Halfway There

Hello there. We are 3 weeks into our working time in Maua, this means it's the halfway point: we will leave to go on Safari 3 weeks from this Wednesday. Time is going by pretty quickly for us, with many new experiences.

This weekend was a good one. Saturday we hiked around a ridge in Maua with the Sarsons and Katherine. We hiked to an area that is apparently an old volcanic crater. Very beautiful and lush, and I think I've mentioned before that the area reminds me so much of Costa Rica. On the way down, we ended up in someone's yard/garden area, and couldn't find our way back to the trail. A young man with a US Marines shirt on helped us to find our way back. Tony took a picture with him, and I am including a picture of his siblings in their beautiful back yard.

Sunday we attended the LONGEST SERVICE EVER at Kiegoi Methodist Church. It was very good, although it started at 10 am and ended at 3 pm. Apparently, every once in awhile they hold a service which includes all of the churches in one circuit, so there were over 500 people in attendance, and so many programs they did that day. We heard many songs and dances, and Tony was able to participate in serving communion.

Today I spent the day in the surgical ward of the hospital. David Sarson, the British retired surgeon, allowed me to come in to the "theatre" (or O.R.) to witness a surgery for a man who had his hand mostly chopped of by a "panga", much like a large machete. This was something I never saw in the US! He had his camera, and took a picture of me in scrubs, and I took a couple of him doing the surgery, and once I get a copy from him, I will post them. Tony spent the day today preparing for the annual synod meeting this Thurs-Sat. Also, he worked on the hospital video.

Well, I typed all of the above yesterday, then when I started attatching photos, the electricity went out so I had to "abort" my mission:). So, I'm back today (Tues), and I have added photos. Also, I will add that today I spent the day in the "Theatre". I saw many interesting surgeries, and I also witnessed a skin grafting for a poor woman with 54% burns on her body. It was just about the grossest thing I've ever seen, and I felt so much for the poor lady with the burns. Tony has been gone today with the Reverend youth leader, and he should be back very soon.

Until later!

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