Hey guys here's the next post from my mom on Facebook! Keep praying for Gods hand!
Our Saturday was quite eventful today. Dawn, Rachel, and I went to the market with Agath (2 year nurse missionary from Holland) and Kadiatu (Dr. Simeons wife, Dr. Simeon came to the states for surgery last fall) to buy fabric to have dresses made! We also bought a few food supplies. When we stopped first, we were descended upon by about 8 men trying to exchange our money right at our car windows…fortunately Agath had dealt with them before so she knew who to trust! Guinea Francs here are 7000 to our $1! So I exchanged $150.00 for 1, 050,000 GF!! Crazy Stuff! The Grand march ("indoor" part of the outdoor market) here is hardly describable…such busy, dirty, hot, crowded, smelly, labyrinth maze of narrow, low-ceilinged, uneven dirt-pathed, garbage strewn, 6x6 cubicles of vendors selling everything from fabric, to raw meat and fish, to vegetables and soaps, etc. Momma's lay on the ground nursing their babies, toddlers sit on vending tables crying and smiling, …people constantly trying to push by you and around you and trying to get you to buy things. The outdoor part is an insane rush of honking motorbikes and cars, live animals, women and children carrying baskets of things to sell on their heads, garbage everywhere, 3 foot deep "moats" lining both sides of every road to drain garbage, human waste, and occasionally rain water with narrow bridges every 10 feet or so to allow for crossing to get to the goods for sale. We found our beautiful fabric and fresh pineapple, cucumber, tomatoes, limes, flour (which must be in the freezer for 3 days to kill bugs) and bananas. When thirsty, you buy bags (not bottles) of water from baskets on top of heads and bite a hole in the corner and squeeze it into your mouth! We bought butter at a lebanese market that is somewhat more akin to our supermarket but much, much smaller and still dark and dirty. Then we found a special, brand-new bakery (actually clean) which sold the most amazing bread! We splurged there! We then went to Kadiatu's niece to have her take measurements for our dresses/skirts. Her staff of three sit on the "porch" of her tiny handmade brick home/shop pumping foot powered sewing machines, while the chickens and roosters peck about! Then…Dr. Simeons family arranged a traditional "thank-you" session for us (and all of you in the US) who welcomed Dr. Simeon and saved his life. His parents are not well and could not make the trip so they sent representatives in their place (literal spokespersons as their personal representatives) from three different cities, hours away. They brought gifts of pineapple, traditional colo nuts (not coconuts, colo nuts) wrapped in some kind of leaves…it was all very cultural and traditional. I bawled just about the whole time, it was quite overwhelming; their gratitude and praise for God's provision through our helping him…Also each of us received a gift of traditional african clothing, each presented by one of us to each other (I presented to Marc, Rachel presented to Dawn, Caden to Krae, etc.). Very ceremonial, very emotional. They wanted us to pass on their gratitude to EVERYONE in The Dalles who was a part of this miracle that saved their friend, their colleague, and in actuality the ability of this clinic to care for 1000's of sick children and adults. Quite a day. What else can I say. I'm too tired to check my grammar much on this large post so forgive me! Also, the little boy with the burns, Marc and Jeff took him to the OR this am. He did well. The burns were not total thickness except for a small part on his ear, which is a praise. They feel he will heal well. Thanks for your prayers. Tomorrow we attend our first church service in the local village. I'm sure another great day tomorrow! Love to you all!
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Friday, May 2, 2014
Hey everyone, my mom messaged me again this morning and asked me to post some of her message to the blog. Here it is. Also it is her writing to me so it is a letter type perspective.
-Connor
Today I worked in the clinic doing vitals. Wow, what an experience! It was a great experience; yet a difficult one as well. Seeing all of the hurting, suffering people is sometimes very difficult. I saw a little boy of 6, who looked about 3, that was burned by boiling water on his shoulders, back, back of the head and side of the head. He has had to suffer through village medicine (dung) treatments for a week. It was so very sad, I almost couldn't contain my emotion. His family didn't even carry him but made him walk. You could see the dried dung/and skin hanging on by pieces, and fresh blood dripping, he was in so much pain. He is being admitted, given IV fluids and pain meds til Dad can do surgery tomorrow am for him, even though it is sat. Dad said most of his ear is gone, he will need a lot of skin grafts. Saw a lady have a full on seizure on the floor of the waiting room, and they really just left her there. She calmed then fell asleep, they left her on the floor. Very sad, the lack of privacy, and of course no HIPA, just everyone at the same time being seen, it's all difficult to watch. Dad had a mouth/jaw access from dental cavities that was so horrible. Her white count was 68000. She was almost dead. They took her to the OR, and now are watching her and continue to remove infection. She will have some more teeth removed to hopefully stop the infection from taking any more of her jaw and neck. Several surgeries have gone well, hysterectomies, hernia repairs, a huge neck mass was removed from a guy, Marcs done several urology cases. The fun things tho are the kids on the compound. Such laughter and fun. Cado is so good with the little girls. Chasing and teasing, their laughter is amazing! Dawn, Rachel, and I will go to town tomorrow to find fabric for Kadiatu's friend to make us dresses. Actually, Jeaneatte, the gal I carried the computer over for, pulled me aside today while i was working. She bought fabric for me and had her friend measure me for a dress as a thank you for bringing her the computer. They are such a loving people, and are very generous and kind!
-Connor
Today I worked in the clinic doing vitals. Wow, what an experience! It was a great experience; yet a difficult one as well. Seeing all of the hurting, suffering people is sometimes very difficult. I saw a little boy of 6, who looked about 3, that was burned by boiling water on his shoulders, back, back of the head and side of the head. He has had to suffer through village medicine (dung) treatments for a week. It was so very sad, I almost couldn't contain my emotion. His family didn't even carry him but made him walk. You could see the dried dung/and skin hanging on by pieces, and fresh blood dripping, he was in so much pain. He is being admitted, given IV fluids and pain meds til Dad can do surgery tomorrow am for him, even though it is sat. Dad said most of his ear is gone, he will need a lot of skin grafts. Saw a lady have a full on seizure on the floor of the waiting room, and they really just left her there. She calmed then fell asleep, they left her on the floor. Very sad, the lack of privacy, and of course no HIPA, just everyone at the same time being seen, it's all difficult to watch. Dad had a mouth/jaw access from dental cavities that was so horrible. Her white count was 68000. She was almost dead. They took her to the OR, and now are watching her and continue to remove infection. She will have some more teeth removed to hopefully stop the infection from taking any more of her jaw and neck. Several surgeries have gone well, hysterectomies, hernia repairs, a huge neck mass was removed from a guy, Marcs done several urology cases. The fun things tho are the kids on the compound. Such laughter and fun. Cado is so good with the little girls. Chasing and teasing, their laughter is amazing! Dawn, Rachel, and I will go to town tomorrow to find fabric for Kadiatu's friend to make us dresses. Actually, Jeaneatte, the gal I carried the computer over for, pulled me aside today while i was working. She bought fabric for me and had her friend measure me for a dress as a thank you for bringing her the computer. They are such a loving people, and are very generous and kind!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Hey again everyone! Good news for those of you not on Facebook! They got the internet up and running, but unfortunately my mom is having trouble accessing the blog from there. She has asked me to update the blog with the Facebook post so don't worry about not getting to know whats going on! Anyway here is her first post!
-Connor
Bon soile, (I think is how you spell it), good afternoon from hope clinic! We are well and fully enjoying the African lifestyle! We are finally beginning to be on the right time zone and are adjusting to the heat and extremely high humidity. Fortunately, it is actually the very beginning of the rainy season so we have experienced the drenching rain storms that lighten the humidity for short periods of time. The thunder was a little overwhelming last night! I've had a lizard jump out of a cupboard at me, sending me screaming/running and sending Dawn OpBroek jumping to the counter, a spider crawling down from my hair over my eye while eye was getting water from the special filter, again much screaming and water ending up everywhere!! The children here are amazingly beautiful and cheerful here, even the little boy carrying a live rat by the tail and playing with it like a pet! We are being treated like royalty; is hard to accept sometimes. It feels so undeserved when we see how little they have here. Jeff, Marc McAllister, and Dawn are seeing many patients, Caden has helped me and Rachel in the storeroom as we unloaded and checked in all the bags of supplies we were able to bring. It made them soooo happy! We will be unloading the laparoscopic equipment tomorrow and trying to get it installed and ready to go. I am able to teach English to the women on the clinic grounds and they are teaching me French! We love sharing Jesus' love with the patients waiting to see the docs. It's amazing, they sit on concrete benches ALL day waiting to be seen, for surgery, or for their family. No complaints, no whining, only smiles and joy as we say bonjour! and tickle the children! We enjoy chapel every morning, joining in their continual praise and worship. They are constantly grateful for what God is doing. We are so grateful to be here to encourage them that people in The Dalles, OR are loving them and praying for them ALL the way around the world. `THANK YOU ` for being a part of that, each and every one of you!! We are thankful for our health so far, our safety through the many days of difficult travel, and our ability to help and encourage here. Internet is very intermittent, so I will post when I can and will try to get some pics up next time! Until then, au revoir!
-Connor
Bon soile, (I think is how you spell it), good afternoon from hope clinic! We are well and fully enjoying the African lifestyle! We are finally beginning to be on the right time zone and are adjusting to the heat and extremely high humidity. Fortunately, it is actually the very beginning of the rainy season so we have experienced the drenching rain storms that lighten the humidity for short periods of time. The thunder was a little overwhelming last night! I've had a lizard jump out of a cupboard at me, sending me screaming/running and sending Dawn OpBroek jumping to the counter, a spider crawling down from my hair over my eye while eye was getting water from the special filter, again much screaming and water ending up everywhere!! The children here are amazingly beautiful and cheerful here, even the little boy carrying a live rat by the tail and playing with it like a pet! We are being treated like royalty; is hard to accept sometimes. It feels so undeserved when we see how little they have here. Jeff, Marc McAllister, and Dawn are seeing many patients, Caden has helped me and Rachel in the storeroom as we unloaded and checked in all the bags of supplies we were able to bring. It made them soooo happy! We will be unloading the laparoscopic equipment tomorrow and trying to get it installed and ready to go. I am able to teach English to the women on the clinic grounds and they are teaching me French! We love sharing Jesus' love with the patients waiting to see the docs. It's amazing, they sit on concrete benches ALL day waiting to be seen, for surgery, or for their family. No complaints, no whining, only smiles and joy as we say bonjour! and tickle the children! We enjoy chapel every morning, joining in their continual praise and worship. They are constantly grateful for what God is doing. We are so grateful to be here to encourage them that people in The Dalles, OR are loving them and praying for them ALL the way around the world. `THANK YOU ` for being a part of that, each and every one of you!! We are thankful for our health so far, our safety through the many days of difficult travel, and our ability to help and encourage here. Internet is very intermittent, so I will post when I can and will try to get some pics up next time! Until then, au revoir!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
They Made It!!
Hey everyone! If you have been wondering how the trip is going, the team made it safely to Hope Clinic! I'm guessing they haven't posted or anything yet because they have to set up the internet there. They will most likely post as soon as they get it up and running! I just wanted to update any worried people praying frantically for their safety, because the hadn't heard from them! Keep praying, but they are safe at the Clinic! Thank you so much for all of your prayers that have gotten them this far. Keep interceding for their safety and that God will work in amazing ways! You all should hear from them soon but until then thank you for your prayers!
-Connor Mathisen
-Connor Mathisen
Monday, April 21, 2014
FOUR DAYS AND COUNTING!!!
Lots of medication, much of it donated by Medical Teams International, as well as by YOU...those who gave financially to our trip were a part of enabling us to buy even more supplies that Hope Clinic needs! Thank you!
And...Rachel is on the mend! For those of you who don't know, Rachel (our 15 year old team member) had a burst appendix last week! She is a week post op and we are continually praying that she does not experience any secondary infections so that we can ALL travel together. Another matter of prayer. We are grateful this didn't happen during our 11 hour plane ride!
So here are the details for this week...
We leave The Dalles this Friday at 7:30 am to go to PDX. We fly out at 11:45 am to Detroit, then to Paris, then to Monrovia, Liberia. We will spend the night there at a hospital compound and then drive the 9 hours or so to Hope the next day. All together approximately 36 hours of travel time!
Pray for:
1) safe and seamless travel
2) rest
3) healing for Rachel
4) calming of any fears
5) safety from ebola!
6) protection for all the baggage, ease through customs
7) opportunities to share Christ even as we travel
8) our friends at Hope as they prepare for our arrival
9) the people of Guinea that we will have the pleasure of serving and loving once we arrive
10) our family members we are leaving behind, for comfort for us all.
WE ARE ALL VERY EXCITED! THANK YOU FOR JOINING IN OUR ADVENTURE!
We'll keep you as posted as we can!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
PARTY-EBOLA-BOXES-UPDATES!!!
You'd never think those words would be on the same heading!! But here we are getting ready for a party THIS SAT!!...The ebola virus is still on the move in Guinea...BUT the boxes we've been praying for (with the laparoscopy equipment) HAVE ARRIVED in Conakry and the Jon Erickson from Hope Clinic will be driving the 17 hours to the capitol city to pick them up and deliver them to Hope! Jon isn't afraid of a little ebola!! Satan will try to thwart God's plans BUT God is more powerful and HIS WILL will be done! We are so excited and we are all full of HOPE! Jeff also was able to see pictures of the OR remodel that has been happening too! He says it looks amazing and things continue to fall into place for the new equipment to have a home there. Come celebrate with us this Sat at the Riverenza, see fun pictures, help make goody bags for children we will meet on our trip, buy a soccer ball for us to deliver, eat some yummy food, hear some great stories of what God has been and will continue to do there in N'Zao, Guinea at Hope Clinic! Our team is not discouraged at all...we truly are full of God's hope and we know if He doesn't want us there, He will make it clear. Until then we keep moving forward with YOUR HELP and will continue to obey. Thanks so much for all of your prayers, your financial support, and your concern for our safety and for the safety of those in the country of Guinea and its' surrounding neighbors. Continue to pray with us that we prove faithful to what God's called us to do and that above all stories of ebola and worries of our safety that God will be glorified and honored all what that happens! JOIN US SATURDAY for a bunch of fun!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
VIDEO!!!
)
Here's a great video (created by Steve Oproek with lots of love!!Thanks Steve!) that we have to represent our trip before we go. Watch, enjoy, and learn a little more about why we are going and what we are expecting God to do while we are there!
Our airline tickets have been purchased - Yay! They were even cheaper than we could've imagined! We are now awaiting the visa application process...and we need two, one for Liberia where we fly into and one for Guinea. It is a little tenuous as we have to apply by sending in ALL of our actual passports with the applications, one at a time, and within 3-4 weeks of our trip! If we apply too early, the visas will run out before our return date and then we won't be able to leave the country to come home! We need prayer that the timing is just perfect and that they don't lose our passports in the process!
We also just found out the overnight accommodations we thought were in place for when we land in Liberia are not available. So we need a place to stay for one night in Monrovia...anyone have any connections?! haha!
We are excited about planning the April 5 "Celebration of Hope" party! We will play the video and show lots of pictures, have live story-telling from those who've made the trip before us, have fun activities for you and your kids to participate in getting things ready for our trip, plus we'll have lots of yummy food! So plan to come join us at the Riverenza!
Prayer Requests:
-Continue to pray for the boxes of laparoscopic equipment to arrive safely and on time
-Pray for our visa application process
-Pray for a place for us to sleep in Monrovia that first night we land
-Pray for our April 5th party!
-Pray for those people we will come in contact with while we are there, that we can help them medically and also share Christ's love with them
Here's a great video (created by Steve Oproek with lots of love!!Thanks Steve!) that we have to represent our trip before we go. Watch, enjoy, and learn a little more about why we are going and what we are expecting God to do while we are there!
Our airline tickets have been purchased - Yay! They were even cheaper than we could've imagined! We are now awaiting the visa application process...and we need two, one for Liberia where we fly into and one for Guinea. It is a little tenuous as we have to apply by sending in ALL of our actual passports with the applications, one at a time, and within 3-4 weeks of our trip! If we apply too early, the visas will run out before our return date and then we won't be able to leave the country to come home! We need prayer that the timing is just perfect and that they don't lose our passports in the process!
We also just found out the overnight accommodations we thought were in place for when we land in Liberia are not available. So we need a place to stay for one night in Monrovia...anyone have any connections?! haha!
We are excited about planning the April 5 "Celebration of Hope" party! We will play the video and show lots of pictures, have live story-telling from those who've made the trip before us, have fun activities for you and your kids to participate in getting things ready for our trip, plus we'll have lots of yummy food! So plan to come join us at the Riverenza!
Prayer Requests:
-Continue to pray for the boxes of laparoscopic equipment to arrive safely and on time
-Pray for our visa application process
-Pray for a place for us to sleep in Monrovia that first night we land
-Pray for our April 5th party!
-Pray for those people we will come in contact with while we are there, that we can help them medically and also share Christ's love with them
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