i was recently featured in the official mercy ships newsletter!!!
here is the link if you would like to check out the story Mercy Ships wrote on me : )
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
snaps from today.
i actually decided to take my camera out of hiding today and utilize it. just wanted to share some of the beautiful faces that i get to see every day at my new job via the hope centre. i am not a photographer by any means. but i hope you enjoy.
it made my heart so happy to see a smile and then hear a laugh out of this little guy. you have no idea.
love this mother and son duo. joy exudes from both of them.
to sum it up. i pretty much love my new job.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
a dear friend's heart...
just wanted to share a blog post from a good friend of mine, stephanie. steph also hails from southern california and is a nurse/ VVF team leader.
you can really feel her heart for these ladies.
hope everyone is having a wondrous 2013 thus far!
update coming soon on my last few days on the wards and i've started my new job at the hope centre this week!!!
update coming soon on my last few days on the wards and i've started my new job at the hope centre this week!!!
The new ten
Ten upcountry ladies arrived tonight. I was sitting with a group of nurses recounting a conversation one of them had with a patient. The patient, not dry after multiple attempts to repair the hole in her bladder, was telling the nurse that although she isn't healed physically, she is beginning to heal emotionally. That is a major feat when you consider what these ladies have been through. They are absolute survivors in so many ways. What continually amazes me is the amount of love they offer us so freely. When asked 'why,' she said "We don't have money, or anything to repay you, so we are paying you with love." She just wishes her family, many of whom abandoned her after developing the fistula, could see how much "the white people" love her and care for her.
It has been my prayer from the beginning that despite whether they are wet or dry, they would sense and know the love God has for them. It's not about the surgeries, or whether they are wet or dry---I just want them to realize how much they are loved by the King. "If the next surgeries succeeds or fails, what is more important is that I can go back to my village with confidence knowing that I am loved," said Nana when asked how she would feel if she is never healed.
Today as I thought about starting up another round of VVF, to be honest, I was burdened. It seemed like running uphill again when I just reached the bottom. I've known the 20 ladies that are on the ward right now for over a month now. I've grown to love them like they are my proverbial children and I can't imagine loving any more ladies like I love them. That is, until ten beautiful ladies showed up on my doorstep this evening.
As I answered a page that would notify me that there were VVF patients on the dock, my excitement grew tremendously. One of the nurses and I excitedly ran to the gangway and as we looked out we could see the ladies congregating around the taxi.
I could smell them as I approached---no doubt they were my ladies. There was a mix of emotions in the air. As we walked up to them, we were bombarded with hugs, kisses, and greetings in local tongues. The sense of desperation was tangible as I checked everyone's name to account for them all. Some began to cry---afraid they would be turned away because they didn't bring ID and their name wasn't on the list. The tears dried up and smiles returned when I sent the taxi driver away and one by one led the ladies toward the gangway.
As they stood near the foot of the gangway many of them pointed in the direction of the gangway platform---through charades I informed that indeed they were going to walk up that giant ladder-like apparatus, up a couple stories, to their new home. Some forged ahead fearless, but the older ladies were reluctant and scared. One of the translators, a young man, lovingly noticed they were scared and took them by the arm to lead them up the gangway.
Chitra, one of the Gurkha's--a soldier in the Nepalese army--pantomimed that they must use the hand sanitizer before entering the ship and one-by-one as the ladies passed by the hand sanitizer machine, hands were cleansed.
We mounted the stairs that would take us into the belly of the ship and their home for the next few days and hopefully weeks as they have surgery and are healed. I wonder what they're thinking as they mount the stairs; some pause at the top unsure, and others gallantly forge ahead. We reach the corridor that will take them to C ward--a transitional ward, it most recently housed the screening team and hopefully soon will open as a full fledged ward bustling with new life, but for now it's the women's hope center. The ladies will stay here until the next surgeon arrives and examinations begin on Monday.
As they take the long walk down the corridor to C ward in the quiet of the night I can feel their sense of relief. I open the door of C ward and find 10 beds all made up and ready for them; Each stocked with a gown, a bag of goodies and a blanket for warmth. There's a warm glow emanating from the ward; the once harsh florescent light has been covered by African fabric giving off a warm cast.
What happens next is one of the many reasons I love these ladies so much. One-by-one the VVF ladies on B ward--also awaiting the arrival of the new surgeon--wakes up, gets out of bed and excitedly comes to greet the new ten. The calm of C ward has been replaced by excitement as greetings and hugs are exchanged, food and water passed out and showers commenced.
As I leave them to settling in, my heart is so full of thankfulness as God replaces my original fear with utter joy and love for these new ladies.
It has been my prayer from the beginning that despite whether they are wet or dry, they would sense and know the love God has for them. It's not about the surgeries, or whether they are wet or dry---I just want them to realize how much they are loved by the King. "If the next surgeries succeeds or fails, what is more important is that I can go back to my village with confidence knowing that I am loved," said Nana when asked how she would feel if she is never healed.
Today as I thought about starting up another round of VVF, to be honest, I was burdened. It seemed like running uphill again when I just reached the bottom. I've known the 20 ladies that are on the ward right now for over a month now. I've grown to love them like they are my proverbial children and I can't imagine loving any more ladies like I love them. That is, until ten beautiful ladies showed up on my doorstep this evening.
As I answered a page that would notify me that there were VVF patients on the dock, my excitement grew tremendously. One of the nurses and I excitedly ran to the gangway and as we looked out we could see the ladies congregating around the taxi.
I could smell them as I approached---no doubt they were my ladies. There was a mix of emotions in the air. As we walked up to them, we were bombarded with hugs, kisses, and greetings in local tongues. The sense of desperation was tangible as I checked everyone's name to account for them all. Some began to cry---afraid they would be turned away because they didn't bring ID and their name wasn't on the list. The tears dried up and smiles returned when I sent the taxi driver away and one by one led the ladies toward the gangway.
As they stood near the foot of the gangway many of them pointed in the direction of the gangway platform---through charades I informed that indeed they were going to walk up that giant ladder-like apparatus, up a couple stories, to their new home. Some forged ahead fearless, but the older ladies were reluctant and scared. One of the translators, a young man, lovingly noticed they were scared and took them by the arm to lead them up the gangway.
Chitra, one of the Gurkha's--a soldier in the Nepalese army--pantomimed that they must use the hand sanitizer before entering the ship and one-by-one as the ladies passed by the hand sanitizer machine, hands were cleansed.
We mounted the stairs that would take us into the belly of the ship and their home for the next few days and hopefully weeks as they have surgery and are healed. I wonder what they're thinking as they mount the stairs; some pause at the top unsure, and others gallantly forge ahead. We reach the corridor that will take them to C ward--a transitional ward, it most recently housed the screening team and hopefully soon will open as a full fledged ward bustling with new life, but for now it's the women's hope center. The ladies will stay here until the next surgeon arrives and examinations begin on Monday.
As they take the long walk down the corridor to C ward in the quiet of the night I can feel their sense of relief. I open the door of C ward and find 10 beds all made up and ready for them; Each stocked with a gown, a bag of goodies and a blanket for warmth. There's a warm glow emanating from the ward; the once harsh florescent light has been covered by African fabric giving off a warm cast.
What happens next is one of the many reasons I love these ladies so much. One-by-one the VVF ladies on B ward--also awaiting the arrival of the new surgeon--wakes up, gets out of bed and excitedly comes to greet the new ten. The calm of C ward has been replaced by excitement as greetings and hugs are exchanged, food and water passed out and showers commenced.
As I leave them to settling in, my heart is so full of thankfulness as God replaces my original fear with utter joy and love for these new ladies.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
thankful for....
sassy times with emily, binta, & bintu.
seeing Yaya's bright and smiling face every morning!
Thierno is alive and doing so incredibly well!
Thierno was mere weeks away from suffocating to death from the tumor that continued to rapidly grow. two weeks later he is doing exceptionally well. Watching him go through this process has been nothing short of a miracle.
you may remember him from screening day
here.
VVF (Vesicovaginal Fistula) surgeries have begun!
Because of their condition and constant leaking of urine, they are considered to be like modern day lepers. Hope is here for so many of these lovely ladies!
so thankful for almamy and his sweet, joyful self!
mischieveous george.
fun times on the ward with mamadou, george, & yaya.
my heart is so full. i feel so blessed to be a small part of each of these patients journey!
whilst running my morning errands on the ward, the hospital chaplaincy team were playing their usual worship; fun bongos and all. they happened to be singing one of my favorites from sierra leone and in Krio. Its quite simple to decode.
tell em tenki, tell em,
tell Papa God tenki
tell em tenki, tell em
tell Papa God tenki
What he do for me
I will tell him Tenki.
i had to stop and just soak it all in. i was and am overwhelmed with gratefulness.
i must say this has been the best thanksgiving for me in a long time. even though i'm so far away from family & friends at home & of course i do miss them lots. i LOVE the life i get to live here & was so happy to share Thanksgiving with some of my friends from the Netherlands, UK, & Norway.
happiest of thanksgiving to you all!!!
thank you all for making it possible for me to continue serving here on the Africa Mercy!
special thanks to ruben plomp and deb louden for taking the majority of these wonderful photos!
Monday, October 29, 2012
transition is the theme..
BUT, i'm actually pretty ecstatic about it. change can be difficult at times, but, I must say that i am truly looking forward to all of the change that is coming my way these next few months.
this is my last week working in the HR office. I start my new job working down in the ward as an administrative assistant next week. ( Eeeeekkk) And then, come january, I begin my new job working off the ships as an assistant coordinator for our hope centre! which is pretty much my dream mercy ships job.
all is well in conakry. rainy season is starting to come to an end. the hospital is in full swing. i love that i live only one deck above the hospital & i can hear the buzz of the patients and laughter of the kiddies as i walk up one flight of stairs on my way to work.
conakry has some of the most exquisite sunsets i have ever witnessed.
playing with fanta and ousmane down in the ward.
i love living & serving here!
if anyone would kindly like to sponsor me to continue serving with mercy ships by making a one time donation, or monthly donation, you can click on the link below. it is more than appreciated!
thank YOU for partnering with me & making it possible for me to serve here in West Africa via Mercy Ships!
Friday, September 7, 2012
screening day in conakry.
From Esther Blaum our Patient Flow Manager, Africa Mercy
"On Monday, more than 4,300 people waited in sprinkles and sunshine at the People’s Palace in Conakry, Guinea looking for help from the Africa Mercy. A couple hundred potential patients arrived late Sunday evening and waited through the night, but the crowds really started to pour in around 5:00am. The screening went extremely well thanks to lots of prayer worldwide, great teamwork from the crew and good support from the government and local authorities. Over 200 patients were scheduled for surgeries that begin today, with nearly 1,000 others scheduled for further evaluation or treatment. All specialties were represented in the crowd awaiting assistance: Orthopaedic, Maxillofacial, Plastics, General, VVF, Eye and Dental patients. Thank you to all of you who lifted up this day in prayer. Please continue to pray for each of these patients as they continue on their journey toward healing."
screening day was such a neat experience to be apart of. i got to practice the little french i do know. whilst beginning the paperwork & registration process, i got to meet the potential patients and conversate with them a little bit. i had a wonderful translator, Abraham, working alongside me & seriously could not have done it without him. while french is the official language in guinea, most guineans speak their different tribal languages; Susu, Malinke, etc. & abraham spoke every single one!
part of my day was quite heartbreaking. one of the potential patients i had to register, had such grotesque facial disfigurement's. at only 20 years old, he easily looked 20 years older than his age. as abraham & i tried to obtain to contact info from him, we came to the realization that he was such an outcast's from his community, that he didn't have any way for us to reach him. not a family member, friend, or neighbor. no one.
there were a few similar cases that made moments in the day quite difficult.
BUT, what a joy it is to know that there is hope for so many of these patients and they can go back to their villages and communities post surgery/ recovery without shame!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
guinea.
so much has happened since we arrived here in conakry, guinea a week and a half ago. i feel like we have been here for months already. i am already loving this beautiful place & the super friendly people here.
( a little piece of home as we pulled into the port in conakry, guinea)
things have been quite hectic in the HR department, as we have prepared for the arrival of many new nurses, doctors, & support staff we need to help keep the ship running & make this 10 month field service possible.
( lots of dolphins sightings from our sail from tenerife, canary islands to conakry, guinea)
i got to help with the planning of the day worker orientation as well. it was so such a nice surprise to see some familiar faces & a few of my dayworker friends from sierra leone & togo return.
i did get a tremendous opportunity on tuesday of this past week to help with the dental team to clean/set up their clinic. which was so much fun! twas so cool to walk in & not really see a vision of how everything was going to work out. everything came together so swiftly and we had 9 dental chairs and lights set up in just a few hours time. last field service in togo, the dental team rendered a whopping 9,688 dental procedures! that was just in 6 months time. i'm excited to see how many more procedures we can complete & the abundance guinean folks we can help in our 10 months here. ( since it's rainy season here, i didn't want to chance taking my camera out, hence the lack of photos.)
Conakry, Guinea made the top 10 wettest cities in the world list with average precipitation amount being 170.91 inches per year. Sure is quite a change from the measly 15 to 20 inches of rain, good old Los Angeles receives per year.
( weekend adventures off the peninsula. if you look closely, you can spot a few waterfalls.)
and if you all thought that the info above was exciting, just wait till you hear that screening day is TOMORROW! despite the fact that i'll be up a few hours before the sun, i am so beyond ectatic about this & that i get to be a part of it this time. i'll be working one of the registration tables. where the patients who have been screened and have gotten the okay for surgery come & see our smiling HR faces. we fill out contact info, all that fun patient stuff, etc.
please keep us ( the africa mercy crew) in your prayers tomorrow, the potential patients we will be able to bring "hope and healing" to & also for the people we will sadly have to turn away and won't be able to help.
Thank you lots, i will update you on screening day soonish!
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