Quite a week thus far.

Mainly Gyn cases, and thus VERY thankful Renee Knutson is here. She is invaluable.

This morning we held journal club and I think the guys appreciated it greatly. It was on ectopic pregnancies, which generated a lot of questions regarding various clinical situations here in

the jungle. Quite a lively and good conversation. I enjoy those "learning" times where everyone is involved and actively processing new information and applying it to their lives immediately. One of the primary reasons I enjoy these opportunities.

OR #2 still has no air-conditioner. A new experience today was seeing water run off my sleeve and onto the OR table. I thought it was coming from the ceiling - but no - it was

coming out of my gloves! It was so warm the perspiration had built up to form little pools in my sleeves, which eventually leaked out and started running down my arms! There was literally sweat sloshing around in my gown sleeves. Oh, well. The hemorrhoidectomy turned out well, and the intern learned a bit in the process, which is why we are here.

Turns out it was up to 97 F today. But only around 50% humidity - so not bad all the way around, except if you are in a little room with a tin roof, hot sun, no windows, and no air moving :) It's the little things which make it memorable.

Otherwise it is a joy to work with these residents. They are all "junior" level (3rd year and younger) but already are showing great aptitude and far excel their stated levels. It is fun to operate with them, and the teaching/learning ratio is about even as I learn their techniques on some cases while practicing my French. They speak to me in English, and I try to reply in French, but quite frankly it is mostly in English that anything is actually understood!

Rounding Peds is fun, although a bit sad with some of the cases. One little gal has severe hydrocephalus. She is shunted now, but her head is several times too big for her little eyes. She is quite sweet, and doesn't cry immediately when she sees me now. We are so incredibly blessed in the US with healthcare well beyond anything else in the world. All politics aside, we live in a country with blessings well outside the norm for anywhere else in the world.

Tomorrow promises to be a full day. Many options, depending on which patients are ready, and which ones show up tonight. A variety of Colon, Gyn, Ortho, and General surgery cases - most of which would only be tackled by the "super-specialist" in the U.S. Here they have to do with us. Praying for wisdom and reading a LOT in preparation for the cases. Renee is doing the same. Thankful for a good team of surgeons in training, great attitudes, and fun people to work along side as we seek to ease the suffering of the people here.

Thankful for the privilege to be here - well aware of and humbled by what God is doing.

Feeling a lot like a turtle on a fence post at the moment.

Thank you for your prayers!