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Published: April 11th 2007
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Sunrise over Freeport
Here is a gorgeous picture of us sailing away towards the boat and looking back at the sunrise over Freeport, Monrovia. I was speechless, considering I like to sleep in and miss most sunrises. Hello All. I hope this entry finds you all well!
I must say... I have been having some pretty cool experiences here making friends and meeting new people. Everywhere I go, everyone here in Monrovia knows that Mercy Ships is here... so people yell out and call to us... Hey You, you from Mercy Ships? And then we stop and say yes... then they proceed to tell us their problem, so we can tell them about the next screening and the clinics that are set up at the hospitals for them to be screened.
One such neighbor who did that was Doyen... he is an older gentleman who works on the tug boat that docks near our ship. It is the only tugboat that is working in Freeport harbour. The other one sank and the last one is rusting on top of a sand bar... not sure how it got there... But anyways, we were out walking taking pictures of all the sunken ships along the ports.. one of which I've already sent, you've seen one of them! So we were stopped by Doyen, cause he wanted to know how to get some help for his
The tug boat
Here is the tug boat and one of it's operators. family, and after we told him, he offered us a ride on the tug boat... cause there was a cargo ship they were guiding in the morning.
So at 0615h, we got up (VERY early for me) and were welcomed on the tug boat and we went out to sea, to guide in this VERY large cargo ship from the Philippines. We guided it into port and then found ourselves facing the dock, so we pushed the rear end of the ship around to parallel park it! it was so cool!!
The best part was watching the sunrise over Monrovia and over the Anastasis... She was beautiful in the morning light. The waters were so glassy and the whole world was waking up, I was speechless!! And anyone who knows me, knows that doesn't happen often!! ha aha
It's really neat cause I feel like we are such examples... that people instantly trust us and welcome us, knowing that we are here to help! I feel very priviledged to be used in this way!
As far as my job in the ward goes, I will describe my job abit further to you
Tug boat tied
Here are the huge ropes that are used to keep the tug boat tied to the docks. and give you a few miracle stories along with it!
My job is an admissions nurse... meaning that every patient that receives facial, plastics, burns or hernia repairs, comes to stay on the ward, therefore, comes to see me and Kate, the other admissions nurse. So, we fetch them from the dock where they are waiting, get them through security and carry them down to the ward, 2 flights of stairs to the admissions room off the ward. We welcome them, take a history, vital signs, tell them all about the surgery they will have, answer any questions, and give them a towel, toiletries for them to keep and use, then pray with them that everything will be alright.
ALL of this is done, using an interpreter. Kate and I have 2 interpreters, Elaine and Esther, both Liberian, chosen from their churches to help out. There are many day workers on the ship who come everyday to interpret, work or something. I am VERY lucky to have Elaine and Esther, because they are so good, and mention things that we forget sometimes... People speak English here, but it is spoken differently and when I say something
Looking out at the ship
Me looking out at the ship. like, "Is there any other medical conerns that they are complaining about?" This question gets asked by the interpreters as "you got any other sickness in your body?" Things like this... I have begun to speak like them a bit to see if I can talk to them more, but then I catch myself and I feel like I sound like an idiot! But it's funny. Kate is even beginning to notice... guess I pick up accents fast! Always have! After we finish the admissions, praying with them, we make them take a bath/shower, and then they see the ward doctor for a quick physical, then go spend the night on the ward until surgery the next day...the surgeon usually comes to see his patient's in the evening for the next day.
We do mostly, Maxillo-facial, plastics, burns (releases of contractures and skin grafting) and hernia, hydrocele repairs... men, women and children of all ages...
Here is one of many miracle stories of the day!
We got word of this baby that was born, and she was only a one week old, but unfortunately she was born with no anus. Poor child... so JFK Hospital here
Cargo Ship
Here is the huge cargo ship from the Philippines that we guided into the dockside. Doesn't look that big, but it was Ginormous! in Monrovia called out to Mercy Ships to help. Usually we don't have pediatric surgeons here, and usually there is no anethetist that can do such things as well... but it just so happens that we had both on board last week. And, even more so, that the surgeon just happened to bring his "tools" along. So we admitted this child.... her name.... SURPRISE SUMO... and this little girl last wednesday morning received a means that will save her life. The surgery was a sucess so much that she would probably grow up normally except maybe potty train a little later on in life... but to think that if we were not here and that if that surgeon would not have listened to that small voice that said maybe I should bring my tools just in case, that little girl would have died. She has a life now, because someone listened to that little voice and obeyed it. THAT is a miracle and I may have shed some tears for her. Because I think God has a plan for her life... and little Surpise Sumo lives.
This is just one of many stories that I hear about here
Fisherman
The tugboat guys told us that these fishermen come out at around 4a.m. to fish for the day and then head into town to try and sell their catch. on the ship. Another lady waited for years to get the tumor removed over her eye, and last year when the ship was here, she came asking for help. But we do routine pregnancy tests and bloodwork on everyone that comes in... and her pregancy test was postive, so we had to reschedule her for the next time... and she did not think that it would happen,.... she was so disappointed... but on thursday... I admitted her and her beautful 9 month old baby girl!! Amazing.
I feel so blessed to be here apart of this whole thing. And I hope you are encouraged by these stories that are shared here. I have a lot of fun and have been doing so many neat things, but really when it comes down to it... its about that little girl and that woman who come here for help, and can go home, renewed and changed on the outside and on the inside.
I hope this finds everyone well. Take care and keep the emails coming!!
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Brandy
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Wow Melissa. I was so inspired by this entry. I just feel the awe and inpiration you feel radiating through. How special to be able to do what you are doing there and I am so glad you are able to share it with us. I like the tug boat pic! You look great! Take care! Bran