Life here on the Global Mercy is getting busy. We have been in Sierra Leone for around 3 weeks now and all the preparation for the hospital to open is completed. The first patients come on board today and the first surgery will be performed tomorrow morning. You may be thinking "What have you been doing for those 3 weeks? Didn't they just do surgery there this past Spring?"
Life here on the Global Mercy is getting busy. We have been in Sierra Leone for around 3 weeks now and all the preparation for the hospital to open is completed. The first patients come on board today and the first surgery will be performed tomorrow morning. You may be thinking "What have you been doing for those 3 weeks? Didn't they just do surgery there this past Spring?"
Well, the amount of cleaning, organizing and preparation that needs to be done has surprised us all. We have all been able to volunteer in different ways to help get the hospital open.
Lauren and other 6-12th graders had fun cleaning floors and walls.
The hospital also hosted an "open house" last week geared toward kids so they could see what happens downstairs. This was all done in a family friendly way with M&Ms being medicine, gummy bears in patients bellies, etc.
Surgeon Sam scrubbing in for surgery!
"What do you think Doctor Sadie?"
Nurse Lauren learning to take patients blood pressure
Although this is seen as a fun event for kids, it also brought good conversation afterward. Kids saw just how many "stations" patients move through while here (pre-op, surgery, PACU, rehab, etc). Our kids also got excited about how we can visit and play with kids while they are healing. It is easy to move through our days of school, meals, homework, fun with friends and not think about the whole reason we are here-to bring hope and healing!
Another event I (sadly) did not get photos of was the hospital prayer walk last week. 15 groups of approximately 10 people each went through each room of the hospital and prayed for the people who will work there (doctors, nurses, chaplains, etc) and patients as they serve. It was a special time to show how preparations are not only physical preparations but mental/spiritual as well.
I'll end this with a few more photos of life here lately-
First day of school!
Lauren while sailing in!
Sadie and new friends
Jeff playing pickle ball on the ship
Sam loves hot chocolate from the cafe
Lauren and new friends
Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, texts of encouragement, etc. We are thankful for all of you partnering with us.
Love, J^2 L S^2
I just love reading your blogs it makes it feel as though you are not so far away❤️
ReplyDeleteBeing tech impaired, I just realized how to download your emails, and actually respond to them!! I am so impressed and grateful to be “taking along for the ride” with you. You are a wonderful writer with a talent for bring your experiences to life.
DeleteI truly empathize with how heart breaking and difficult navigating the “Haves and Have Nots” dilemma must be, and how it is a daily feature of your life. I hope you are able to teach us all what the Lord shows you along the way.
I’m stunned by what an amazing opportunity this is for your kids! This will enrich their whole lives! They sound like you have given them a great foundation to build on already.
I’m sorry that I never got to know you better before you left, and get to correct that somewhat in the meantime.
I will be praying for you all, and intend to keep in touch from now on.
Many Blessing, Marlene Hidalgo