A beautiful day. Warm, sunny, and friendly. The kind of day that you think about when you think of the jungle on the Equator - where there are good friends and good work to do.I sometimes can't quite figure out how God chooses to bless us so much at times. The picture on the right was taken as I walked to the hospital yesterday. The sun was rising, steam rose with it as the jungle stirred and settled from the night activities. Birds began flying and the bats began to roost. And I was wondering how the day would go.
The time here has gone quickly. Monday came and went and it felt like we had been here a week. By the time Wednesday arrived I kept thinking it was Tuesday. Time plays funny tricks on the mind as fans spin keeping the humidity from becoming insufferable. The heat kind of grows on you :)
This morning started with a race - a race to see if twins would survive with one of their umbilical cords prolapsed (delivered without the baby coming too). Jean Claude (pictured below) is the chief resident here while the team is away - so I assist and teach. Needless to say, the assistant gets the bath during a C-section, especially with twins, and emergent. Jean did a great job, and both babies survived! One was a bit depressed, but pulled through in the end. The air-conditioner for the OR remained off till the little ones were out of the room - hence a new level of humidity from my head toes.
After a laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed with video equipment that no one in the US would dare use, we worked on a re-do open fixation of the broken wrist of a 9 y/o girl without the requisite imaging equipment. They brought the films during our last case to show that it was finally put right on the 3rd try. Sweet gal, and tough to see her go through 3 ops to get a broken wrist set right. But hopefully now it will give her back her arm to use in the future.
An open biopsy followed.
Then a hysterectomy along with two other hernia repairs for the same lady.
By the time the day was finished, including morning meeting with entire hospital staff, rounds, C-section... it was time to head to Jean Claude and Christine's house for dinner.
They are a young couple, both physicians, headed to the Congo. There are no qualified surgeons in the entire region. And there have never been either. Jean C. will be pioneering a whole new venture in a hospital made renown by Dr. Helen Roseveare. Jean Claude and Christine's families have been instrumental in the medical and spiritual development of that part of the country. They are returning to begin a new era of healthcare and ministry. Working with them is a real privilege and blessing to me. It is rare to work alongside with people who you know will be the leaders of entire regions of the world. Seeing what God has done in their lives is simply amazing.
Almost forgot - the man with a snake bite :) That was at the end of the day as we finished our last case.
He was sure that two pairs of socks and knit pants were going to be fairly good protection. Unfortunately one of the fangs made it's way through (See picture). So far he is doing well after a boat-load of meds, shots, and IV fluids. Blood will be the next option.
Thankfully bites are rare - at least ones with venom.
That's just a snap shot of the last 14 hours. Not to mention a birthday part on the way home from dinner. Incredible deserts - just to be sure that none of us waste away! I don't know how the missionaries do it - but I've eaten some amazing
meals these past few days. I can't complain in the least. It is a huge privilege and blessing to be here.
Sure, there are bugs, ants, bats, snakes... But there are also good friends, amazing people, amazing patients, opportunities to bless those who have next to nothing, and beautiful people in a beautiful jungle. I am so thankful the people in this part of the world have some place to come to when they are bit by a snake, have painful gallstones, are falling apart, and just plain need help physically and spiritually. Those who have gone ahead make it possible for
those like me to see the rewards of their efforts. I'm still amazed by what they do here.
God is good. Thanks for your prayers.
It worth washing blood off my feet twice today - to see two new babies, and help and old woman see another day. It is a humble privilege. I wonder at what Jesus has done for me.
And those are the initial thoughts for this evening :)
2 comments:
I Peter 1:8-9 & Luke 4:18...I read these verses between your written lines...MJG
Wow, I am amazed at what a day in Gabon brings you, Dr. John. Praise the Lord for how He's using you there ... bringing life and hope to people in desperate and difficult situations. We continue to pray for you :)
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