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.