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!