Last week in Guinea

Plastics is in full swing now, with rooms bursting at the seams and nurses working overtime. It is quite busy, but nice to know we are making good use of our time in Guinea. The past weeks have really just filled me with joy. We have had such unique and amazing individuals on our ward and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with each one of them. I could go on and on about each patient or caregiver I have encountered, but that would be quite boring for you to read. To keep it brief, I'll just say there are caregivers (parent, guardian, friend, etc) for many patients, who stay underneath the patient's bed (!). There is one caregiver who has just taken it upon himself to help wherever needed. He has jumped in to help with drying the floors, translating, and simply comforting other patients. This sense of community on the ward is so different from home and it is quite refreshing. Then there are the patients...don't even get me started! One young boy, who recently had a major and painful surgery, just takes all the little ones under his wing and plays with and encourages them. There is also a young woman who has experienced some excruciating things and has been left with extensive scars from burns. Yet every single time I look at her she greets me with the warmest smile. The resiliency of some people is astounding. It is so neat to work with all the patients in one room, watching their interactions and getting to know each of their personalities. They are all so precious, and I pray that they would know just how loved and cherished they are by God. I will definitely miss these patients when I go home.

In between shifts, I have been able to get off the ship and explore many different areas and aspects of this country. I recently went with four other girls on this completely unplanned trip to an upcountry town called Kindia. We managed to get a ride to this town after some rather violent negotiations, and enjoyed some lush, mountainous landscapes along the way. Some of the highlights of the trip were eating at scroungy restaurants, visiting a "serpentorium", riding motorbikes throughout the city, and hiking around a mountain with some locals. We managed to make friends with many people along the way, despite our inability to speak French. It was such an amazing adventure, and there simply isn't the space here to describe it all! I'll include a few pics instead.

Slightly cramped car  



enjoying the waterfalls



This is where they study snake venom





motorbikes! so much fun



 this was our driver turned hiking guide



there were some kids herding goats and cattle on this mountainside



even a flat tire on the way home couldn't slow us down



Last week a dayworker (local volunteer on the ship) from my ward invited a few people to visit the school she started two years ago. This was such a privilege to see, and an amazing testament to relying on God. It was started in an area where many children were simply working on the streets instead of attending school. This school already has 800 students and they simply depend on donations for day to day operation. It was fascinating to see each classroom from toddlers to seniors, although a little embarrassing to be paraded around the school like celebrities. Nonetheless, we enjoyed meeting many students up close and personal after teaching all the children the old rhyme "head and shoulder, knees and toes". The school seemed to be flourishing, which was encouraging to see from a local organization. What is also amazing is that the woman who took us here works full time as a dayworker on the ship, runs this huge school, pastors a church, and takes care of 13 adopted children in her home.



a cheery preschool class



I have never met any of these people before, but they were sure excited to take a picture with me



Little girls I met at the school



Elizabeth, the woman who invited us to her school



So this is my last week here in Guinea. I feel like I have only had a taste of life here, but it is hard not to fall in love with this country. The people, the culture, and the landscape are all lush, vibrant, and beautiful. Each encounter I've had here has left me wanting to do more. It is heartbreaking that there is so much unseen and unspoken suffering in this beautiful country, but it is my prayer that the Lord would continue the work he started here. Though they may be small in numbers, the faith of the local people I have met has been tremendous. While I will certainly be sad to leave this place, I also love and miss my family very much and it will be wonderful to be home again. I'm hoping this will only be the start of many future trips, but I'll have to wait and see what God has planned for me.

60 minutes and more....

I hope that you were able to catch the recent 60 minutes program featuring Mercy Ships. If not, here's the link: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50141230n. This is quite an accurate glimpse into life on the ship and I feel so privileged to be a part of this team, even if just for a couple of months. I am constantly encouraged, challenged, and amazed by all those around me on the ship. I am still unable to understand the dedication exhibited by many of the long-term crew here. These are incredibly talented professionals, but they have forgone the pursuit of a typical ideal of success to serve others, expecting nothing in return. This type of utter selflessless is nothing short of a gift from God. I hope that the patients we care for are as blessed by this hospital as I have been.



Home Sweet Home. At least for the next month.



This has been an exciting week on our ward as we began our highly anticipated plastic surgery service. we will be caring for a variety of patients, including cleft lip repairs, release of burn contractures, and tumor removals. It turns out that many of these patients are children, which is both fun and extremely challenging, as I am not a pediatric nurse. So far I have had several young patients who have suffered extensive burns to their upper extremities, resulting in the formation of scars that drastically impair mobility. In many of these burn cases, the injury has been from cooking, whether it was a hot oil spill or the cooking fire itself. I cringe to think of all the children I have observed here, frying various foods all along the streets of town. This daily task carries so much risk, and yet this is the only way to earn money and provide food. One patient told me she wants to move her fingers again so that she is able to take her exams and complete her schooling. She was injured 6 years again and has been unable to continue her education as a result. It will be a long and difficult journey for these patients, but I hope that the surgeries and lengthy therapies performed here will allow each individual to return to maximum functionality.



Prior to plastic surgery starting this week, life had been rather quiet on the ship. We sent most of our VVF patients home, not knowing what the future will hold for them, but praying they will remain dry and that they would continue to grow in knowledge of the Lord. After these discharges, the nurses on my ward were primarily doing extensive cleaning of the ward in preparation for plastics (a patient population with a high risk for infection). We have also been helping out with miscellaneous tasks throughout the ship. It has been very interesting to see how each department works together to provide quality treatment and care for the patients here.

 

Some of the patients we have discharged prior to plastics starting this week. I'll miss spending time with these humorous and beautiful women.  



In contrast to the idyllic atmosphere on the ship, there has been quite a bit of unrest throughout the country, limiting some of our activities off the ship. Although certain programs have been temporarily cancelled, I have still been able to participate in a few nearby activities. This week I served as a "security" for an eye screening for cataract patients. It is so incedible to me that we get to restore sight to so many patients, and yet there is still so much heartbreak in the process. There are just hundreds of people pushing to be treated, and we have to turn so many away. The screenings are often (nearly) out of control as there is such a great need from the population and we can only treat a limited number of people. It is so difficult for us to turn people away, and I cannot even imagine the desperation they must feel, as they will have no other options for medical care. It is not just an issue of not being able to afford the hospital bill. There is simply a complete lack of hospitals and viable treatment options here.

 I have also had the chance to visit a school for the deaf. It is wonderful to spend time with the students there, as it is the only place where my inability to speak the local language is not an issue. All the children here are so friendly and they love to just sit and play with you, regardless of the actual activity. There is also a place called the Hope Center, where discharged patients and families can stay if the patient will require follow up. It is so nice to visit with patients outside of the hospital. Seeing these patients thrive after surgery has brought me so much joy. I just love being a part of this whole process!



At the school for the deaf, playing a game of Jenga (a favorite here)


  

Doing crafts at the Hope Center







More adventures in Guinea

This is a bittersweet time on our ward, as the VVF patients are preparing to leave the hospital soon and return home, many healed but some who are still leaking. Continued prayers are needed for all these women as they transition back home, for long term healing, future surgeries, and spiritual and emotional support. In light of this upcoming departure, I have been savoring each moment with these individuals whom I will not likely see again. I still desperately need to learn French, but I have been able to have many meaningful interactions with my patients as we communicate through our actions and expressions alone. You cannot help but feel your heart overflow when these women smile and laugh with/at you. The warmth in the smiles of these women who have faced such hardship is a testament to the resilency of the human spirit.

Picture time

In light of Valentine's Day yesterday, it struck me that here in Guinea, Christians truly are in love with the Lord. You can see it in the way they carry themselves, in the songs they sing and the way they dance, and in the choices they make. One of the songs often sung in the hospital is "Jesus is the only lover of my soul" and it is so beautiful to hear the VVF women singing this song. Despite years of rejection, isolation, and neglect, many of these women today have the glow of a woman in love. Jesus truly is the only one who can know our souls so deeply and intimately and still love us. Surrounded by this infinite love, who could ask for a better Valentine's Day?

Last weekend I went with a few other nurses to a park/resort a couple hours away, where we were able to just relax and spend time together. We went on a hike up a nearby "mountain", swam in the river outside our cabin, took some African dance lessons, and ate lots of delicious African cuisine. The weather here has not been great; between the humidity, dust, and smog the scenery is pretty limited, but it was nice to be outside anyways. I'll attach a few photos from the visit.



The hike



The "view"



Brickmaking along the way



Nature's buffet





Bathing in the river...not sure if we ended up any cleaner or not





Lush vegetation everywhere



Lovely set up here

Yesterday I was able to visit a school started by one of the local workers at the hospital. There are over 100 children at this small, rural school and it is run entirely by a few local volunteers. It seems like quite an undertaking in such difficult circumstances, but those working at the school have a strong desire for impoverished children to have the opportunity to attend school and hear God's word. It was such a neat experience just to travel out to this rural school, see the tiny building all these children learn in, and play with all these very eager children. Kids here are quite interested in having their photo taken and it was a bit chaotic as all of children rushed to have a photo, touch us, and play with any toys we brought. In the midst of playing with the kids, a strange thing happened. The dayworker we came with got a phone call that a woman nearby was having difficulty in labor and needed some assistance. We drove a short distance to check on her, but found she had just had the baby and all was well. The woman was alone, but looked completely composed, and encouraged us to hold her precious newborn baby and take pictures. I still cannot believe this happened. This was an odd but wonderful experience and it seemed like just a typical day in the life of these Guineans. 


So much fun being surrounded by the kids, but kinda crazy! These kids look tiny, but believe me, they are strong.



The dedicated dayworker who has started this school



Kindergarten class. Notice the baby in hand while teaching.

 

Beautiful mom and newborn baby



Update from Conakry

Day to day life on the ship is becoming more routine, but with many small adventures to be had beyond the port. I love taking trips into town, whether it's for dinner or to buy cloth and mangoes at the market. There is so much going on outside the gates of the port; it seems funny that life is so quiet and peaceful on the ship while all this hubbub is just around the corner. I wish I could take more photos of life in town, of women carrying enormous loads on their head, of the delicious tropical fruits being sold at every corner, of the babies (and just about anybody else) napping peacefully on the shop tables, etc. However, many people here do not like their photo taken, so I think I'll stay on the safe side and avoid a fight and/or prison while I am here. I guess you all will just have to come and see it for yourself!

Last weekend I had the chance to visit an island just a short boat ride away from our port. It was so beautiful and relaxing there- a great time of refreshment after a busy week. The island almost felt like an African Brigadoon. The skies were hazy as we sputtered in on our little shuttle boat, and we pulled ashore amidst a relaxed game of soccer on the small beach. There were islanders hanging about, watching the game and inspecting the visitors. A small group of us wandered into the village around the island, finding a school building, medical clinic, and numerous homes tucked away in the rain forest. Inside the clinic we found a lone physician, happy for visitors and eager to provide a short tour through his 3 room clinic. As we continued through the village we found tiny goats, chickens and children scampering about. Women were stationed on their porches, vigorously washing the scant clothing available on the island. Across the island we found a restaurant and hotel, where we had a very relaxed lunch. I don't think time exists on this island. Resources are scarce, and yet plentiful enough for day to day existence for this small group of people. There is no sense of urgency or discontent, only a languid sense of existence here. Much to my disappointment though, no one broke out in spontaneous song and dance as in the aforementioned play. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful chance to step into another world.

Back to reality, this was a slightly more challenging week working in the hospital. I'm just now becoming a bit more comfortable, but everything is still so different and new (or rather old) and it has taken some adjustment. I think I would describe nursing on the Africa Mercy as more of an art, whereas in the states it is more of a science. Please don't get the wrong idea though- there is a little of both in each of these places. I look forward to growing as a nurse in this aspect while I am here. And what an opportunity to see what nursing looks like in countries all around the world! I won't bore everyone with listing all the differences, but there are a lot. I guess I just assumed medicine was like a universal language or something.

Please continue to pray for the patients we are caring for here on the Africa Mercy. On the ward I am working on, there have been many stories of healing and joy, but there are still a few women who continue to leak from their fistulas. For many, this has been the last of many prior efforts to close the fistula and they feel disappointed and discouraged. Soon they will have to leave the safe, loving community here at the hospital and will be forced to return to a life of social isolation. Please pray for healing and encouragement for these women and also for a change in their community that would result in embracing these women with open arms.

I was able to visit an orphanage earlier this week, one of many opportunities Mercy Ships offers. I'm so glad we were able to visit with the children, but it was a sobering experience altogether. It was wonderful to elicit laughter from these sweet, tiny children and receive limitless hugs and smiles. We stayed for just a couple hours to play with the small children, long enough to cheer them up and begin forming attachments, only to leave shortly after, unsure of what the future holds for these lonely babies. It was a sad glimpse into a huge, global issue. And in this country filled with such vast, visible needs, human efforts can seem so futile. It is a reminder to look to the Lord for our hope and salvation, as it cannot be found in any number of noble causes or humanitarian outreaches. What a comfort that I do not hold the fate of the world in my hands, but instead I rest in the arms of He that does.

First week in Guinea

It's been one week on the Africa Mercy, and I already love it! This has been a busy week, filled with so many new experiences, people, and places. It's a lot to take in, but every moment has been wonderful. Thank you so much for all your prayers, love, and support. I love that I get to share this experience with you all!

Sorry if this blog is all over the place. Life here is so unusual and I am still trying to take it all in. There is a lot to say, as each experience here is so new and different. I hope you'll bear with me as I try to sort through and describe some of my observations and experiences.

I arrived here last Saturday evening, after many hours in transit, and I haven't had much downtime since. Mercy Ships has so many volunteers coming in and out, so they have a very efficient system for orientation and so on. I love that there is nothing wasted here- not time, space, or resources. Could not be more different than my life at home. The facilities are great- a Starbucks cafe, hot meals in the cafeteria 3 times a day, a pool, computers and a tv, view to take your breathe away...I could go on. Needless to say, this is a strange juxtaposition between the hardships of Africa and an all-inclusive vacation. But I love that the community here encourages these two aspects of life to intertwine. We take our patients out on the deck after our shift and play games with them during down time. There are musical groups moving through the wards, with patients joining in song and dance. Then during days off, there are many opportunities to visit orphanages, local churches, or hospitals. Any time on or off the ship, working or basking in the sunshine, it is a chance to worship and glorify God.

Entrance to the Africa Mercy

After months of anticipation, I've finally started work on my ward at the hospital, which is called the VVF ward. There are so many other nurses, new and experienced, so there is always someone available to lend a helping hand. The VVF ward is where we take care of women before and after they have an operation to repair a fistula, vaginal and/or rectal, that has formed as a result of prolonged childbirth (a symptom of chronic malnutrition, pregnancy at a young age, and lack of access to a hospital). This fistula allows urine and/or feces to continually leak out. Due to this unpleasant odor, these women often feel ashamed and/or have been shunned from society. Most of these women have had previous surgeries performed at local hospitals in an attempt to repair the fistula, often unsuccessful and resulting in increased scarring making it even more difficult to repair. And all this is on top of the loss of their stillborn child. Puts things in perspective doesn't it?

So, after having surgery to repair this fistula, the women will remain on our ward for several weeks while they recover. It is often heartbreaking as we are unable to repair some fistulas. However, regardless of whether the patient is wet or dry, each woman on this ward is so joyful as she begins to see hope for a better life and an unconditional, redeeming love. They are received with open arms by the crew on Mercy Ships, and they find community among one another as they see they are not alone in this plight. It has been such an absolute joy for me to watch these women interact with one another- playing games together, doing each other's hair, sharing belongings. Many will join the nurses in prayer and give joyful praise to God when they find they are healed. I feel so privileged to be a part of this process for such amazing, sweet, funny women. We can't take photos ourselves, but I'll try and attach one from the official Mercy Ships photographer.

Some of the many sweet women on the Africa Mercy

 

I have this weekend off, so I'm trying to take advantage of all Guinea has to offer. I've made it into town a few times so far, and tomorrow I hope to take a boat to a nearby island for the afternoon. There is so much to do just on the ship itself, and the possibilities on land seem endless!

I've gotta run now, but I'll try to write more next week. Thanks for reading!

So here I am, just a few days out from leaving for Guinea. I have been eagerly anticipating my departure for such a long time now, and all of a sudden it is almost here. I feel like I have spent months preparing for this trip: learning about missions, saving up and raising support, writing out endless to-do lists, strategizing how and what I will pack, etc. Yet despite all this planning, January 19th has managed to sneak up on me and here I am scrambling to say my last good-byes.
Let me just say thank you to all my friends, family, and co-workers, who have all made me feel so incredibly loved over the past few weeks. People have been so generous in supporting me on this mission trip to Guinea, and it has been such a humbling experience to receive this abundance of love. God has been so gracious to me, and I thank Him for each one of you. My hope is that I can bring the same love you have shared with me to our brothers and sisters in Africa and that this love will be a beacon of light pointing towards the true love of Christ.
I'm sure that if you're reading this blog you know where and what I'm doing for the next couple months, but just in case you don't I'll give you a quick run-down. I'll be traveling to Conakry, Guinea in West Africa to serve as a nurse with an organization called Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships has a huge ship called the Africa Mercy, which has been converted into a hospital for the purpose of serving the people of West Africa. Amid so many other difficult conditions, healthcare in West Africa is extremely limited, resulting in many untreated conditions which are life-threatening or debilitating. The mission of Mercy Ships is to follow the "2,000-year-old model of Jesus to provide hope and healing to the world's forgotten poor" and this is accomplished in part "by mobilizing people and resources worldwide". You can learn much more about some of the amazing ways the Lord is working through Mercy Ships by visiting their website at www.mercyships.org.
I have never kept a blog before, so please bear with me as I write. My goal is to keep a 'Rick Steves-style' guide to Mercy Ships, but I have a feeling this blog will be more like 'strange thoughts from Stephanie'. I'll try to keep it professional. See you in Africa!