience to add to our list.

"Gate of No Return..."

It has been a busy week. I had my first end of the month reports to work on, the first time through is always slow. But it is coming along fine. After a slow down to allow some medical personnel to take a little vacation, the surgery pace is now up to full speed with all six operating rooms going every day. Two of the ORs are dedicated to eye surgery, they can do 30-40 cataract surgeries a day in those two ORs. That is just to show how busy we are on a daily basis.

Today is Saturday, and we took the day off. We (the family and friends (Gates family) about 17 in two vehicles) went to a little town called Ouidah (we-duh). This little area has a lot of historical significance. This was the area where a large part of the slave trade took place. The first picture is a monument that was erected called the "Gate of No Return". Just on the other side is the ocean, the slaves would be brought here and loaded on board the slave ships, never to return to their homeland. What I found ironic was just down the beach about a hundred yards was another monument that honored the first missionaries to arrive in this area. The dichotomy of one monument showing the enslavement of people and the other showing the way to freedom in Christ juxtaposed they way there were truly evident.

After visiting the beach, we went into the little town of Ouidah itself. We got lost and went on streets (if you can call them that) that I'm sure a vehicle hasn't traveled on in years. Luckily we have good sturdy 4 wheel drive vehicles to use.

There we visited a re-creation of a Portuguese fort that was the headquarters for the slave traders. There was a museum that showed how the slaves were "processed" before they were loaded on board ships. It was heart breaking to see the equipment they used and the cruelty with which they killed those not strong enough for the buyers. It was truly a dark time of history, and to think that human slavery is still going on in many parts of the world today is mind numbing. The museum also had a part showing voodoo. This had as much effect on us as did the slavery part. Our guide told us that many people in Benin today may practice Christianity Sunday morning, but Sunday night they participate in voodoo rituals. This area is the birth place of voodoo and even on the trip out we passed a voodoo temple, it was quite large.

As we were driving out to Ouidah, we noticed along the beach that there would be 15-20 men, women, and children pulling with all their might on large ropes that led into the sea. We know that they were probably pulling in fishing nets, we didn't realize the size of those nets until we drove past a group of men carring one net. That is picture 3. The last picture is of a shanty (for lack of better word) This one was a little of the road, but all along the road there were these types of dwelling, people still live in them. They are made out of palm frons. The children were playing out side them laughing, and the adults were sitting there cooking, visiting, doing things just like people do around the world. Most of the huts were sea-side houses, I know people who would pay a mint to have the property location they have.

After a day of bumpy roads, enjoying a scenic drive and struggling with emotions, we stopped at a beach resort, had a soda and sat by the pool enjoying the sun. It was a full day, that we thoroughly enjoyed. Tomorrow we look forward to going back to the church we worshipped at last week (see last weeks blog).