Mali - August 17, 2009

Ne's smile is one of the greatest "Thank you" I've ever received!

The little gal went home this week, and took a bit of my heart with her.

I came to help at the Women's and Children's hospital of Koutiala, Mali. But I know I received as much, if not more, than what I gave here.

Ne's operation went well. Thank you to those who were praying. She recovered well, and finally smiled :) That was a happy day. Both she and her older brother received Christ a few weeks ago. She was here nearly three months, and had ample opportunity to see the lives the Christians lived out daily, and to receive their love and care. She in turn shared her little heart with us. I only knew her for just over a week, but the rest of the staff knew her well. After multiple abdominal operations for perforated Typhoid infection, she is finally well, and

normal again. Truly normal in a very real way.

God is GOOD.

I have been truly blessed with time to work and time to rest. The time here has flown by, but in a non-hurried sort of way. The interaction with staff and patients has been good. And I have had time to rest and reflect along the way. It seems like life always appears to have a different perspective coming from the sands of the Sahara.

I'm starting to realize deep within my heart just how important it is to take time to reflect and acknowledge God's hand in our lives. I believe Jesus talked about that a fair bit - I just have not taken it to heart as much as I should. Thankful for His patience.

There are many memories I'll take with me as I leave.

Besides Ne, there are a few women who had C-sections who have done quite well. And their babies are quite cute! The woman with a uterus

swelled with tumor to the edge of her ribs, the baby who's belly was as big as he was - and died the same night. The woman who is a year younger than I, who we told would have to go home - there is no cure for her cancer. Or the

woman who came in with a swollen leg, and then died suddenly.

But there is also the little 2 y/o girl who swallowed lye, and we dilated her esophagus twice so far and she is doing well! Swallowing liquids again. Or the little baby that I helped the pediatrician with for 2-3 hours this afternoon - holding off his Malaria and sepsis.

And the brave little girl who never winced and even thanked me (in English!) after I removed her stitches :)

Swimming, sharing dinners, relaxing evenings, cool rains, and even a rainbow are just a few of the memories I take with me.

But it is the people, the staff, and friends like

Saskia, Jake, and Nienke who have made this time so meaningful. It is the eternal aspect of living life now and one step closer into eternity.

People and God's word - two things which are

eternal. And that is what Life is about - God and

people, and our relationship to both.

Saskia is the Dutch physician who I've known since Gabon. An incredible heart for the people, and a joy to work with. Jake is an ICU nurse who does anesthesia par excellance - and has a wit to boot! And Nienke is a medical student from the Netherlands who's assistance was invaluable on rounds. She is quite adept at C-sections too! It has been a joy to work with them, and to know the fellowship that comes from being together as believers. I will be sad to leave them.

Learning to trust God more and more these weeks.

Trust - what lasts for eternity is born today.

God is my Protector, the maker of heaven and earth - and I KNOW I can trust Him. Seeing these women and children come here because they trust us to care for them reminds me of my coming to Christ for the same reason - each day - as I recognize I can not help myself. Humbling, but reality. God is so gracious.

Thank you for your prayers.

I hope to write at least once more before the end of this trip. Thanks for your patience :)

In Him, John

Mali, West Africa, August 2-5, 2009

MALI

Bon jour!

After 36+ hours of travel, miles of the streets of Paris, and three airplanes...I arrived in Bamako, Mali. Arrived in pouring down rain with water running everywhere. Walked off the plane and waited on the stairs while everyone ahead of me tried to get down them without slipping. Finally made the bus. Once we made it to the terminal I waited in the door of the bus till everyone else had crammed into the airport terminal. It was around 8:30pm, dark, warm, and very wet :)
Another traveler, who happened to be a Malian surgeon from Norway, stood together with me in the dry bus till the driver blew his horn at us - he then laughed with us when he realized why we were waiting. We both ducked in the door of the terminal together - only to realize that TWO planes had disembarked, and everyone else around the airport had tried to get into the same dry room. Talk about close pesonal space!
When the luggage started coming in...the electricity started coming on and off. Warm building, flashing lights, no airconditioning, dark, wet, and very, very close. Good thing claustraphobia isn't a worry of mine. Remember the caves in Bongolo? (See below)
After nearly three hours of standing, politely holding my position in the que, and making it through customs, etc...the arrival at Keith and Krista's home was very welcome. It was a fitting end to the flights :) They were staying up to take another traveller back to the airport at 1 am...but I politely excused myself and went to bed just before they left.
The ride to Koutila yesterday was not less eventful :)
I wish I was quick enough to photograph the runaway cow that nearly picked off our front end at 60 mph. Or the people walking down the highway which we passed within inches on occassion. Or when we swerved to the center of the road to avoid a person who ducked off the shoulder, only to nearly collide head-to-head with a truck doing the same thing from the opposite direction to avoid a cart. The herd of goats that ran full-steam across directly in front of us were dead for sure, except Brett was quick on the brakes. A typical drive across Africa for 5-6 hours...except we didn't have any flat tires!
What made it even more African was 5 adults, three children in three car seats with luggage packed into a Toyota. Thankful for airconditioning, and no flat tires :) Moments of quiet followed by moments of amazing sound. Everyone carried a good attitude, which made the trip go quickly.
Today we started at 7:30 with time in the word and prayer- the entire hospital staff. I enjoyed their spirit. Then rounds. Hypocalcemia in a young lady who had a typhoid perforation repaired a week ago - no labs, just phyiscal exam and history. A young baby died last night and we have no idea why - malaria smear negative. Children with cleft lips, burn contractures, neonates, and an amazing little gal 3-4 y/o who survived swallowing lye. She is able to swallow her saliva now :) Cute as a button. Fun to see God healing her.
Tonight it is time to catch up on a bit of sleep. Thankful for all you who are praying. It is good to be here, and I'm thankful for the privilege. God is very good, even when we don't see all the reasons for what is occuring in life. Just grateful to be apart of his family, a member of his body. That is what life is about.