Dinner with the Pastor and Jesus Film

This week, I was invited by Pastor Abu to his house for dinner with Michael. Pastor Abu is the pastor of the church I first attended here in Sierra Leone. Michael and I ventured out into town and got a taxi to take us to the church and then we walked to the pastors house. The dirt roads are very uneven and full of rocks and holes. Much care has to be taken when walking on the roads. We met the pastor and his wife at their house and enjoyed a nice meal of rice and casava leaf. So so good! The pastor and his wife have welcomed me again to the church, and I look forward to going there again.

After the visit, Michael, Pastor Abu and I took a 20 minute or so walk and we talked about how important it is to involve Christ in the work that is done with the ship. Sometimes we can get too caught up in statistics and how many people are being helped and forget that the gospel and reaching out to the people in a more spiritual way is more important than just helping their physical needs. Michael and I continued about another 20 minutes to where Mercy Ships was playing the Jesus Film. This is another Mercy Ministry that occurs on every Tuesday and Friday night. The team plays the Jesus movie in a village or community, and large numbers of people come to watch the movie under the stars. The stars were amazing by the way. There is nothing like the night sky where it is entirely dark outside. I wish I could capture the stars with my camera. I could have stayed outside under the stars all night long. The movie had been translated in Krio. It was so cool seeing the Jesus film with Krio voices. There was about 300 people there watching the film and then the crucifixion scene came on the screen, the film was paused and the gospel was shared. A pastor from the community in which the film was played tonight, helps head the Jesus film ministry. He has invited me to come visit his church  and the school that is connected to the school. He wants me to work with the children and see how God can use me in that community. I am very excited to see what other things I can do to furthur God's kingdom.

Pastor Dag, the assistant pastor of the nearby church, myself and Gideon, another crew member from Ghana

Michael and Me

Missionaries of Charity

The ship is involved in other ministries off the ship and they are called Mercy Ministries. Yesterday, I went with a group of about 12 others to the Missionaries of Charity compound. It is like a hospital that is run by four nuns, one of whom is a nurse. They house and care for patients with TB, HIV/AIDS and malaria. The place is filled with so much love and joy, but at the same time pain and sadness. The babies that were there were the smallest babies I have ever seen. Babies that are a year old look as if they are 1 month old. They are so skinny and appear very malnourished. Yet they are the sweetest, loving children. When I walked into the room where the mothers and babies stay, I saw many babies lying on the beds, some with intravenous fluids attached to them. Those that couldn't get up looked as if they were so near to death. It broke my heart. The mothers were so glad to see us, and were eager to share their children with us and to be prayed for.

There are three living quarters, one for mothers and children, one for woman, and one for men. I went into the men's quarters and there was one man lying in bed. All the others were outside on the porch. His name was King David. He said that he was very weak and couldn't get out of bed today. His body hurt and he said he had no strength. I was with Patricia, one of the leaders of this Mercy Ministry, and she offered to pray for him. We prayed that God would give him strength and that he may be able to see the sunlight today. He was greatful for the prayer. We then went back outside to sing with the patients and made a beaded craft with them. While we were doing so, King David joined us!! It was so wonderful to see how God answered prayer so quickly. I then helped make him a craft.

Me and King David

I also met a man who had just arrived at the Missionaries of Charity two days prior after having "cough" as he described it. As he was talking to me about being sick, he began to cry. I was able to encourage him to trust in Christ and to remember that our strength comes from Him.

Me and the TB patient, I wish I remembered his name, King David, and Fouday, our day worker

All the men wanted a picture with me :)

I really enjoyed being here so see and be a part of the work that these four women have been called to.
The love that is shared among the people and from the staff to the people is incredible. They are able to support each other and be there for one another. I think especially of the mothers with their babies. Many of the babies will not live much longer, yet the mothers can be there to support each other. Singing and worshipping God with them was also a great experience. I hope to soon again go to the Missionaries of Charity to spend some time with these people.

Spiritual Retreat

This past weekend, we had a spiritual retreat here on the ship, where our chaplaincy department organized many activities that helped encourage and rejuvinate the crew spiritually. The theme of the weekend was "To touch God and be touched by Him" and we focused on the Tabernacle. A tour was organized through the ship, that was set up to represent the different parts of the tabernacle and scripture verses were posted throughout the course. There were stations that represented the bronze alter, the bronze laver, the table of shewbread, the golden lampstand, the golden alter and the ark of the covenent.

"The ark of the covenent"  was set up in the chapel

Friday night there was a "Sabbath" dinner to set the stage of the weekend; Saturday, there were activities throughout the day and a worship service at night; and Sunday, there were more activities in the day and our normal Sunday evening service at night where we reflected and shared our experiences of the weekend and had a worship service. It was a great weekend of reflection. I was working both Saturday and Sunday during the day but the evenings were just what I needed.
Because of how busy and caught up I found myself in work and other activities, I found that I was feeling dry spiritually. I was having my devotions and spending time with God, but it was just something I was doing and I wasn't feeling the response of the Holy Spirit in me to the things of the Lord. This weekend, by focusing on the work of Christ on the cross and all that that work enables us as believers to do, in comparison to the children of Israel and the tabernacle, I have a renewed love and passion for Christ and a new drive for His work. We no longer have to offer sacrifices for our sins, nor do we need a priest to go before God on our behalf. Because of Christ's work, we now have free access to the Father; there is no veil separating us from His presence, as there was in the tabernacle separating the people from Holy of Holies and the ark of the covenant. We can boldly come before the throne of grace and can speak directly to God who loves us so much and desires us to have relationships with Him, so much so that He sent his only Son to die on our behalf. Just like a sacrifice of blood was required as a payment for sin in the tabernacle, blood had to be shed for the penalty of our sin to be paid and so we could stand before a righteous God. God showed us His love by sending His Son to be that sacrifice. How wonderful!!!

For God demonstrates His own love to us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Jesus Christ...through whom also we have access by faith into this grace... Romans 5:2

Kissy Eye Screening

This morning, I volunteered to be a helper at the eye screening held in Kissy, a nearby portion of Freetown. The eye team does daily screenings at different locations, where anyone can come and get their eyes screened and those who have significant problems can be treated or referred to the ship, where we have another eye team and eye surgeons. Our primary focus now, as we near the end of the outreach here in Sierra Leone, is cataracts.

We arrived to the site at about 7:30am where there were hundreds of people already waiting. We organized ourselves and had one person at the front gate who counted off the people into groups of about 30 to help with crowd control once inside the gate. Once in the gate, Clinton, a eye specialist, prescreened the people, looking for those we can help. Every child who had a cataract in one or both eyes were sent through. Adults with cataracts to both eyes were also sent through with a laminated card that signified that they were able to go into where the clinic was set up. I was stationed where those who could be helped lined up. After each group of about 30 people, I then led them to the clinic and lined them up outside. From there they went into the clinic, where they were further screened and their needs assessed. Martina, another lady who volunteered today, led the line of those we couldn't help to the gate to go out.
It was very hard to keep those who were "rejected" from going into my line. I noticed the desperation in some of the people to get help and when told we couldn't help them, there was a expression of rejection and further desperation. There are so many needs and because we are unable to meet all of them, I had to just commit them to the Lord in prayer and show them God's love. The hope expressed by those we could help was exciting to see, even when they still had yet to a second screening to see if we could further help them. The eye team does so much and has great stories of people being blind and now can see. Some weeks, they have a Celebration of Sight where patients who have had surgeries come back for a celebration of their healing. I understand its a big party with music, drums and dancing. A fellow crew member of mine who is a coordinator for the eye team, says one of the most fulfilling things to see, is when they see a child see their mother for the first time or when children who had never seen, now walk with purpose and direction and play and take in their surroundings through their eyes with vision we often take for granted. Thank the Lord for the work the eye team is doing!

I enjoyed being with the people of Sierra Leone in another way today. Interacting with the people, especially in the community gives me a fulfilling feeling. I have such joy, purpose and a sense of belonging while being here working with Mercy Ships. I can't wait to see all that God continues to do. 

Update on Nathan

Sadly, Nathan has not yet reached home. Because of the odor that his tumor and its drainage produces, the airline has refused to allow him onto the plane. We have been sending nurses over on the ferry daily near the airport where he is to change the dressing, but as of now, he has not left Sierra Leone. Pray for Nathan and his grandmother, and pray that God's will be done.

Picture day in the Hospital!



We've had a picture day in the hospital and I can now show you pictures of the hospital and of some of my patients and me. Enjoy!!

The hospital hallway. From closest to farthest is the PACU, then D Ward (the maxillofacial unit), ICU, C Ward (the overflow unit- a mix of plastics, max-fac, and general), B Ward (general surgery unit), A Ward (plastics unit), and then the outpatient clinic.




Healthcare from around the World.





Many more countries. I did not post all the pictures but we have nurses from dozens of countries, the majority from The States and Canada.




Inside one of the wards

 We can't assume everyone knows how to use the toilet. Education posters.



PACU

 And here are some of the patients!


Bangura- the patient who contracted malaria and typhoid while hospitalized after a thyroidectomy. She had a huge goiter..She's so happy. Always smiling!




The grandmother of Nathan with Jess, Claire and Jo




Ousmanu and Arriane- This patient had a huge gaping hole where his eye had been when he came to us. We created an eyelid and eye socket with a temporal flap and clavicular bone graft :) Very cool




Ingrid, from Norway, Abdulai, a day worker from Sierra Leone, Arriane from California, patient Jennehba, and me.




Sallay




my favorite pedi patient Hassan and his father Usman in the back




Osman





Josephine




Lesha and her mother




Abraham




Love this lady.. Mbalu




Alberta. She has been on the ward since March or April. Should be going home this week!!



Abas has been with us for four months now! Pray for his healing



 

 


Hawa.. sweet sweet girl




Hawa's mother


I love my patients; I love the work I do, and am so greatful to be able to serve the Lord in such a wonderful way.

A sad goodbye!

Some of you may have read my facebook status this evening:
EVERY ONE DROP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND PLEASE SEND UP A PRAYER, OR A KIND THOUGHT FOR A LITTLE BOY CALLED NATHAN! HE IS 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS A MASSIVE TUMOR GROWING ON THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO BUT FLY HIM HOME TO BE WITH HIS FAMILY IN HIS LAST DAYS.... PLEASE PRAY THAT HE MAKES IT HOME AND FOR A SAFE AND PAIN FREE JOURNEY FROM SIERRA LEONE TO HEAVEN, VIA THE CONGO ....♥
I copied the status from my cabin mate Jessica, who was this patient's nurse and was the patient that I had donated blood to today.

Our nursing supervisor was able to arrange to get Nathan near the airport tonight so that he can fly home to the Congo tomorrow morning to be with his family to die. This evening about 15 of us nurses met in the ICU to pray for him before he left. It was very emotional. He was crying as we moved him from the bed to a wheelchair. His tumor is about the size of a third of his body and it is draining blood, pus and is closing off his carotid artery. Once he saw all of us, he stopped crying and prayed with us. We then wheeled him to the gangway and to the dock, where we all stood as we said our last goodbyes to the sweet child that has changed us all. It was sad to see something that may have been easily treated in a developed land, not be able to be treated here. However, there is peace in knowing we have a God who is in control of all things and knows why this child has gone through what he has. I pray he has a safe and comfortable journey home to the Congo and that he can be with his family as he leaves this earth to go see his Maker. Pray for Nathan and his grandmother and his family. I pray he makes it home. Until we see him again in glory!!

The gift of life!!

Some might ask the question- What happens when a patient needs a blood transfusion on the ship?
Well, here is the answer. Blood comes from the crew. As a crew member, one can volunteer to be a blood donor. A sample of blood is taken, where it is tested for malaria and other infectious diseases and to identify the blood type. When someone is going to the OR, and large blood loss is anticipated, a notice is posted on the crew member's door saying that they have been crossmatched with a patient who may need blood the next day. The crew member is encouraged to drink lots of water. When one's blood is needed another notice is sent requesting them to come to the lab to give some blood.

Because the blood is whole blood, meaning it is not separated into red blood cells, platelets, plasma, white blood cells, and the like as it would be at home, the blood type has to match identically.
When I arrived, I signed up to be a blood donor. Two weeks ago, I gave my blood sample and throughout this last week, I have received three notices that I had been cross matched with a patient who may need blood. However, I was never called. Yesterday, I received my notice saying that I would need to go to the lab and donate a unit of blood for a patient today. I was excited to know that I was going to be able to do this. My bunkmate Sabrina photo documented the whole experience. (I hope these pics don't make you queasy). Oh and a FYI, that needle was huge. It must have been like a 12 gauge needle.. Huge I tell you!

 Ann, the great phlebotomist

Two of my cabin mates giving support ;)

550ml of my blood!

Today, I went to work and started my day very efficiently, knowing I would have to leave the ward at 8:30am to give blood. I went to the lab and donated 550cc of blood which was then taken, warm and everything and given to a 10 year old boy, who was in desperate need of some blood. It was given to him by my roommate, Jessica, who said that it was so incredible to know that the blood had just come from me and was going to save this child's life. The child was flown to the ship from the Congo with a large tumor. Unfortunately, it is inoperable and it is actively killing him. The blood will keep him alive until he can be flown back to the Congo, where he will be with his family. I hadn't really thought about how my donation would impact one individual in such a significant way. In the States, blood donation is just a thing to do, knowing that it is a good thing and may save a life, but seeing it first hand was powerful. I went back to work, wearing the pressure dressing and many patients and day workers were thanking me for donating blood. In Africa, as I was told by a day worker, the people don't readily donate blood. They have a belief that when you take blood, you are taking away something you need and then you can die. I was thanked so many times by people unaffected by it, but who were touched by the action. A few people said I was like Jesus, and that I gave blood so someone else could live. Never would I have compared the two, but it is incredible to have been a part of something that means so much to someone else.

After work, I went to the ICU to see the boy. He was sleeping, but I met his caregiver, I think it was his grandmother. Claire was his nurse for the day, and she explained to the caregiver, who spoke French, that it was my blood that went to her grandson. She smiled and then began to say "Merci, merci, merci bohku" and she hugged me. She asked my name and I told her and she introduced herself as Mama Rose. I told her that my name is actually Apphia Rose and she looked up and said in English "God is good." She hugged me again and I teared up. The moment was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I don't have words to describe it. I am so thankful that I was able to give of myself in such a wonderful way. God truly is good!!