Today marks 2 weeks since we left The Dalles. We just received the one bag that we lost on the trip here, JUST in time to use the supplies that "happened" to be in there! Last night we did a surgery that we didn't have a supply that was needed for the after care. When Jeff opened the bag this morning, there was the one thing we needed! Amazing! The past few days have delivered more severe thunderstorms almost every night. They are extremely powerful, windy, and LOUD!! They, unbelievably , are not very scary. We feel quite safe. But there was a loud clap, like a cannonball being shot off,, in the middle of the night last night that made everyone JUMP awake, it was crazy! Yet the days prove to be sunny and extremely warm. Caden and Rachel continue to spend a lot of time working on computer input and they have also added the pharmacy to their jobs. I tried that today too. We count out frequently used medications to be dispensed (i.e. 30 count of cimetidine/antacid) in little baggies. So we stock them up on ones like that so they can pass them out more quickly. It is fun to see ALL the different aspects of what makes the clinic run. We've seen a fractured hip be repaired, a shotgun blast victim have emergency surgery last night to repair 15 holes in his intestines, a large breast cancer removed, a prostate removed, the little boy with the burns continue to heal and improve, Thyroids removed, hernias repaired, a huge neck mass removed, and much more.
I have been trying to help in the kitchen of the main family that prepares our meals and I've been turned away every time! They want us to be treated like royalty! Finally, yesterday, she invited me to come help prepare lunch and to teach her a few tips of how I cook in the US. I felt very honored to finally be welcomed in! It was very fun! We have scheduled for next Tuesday for me to join them again in the preparation of dinner so I can learn to make the traditional "leaf sauce" of Guinea. I'm excited for that! We have a trip planned tomorrow to see a "natural bridge". We are not sure exactly what that is but I guess it's a sight to see. And we will go see a large farm/land area that is owned by the "grandfather" of the clinic. It should be an adventurous day of road travel on roads that grow increasingly worse because of the torrential rains!! We are all healthy, feeling at home, yet missing all of you there! We are enjoying finding MANY ways to help here. I have even been asked to help a few of the guys from the pharmacy who want to learn better English. We have a couple of appointments set up next week! Pray I can set up some things to teach them and work with them on this weekend! Every day, God shows us new things, and allows us to reach into their hearts a little more! Thanks for your continued prayers! More later! Jen