Night shift

Where to start? I've been busy, busy, busy. I have worked three night shifts this week and was supposed to work at this very moment but somehow I got the night off! Even though it has been an adjustment, night shift has gone very well. It was a transition considering the past four years when I worked night shift it was a twelve hour shift that began at 7 pm. Night shift here, on the ship, start at 9 pm. I have time to hang out and stuff before going to work! Even though my initial training was in D ward (maxilo-facial surgery), I worked in both A & B wards the past nights. A ward is the plastics patients so they are post-op from tumor removals and contracture (when the skin is really tight after a burn) releases. B ward isn't as fun ... alot of men with hernias! But hey, they all need help feeling better. I was amazed that the children in A ward remembered my name after meeting last week during play time. The moment I walked in the door, it was "Kari, Kari!". They are alot of fun, some of them have been there for months secondary to reoccuring infections. I am truly blessed to have the chance to play and talk with them every shift. I also met one of the surgeons last night, his name is Dr. Blair. He is so nice and even invited us to come into the OR sometime to watch an operation.
In other news apparently a southern accent is very similar to British or even Australian accents (according to the African workers here). It was very hard to convince them that I am American, I still don't know if they believe me! Up to this point I thought that my accent was fading but apparently it still is very strong to non-Americans! So ya'll have an awesome day in beautiful Georgia and talk to you real soon! :)

Sugarloaf Mountain

After a week of orientation and working on the ward I decided to branch out and explore a little. A few friends and I signed up to go see a waterfall on Sugarloaf Mountain. Little did I know that it would be one hardcore hike and a very rainy day! All in all it was absolutley gorgeous and only came out with a few scratches. Now I can say that I have hiked in Africa!

We ate lunch in the middle of the river.

Welcome to D Ward!

I've started working in D ward, I have the blue scrubs and all. D ward is primarily Maxilo-Facial and Pediatric, but they do have overflow of any and all of the other surgeries. Today and yesterday were my two orientaion shifts. I will be on my own tomorrow! Definitely alot quicker than my last job where you had months of orienting. So far the shifts have gone well and I am adjusting. On Monday the primary Maxilo-Facial surgeon, Dr. Gary Parker, returns. Therefore I should be alot busier next week with all kinds of new surgeries that I have never come in contact with. I know my fellow nurses will help me though. The whole atmosphere is alot more laid back than at home. No trying to document everything single thing you do for fear of lawsuits. The patients are very kind and gracious. I had the chance to play a very intense game of Jenga today with one young patient. I have to say that he is the champion ... I think he won 4 out of 5 times! All is well otherwise, making some new friends and hanging out with the old ones. Thank you for your continued prayers as I continue to transition in the ward in the coming weeks. 

My own little space

Why hello ... good afternoon to you! My first day on the Africa Mercy has gone well, this morning we took a tour of the ship and now have the rest of the day to rest and relax before the business begins. I wanted to tell you about my wonderful accommodations (seriously they are really nice). I am in a 6 berth cabin so basically, it is a long hallway with 3 little nooks, each little nook has two bunks and two tiny closets. Thankfully I didn't bring all my clothes, this will not be the most fashionable time of my life. Sticking to the basics! Anyway all is good, roommates have been checking up on me and I am settling in. 

See the bunk with the green blanket, it tis my space of my very own!

What have I been doing since I left?

These past two weeks I have had the opportunity to experience a whole new world. After flying to Sierra Leone we spent these two weeks in a small village near the capital of Freetown. The name of the village is Yam’s Farm. Once known for their growth of, you guessed it, yams. Now they are a poor fishing village. We hosted a VBS in the small local Christian school and built a latrine for the school.
            Even though the children learn about the Bible in school, it was the first time they had fun and sang songs while doing it. We taught them several songs including an interactive version of “Jesus Loves Me” that involves clapping. It was a lot of fun.

The construction crew built a small concrete building that contains three latrines. This will be very beneficial for the school considering that the children had been going to the bathroom in a hole filled with maggots. To be a government recognized school, they needed appropriate bathroom facilities.

We also hosted a wound care and basic first aid class. The amount of wounds and extent of infection was astounding. Because the children only wear flip flops and love to run and play soccer they get a lot of cuts and abrasions on their feet. Without proper cleaning with clean water and soap the continuing walk through trash and dirt cause infection. Sadly some will die because of a simple cut that turned into sepsis. 

            We also had a dentist on our team, Toni. Poor Toni was so very busy, pulling teeth of at least 80 people. She even had one incident where she pulled out more than a tooth, but that is a long story and more information than you would ever want to know. When we arrived to the village on one of the days we had at least fifty people patiently waiting to see her. Word had got out that we were running a dental clinic. Sadly she already had her patient list and was unable to take additional patients.

Mamy found me every single day of VBS just so she could hold my hand and sit with me. She reminded me of myself in the fact that she is very quiet. The biggest difference is that she always has a really serious look on her face (of course I'm usually smiling).

The latrines that the super duper strong and tough construction crew built.

Official Africa Mercy Crew Member

It's official I am an Africa Mercy crew member ... I have the badge to prove it! I have moved into my room and met two of my five room-mates. They were both very welcoming and sweet. Though it's tiny I have made my bed a home. Today has been pretty good, we had to finish up some paperwork but otherwise all good. I have been a little down lately when I think about what it will be like when I come home in November. It is pretty much going to be totally different than when I left. People have  moved on with their lives and haven't been there. I'm sure that I will be different as well. I have absolutely no idea what my future holds, so if you could say a little prayer for me that would be awesome. I definitely need some clarity about the future. In other news I haven't downloaded my pictures yet, but they will be up soon. More information to come soon <3

One hour of internet ...

Hello everyone! I'm alive :D I have one hour of internet use while visiting the ship. The ship is amazing. Just like a really cool community. There is so much stuff I want to tell you about!!! We have been in the Yams Farm community for almost a week now, the people are so kind. I don't have my camera here with me but I will post alot of pictures very soon. The children are adorable! Whenever we come down the road they run to the van just so they can hold our hands. They are so loving and well mannered. We have been having a VBS for them and have taught them "Jesus Loves Me". They are really quick learners. The majority of them speak at least a little English, even if it is hard to understand at some times because of the accent. I've learned a few basic Krio words and I am trying to put them to use. The two second overview of the past week is .... LONG flights, bad airplane food, humongous cankles, cold showers and the most amazing experience ever! It has been awesome! Anyway I hope to fill you in soon with what's going on and pictures of beautiful children! Love you all!!! <3