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Friday, May 21, 2010

On the Street Where I Live!




I live on the right side of a cement block duplex. Here it is, complete with the satellite dish for my TV reception.


I live in a community, next to the hospital were I work here in Africa. There are about 16 housing units on our "station". Hospital personnel living and working here are from the U.S.A., Gabon, Guinea (Conakry), Congo (Kinshasa) and Mali.

The housing on our hilltop is sparse, with lots of park-like space between most houses.

Today's Positives:
1. I'm keeping up my steps, walking over 10,000 steps today.
2. It's Friday!
3. I'm feeling well today.
4. I finished almost all the letters to applicants who desire to take the Nursing School entrance exams on June 12th.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Nursing School Graduation!

 

Graduation for Bongolo Nursing School was held yesterday at the end of the Bongolo church service. The class of eight entered the church from the back, doing the "African Shuffle" as the worship choir sang and the instruments played (electric keyboard, guitar).

The Medical director, Keir Thelander, gave a speech. Next was the Alliance district Superintendent, Pastor Mbesse. I then gave a short speech as the Director of the Nursing school then I gave out Diplomas.  The Bongolo church was packed.

Many photos were taken, including this one with the eight new Nurses and three of their professors, Lisa Nicky, Moungala Claude and myself. Two other Professors,  Rebecca Thompson and Karen Fitch, were not able to attend Graduation because they were in the States.

After the Graduation ceremony a reception was held for the new Nurses and their invited guests. Lisa Nicky made a sheet cake and Joanna Thelander helped her decorate it. Other ladies on the Station also made cakes: Wendy, Deb, Joanna , Meladee and myself. Elaine Greene and some of the Hospital employees helped serve about eighty people who were at the reception.


Praise the Lord for HIS help for these new nurses during these past twenty nine months of studies!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Graduation Dinner!


Last evening I took the Bongolo Nursing students and two other professors (Lisa and Claude) out to eat at a local restaurant, "Chez Marie Therese". Some of them had never before been to this restaurant. We were celebrating their Graduation which was held this morning! Each of the eight students could invited his or her spouse or family member. There were nineteen of us in all.

Marie prepared rice, fermented manioc root, French fried sweet potatoes, fish chicken in palm nut sauce, porcupine and another one or two wild bush meat dishes. There was more food on our private buffet table than we could eat and the rest of the food was taken home by the new graduates!