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.