Some of my patients this week

Here's some of the patients I've taken care of these past few weeks....


This little guy is on his way home with his dad. He came to the ship to get his arm fixed. He had broken it a while back but it never healed properly. He's such a stoic little guy of 5 years!

This little 8 mth old guy's feet were clubbed feet. Which means his feet were turned upside down and he was walking on the tops of them. Usually in the developed world this is corrected soon after birth with castings to form the feet into the right position. So this boy had surgery to correct it and needs to be in casts for the next month or so. But he was so happy! Even with his legs in casts, from thigh to toes. He is on his way home with his mom and will come back in a week to get the casts changed.

This is Joanna and she's been here since I've came 3+ weeks ago. She came because of an open ulcer on her foot. She needed to undergo a skin graft to heal the site. A few of us sang with her before our shift last evening "I am a Friend of God." Everyone sings even those who can't carry a tune (um, me;)

All peoples and men of every language

It comes from a verse in Daniel; "all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him." Daniel was describing a dream he had of the Son of Man and His Kingdom. I can just imagine what heaven will be like. People of every color, language, size, and shape worshiping our Lord together and living in community as the body of Christ.

I'm learning a lot from the short contact I've had with the Christians in Liberia. Their worship and prayers are so passionate and powerful. There's no shame in praying out loud in a group, storming the gates of heaven. There's no shame in singing praise from the depths of your lungs, even if it's only considered a "joyful noise" and not necessarily in tune. I'm encouraged by their focus and inspired by their bold prayers.

We have a patient in the ward that has been here for weeks. She's a 9 year old smart little girl who is under going several plastic surgeries to reconstruct her lips. It started when she had fallen in a ditch and badly injured her leg. Her mother took her to the hospital where she had contracted a bad infection and developed a severe reaction to penicillin (depending on who you talk to, the mom or doctor) causing her lips to swell and the flesh dying away. She no longer had the upper or lower lips, exposing her teeth and disfiguring her face. Her mother was telling me how devastating it was and how she sobbed for days mourning the horrible disfigurement of her once beautiful daughter and only child. She went on to tell me how she had fasted and stormed the gates of heaven for over a week. She then received and is standing on the promise that her daughter will be restored and healed. Such faith in the face of despair. What a great inspiration and testimony of the greatness of God. He hears our prayers and tells us to be faithful in them.

Bong Mine continued

Here's some pictures of the mountains where they excavated the iron-ore. The compound is no longer in working condition. It's sad to see just old, rusted metal framing that was once a thriving factory with many buildings. Now there's a few people that come to breakdown the metal in order to make a living selling scrap metal. Probably making only a fraction (if anything at all) of what was once earned here.


Our driver telling us of the rebels during the civil war.

Here's some pictures of the countryside and villages we passed on our way. Everyone we passed ran up to the tracks to wave at us, especially the children. It was so fun to see them. It's interesting to see some of the community that they live in, the type of housing and farming they do. It's just a different world than from back home.






We had to stop at one point to repair a water hose on the engine and fortunately we stopped near a village so the children came to keep us company while we waited. We sang some songs for them and they sang some for us. Great times!

The Bong Mine

We took a day trip on Saturday to a place called the Bong Mine. Apparently there was a thriving iron-ore mine years ago before the civil war. After WWII the Germans came and worked this huge mine to make steel to rebuild after the war. But in 1990 the Liberian Rebels decided that the town of Bong was to be their headquarters and took over. Our driver was telling us that the rebels took to civilians that lived there and forced them to fight for them. Those that didn't were lined up at the edge of a very deep valley and shot. The bodies dumped into the valley, making it a mass grave. He, miraculously, was spared but had to see some of his loved ones killed. Tragic. And to think this happened only 18 years ago.
Well, the trip itself to the mine was an adventure! We loaded up two range rovers and drove to the local train yard where the vehicles were driven up onto flat bed train cars. So we were able to climb on top of the cars and ride along! Look mom, no seat belt! The ride took ruffly 2-3 hours. And what a great opportunity to see some of the country and the people. It was great!

A nurse wears many hats

That's true. Back home you would often find yourself doing things that you didn't think you would. The realm of nursing is diverse and never boring. Especially being a nurse on Mercy Ships. When I showed up for my shift this evening I was told that I had a special assignment. The walls in the ward corridor needed to be bleached! Very important to keep the bacteria at bay. So that's what I did, bleached the walls - top to bottom, end to end.
Here's a little snap shot of the ward hall - where I work.

Eatting by the Ocean

What a treat! It was Jenny's birthday so we decided to go to a restaurant for dinner. We settled on the Golden Beach and was pleasantly surprised! As soon as we got there the waiter lead us out to the beach. He grabbed some plastic chairs and a table and plopped them down about 20 feet from the water's edge. The food was good and the waves were beautiful! I love to enjoy God's beautiful creation.

Taxi Adventure!

A couple of other girls and I ventured off the ship to try our hand at hailing a taxi! Once they stop the first thing you do is haggle a price. We ended up settling on $6 (that was a little high). We wanted to go to a restaurant that we had heard of that was on the beach. So we told him the name and "yeah, yeah, I know where that is." But after driving for 15-20 mins he ended up stopping some men on the side of the road to ask directions! Good thing too, we were headed the opposite way. So, I guess we got a little unofficial tour of Monrovia:)

The traffic is crazy, crazy! While driving, the taxi driver tells us that he has a 6 year old daughter and asks could we please take her to America with us. That gives us alittle clue at how live is for them if they're willing to hand their children to strangers inorder to give them a better life...

Some pictures I snapped out the car window while on our "Unofficial tour of Monrovia"

We DID end up at the right restaurant. I'm glad we did because I was getting hungry;)

no pictures, please.

I haven't taken any pictures lately. Largely due to the fact that I've been on the ward and we are not allowed to take photos there. The thought behind that is many of these patients have been stared at and have been made to stand out for many years. Now that they are healing physically we want to help them heal emotionally too. Taking pictures of them may not be in that best interest. It is encouraged to develop a relationship with the patient over just taking a picture of them.
The same was true at the orphanage that I visited. This one was just a mile or two away from the dock so we were able to walk. Walking is like driving here, you pray either way to arrive safely to you destination without getting hit. There's a main two lane paved road that we needed to cross. Although it's two lanes, the drivers don't seem to heed that rule and so there's often 3 to 4 cars barreling down the road all next to each other. So after someone bravely holds a hand up and steps out into the road we all race to the other side before the traffic moves forward again.
The children at this orphanage were delightful. We began by singing some songs, these children sang loud and clear! Once we finished with one song some little kid would begin to sing another. We then moved on to a small lesson on how we are different but the same and then we went outside to play. The bubbles I brought along were a great hit. Thank God for bubbles;) The volunteers at this orphanage used to be crew members on Mercy Ships. They are now working on construction on a bigger plot of land to bring these children to. Very cool to see God at work:)
And so my weekend of work started after that. We've just discharged a hand full of patients earlier today. Most of them young children with cleft pallet or lip repairs. So like I told you, the wards are just big rooms with the patients only a foot or so away from each other. And when you have pediatric patients, their mom or caregiver is with them too. If the kid is small enough, the mom sleeps in bed with them. But if the kid is older we put the beds on 6inch lifts and slide a mattress underneath for the mom to sleep on. So we're just one big happy family!
I hope to go to the market soon. I'm on the hunt for someone who has gone and knows how to barter for a taxi. We'll see what happens...

~Jodi

Week #1

Well, I've arrived on the Africa Mercy one week ago today. I feel like it has flown by so fast and yet I feel as though I've been here for awhile already - hope that makes sense;)

I start my first shift on my own this evening! And then I work the weekend. The nursing here is so different than at home. First thing, we have about 10 patients in a ward (just an open room). Liberians are friendly and so many times you'll find your patients sitting on each other's beds socializing. Also documentation is at a minimal (no long POC's, hurray!) so that frees up a lot of our time. We can sit on a patient's bed and play UNO with them. I love to play games, how lucky am I? We also get to take them outside for a bit in the afternoon to let them get some fresh air. So last Tuesday I brought some bubbles out with us and the younger ones had fun blowing and popping them. Another difference is the equipment and limited resources. It allows you to be creative and to work on being as resourceful as you can.

I’ve only had two shifts but hope to in the near future to get to know the patients well enough to have them share their story with me. Although, the primary language is English somehow it seems to be a different language to us. I’m not sure how to explain it but it often presents a bearer in communication so we use the service of the wonderful translators on the wards.
I have a feeling my patients were poking fun at me and laughing - I wasn't sure what they were saying so I just smiled and laughed along with them. One visiting patient when introduced to me said right off "You look strange." And that was all, away he left! Not sure what he meant by that...
Anyway, they're very fun and personable! I'm glad to have this chance to help them during this time in their lives.
I get to go to an orphanage tomorrow morning! That's always fun! So I hope to get more pictures for you soon.
Until then,
Jodi

Lets have some Church!!

I had the opportunity to go to an African church with a small group of people. It was called Jamacia Road Evangelical Church and it was only a 10 minute walk from the ship. Hot, Hot, Hot! But despite the heat these brothers and sisters danced and sang their heart out for a good 20 minutes straight! They were so welcoming too. During annoucements they had a time of welcoming newcomers. So what did they have us do? We had to stand up front while the ENTIRE congregation paraded past us to shake our hands. All the while singing and dancing. These people are incredable! Also, the sermon was in english and I was able to understand most of it. But got a little lost when the pastor began to talk really fast, it seemed like just a jumble of sounds. Liberian english is much different then ours.
Here's what the church looked like from the outside. Just a one room brick building.



This is some of what we saw along the road leading to church...



Very colorful buildings but very minimal and simple. A lot of rotting trash and other undistinguishable things along the dirt road as well. I won't even begin to tell you of the smell... I guess I'll get used to it soon enough.

More pictures

The view of the town of Monrovia from across the chanel.




Some of you may be curious about my accomodations. There's two other bunks like this in my cabin all connected by a narrow hall. I have the top bunk. Very cozy.

Had to find room in my luggage for this. A going away present from a very special friend of mine. 5 year old Charis picked this out herself to give to me. Brings a smile to my face. Thank you, Charis!!

I've got pictures!

I've got pictures! Pictures speak a thousand words so I'll let them do most of the talking.

We arrived at the Monrovia airport around 9pm and there were still many many people waiting outside to handle your luggage. All too willing to take your bag first and THEN ask for money.



The Africa Mercy is a HUGE ship with 8 decks. It looks like a great white box with windows.


Hurray for Starbucks! I've already endulged. They're open only an hour or two per day. That's the place to be during that time!
This is the main commons area. The picture is facing the ship shop with Starbucks to the right and the computers up the stairs.

Don't worry we are well guarded! These guys are at the entrance of the dock.

I'm Here!

I'm in Africa? I'm in Africa!
After being a consumer of airtravel for 2 days and a night I arrived in Liberia Friday night (i'm in awe!). The plane travel was pretty boring until I hit Brussels. There I began to see more cultures and hear more languages making things more interesting for my eyes and ears. I also found two other nurses heading to the Africa Mercy and met a couple of interesting people. One person is working for the UN in the Food and Agriculture Dept; and the other is living in Israel coming to Liberia for his diamond company. Very interesting talking with them!

So all in all the trip was uneventful and I arrived on time for my connections.
I get the weekend off and start orientation Monday evening. Then I get two shifts to orient with a seasoned nurse (tues and weds) before I'm on my own. After having two weeks off I can't wait to start taking care of patients again!

I'm sharing a cabin with 5 other girls and met most of them late last night. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming! I was also able to tour the ship this morning. It's SO big! It used to be a Swedish Rail (as in train) ferry. Mercy ships obtained it in 1999 and started renovations until 2(?) years ago when the ship came into service as a working, floating hospital. So, everything looks new and bright! We even have a Starbucks cafe on board and air conditioning (although you can still tell it's very humid and hot!).

I'll post pictures as soon as I figure things out. But until then...

Much love,
Jodi