I'm finally home, and very much looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight (and soon!). Kelli and I arrived in DC Monday afternoon, and I got back to VA this afternoon.
I wrote the following while we were still on the plane Monday morning.
It’s Monday, around 9:30am on the East Coast, and we’ve got about 3 hours left in our flight to DC. The last couple days have been busy with last-minute activity (this will be a long post), so there’s been little chance for us to post a last update. (And though I’m writing this on the plane, I won’t actually be able to post it online until we get back to Mom & Dad’s house).
We made it back to Libreville from Bongolo with no problems. Tim and Meredith picked us up between the ceremony and reception parts of a wedding, so after grabbing a bite to eat, we headed back to the mission house to wash off the dust we accumulated on our trip from the hospital to the airport (and believe, there was a lot of it).
Saturday morning we traveled to the Avea II, the home site of the mobile medical clinics, so I could teach them the database I was working on. The pastor, Jean Marc, requested a few changes – but I knew that this would be something that I would continue to support, even after returning home.
We went to the tourist market to pick up souvenirs. We had been by over a week ago, but since we knew that we’d be going a second time, Kelli and I used the time to mostly scope the place out, then we made a plan of attack. We both got to practice our bartering skills, with the help of Jean Roman, the administrator for Envision (formerly STMO) in Gabon.
After lunch, we went by Hope House once last time. Anna broke out her video camera, and the kids loved performing, then watching themselves on camera. We took some food to them, and Kelli and Anna donated some of their clothes that they thought would fit some of the older girls. I’m still praying about what my involvement in Hope House should be from the U.S., so I would appreciate your prayers as I try to discern what God is asking me to do (and how to fit it all in to an already-packed schedule).
Then it was back home to shower and get cleaned up for dinner out at a Chinese restaurant (Kelli and I both found it a bit ironic that we went out for Chinese in Africa). Three local families (Tim and Meredith Brokopp, Tim and Amanda Kelly and their kids, and Steve and Alace Straw) went with us, and it was great way to end our last night.
Sunday morning we attended a village church, and though we couldn’t understand a word of the service, we both enjoyed being there, especially the worship. This was the church that I mentioned last week…
We went to the beach for a couple hours, then went back to the mission house to finish packing, eat dinner, and head to the airport. Our flight was scheduled to leave Libreville shortly after 8pm, though it was delayed over an hour due to problems with check-in at the Libreville airport. This cut our 3-hour layover in Frankfurt down to 2 hours, which meant that although we weren’t rushed, we didn’t have any extra time (Frankfurt required us to go through security again, and since it is an incredibly busy airport, it takes a pretty long time to get through the lines). This was much to my disappointment – I was looking forward to stopping by Starbucks.
One small blessing – we accidentally left Kelli’s bandage scissors in one of the suitcases we used for a carry-on. They were mostly hidden under the cover at the bottom of the suitcase, which is why we missed them. They found them in Frankfurt, but missed them in Libreville (and it was much easier to explain them to security people who speak English!)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
last night at bongolo.
Tonight is our last night at Bongolo. Tomorrow morning we're planning to get up to watch the sunrise (and hopefully get some great photos), then we'll pack up for the 2-hour car ride back to the airport. We should hopefully arrive in Libreville sometime Friday evening (I say sometime, because these flights are routinely delayed).
It really is amazing what God has built here at Bongolo. Its not like anything that you would find in the US, of course, but it works for Africa and is quite awe-inspiring. The three missionaries who first came here over 30 years ago are still here, and I can only imagine how it must be for them to look around, in light of what was. Because the medical care here is cheaper (and better) than in Libreville, people come from all over the country for surgeries. And in addition to medical care and surgery, there is an eye clinic, dental clinic, maternity ward (with equipment for preemies), prenatal care, lab and x-ray facilities and HIV/AIDS counseling. It is estimated that ten percent of the Gabonese are HIV-positive, and many discover this during prenatal screening.
Yesterday afternoon and this morning, we spent some time helping Meladee Davis sort through the depot (a huge storage area filled with tons of medical supplies). The sheer volume of items in the depot is overwhelming, and Meladee has struggled to organize it since she doesn't have the medical background to know what everything is. Kelli and Heather (a summer intern, who is a nurse) were able to make some significant headway for her, and Anna and I sorted and folded what we could without getting in their way.
Meladee and her husband Paul are just two of the huge number of people it takes to make this whole thing work (like any hospital, I guess). They are here for their retirement, and they're completely self-funded. Paul oversees maintenance for Bongolo ("the station"). Tonight they took us to dinner at Ditchi's (sp?), one of the two restaurants in Lebamba, the town right across the bridge from the hospital (the other restaurant is the Barack Obama cafe). We had fried chicken, topped with a spicy sauce, and french fries - and it was delicious. Ditchi's is special because its a sit-down restaurant that actually has an air conditioner (though its not working currently).
Its hard to believe that our trip is almost at an end already! I'm ready to leave Bongolo (there is much more for Kelli to do here than me, though it is absolutely beautiful), but there is a part of me that isn't ready to leave Gabon all together (especially Hope House). Then there is the other side of me, that is eager to get home and see the friends and family I've missed, but mostly to get on with the work that God has called me to do - even though I'm still figuring out what that is!
It really is amazing what God has built here at Bongolo. Its not like anything that you would find in the US, of course, but it works for Africa and is quite awe-inspiring. The three missionaries who first came here over 30 years ago are still here, and I can only imagine how it must be for them to look around, in light of what was. Because the medical care here is cheaper (and better) than in Libreville, people come from all over the country for surgeries. And in addition to medical care and surgery, there is an eye clinic, dental clinic, maternity ward (with equipment for preemies), prenatal care, lab and x-ray facilities and HIV/AIDS counseling. It is estimated that ten percent of the Gabonese are HIV-positive, and many discover this during prenatal screening.
Yesterday afternoon and this morning, we spent some time helping Meladee Davis sort through the depot (a huge storage area filled with tons of medical supplies). The sheer volume of items in the depot is overwhelming, and Meladee has struggled to organize it since she doesn't have the medical background to know what everything is. Kelli and Heather (a summer intern, who is a nurse) were able to make some significant headway for her, and Anna and I sorted and folded what we could without getting in their way.
Meladee and her husband Paul are just two of the huge number of people it takes to make this whole thing work (like any hospital, I guess). They are here for their retirement, and they're completely self-funded. Paul oversees maintenance for Bongolo ("the station"). Tonight they took us to dinner at Ditchi's (sp?), one of the two restaurants in Lebamba, the town right across the bridge from the hospital (the other restaurant is the Barack Obama cafe). We had fried chicken, topped with a spicy sauce, and french fries - and it was delicious. Ditchi's is special because its a sit-down restaurant that actually has an air conditioner (though its not working currently).
Its hard to believe that our trip is almost at an end already! I'm ready to leave Bongolo (there is much more for Kelli to do here than me, though it is absolutely beautiful), but there is a part of me that isn't ready to leave Gabon all together (especially Hope House). Then there is the other side of me, that is eager to get home and see the friends and family I've missed, but mostly to get on with the work that God has called me to do - even though I'm still figuring out what that is!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
hopital de bongolo
Monday we left Libreville for Mouille by plane. Tim and Meredith took us all to the airport where me, Kristy, Anna, and Heather (the intern) waited around for our flight to Mouille. We boarded a small aircraft, about 30 seats total, and headed over the jungle (and the equator!!!) to Southern Gabon.
In Mouille we met our ride to Bongolo. Surveying the red dust covered Land Rover clued us in that not only would it be a dusty ride, but due to the accumulation of dust on the inside, it would be one without air conditioning. Fortunately, since we have slowly become more accustomed to the hot weather in Libreville, it was slightly cooler in Mouille. Felipe drove us the 2 hours to just outside of Labamba, over the red dusty roads, full of pot holes and washboard rutts. The countryside was more picturesque of Africa....minus the wildlife. Finally we made our way through Labamba and wound our way up a small mountain, past the small waterfall and rapids below it, and up to the mission's guest house.
Unfortunately it was already dark by the time we arrived, so true exploration would have to wait until the morning. Felipe dropped us off at the guest house and it seemed like we had stepped into luxury. Gorgeous architecture with polished woodwork and brick floors, arches in the doorways, a large stone fireplace. The guest house was previously a schoolhouse with all of its openness and charm, but converted to have over 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, with a separate suite, currently occupied by one of the missionary nurses.
We had the pick of any room we wanted, but us girls (Kristy, Anna, and me) were enjoying our slumber party time, so we chose the room with double bunk beds --- surprisingly sporting the Ikea style along with Ikea blankets. Just a little touch of home.
In the morning we made our way down the hill to "the plateau" where the hospital sat. Each ward has its own establishment, with hallways serving as porches allowing more fresh air to ciruclate. The surgical suite consisted of a small post-op and ICU area, and 3 operating rooms. It is amazing how easy it is to find your way around an OR, even in another country. Anna (since she is a Pre-Med student) and I observed a laprascopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) first. Similar to the States, but sandels are allowed in the OR and many instruments we throw out in the US are cleaned and sterilized to be reused. They have little waste here. During my surgical rotation I had always thought there was so much waste - disposable gowns, drapes, instruments. These are all valued more here, so cloth gowns and drapes are used so they can be cleaned, and instruments resharped until the next order can arrive, possibly within 2 months.
I was invited by the head surgical resident to scrub in on the next case, a thyroidectomy to remove a very large goiter from a patient's neck. The patient was prepped and cleaned using Mr. Clean Multi-Surface and then drapped for surgery (crazy, huh?). I've been told betadine scrubs are used for more dirty cases. Scrubbing in was just the same, except we used reusable brushes and conserved as much water as possible. There was no "time out" prior to starting surgery, as is strictly required in the US, but instead the doctors took the opportunity to pray over the patient before starting the procedure.
Dr. Thompson told us goiters are not endemic in Gabon, but due to the lack of iodine in the diet, they are seen occasionally. In first world countries, iodine is fortified in salt to ensure adequate intake, but here iodinized salt can be more expensive, so the value is not seen by the Gabonese.
Today (Tuesday) Anna and I joined Dr. Thompson and the surgical residents on rounds. Dr. Thompson requires the residents to know English and study medicine in English, so this we were finally able to understand! We saw a variety of patients, reminding me again of the similarity to the States, minus the elective surgeries. We saw post-op prostatectomies, hysterectomies, myomectomies, and ulcer debridements among other things. Ectopic pregnancy is another issue here in Gabon, most likely linked to the high rate of STDs.
In the peds unit, we saw a young girl, Grace, who was burned in a gas fire one month ago. Her mother died shortly after the fire, and Grace was brought to Bongolo about a week ago. She has been septic and spiking a fever, with an unknown source that has all of the doctors puzzled. One of the residents led us in prayer for Grace after examining her. Please keep this young girl in your prayers so that God may not only heal her physical wounds but her emotional wounds as well.
Another story that touched our hearts was a women burned after a domestic violence dispute with her husband. She has been here at Bongolo for over 20 days and has already received skin grafts to both thighs and has burn wounds on both arms. She is healing well, but has declined any other skin grafts. May God watch over her as she heals and will soon be discharged from Bongolo. Domestic violence is said to be another issue here in Gabon.
Observing the doctors here in Gabon has taught me a new type of medicine. The American view of treating medicine is to heal patients on our own. Here, with the help of prayer - before surgeries, before rounds, and with particular cases, there is an understanding that we can only do so much. We can only give of ourselves and utilize the knowledge that God has given us.
Kristy has been put to work on any computer related issues here at Bongolo. Her client list seems to be growing the more people we meet! Although many things are technical support issues, she is still a big help to the administrative functions of the hospital.
In Mouille we met our ride to Bongolo. Surveying the red dust covered Land Rover clued us in that not only would it be a dusty ride, but due to the accumulation of dust on the inside, it would be one without air conditioning. Fortunately, since we have slowly become more accustomed to the hot weather in Libreville, it was slightly cooler in Mouille. Felipe drove us the 2 hours to just outside of Labamba, over the red dusty roads, full of pot holes and washboard rutts. The countryside was more picturesque of Africa....minus the wildlife. Finally we made our way through Labamba and wound our way up a small mountain, past the small waterfall and rapids below it, and up to the mission's guest house.
Unfortunately it was already dark by the time we arrived, so true exploration would have to wait until the morning. Felipe dropped us off at the guest house and it seemed like we had stepped into luxury. Gorgeous architecture with polished woodwork and brick floors, arches in the doorways, a large stone fireplace. The guest house was previously a schoolhouse with all of its openness and charm, but converted to have over 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, with a separate suite, currently occupied by one of the missionary nurses.
We had the pick of any room we wanted, but us girls (Kristy, Anna, and me) were enjoying our slumber party time, so we chose the room with double bunk beds --- surprisingly sporting the Ikea style along with Ikea blankets. Just a little touch of home.
In the morning we made our way down the hill to "the plateau" where the hospital sat. Each ward has its own establishment, with hallways serving as porches allowing more fresh air to ciruclate. The surgical suite consisted of a small post-op and ICU area, and 3 operating rooms. It is amazing how easy it is to find your way around an OR, even in another country. Anna (since she is a Pre-Med student) and I observed a laprascopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) first. Similar to the States, but sandels are allowed in the OR and many instruments we throw out in the US are cleaned and sterilized to be reused. They have little waste here. During my surgical rotation I had always thought there was so much waste - disposable gowns, drapes, instruments. These are all valued more here, so cloth gowns and drapes are used so they can be cleaned, and instruments resharped until the next order can arrive, possibly within 2 months.
I was invited by the head surgical resident to scrub in on the next case, a thyroidectomy to remove a very large goiter from a patient's neck. The patient was prepped and cleaned using Mr. Clean Multi-Surface and then drapped for surgery (crazy, huh?). I've been told betadine scrubs are used for more dirty cases. Scrubbing in was just the same, except we used reusable brushes and conserved as much water as possible. There was no "time out" prior to starting surgery, as is strictly required in the US, but instead the doctors took the opportunity to pray over the patient before starting the procedure.
Dr. Thompson told us goiters are not endemic in Gabon, but due to the lack of iodine in the diet, they are seen occasionally. In first world countries, iodine is fortified in salt to ensure adequate intake, but here iodinized salt can be more expensive, so the value is not seen by the Gabonese.
Today (Tuesday) Anna and I joined Dr. Thompson and the surgical residents on rounds. Dr. Thompson requires the residents to know English and study medicine in English, so this we were finally able to understand! We saw a variety of patients, reminding me again of the similarity to the States, minus the elective surgeries. We saw post-op prostatectomies, hysterectomies, myomectomies, and ulcer debridements among other things. Ectopic pregnancy is another issue here in Gabon, most likely linked to the high rate of STDs.
In the peds unit, we saw a young girl, Grace, who was burned in a gas fire one month ago. Her mother died shortly after the fire, and Grace was brought to Bongolo about a week ago. She has been septic and spiking a fever, with an unknown source that has all of the doctors puzzled. One of the residents led us in prayer for Grace after examining her. Please keep this young girl in your prayers so that God may not only heal her physical wounds but her emotional wounds as well.
Another story that touched our hearts was a women burned after a domestic violence dispute with her husband. She has been here at Bongolo for over 20 days and has already received skin grafts to both thighs and has burn wounds on both arms. She is healing well, but has declined any other skin grafts. May God watch over her as she heals and will soon be discharged from Bongolo. Domestic violence is said to be another issue here in Gabon.
Observing the doctors here in Gabon has taught me a new type of medicine. The American view of treating medicine is to heal patients on our own. Here, with the help of prayer - before surgeries, before rounds, and with particular cases, there is an understanding that we can only do so much. We can only give of ourselves and utilize the knowledge that God has given us.
Kristy has been put to work on any computer related issues here at Bongolo. Her client list seems to be growing the more people we meet! Although many things are technical support issues, she is still a big help to the administrative functions of the hospital.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
sunday.
Sunday morning we went to one of the local Gabonese churches for the early service. The entire thing is in French, so of course we understood none of it. From what we were told, it’s also important to go to an early service, because then there is a time limit to how long it can last – apparently, the last service of the day can last up to four hours. That would have been a stretch for me even in English.
There is a lot more dancing during worship than in the US, which didn’t surprise us. However, as visitors, we’re expected to sit at the front (and sometimes on stage), and get pulled into the dancing. Kelli managed to do so minimally, but I got pulled directly onto the stage.
We spent Sunday afternoon at the beach, though it was too cold to really go into the water (it was overcast and very cloudy). I stood at the edge of the waves a bit, letting them lap around my feet, until my ankles were stung by a series of jellyfish. Fortunately, it didn’t hurt much, though one of the other missionaries offered to pee on my feet if I needed him too (I declined).
Sunday evening the tailor came by to take orders and measurements for the outfits we wanted out of the fabric we purchased at Mont Buet. Kelli and I both chose a separate skirt and top, because we wanted something we would wear more than once.
There is a lot more dancing during worship than in the US, which didn’t surprise us. However, as visitors, we’re expected to sit at the front (and sometimes on stage), and get pulled into the dancing. Kelli managed to do so minimally, but I got pulled directly onto the stage.
We spent Sunday afternoon at the beach, though it was too cold to really go into the water (it was overcast and very cloudy). I stood at the edge of the waves a bit, letting them lap around my feet, until my ankles were stung by a series of jellyfish. Fortunately, it didn’t hurt much, though one of the other missionaries offered to pee on my feet if I needed him too (I declined).
Sunday evening the tailor came by to take orders and measurements for the outfits we wanted out of the fabric we purchased at Mont Buet. Kelli and I both chose a separate skirt and top, because we wanted something we would wear more than once.
mont buet.
We spent Saturday morning and most of Saturday afternoon painting and helping Tim and Amanda Kelly and their family move into the upstairs rooms of the mission house. Tim and Amanda previously oversaw the guest house at Bongolo Hospital, but are currently in Libreville for language study. They’ll be here until December, then they’ll be back in the US on home assignment.
We took a break in the afternoon to travel to Mont Buet, translated, “the market.” It was similar to the open-air market I went to Russia (renok), though I’m not sure the US has an equivalent. A craft fair might be the closest thing, but its really not the same. It was incredibly busy, so one of our primary goals was just keeping up with the person in front of you! We also bought fabric to make African outfits.
While there, we walked through the meat market, which is filled with raw meat of all kinds, including lots of fish. The smell was pretty horrible, even to me, and I was terrified I would brush up against one of the tables and actually touch the fish (if you know how I feel about fish, this will make sense to you). In a way, it also underscored the differences between the things that Kelli is interested in, and the things I'm interested in – I was focused on navigating through it as quickly as possible without looking around too much, and she was looking for some of the animals she’s dissected over the last several years.
We took a break in the afternoon to travel to Mont Buet, translated, “the market.” It was similar to the open-air market I went to Russia (renok), though I’m not sure the US has an equivalent. A craft fair might be the closest thing, but its really not the same. It was incredibly busy, so one of our primary goals was just keeping up with the person in front of you! We also bought fabric to make African outfits.
While there, we walked through the meat market, which is filled with raw meat of all kinds, including lots of fish. The smell was pretty horrible, even to me, and I was terrified I would brush up against one of the tables and actually touch the fish (if you know how I feel about fish, this will make sense to you). In a way, it also underscored the differences between the things that Kelli is interested in, and the things I'm interested in – I was focused on navigating through it as quickly as possible without looking around too much, and she was looking for some of the animals she’s dissected over the last several years.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
back to avea 2 and hope house.
Friday morning we headed back out to Avea 2 to work at the medical clinic. I spent most of my time watching Kelli consult (it was fun for me to see her using her training). Most of the patients are older, with issues with blood pressure or back pain, but we did see an adorable 8-month old baby. He had malaria, but because he was so little, it took some time to figure how to give him the medicine he needed. We were limited by the medicines and dosages available at the clinic, so Kelli and Heather (a nurse and 6-month intern here) had to get a little creative.
Friday afternoon we headed back to Hope House. This time we took the soccer balls the kids from the Bridge bought, and they were a huge hit! Kelli and I both spent some time kicking around the ball with the kids (though the kids had way better moves than either of us did). We got some great photos and videos of them with the balls, and I'm excited to share these with the kids at church when I get back.
I also got to meet Pastor Israel, who runs Hope House with his wife, Flor. We talked about how kids come to the orphanage, and the process they're currently going through to be accredited by the government. The last thing they need is mosquito screens for the windows, and then they'll be fully licensed. We also talked about adoption in Gabon, which is pretty much impossible between the red tape and the cost. I told him a little about how the foster care and adoption systems work in the US, and some of the stuff I've seen as a volunteer for CASA. I asked him about some of the specific needs they have, and I'm praying about the role God wants me to play in meeting those.
Today (Saturday) we spent the day painting and helping the Kellys (another missionary family here) move, and we took a trip Mont Buet - but I'll let Kelli describe that experience!
Friday afternoon we headed back to Hope House. This time we took the soccer balls the kids from the Bridge bought, and they were a huge hit! Kelli and I both spent some time kicking around the ball with the kids (though the kids had way better moves than either of us did). We got some great photos and videos of them with the balls, and I'm excited to share these with the kids at church when I get back.
I also got to meet Pastor Israel, who runs Hope House with his wife, Flor. We talked about how kids come to the orphanage, and the process they're currently going through to be accredited by the government. The last thing they need is mosquito screens for the windows, and then they'll be fully licensed. We also talked about adoption in Gabon, which is pretty much impossible between the red tape and the cost. I told him a little about how the foster care and adoption systems work in the US, and some of the stuff I've seen as a volunteer for CASA. I asked him about some of the specific needs they have, and I'm praying about the role God wants me to play in meeting those.
Today (Saturday) we spent the day painting and helping the Kellys (another missionary family here) move, and we took a trip Mont Buet - but I'll let Kelli describe that experience!
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