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