A Wonderful Weekend

What to do on your last weekend in Pointe Noire? Why not relax in the tropics, go to the market with a local, play games with the children at the HOPE Center, get a special treat, host a dayworker's family on the ship, and have a 3 year old snuggle with you and fall asleep during the Palm Sunday Service? Yes Please. 

A local hotel very near the port has an agreement with Mercy Ships that allows the crew to come lounge by the pool and swim in the pool, if you spend 5000 CFA ($10). The Hotel Atlantic is a very nice hotel (rooms for $300 a night). The lobby has extravagant chandeliers and floor that looks like marble. The pool is behind the hotel. It is surrounded by tropical plants and tall plants in pots. There are lounge chairs with cushions a thick towels provided. The pool is large enough to swim laps. 

How does a white girl who burn easily anyway who is taking doxycycline (makes you sensitive to the sun) and is near the equator spend all day at the pool? First, decide to leave by 10am. Second, sunscreen is applied before leaving the ship so it is active while walking the 45 minutes to the hotel. Also, a hat is worn to protect the face even more sun protection. Once at the pool, jump in the water and then dry off in the morning sun. When dry jump in the pool again this time using the diving board. We practiced our 360* jumps, dives, and making the smallest splash possible. We then asked for an umbrella to be moved over our chairs. Shade, breeze, sunlight, book, what more can you ask for? May be a cold Fanta Orange and hummus and pita? It was delicious.  The rest of the day was split between playing the the pool and under the umbrella. A wonderful, relaxing, peaceful day. On the way back to the ship, we were picked up by a ship landrover who had two empty seats. We did not have to walk all the way back!

Sunday a friend of mine and I took a taxi to the HOPE Center to meet a patient and her mother. We all went to the Market together. Going with a local is the best way to experience the market. The market truly is grand in size. Streets and Avenues off the streets full of vendors. Some have official stalls, some just tarps on the ground in an empty space with piles of shoes or other items arranged on it. Most of the shoes in the market here are used. All styles can be found: high tops to high heels to athletic shoes to sandals. The Grand Market has clothes, food, mosquito nets, and odds and ends you did not know you needed. There is a separate market for the mostly the tourists called the craft market. It is where jewelry, wooden plates, fabric is sold. The advantages of following a local follow: knowing where to go in the market to look for shoes instead of wandering for awhile looking for the area with shoes and getting a better price with less bargaining required.

Upon returning to the HOPE Center, we decided to play some games with the kiddos. Running games work the best as the rules are simple and the main skilled required is running which most of the plastics patient can do. We played Mister Wolf which is similar to Mother May I, Red Light/Green Light, tried to play Octopus, and then fox and hound. It was a blast to see these children run, smile, laugh, truly be children. One of the children who has had a difficult rehabilitation joined in the fun. It was the happiest I have seen her. She even spoke. It was the first time, I heard her speak verbally. We were leaving she hollered down from the balcony to us. So great to see her happy and playing with us. I was afraid she would only associate me with "hurting" her as we have to push hard to stretch her during therapy. 

It was interesting to note that many of the older children had difficulty counting. During one of the games, a number was held up on fingers. Several of them had to physically touch the fingers while counting because they could not recognize the number by sight. If the game had more than 1-2 rules, they were unable to figure out how to play it. I am not sure what the education is like away from the large cities. I did not even think about it until we played the games. It was a good reminder that helping fix one physical problem does not change the whole person. We are complex: mind, body, and spirit. While they are all intertwined and can effect each other, they are also distinct.

On the way back from the HOPE Center, we had a little extra time before the arranged meeting time for the day crew. We stopped in at a local bakery and creamery for a treat. My friend picked out some vanilla yogurt for a snack. The owner was running the cash register. When she gave him the money, he responded, "It's free today. Your friend can have one too on us." Wow! God was letting us know he was aware of us and what was happening in our lives. He unexpectedly blessed us with a cool, sweet, treat. 

We came back to the ship hosting one of the day workers and his family. We gave them a tour of the ship, had dinner in the dining room, and then went to the Palm Sunday Service. They enjoyed going up on Deck 7 and watching the boats come in/out of the port. One in the party was a three year old boy. During the service, he became tired and crawled into my lap. Not too long after he fell asleep. What a neat way to end a great day, holding a peaceful sleeping boy while smelling the fresh large (floor to ceiling) palms, singing worship songs. 

Showing Love...Continued

The patients I have been working with on the ship...well the tent on the dock :)...have taught me both how to receive love and give love better. Due to patients being treated first come first serve, I have treated many different patients. Having been here a month, I am able to recognize and remember some just by their names on the schedules. Within the first week, however, they began showing love to me. Me, a white female whom they have never seen before who is working with them.  Some of my best moments here in Congo have been playing with the children at the Hope Centre (where patients stay after they are discharged from the hosptial). They trust you quickly. They are full of joy, excitement, energy. They want to hug you, climb on you, play with you. It is so nice to see them as children not patients. This is a different side of them than we see day to day in the rehab tent.

The definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 displays the multiple dimensions and components of love. Love is much bigger and deeper than I usually think. It is encouraging and challenging that love is more complex than the physical love or flippant use of love/like. I have seen love and realized that I have been loving people more than I realized over the years. Love is difficult too. There are many areas of love in which I need to grow!

  4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Patient/ not easily angered:
People wait for hours to have their time with the rehab team. They often have traveled for an hour, waited at the train station for transportation from Mercy Ships, wait outside the rehab tent until their number is called, wait while their pressure garment or splint is made or customized, wait for transportation back to where they are staying. They never say a word about having to wait. They truly do wait patiently, sometimes all day. They remain grateful for what they have received. I never thought about patience as a part of love. They are patient with us. I am still working on being patient with others in all circumstances. 

Kind: 
One of the important customs here is to greet everyone in the room when you enter and leave the room. Often this is done verbally and with a handshake or hug. This is a sign of respect and kindness acknowledging everyone who is present. One of the "small things" that is not so small that Mercy Ships does for the outpatients is provide two pieces of bread and butter, water, and shade under tents for them to wait. They all enjoy the substance as they wait the long hours during the day. This is one way we can show our love for them. 

It does not Envy:

It does not boast; Is not proud:
I have been grateful for how well the Rehab team works together as a team. We play to each others strengths and skills. We all have different levels of experience as therapists and different areas of knowledge. We are not too proud to ask for another opinion or expertise. We are all willing to learn from each other and from our patients. We are willing to give others what we have to give and do not expect recognition. 

It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking:
Some of us are more challenging to love and work with than others. Remembering that everyone is created in God's image and has value no matter how they behave any particular day is key. It is often difficult as a human as we want to keep a record of wrong. It is also important for me to remember tone of voice communicates more than the actual words. It conveys honor or dishonor.  Likewise, working as a team and not taking credit for something turning out successfully or looking out what is best for me at the moment is part of honoring others.  

Keeps no record of wrong:
I am asking them to perform tasks that are very difficult and often new for them. Also I am stretching them to the point of temporary pain (like pulling your finger back to where you feel significant discomfort). Despite the age, the session will usually contain a combination of whimpers, tear, and screams (sometimes), no I can't do that, trying to perform the task in an easier way but not getting the benefit of the task, "bravos" when the task is performed or the range of motion desired is reached. After the session, however, they often promptly thank you, hug you, smile at you, laugh with you.  The next day, they are happy to see you work with you again.

Rejoices in the truth:
As I mentioned earlier, even when it is hurtful and disappointing, telling the truth in a respectful, understanding manner.  I have seen how important it is to keep some of the other aspects of love in mind when telling the truth tactfully (kind, does not dishonor, does not keep a record of wrong).  Rejoices in the truth...There is much rejoicing when the truth is goals met, progress made, healing accomplished.

Always protects:
We always ask the question, "How has surgery changed your life?" when a patient is discharged. One of the most common answers is that my child will no longer be laughed at. Parents instinctively want to protect their child. Protect them from physical, spiritual, and emotional pain.  It was been neat to watch the different parent-child relationships. The parents are willing to have their child go through temporary pain to decrease their physical differences in an effort to protect them from social disgrace.

Always trusts:
The patients and patient caregivers trust that the people in the big white ship know what they are doing and will care for themselves or loved ones well. They are willing to allow us to put their legs in casts, splints, and stretch and challenge to the point of significant discomfort and inconvenience if we advise it. Often this is blind trust as some have had previous medical procedures elsewhere that have failed or did not have desired outcome.

Always hopes:
Patients hope for good outcomes. Therapists hope for good outcomes and good carry over.Therapists hope for continued progress. Hope is one of the keys for patients and therapists to continue on the journey together.

Always perseveres:
Healing of bones, skin grafts,  and obtaining range of motion all take a long time. Working hard to maintain range and gain strength and function when there is nerve damage, requires perseverance for months. Scars take up to 2 years to full form. Bones continue to strengthen with weightbearing. Nerves regrow very slowly. Also, therapists and patients keep trying different exercises, splints, combinations for months to obtain the best result possible for them. It is not an easy road, but often has a wonderful ending.

These are some of the ways I have been receiving and giving love in the past few weeks. It is quite the journey to Love the way Jesus has instructed us to love. I am so thankful that God's love is unconditional as unfathomable as the concept is. I am grateful he loves me through thick and thin and truly exemplifies all the above characteristics. Ready, Set, Go love :)

Showing Love...an Introduction

In the United States, the word love is tossed around flippantly. I love those shoes. I love chocolate. I love to go to the beach. Some people are quick to say I love you.  Some are very protective of those words and only say them when they truly mean them. In the Bible three levels and type of love are refer to: philia (friendship), eros (physical/romantic love) and agape (unconditional love).  As long as I can remember, I have struggled truly giving love and receiving love from others. I was blessed with parents who were very loving and expressed it to us daily. They repeatedly stated there was nothing we could do or say that would stop them from loving us.  I had no reason to doubt them. I, however, had a difficult time believing this truth. In return, I was hesitant to love others fearing they may hurt me. 

I remember having a conversation with one of my roommates several years ago when I was in a difficult place mentally. I expressed to her my reservations. I even went as far to say that I did not think that humans were capable of unconditionally loving someone. So why allow myself to love someone when I am just opening myself up to be wounded. I asked her what it means to love someone. Anyone: a spouse, a family member, a child, a stranger, a friend. She referred to the Bible which holds the true standard of love. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied, Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Second, love your enemy as yourself. He also said love later in another conversation that " no one has greater love, than he who would lay down his life for another."  Wow! That sure gives me a wake up call to the definition of love. 

 It was after this conversation that I had another one with a special couple that I knew socially, but not deeply. After some small talk, I felt comfortable telling them parts of my life story that I had not shared with anyone. I was scared they would severely judge me; I would lose the perception that I had everything under control. When I finished, much to my surprise, they reached out and hugged me. They did not try to belittle the struggles, judge my decisions, or show me pity. They did not say anything but simply loved me. This was the beginning of a wonderful, unique friendship.  

In the recent years, I have grown in my understanding of love and have branched out to care and love more people. As God has continued to work in my life through difficult circumstances and proven himself faithful, I have begun to trust Him more. It is amazing how He has consistently shown me love through the years. We have walked through many joys and many trials together. I know these would have been impossible without Him. The journey has certainly had its ups and downs. Even when I get mad or "need space", He has continued to love me in unique ways. 

I heard repeatedly in the more recent years that the person you love most is the person that can hurt you the worst. What a interesting dynamic. A large component of love is trust.  Trust that the person has your best interest in mind; trust that they will be by your side with the celebrations; trust that they will be by your side during the dark difficult times; trust that you will work out issues that make one or both parties mad; trust that they will give their life for you.

I never would have guessed that I would learn and experience love to a new level while serving with a hospital ship docked in Pointe Noire, Congo.  This blog has turned out to be a long introduction to the next one about what I have been learning here in the past two weeks about love. 

Lost in Translation

As I sit here and think about how to express this, I am reminded of what Dad often tells me in our talks. Sometimes we talk about the wonderful and joyous happenings. Sometimes we try to solve the world's problems knowing full well we can't. Sometimes we just share about life together. Sometimes, however, I call him in the difficult transitions for encouragement and a listening ear. In these conversations, he often reminds me of the fact I have chosen to go on these adventures. The challenges are apart of the journey. I could just as easily choose to stay in one job and live in one place likely leading to a more predictable and easier life in some ways. I am then jolted from the edge of the cliff of a pity party with the realization that I did choose to be adventurous in this season of my life. I am reminded too of the fact that without the challenges, the joys would not be as precious.  

One of the challenges that has been a common thread/challenge through many of my adventures is the title of this blog entry...Lost in Translation. We all have had a good laugh when we have made mistakes of giving someone a kiss "besos" when they ask for a glass "vasos". Or telling someone we are married "casada" when we are trying to say we are tired "cansada."  Many of us have also had the adventures of communicating with taxi driver thinking the plan of where we are going and what time to pick us up and the price is clear. At the end of the exchange, nothing that was agreed upon happens. When using a translator to communicate, sentences are simplified, ideas need to be very clear, and medical terms are often not used as they do not know the translation. Sometimes, I will say one sentence and the translator goes on and on for 2 minutes. Other times I say a whole lot and they speak for 2 sentences. I never truly know what is lost in translation.  It is a strange, uncomfortable feeling that I have experienced in California, Guatemala, and now here. I have to trust God who speaks all languages that what needs to be communicated is.

Most of us have heard how important the component of nonverbal communication is in getting your point across. I agree and have experienced that attitudes, gestures, facial expressions, even writing numbers down, nodding and shaking heads can all be very helpful in getting directions, directing a therapy session, even sharing love, comfort, and encouragement. While I do agree it is very helpful, especially when the verbal communication is greatly lacking, verbal communication is vital to understanding.  Have you ever noticed that when people who do not speak the same language fluently will often nod and smile as if they are understanding everything. In reality, at best only sporadic words are pieced together to reveal the context of what is exchanged. Sometimes I ask a question that is answered with a nod of the head indicating yes. You then immediately follow with the opposite question to test understanding and that too is met with a nod of a head indicating yes. Another example follows: when I ask if the patient or parent of a patient has any questions after I finish my explanation. I am asked a question that I just spent 3 minutes explaining. I know then they they did not understand what I tried to communicate through the translator. Nonverbal communication cannot be relied on solely as it can give false verification that what is being said is being understood. So much is lost in translation.

Another component of communication that I have realized here to a new depth is the culture. The exact same words can be said even in different areas of the United States or different families and be interpreted totally differently. For example, something one person meant as a compliment can be interpreted as an insult. Sometimes what one person thinks is a hilarious joke is met with blank stares by others.  Working in the medical field, one is blessed to see miracles, healing progressing, and lives changed forever.  Sometimes, however, things do not meet patients or families expectations; sometimes surgeries do not go as planned; sometimes there are complications in the healing process that change the outcome.

This is difficult to swallow both for the patient, patient's family, and healthcare professionals. We all process and deal with difficulties differently. We can face it head on. We can become bitter. We can try to ignore it stuffing it deep inside us. Here, I realized for the first time how much culture plays a factor in how we deal with challenges or "bad news."  Once again so much is lost in translation.  Here, even my coworkers who speak French well, will choose to use a translator to communicate news of this sort expecting it to be translated directly. This is in an effort that the information will be communicated with their cultural relevance. Those who speak French can tell what is spoken and what it not. Lingala and Kimbuto are other languages commonly spoken here which all of us have to rely on translators to speak.  Often the facts of the unmet expectations are not communicated to the patient in the manner we desire. I have even heard translators say, "I am not telling them that." 

Simply not telling the patient in my culture is not the loving option. Do not get me wrong, I have been on the other side; the one receiving the difficult news. It is hard! I would rather know what is happening. If one does not know the reality, how can one prepare or take appropriate steps forward to address it. Sometimes the reality is the circumstances look bleak now, but healing takes longer than expected. The circumstances may improve with hard work of strengthening, stretching, bracing, and love. Even if they do not, people need to know the truth of their new life. The balance of providing hope to continue on and providing truth of the present reality is very difficult. This is what is often lost in translation.  I do not have any ideas for solutions. I just have unfinished, raw thoughts praying that God in His sovereignty will give the wisdom, peace, and comfort to all involved to communicate the truth in love and the grace and perseverance to live each day.

The Art of Physical Therapy

Some days are more challenging than others on the ship. As I alluded to earlier, the type of patients that the Rehab team sees are orthopedics (tibial, femoral, and midfoot osteotomies and a few tendon transfers) and plastics (burn contracture releases with skin grafts). I have not had any previous experience with this type of therapy even in a developed country. At this time in the field service we have a few orthropedic patient still, but mostly plastics.

In many ways, I feel like I am on a clinical (working in the field while still in school). When you are in the midst of it, it is hard to remember that you have learned and progressed. Not only are these types of patients new, but treating with Mercy Ships, PTs are able to peform tasks that specialists do in other counties (Orthotists, Prosthetists, burn care specialists). For example, fitting pressure garments, casting, splinting, making and changing orthotics, even one prosthesis was made. More on that later.  In order to make these, skill and ingenuity are required. The following effect the way the splint or orthotic will be made: the shape of the body part, which nerves and muscles are working, where the wounds are, and how long they have been healed, the splint or orthotic will be made.

In physical therapy school, we are taught that physical therapy is a mix of science and art. The evidence of this is played out well here. For example, a 10 year old boy who had burn contracture of his ankle released months ago was still having pain in his foot. The was his foot was positioned, he could not get is his toe or the inside of his foot on the ground making it difficult to walk correctly. Placing a 1/4 of corkboard under the outside border of his foot after performing some joint mobilizations aligned his foot completely on the ground. Usually, I am recommending orthotics for arch support (the other side of the foot).  After cutting it out and covering it with mullskin, I placed it in his shoe that was two sized too big. He was able to walk without pain.

My coworkers who are more experienced with splinting will make a splint out of different materials considering the strength needed to maintain the stretched position and the size of the splint. The complicating factor is that often we are working around wounds that are still healing or the position of the elbow or ankle is not ideal for typical splinting. The splints can often be remolded as the patients joint movement improves with stretching. Sometimes a prefabricated splints for ankle can be used and adapted to the patients individual needs. Extra padding, velcro and extra straps and a sewing machine makes it good as new.

Pressure garments are another important component of the healing process of skin grafts used in the release of burn contractures. In more developed countries, a patient is measured and a pressure garment is individually made for that specific patient. Similar to the prefabricated ankle splints, we have prefabricated pressure garments in various sizes for different body parts (chest, face, arms, hands, legs, ankles). As we all know from trying to buy clothes that fit, no one fits perfectly into a size. As mentioned above, the skin graft may be in a location that is difficult to apply pressure. Pressure garments are taken in in appropriate spots to make it fit on the skin perfectly. Sometimes additional straps are used or pieces from a different pressure garment are sewn together.

It is truly amazing how a "scrap" from one splint, strap, or pressure garment will be used in another. God provides. It is a good reminder he cares about the details. Also, sewing skills is on the list of things to learn in the next three months. 

A Glance into Happenings with Mercy Ships

There are so many different programs and outings happening on the ship. This is a snippet into some of the ones I have had a glimpse into. One of the programs on the ship is restoring life to ladies who have been often lost identity, been ostracized by family, lost a baby. Due to very long labors, days, they develop incontinence due to obstetric fistulas  Here they receive physical healing and hope. When they are healed and ready to return home, the ship has a DRESS CEREMONY. This is how it is described on the Mercy Ships site:  "Each woman received a new dress and was treated as a queen as she was prepared for the celebration. Women who once lived as outcasts now dance with renewed joy."

In this Dress Ceremony, the ward is packed with people from all over the ship. Balloons and streamers are hung and chairs are set in the center for the women being honored.  The women process into the ward to African drum music in their beautiful colorful traditional dresses and head wear. They are beaming. After a brief message, they are all given the opportunity to share briefly. They are then presented with a gift bag which contains the following: soap to remind them they have been washed clean by Jesus' blood, lotion to remind them they are a princess of the King as they are applying it, a mirror to look at to see the are beautiful because they were made in the image of God, and a small Bible with the New and Old Testament.  It was amazing to see first hand the physical and spiritual healing that occurs on the ship. I pray that God will continue to walk with them day by day as they begin a new life.

The HOPE CENTRE is the hospital outpatient extension. It is where the patients stay when they are discharged from the hospital, but are not ready to return home. Many of the plastics and orthopedic patients stay here for months. Due the home environment, it would be impossible for children in a cast or two (one on each leg) to even get to their house from the main roads. They would be unable to get on and off the ground, squat to go to the bathroom, or leave their house. The patients with wound healing from plastics would have a very difficult time avoiding infection. Here at they are able to sleep on bunk beds complete with mosquito nets, provided food, clean bathrooms with showers and toilets, transportation to and from the ship for their wound care, rehabilitation, and other follow up appointments. The families truly become a community as they often live there for months. Crew from the ship come some days bringing crafts and singing songs. Other times crew just pop in to play and talk to the adults and children. It was so nice to walk into the compound and have several hugs and be able to play with them. One of the adult patients I have been working with wanted to show me her bed and how she had hung the theraband to perform her exercises. It was nice to see them outside the port and simply being regular people rather than patients.

NUTRITIONAL AGRICULTURE PROGRAM This program was taking place outside of Dolisie (where I went last weekend).  The government had set aside the land for farming, but it was not being used properly. Mercy Ships was given the opportunity to use it for this program. The land is now ready and will continue to be maintained by some nationals. This Friday morning, I heard a report and saw a wonderful video showing the program from beginning to end.  These are some of the highlights I remember.  A team of three train nationals on organic sustainable farming. There were 19 weeks of training which included topics of composting, animal production, nutrition (making yogurt, soy milk and cheese), food transformation, communication for development (how to teach others at home), entrepreneurship. 25 were trained and the next few weeks will be followed up in their villages to see how their farming is going. 

Mercy Ministries also has weekly outings to several orphanages: one for boys only, one for babies, one for children with HIV and special needs. They also work weekly with senior centre, deaf school, prison ministry, and others. So many opportunities to serve others on and off the ship. 

Happy Birthday

My birthday aboard the Africa Mercy was definitely a birthday to remember.  I was met with many balloons hanging from the ceiling and a birthday banner on the wall outside my door that morning. (We do not lack for much on the ship. It is possible to buy balloons, cake mixes, and banners in the ship shop). There happened to be shortcakes for breakfast. Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite birthday treats. I was blessed with the shortcake surprise. Went I entered the Rehab tent, I was greeted with more balloons and banners that my coworkers and day crew put up. I also received a necklace freshly made from the spools of casting fiberglass and a bracelet made of rings of splinting material.

At lunch the bell in the dining room was rung. This signals everyone currently present to sing "Happy Birthday." Later in the afternoon, we shared the fun tradition of dying eggs with the day workers. Some background will be helpful to understand the significance of this birthday activity. My birthday is often near Easter. Growing up, my family celebrated Easter with sunrise services, special church services Thursday or Friday, sometimes a new dress, a special dance. It was about celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. The egg dying and egg hunts was associated with my birthday. The simple joys of being a child is remarkable sometimes. My brother and I would find hours of pleasure for a week or two putting the plastic eggs together in fun color combinations and hiding them over and over again for ourselves and neighbors. It was just the joy of hide and seek. No candy, no golden egg, no dying eggs. Of course, Dad would hide them the best at my birthday parties. When we got older, we did participate in egg hunts hosted by church or family.  Sometimes we did dye hard boiled eggs. Deciding which colors to make and then designing the eggs was a wonderful activity as well.

My coworkers asked how I wanted to celebrate my birthday and dying eggs came to mind. The day workers as would be expected had never heard of such a crazy idea. Most mornings, we have the opportunity to choose and eat up to 4 hard boiled eggs. The eggs here are brown. The day workers said they rarely see white eggs here. Each of us picked out allotted amount of brown eggs that morning. It was nice to not have to boil them. A coworker had actually brought food coloring with her planning to dye eggs herself at Easter. We had crayons in the tent that we used to mark on the eggs. After watching us, the day workers enjoyed drawing on and dying eggs themselves. In case you were wondering, brown eggs can be dyed. In fact, the final product eggs are earthy colored...blue turns to teal, green turns olive green, red becomes bright maroon, purple turns a brown with purple tint, and orange did not color the egg much. Another coworker made cupcakes and had chocolate icing and sprinkles. Guess what type of cupcakes they were. Sprinkle batter! This is one of my favorite, and she had no idea.

It was neat to see how God shows us in unexpected ways how he cares for the details in our lives. The blessings of balloons, shortcake, dying eggs, sprinkle cupcakes. I had no idea to even ask for these. I actually have not celebrated with these fond traditions in several years. As one ages physically, it is important to have moments of pleasures of kids. After all, we should all have a little  kid in us at heart. It was a wonderful day of feeling loved by those far away through messages on facebook and email and celebrating with new people. 

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles

Well, not quite. It was really landrover, train, taxi, walking, bus, landrover. Last Sunday, 7 of us from 5 different nationalities made a day trip to Dolicie, Congo. It is a fours away from Pointe Noire. The adventure actually began last week when the only person in the group that spoke French and I made a quick trip during lunch to buy the train tickets. We quickly changed our scrubs tops, grabbed hats and sunblock to apply on our way out of the ship.When we arrived at the train station, we saw two clumps of people standing in front of two windows. There were no labels above the windows stating which train tickets they were selling. After being shoved out of the clump a few times, we found out we were at the incorrect window. Once we were standing directly in front of the correct window, a gentleman came in and handed his passport through the slot in the window right over ours. We were able to purchase all 7 first class tickets for Sunday's adventure. We then experienced walking through the port in the middle of the day as quickly as we could.  We were actually moving much quicker than the cars as there was a traffic jam.  Mission accomplished!

At 6:15am, we were able to catch a ride from the ship to the train station from a shuttle that was making an early airport run. We made it on the train at 6:30 as they CFCO (train company) recommended. Our seats were in pairs facing each other with a table in between. The train actually left on time: 7:00am.  The scenery was very neat to see. It changed from the city, to railroad cars, to rolling hills, to thick trees, to randoms houses, even a flare from oil processing burn off. We even had the pleasure of a grand mare (policeman)sitting with us pointing out were previous train accidents had occurred and giving us information about the building of the railway.  Four of us took advantage of the dining car on the train. We had some delicious fried plantains while still enjoying the scenery.

Upon arriving in Dolicie, we were quite the scene. Not only were we the whitest colored people as far as you could see, but we all quickly pulled our bottles of sunscreen out to apply. The looks we got were saying, "Why are these white people painting themselves even more white?" We then made our journey to the bus station which was about 20 minutes away by taxi. We purchased the last tickets on the 30 seat bus. We were very excited about getting these so we would not have to pay for the taxi back to Pointe Noire.

We all piled into the two taxies again to go to the Market. The market had food on the bottom level of the building and cloth and shoes on the top level. The balcony provided a great view of the streets surrounding the market which were full of vendors as well. We also had time to walk down the road a little ways past the market. We happened upon a lady who was cooking the equivalent of fresh doughnuts. We purchased a few. When we ate them later, we had a wonderful surprise as there was banana inside. 

We got a taxi back to the bus station where we promptly piled onto the bus. The lack of personal space reminds me very much of riding on chicken buses in Guatemala. Five of us were in the very back of the bus with every square inch of the bus filled. We also had the privileged of having live chickens that were tied together at their feet behind out seat. We had African AC which works well only when the vehicle is moving. We began our journey to our surprise once again on time. The chickens in the back would make their presence known with every bump in the road. Every thing was going smoothly until we heard a pop that sounded like a tire blowing. 

The bus driver promptly pulled over towards the side of the road and all 30 of us piled out. The tire appeared intact, but there was a set amount of fluid leaking from under the tire. They decided to take the tire off anyways. We sat on the side of the road for 2hours. We were told a vehicle was bringing something to fix it. After two hours, there was no sign of any movement forward literally or figuratively towards getting back. At this time, darkness was arriving and we decided to call the ship to notify them of our situation. 

The Safety officer stated he would get someone and they would be out to get us. We were told by the passengers on the bus we were half way between Dolicie and Pointe Noire. This would mean at least another 2 hour wait. We were all together with most of the people who were on the bus too sitting or standing on the side of the road. We moved from behind the bus where we were either playing a card game or reading to the side of the bus between the bus and the gutter that was 2.5 feet deep. Here we were able to watch the stars. I saw the Southern Cross constellation for the first time. Another girl saw fireflies for the first time. We prayed, sang worshiped songs, talked about how we celebrated Lent and Easter. 

Two and half hours later we were overjoyed to by the sight of the Mercy Ships logo on the landrover. We were informed that we were only 70km from Dolicie...much closer to Dolice than Pointe Noire. I was surprised yet again, that the safety officer was not upset with us. He said we did everything right. It just happens sometimes. He said in orientation that the ship will come to our aid. We found out that they are definitely true to their word. What a blessing! When we left after waiting 4.5 hours, the other passengers of the bus were still sitting on the side of the road with no sign of a vehicle coming to their rescue.

All in all, it was a very nice day of seeing and experiencing places different than the port area of Pointe Noire. 

Community--Part 2

I was thinking after I posted the last blog about the positives of this unique community. Mercy Ships was one man's dream that has come to fruition. It has been possible as the dream has carried over to thousands of people of the many years that Mercy Ships has existed. I have met one person who dreamed of coming to Mercy Ships since she was 13 years old. We all are here for the same reason to show God's love and care in practical way to someone who does not have the resources otherwise. 

It is amazing how many different jobs are necessary to make this ship run all to show hope and healing through God's grace to patients. There are Admission's nurses, surgeons with specialties, OR nurses, PACU nurses, anesthetists, anesthetist assistants, ward nurses around the clock, physical therapists, occupational therapists, xray technicians, pharmacists, lab workers, pathologist sometimes, cooks, dining room crew, engineers to keep the power running, the ship level, water clean, plumbing working, IT specialists, security people, safety officers, dental team(dentists and hygienists),  eye team (nurses, doctors, assistants), ward doctor, outpatient (wound care nurses), dressing team (nurses for dressing changes in the hospital), Day crew for translators and other tasks to make the ship run smoothly, hospitality and reception around the clock, and the administration on the ship, laundry for ship scrubs and hospital sheets, towels, etc, school teachers and principal, people who manage and run the HOPE Centre where patient can stay after they are discharged from the hospital but still need Rehab and/or wound care, supply, bank, hospital administration, post office, purser, communications (photos, writers, webdesigner). I am sure there are other things on the ship that I have not thought about. 

This is an very neat and unique community to be apart of even for a brief time. It is a good practical example of the scripture where Paul talks about everyone performing their gifts and skills. We are all part of the body. Just as a eye cannot be a foot and a heart cannot be a stomach, a OR nurse cannot do physical therapy well. We are all needed to make the ship run well. It truly is amazing that it does run as well as it does with all the people who serve coming and going. 

Rainy Saturday--Community

This Saturday, I went with a group to an orphanage of boys and girls with special needs and who are HIV positive. It was cloudy when we left the ship. We drove about 20-30 minutes on paved and unpaved roads. While there we sang songs, talked about what prayer was, made a craft, and then played unorganized games. While we made the craft, the rain began. Several of the children and Mercy Ship crew played soccer in the mud. Well, chased, kicked, and slide in the mud for quite some time. 

I, however, had the privilege of stretching and working in core strength with a little girl who likely has cerebral palsy. I also had the opportunity to "play" Connect Four with a 12 year old boy with autism. He was perfectly content with picking out the yellow and only yellow pieces from the box. He then promptly placed all the piece back into the box.  Both of these children did not make eye contact, yet communication nonverbally. Often babies who have been abandoned or orphaned have difficulty connecting/bonding with anyone. One of the common physical characteristics of this is little to no eye contact. (This will tie in to the community bit at the end.)

When it began to rain harder and harder we decided it was time to leave as the unpaved roads fill with puddles quickly. We made it back to the ship safe and sound. As it had been raining, the ship was very quiet. Most people were in their cabins napping or watching a movie. I too enjoyed relaxing in the top bunk cubbie reading and writing. 

Some of the thoughts I was having were about community and love. How is community created? How is community maintained? How does community work with a constant flow of people in and out of it? How can I feel so alone in a crowd, yet feel so loved when  patients adult and children who are virtually stranger hug me?  Do not have answers to these questions. 

I do know that community is important. I know that we all crave to feel connected and apart of something greater than ourselves. I know too that we all have the innate quality to self-protect. I have been processing this as a travel physical therapist. How do you invest when you know you will be leaving in 3 months. While you will be leaving, connecting with a few people is critical. God has blessed be with a few deeper relationships everywhere I have gone. 

Here on the ship, it is different, people are constantly coming and going. About 25% of the crew changes over every month. Some are brand new, like me. While others are repeat offenders, as they say. This means they have come to multiple field-services, but they only stay for a few months. A short-termer's life here on the ship is very different than a longer termers. To the long termers credit, it is hard to make friends and have deeper relationships with people you know will be leaving in a few weeks. Your heart would get ripped to shreds if you invested in relationships over and over. I think they have a tight community.Those of us who are here for briefer stays tend to make friendships with the people who came on the ship the same week or two as you. 

Perhaps it is my introvert nature, but it feels like a mixture of summer camp and highschool. I have many cursory relationships. I can always find someone to eat a meal with 3 times a day. I have friendships with coworkers and fellow crewmates to go on adventures and outings into town which is important.. I, however, have not developed a truly close relationship. I think it is a combination of self-preservation and the ever changing dynamics on the ship.

I cannot tell you though how special it is to get a genuine hug, hand hold, or smile from a patient. As many of you know, I am not one who normally seeks or desires human touch. I have experienced the power of human touch when I am touching someone while treating them. Sometimes it literally brings them to tears. Here, however, I am the one being blessed by the spontaneous touch of children as an expression of thankfulness and love. This has been a surprise to me. 

What are your thoughts on community? Curious to hear.