After a long day of travel we all made it back safe and sound and it was nice to see our loved ones meet us as we arrived. I will never forget this trip and hope to continue to do God's work in many ways in the future. I hope to get all my pics together on a disc in the next few weeks (I tend to get obsessed with this until its done and everything else lacks behind!). I will share with anyone who is interested so just let me know! Thanks for following and stay tuned for new adventures in the day in the life of me!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
FUN DAY!!!
Woke up early this morning and so did MP - she had a headache and nauseated! Oh no!! Not today! So without going into details she was able to upchuck and thought she was gonna be ok but no.....so I went up to breakfast and to look for a doc to get some meds! Fortunately I was able to find some and she miraculously got somewhat better so she wouldnt miss out on our last day! Even though she wasnt 100% at least she still got to go to the beach and relax some.
After breakfast we left for the little airpot here and took about a 12 seater plane over to San Pedro. It was a beautiful day and perfect for flying! I thought I would be scared but it was pretty cool and very smooth! Once we got there a lot of the people went snorkeling and snuba-ing on a tour but we just wanted to chill so after walking around a bit we settled on some beach chairs by the water and i read and MP slept. Ann and Cindy talked. It was heavenly! There was a nice breeze and a great time to refresh!
We were supposed to meet at a restaurant called Fido's (pronounce fee-doz) so we headed there. I had a wonderful Bailey's colada and a snapper fish sandwich - delish!!! THen we decided to walk around and shop a little. It was nice not to have a schedule to follow and just veg!
We took the plane back about 4 and shoered up and now I am here enjoying the sunset and waiting for dinner on the beach! We are having a barbecue which should be wonderful - I just hope the mosquitos arent too bad! I cant wait to see everyone - it seems longer than a week! Miss you all!
After breakfast we left for the little airpot here and took about a 12 seater plane over to San Pedro. It was a beautiful day and perfect for flying! I thought I would be scared but it was pretty cool and very smooth! Once we got there a lot of the people went snorkeling and snuba-ing on a tour but we just wanted to chill so after walking around a bit we settled on some beach chairs by the water and i read and MP slept. Ann and Cindy talked. It was heavenly! There was a nice breeze and a great time to refresh!
We were supposed to meet at a restaurant called Fido's (pronounce fee-doz) so we headed there. I had a wonderful Bailey's colada and a snapper fish sandwich - delish!!! THen we decided to walk around and shop a little. It was nice not to have a schedule to follow and just veg!
We took the plane back about 4 and shoered up and now I am here enjoying the sunset and waiting for dinner on the beach! We are having a barbecue which should be wonderful - I just hope the mosquitos arent too bad! I cant wait to see everyone - it seems longer than a week! Miss you all!
A frustrating day
Tried to find the rooster this morning to take a picture but no luck!! We really dont have much time at the hotel before we leave-by the time we shower ,eat, catch up on emails and have devotions its time to go! I have been rising early as usual but it still seems to go fast!
Today was our last day of service and I have to admit I am spent! In one of our first meetings about coming to Belize , they handed out journals and on the first page they pasted a penny with the words, " For we are God's workmanship or masterpiece created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God prepared in advance for us to do". We are pennies in God's hands - spend us in whatever way He chooses.....well he certainly did that!I have emptied my cup! Amy said it well this morning at devotions when she talked about when your cup is filled there is not enough room for God to fill in with his love, desires, and hopes so you need to empty or filter out some once in awhile to make room for the new!
I have given what I had to give and now I am ready to fill up with new adventures and ways to serve Him. I miss my family a lot and I cant wait to see them so that is first priority when I get home!
But for today - we had one more day to finish our work here in Belize. It was a very frustrating day because we had had 2 ORs to work in on Sat. and Sun. and had things pretty much running smoothly and then emergencies came up and the regular crew had to take over one of the ORs! That made us fall behind and we had to put all our surgeries in one room and alternate teams. We did a lot more sitting and waiting which is always hard when you want things to work like clockwork. But this mission is all about improvising and being flexible so we tried to keep plugging on. As it turned out we had to cancel 3 of the surgeries and have them come next week wehn the 2nd mission crew will be here because it was getting too late. It was sad that those people had to come a long way and wait just to be told it will have to be another time. But there was only so much we could do!
We finished up about 6:00 or so and said our goodbyes to all of the wonderful staff there and took down contact info from them so we could send them things throughout the year. They need so much!
It was 5 o'clock somwhere and much later than that when we reached Tony's! We had a few drinks, ate some fajitas and I did some blogtime - then off to bed about 11:30. We are all looking forward to our fun day in San Pedro tomorrow!
Today was our last day of service and I have to admit I am spent! In one of our first meetings about coming to Belize , they handed out journals and on the first page they pasted a penny with the words, " For we are God's workmanship or masterpiece created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God prepared in advance for us to do". We are pennies in God's hands - spend us in whatever way He chooses.....well he certainly did that!I have emptied my cup! Amy said it well this morning at devotions when she talked about when your cup is filled there is not enough room for God to fill in with his love, desires, and hopes so you need to empty or filter out some once in awhile to make room for the new!
I have given what I had to give and now I am ready to fill up with new adventures and ways to serve Him. I miss my family a lot and I cant wait to see them so that is first priority when I get home!
But for today - we had one more day to finish our work here in Belize. It was a very frustrating day because we had had 2 ORs to work in on Sat. and Sun. and had things pretty much running smoothly and then emergencies came up and the regular crew had to take over one of the ORs! That made us fall behind and we had to put all our surgeries in one room and alternate teams. We did a lot more sitting and waiting which is always hard when you want things to work like clockwork. But this mission is all about improvising and being flexible so we tried to keep plugging on. As it turned out we had to cancel 3 of the surgeries and have them come next week wehn the 2nd mission crew will be here because it was getting too late. It was sad that those people had to come a long way and wait just to be told it will have to be another time. But there was only so much we could do!
We finished up about 6:00 or so and said our goodbyes to all of the wonderful staff there and took down contact info from them so we could send them things throughout the year. They need so much!
It was 5 o'clock somwhere and much later than that when we reached Tony's! We had a few drinks, ate some fajitas and I did some blogtime - then off to bed about 11:30. We are all looking forward to our fun day in San Pedro tomorrow!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A different world
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ride an amusement park ride for about 2 hours straight? Well our trip to the Mennonite village was kinda similar to that! Our whole group (40 plus people) took all the vans south to Little Belize for an adventure to another way of life! We had to take 2 small ferrys on the way - that were powered by a hand crank! Then a very long bumpy ride throught the country. You thought our pot holes were bad...I have not experienced anything this bad! But the ride was enjoyable seeing lots of things along the way! You could tell when we were approaching Mennonite country because all of the fields were very neatly manicured and there were fields and fields of pinto beans growing (and by the way they pick those all by hand!!!!!!!!)
We arrived at the clinic with several buggys parked outside and people waiting in line. We took a quick tour of the immaculately clean inside and then we began to unload and set up for the day. We brought a lot of our supplies because we didnt know what we were going to incur. The visits began with the family docs and then they would send them to the surgeons if necessary to either schedule a surgery at the hospital the next day or perform a minor one there in the clinic. They had several rooms that were equipped with beds, a pharmacy, and a back room that had a delivery table and a bassinette for the baby. It was there that we performed some small surgeries. It seemed to go really well - but most of the Mennonites speak German so there was a language barrier but fortunately there were interpreters for us!
The clinic was run by a doctor named Abrahm who lived in the house next door. He was a lot of fun to listen to and very accomodating to us and very grateful we were all there.
The kids were so adorable in ther classic outfits! Even though they couldnt speak English - their faces told us a lot! The worship team had brought some crayons and books and some bubbles and small toys to give to them and it was such a joy in my heart to see their faces light up with the simplest things! One young man about 6 years old came up to me to get some bubbles and he had a smile that would melt your heart! He got so excited to see how the bubble wand worked and it kept him entertained for quite a while!
I was asked to do some ear washings on several people that had some bad ear wax build up. I had never done that before but after being shown what to do by Laura (another nurse), she said it can be quite painful and noisy and the kids hate it. Well there is something about those children unlike most of the children we see in the US. You could tell they were apprehensive but they sat there diligently as they were told and hardly flinched. It was after I was done that some tears would fall. Broke my heart!!! But it did a world of good for them so I knew it was necessary
After things slowed down for awhile I began talking to one of the young interpreters named Henry. He was 16 and a very insightful and mature young man. He had no qualms about opening his heart and thoughts to me and I had a lengthy conversation with him. He was born in Canada and lived there for 6 years and then moved to Belize. That's how he knew English and he thought he didnt speak it very well but I had no problem understanding him
His story was intrigung because he really would rather be living in Canada. He has 6 brothers and 2 sisters and one of his brothers lives in Canada and he went there last summer to work. He would get $30/hour up there and only $4 in Belize! He also doesnt really agree with the Mennonite philosophy but is commited to his father and the family. If they leave the country and their home and move away it is considered a sin in the community.
He would love to go to college up there and his boss there even offered to pay but his dad refused. At 16, he says he sometimes drinks with his buddies, and I also saw him smoking and told him it was bad for him. He usually drinks rum and cokes but not too much because he doesn't like to get so drunk that he gets angry or fights or can't remember the next day what he did! He has also tried pot but says he doesn't like the way it makes his heart feel.
He doesn't have a girlfriend and doesn't want one! He doesn't always go to church because he says there is no love felt there - that the preacher is always talking about how the boys are bad and never about bettering yourselves and how to be a better person. And he never talks about the girls and Henry says the girls sometime drink more than the boys!
I asked if he believed in God and he said "Oh yes, - I would be nowhere without God."
I wished him well before we parted and told him to have faith that God would lead him to where he was to go in his life. I am so glad I was able to meet this young man and I will pray for him!
Soon afte we packed up and headed back for a wild (and I mean WILD!) ride home.
Ric was driving and gets a kick out of trying to see how fast he can fly over those pot holes. I on the other hand feel like I need to be in traction from all the banging around in the back of the van! At least he bought us a pina colada when we got back to Tonys!!
We arrived at the clinic with several buggys parked outside and people waiting in line. We took a quick tour of the immaculately clean inside and then we began to unload and set up for the day. We brought a lot of our supplies because we didnt know what we were going to incur. The visits began with the family docs and then they would send them to the surgeons if necessary to either schedule a surgery at the hospital the next day or perform a minor one there in the clinic. They had several rooms that were equipped with beds, a pharmacy, and a back room that had a delivery table and a bassinette for the baby. It was there that we performed some small surgeries. It seemed to go really well - but most of the Mennonites speak German so there was a language barrier but fortunately there were interpreters for us!
The clinic was run by a doctor named Abrahm who lived in the house next door. He was a lot of fun to listen to and very accomodating to us and very grateful we were all there.
The kids were so adorable in ther classic outfits! Even though they couldnt speak English - their faces told us a lot! The worship team had brought some crayons and books and some bubbles and small toys to give to them and it was such a joy in my heart to see their faces light up with the simplest things! One young man about 6 years old came up to me to get some bubbles and he had a smile that would melt your heart! He got so excited to see how the bubble wand worked and it kept him entertained for quite a while!
I was asked to do some ear washings on several people that had some bad ear wax build up. I had never done that before but after being shown what to do by Laura (another nurse), she said it can be quite painful and noisy and the kids hate it. Well there is something about those children unlike most of the children we see in the US. You could tell they were apprehensive but they sat there diligently as they were told and hardly flinched. It was after I was done that some tears would fall. Broke my heart!!! But it did a world of good for them so I knew it was necessary
After things slowed down for awhile I began talking to one of the young interpreters named Henry. He was 16 and a very insightful and mature young man. He had no qualms about opening his heart and thoughts to me and I had a lengthy conversation with him. He was born in Canada and lived there for 6 years and then moved to Belize. That's how he knew English and he thought he didnt speak it very well but I had no problem understanding him
His story was intrigung because he really would rather be living in Canada. He has 6 brothers and 2 sisters and one of his brothers lives in Canada and he went there last summer to work. He would get $30/hour up there and only $4 in Belize! He also doesnt really agree with the Mennonite philosophy but is commited to his father and the family. If they leave the country and their home and move away it is considered a sin in the community.
He would love to go to college up there and his boss there even offered to pay but his dad refused. At 16, he says he sometimes drinks with his buddies, and I also saw him smoking and told him it was bad for him. He usually drinks rum and cokes but not too much because he doesn't like to get so drunk that he gets angry or fights or can't remember the next day what he did! He has also tried pot but says he doesn't like the way it makes his heart feel.
He doesn't have a girlfriend and doesn't want one! He doesn't always go to church because he says there is no love felt there - that the preacher is always talking about how the boys are bad and never about bettering yourselves and how to be a better person. And he never talks about the girls and Henry says the girls sometime drink more than the boys!
I asked if he believed in God and he said "Oh yes, - I would be nowhere without God."
I wished him well before we parted and told him to have faith that God would lead him to where he was to go in his life. I am so glad I was able to meet this young man and I will pray for him!
Soon afte we packed up and headed back for a wild (and I mean WILD!) ride home.
Ric was driving and gets a kick out of trying to see how fast he can fly over those pot holes. I on the other hand feel like I need to be in traction from all the banging around in the back of the van! At least he bought us a pina colada when we got back to Tonys!!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Today was a much smoother day because we knew what to expect and were a little more prepared for things. It was more of the same surgeries for us - we had about 15 for both rooms. There were some difficult moments but all in all things went well! We were fed again by Lupe and Mary Pat and I had a nice chat with her at lunch - what a sweet lady!
I am really too tired to writ much else! Tomorrow we go to the Mennonite village which will be a nice break from the last 2 days! Hopfully I will be able to report more tomorrow! Miss you all!
I am really too tired to writ much else! Tomorrow we go to the Mennonite village which will be a nice break from the last 2 days! Hopfully I will be able to report more tomorrow! Miss you all!
A VERY LONG day!!
We all have our strengths, our gifts from God. A lot of those gifts were tested and used today as we began doing what we were sent to do down here in Belize.
John's leadership and calming force among us is very comforting - knowing someone always "has your back"! Dana's ability to spread the Word and put it in practical terms for all of us to understand sets the tone for the day and Lynn's gift of voice soothes us!
We set out for the hospital after breakfast and devotions about 7:30. Not knowing what to expect we were all a little excited and anxious about what was to come. Let me just tell you - these old legs have not worked this many long hours in a long time but they somehow made it through! And of course I left my support socks in the van because I used them to plug up a hole in the van's vent that was broken to keep the artic cold air from blowing on me! haha
Our OR team consisted of Mary pat, myself, Dr Devore and Ann and the other team was Jan, Mona, Dr Welker and Dr helmick. We got the ball rolling with a cute little 15 mos old for PE tubes. As we left mom at the door, i thought it doesnt matter what country you are in - the love of mother and child knows no boundaries.
Things are very different (to say the least) doing surgery here and you definitely have to go with your gut and use whatever resources you have! Luckily most of our cases did not need optimum sterility and we did the best we could keeping a "clean" environment. We missed our blanket warmer though! the rooms are very cold and their was only about 4 blankets in the whole department! so we used those for the kids. We had to use OR linen drapes to cover the adults! The Beletian people are very stoic though and it didnt seem to phase them like it would us! They all walked into the ORs and only adults left on stretchers.....babies left in our arms.
Ann did an amazing job with anesthiesia, considering she had no gas monitors, just an oximeter, BP and sometimes the EKG even worked!!
Kevin Devore is making a documentary for film school so he was there filming as much as he could tolerate. Never seeing his dad work before he wasnt sure how his stomach would take it but he did very well. Renee Welker (docs daughter)was taking photos for the general blog and hung in there with us to the very end!!
Lupita had lunch for us - chicken tamales wrapped in plaintain leaves which were very spicy, some said they loved them but mine and John H's were full of bones! But the chocolate cake was a God send!!!
As the day went on we certainly go our rhythmn and things went well. The other team ended with a hemi-thyroidectomy and it was taxing for them to do it at the end of the day. The set up (back table etc) was like non I've ever seen since I started 30 years ago!
We left the hospital about 9:45pm! Ric D picked up a case of Belikin beer and YES I did drink a beer! It was a fun ride back - a van of 15 very tired people chatting about the day!
We got to Tony's Inn @ 10:30- they saved us dinner for those who wanted it - I opted for some delicious homemade vanilla ice cream - a quick check of email and into bed! I was exhausted! I know that rooster will be calling too soon tomorrow!
John's leadership and calming force among us is very comforting - knowing someone always "has your back"! Dana's ability to spread the Word and put it in practical terms for all of us to understand sets the tone for the day and Lynn's gift of voice soothes us!
We set out for the hospital after breakfast and devotions about 7:30. Not knowing what to expect we were all a little excited and anxious about what was to come. Let me just tell you - these old legs have not worked this many long hours in a long time but they somehow made it through! And of course I left my support socks in the van because I used them to plug up a hole in the van's vent that was broken to keep the artic cold air from blowing on me! haha
Our OR team consisted of Mary pat, myself, Dr Devore and Ann and the other team was Jan, Mona, Dr Welker and Dr helmick. We got the ball rolling with a cute little 15 mos old for PE tubes. As we left mom at the door, i thought it doesnt matter what country you are in - the love of mother and child knows no boundaries.
Things are very different (to say the least) doing surgery here and you definitely have to go with your gut and use whatever resources you have! Luckily most of our cases did not need optimum sterility and we did the best we could keeping a "clean" environment. We missed our blanket warmer though! the rooms are very cold and their was only about 4 blankets in the whole department! so we used those for the kids. We had to use OR linen drapes to cover the adults! The Beletian people are very stoic though and it didnt seem to phase them like it would us! They all walked into the ORs and only adults left on stretchers.....babies left in our arms.
Ann did an amazing job with anesthiesia, considering she had no gas monitors, just an oximeter, BP and sometimes the EKG even worked!!
Kevin Devore is making a documentary for film school so he was there filming as much as he could tolerate. Never seeing his dad work before he wasnt sure how his stomach would take it but he did very well. Renee Welker (docs daughter)was taking photos for the general blog and hung in there with us to the very end!!
Lupita had lunch for us - chicken tamales wrapped in plaintain leaves which were very spicy, some said they loved them but mine and John H's were full of bones! But the chocolate cake was a God send!!!
As the day went on we certainly go our rhythmn and things went well. The other team ended with a hemi-thyroidectomy and it was taxing for them to do it at the end of the day. The set up (back table etc) was like non I've ever seen since I started 30 years ago!
We left the hospital about 9:45pm! Ric D picked up a case of Belikin beer and YES I did drink a beer! It was a fun ride back - a van of 15 very tired people chatting about the day!
We got to Tony's Inn @ 10:30- they saved us dinner for those who wanted it - I opted for some delicious homemade vanilla ice cream - a quick check of email and into bed! I was exhausted! I know that rooster will be calling too soon tomorrow!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Screening Day
After much needed sleep I woke about 4:30 (stillCincy time) and heard the rooster crowing outside! The sun wasn't even upyet! didnt seem to wake Mary Pat though! But we were up and going to breakfast by 6:30.They had some scrambled eggs, refried beans, toast, juice and coffee
.
John & Dana led us in some morning devotions out on the deck with the sun shining on us! It was a beauiful morning and a good way to hear God's word to sset us in t the proper frame of mind. We had a few songs to sing led by Lynn who has a wonderful voice, and then we were back
in the vans for our journey to the hospital.
We started unloading all of our supplies and we went to work sorting everything and getting the OR's ready for tomorrow
They havea2ORs and things were pretty scarce. We had an abundant supply of things to give and betwsurgeryscheduleeen Jan, Mona, Andy, and I we separated,sorted,stacked,and organized most all of it! MaryPat was taken hostage to set up the surgery schedule with the surgeons.
I talked to a few of the workers from surgery and they didnt have any surgeries today-but were supposed to do a total
hip but the patient cancelled! I would have LOVED to see that!We are so fortunate with all that
we have and the fact that they could do that with so little is astounding!!they we all really sweet and helpful to us.
Once we felt we were settled, we went outside to have a granola bar and some water. Simple pleasures!Then we went to the waiting area where everyone was being seen by the doctors to determine if they were a surgical candidate or could be seen medically.The room was packed and outside the hospital there were people waiting to come in!!!
One man waited 12 hours last year and never got seen so I am happy to say that he was one of the first on our list for tomorrow!
THere were 5 rooms/docs seeing all the patients and 2 anesthesia screening for surgery. They did an amazing job and as long as they were fed and watered they pressed on!
The worship team did a great job keeping the kids entertained jumping rope and painting faces.They are praying
for and with these people daily and happy to be spreading the word of God!
Jan and ventured outside to sit in the shade for a bit and to talk to some of the locals. The children are adorable and really wanted to sit and talk to us and play simple games. We had a mean game of one potato 2 potato....going for a little while until John came and told
us we were leaving.They were sorry to see us go and told us they would miss us!! So cute!
Back to Tony's Inn for some cleanup and I heard they are serving balckened chicken tonite-YUM!
We start surgery tomorrow at about 8m and have about 15 cases! Cant wait!
.
John & Dana led us in some morning devotions out on the deck with the sun shining on us! It was a beauiful morning and a good way to hear God's word to sset us in t the proper frame of mind. We had a few songs to sing led by Lynn who has a wonderful voice, and then we were back
in the vans for our journey to the hospital.
We started unloading all of our supplies and we went to work sorting everything and getting the OR's ready for tomorrow
They havea2ORs and things were pretty scarce. We had an abundant supply of things to give and betwsurgeryscheduleeen Jan, Mona, Andy, and I we separated,sorted,stacked,and organized most all of it! MaryPat was taken hostage to set up the surgery schedule with the surgeons.
I talked to a few of the workers from surgery and they didnt have any surgeries today-but were supposed to do a total
hip but the patient cancelled! I would have LOVED to see that!We are so fortunate with all that
we have and the fact that they could do that with so little is astounding!!they we all really sweet and helpful to us.
Once we felt we were settled, we went outside to have a granola bar and some water. Simple pleasures!Then we went to the waiting area where everyone was being seen by the doctors to determine if they were a surgical candidate or could be seen medically.The room was packed and outside the hospital there were people waiting to come in!!!
One man waited 12 hours last year and never got seen so I am happy to say that he was one of the first on our list for tomorrow!
THere were 5 rooms/docs seeing all the patients and 2 anesthesia screening for surgery. They did an amazing job and as long as they were fed and watered they pressed on!
The worship team did a great job keeping the kids entertained jumping rope and painting faces.They are praying
for and with these people daily and happy to be spreading the word of God!
Jan and ventured outside to sit in the shade for a bit and to talk to some of the locals. The children are adorable and really wanted to sit and talk to us and play simple games. We had a mean game of one potato 2 potato....going for a little while until John came and told
us we were leaving.They were sorry to see us go and told us they would miss us!! So cute!
Back to Tony's Inn for some cleanup and I heard they are serving balckened chicken tonite-YUM!
We start surgery tomorrow at about 8m and have about 15 cases! Cant wait!
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