August 2016 DRC

Joanna and I

On the top of the hill.

You ever have those days where you’re off from work and you wake up earlier than you normally would excited to start the day?  Today was one of those days.  Thanks to Joanna who has been working Saturdays for me, I have some free time to get some things done and do some things that I’d like to do.  I’ll be sad when she and her husband leave at the end of September to go back to Holland to deliver their second baby.  After that, they are relocating to more rural hospital north of here.  I’m not so secretly hoping that there’s a delay in getting the required airplane strip (either grass or dirt runway) in order so they can come back to Nyankunde.  Part is selfish, I will really miss the good help in the maternity ward, but really I will miss her friendship.  I am currently praying and asking for someone to help in the maternity ward.  The 2 doctors typically assigned are both administrators and rarely, if ever, around.

Playing Frisbee.
Yes, it's the 7 month pregnant lady playing.

I’m trying to think about what else has been happening here….

The color of "clean" water during the rainy season.

We’ve had several people visit over the last several weeks.  I already mentioned the group of 5 people who were here to run a kids’ program.  There was also a pilot/mechanic helping MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship).  And, we recently had a doctor from Columbus area stop by on her way back home.  She’s been working in central Congo doing research on kids with malaria that affects their brains.  It was great to have her here and to see what steps she’s been making in figuring out how to diagnose and treat cerebral malaria.  For all those Michigan State people, she’s basing her research off of Terry Taylor’s work in Malawi.  Small world.

 I almost forgot.  Thanks to MAF, I was able to travel for 4 days to Goma and across the border in Rwanda right off of Lake Kivu.  I went with Patrick, Anna and their kids.  It was great to get away and relax for a couple of days.

Flying over one of the volcanoes.

We were also able to buy the ultrasound machine because of everyone’s donations!  I’m just waiting for a back-ordered part and for someone to bring it here.  Thanks to everyone for helping.  It will help not only with day-to-day things, but the doctor that visited also mentioned using the new machine to help with some research for ladies who have blood pressure problems in pregnancy.  It’s a bit complicated, but it’s doing middle cerebral artery dopplers to determine part of the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in the brain to see if, eventually, it will effect diagnosis and/or treatment.

I’ve also had a chance to talk with an organization called Serge https://www.serge.org/ .  Next May, when my contract with Samaritan’s Purse is done, I have to figure out what I’m going to do.  This organization was recommended to me.  We discussed different opportunities they have available, but they also discussed the possibility of continuing to build up the hospital in Nyankunde and to develop personnel, especially in administration.  It’s the idea of having a team of people in place with support from their organization in helping facilitate the work here.  There are several other people from Samaritan’s Purse who have been talking with the people from this organization, so we’ll see what happens.

As always, I continue to work and be involved in what’s going on the community.  I’m starting to do community teaching on contraception and family planning.  It’s a big deal when you have 7, 8, or 9 kids.

Dinner with some of the doctors

I’ve also continued to learn how to cook since coming to Congo.  My typical stand-by of spaghetti or cereal doesn’t work here, so I’ve been learning a little at a time.  I make bread, cook with eggplant and pumpkin, and I’ve just learned how to really filet a fish.  I’m thinking about buying some pork ribs to see if I can make bacon!

Things continue to be interesting.  Pray for me as I continue to try and organize the maternity department.  It’s hard to see any change, but other people say it’s there.  Also pray for me, as I will be the only doctor dedicated to the maternity ward starting Sept 21^st.  I will need wisdom to know how to set up boundaries to preserve some sanity while not ignoring the urgency of cases.  Also, pray that the nurses will figure out when to call for help.  I often get called for things they can handle and don’t get called for total disasters.  Pray that I won’t get really frustrated as we work out the process.  And, pray that the administration will take it seriously that I need someone to train.  Not only will it help me now, but in May 2017 I will be in the US for several months to take a break, to take the last step of my board exams, and to work to pay off my loans.  I could be gone as long as 6 months.  In the mean time, I will continue to train the midwives how to do C-sections and treat more complicated cases.

The tile floor came up this week...no grout between.

Happy Labor Day to everyone!  You are missed and loved.

Thanks for your continued support and encouragement