Christmas in Wisconsin... or Attack of the Flu!

Nope, I have not had the flu but almost all eight of the other people in this house have had it! I flew to Wisconsin on Thursday. Some of my family were already sick before I arrived. Since then there have been others sick too, the latest being my grandnephew Jesse around noon on Christmas Day. Poor thing, he only got half of his presents opened when he threw up and then fell asleep before opening the rest.

These days we've remained flexible. The company who were coming over for lunch on Thursday night were told to stay away, and then then came to eat with us on Saturday noon. My brother's family usually has lasagne for their Christmas eve meal but we had vegetable beef soup instead. In fact, we've had soup meals. There are many cookies and candies in the house but they are not being eaten much.

Most of us did go to the movies on Friday afternoon to see "Arthur Christmas". That was cute. Then Saturday late afternoon most of us went to the Christmas Eve church service. Only my brother Larry and I went to the Christmas morning service.

Although the days have been "strange" and not at all what we expected, it's been nice being together. I've not been with my brother for Christmas since we were kids. Here are some photos.

My brother in church Christmas Eve. The church was very nicely decorated.



My sister-in-law and her grand-kids, my grandnephews and grandnieces.



Eleven month Josie and I.



My nephew Joel and his kids.



Before this weekend I had never seen these grands before, except for Asher the oldest but when he was about three months old. He is now 7 1/2 years old.

Today's Positives:
1. I have not yet gotten the flu and I don't want to get it!
2. I've enjoyed being with family and getting to know the grands.
3. We did not have a White Christmas but I do enjoy the WARMer weather.

My plans are to fly back to Omaha tomorrow BUT...... today I'm borrowing my brother's car to drive north about an hour to meet up with and have lunch with an online friend Roxie. It will be fun to meet each other.

Merry Christmas!

Misdirected by a GPS!

Well, I wouldn't really say "misdirected" by the GPS. HOPEFUL, which is the name I gave to the GPS in the van I'm leasing did at least take me in the right direction!

Let me back up. This morning my nurse friend drove me to the airport for a 7am flight, on her way to the hospital for a 7am shift. I flew to St. Louis, MO via Minneapolis. While in Mpls Well, I wouldn't really say "misdirected" by the GPS. HOPEFUL, which is the name I gave to the GPS in the van I'm leasing did at least take me in the right direction!

Let me back up. This morning my nurse friend drove me to the airport for a 7am flight, on her way to the hospital for a 7am shift. I flew to St. Louis, MO via Minneapolis. While in Mpls I got a call from a lady at the ministry that was going to lease the van. She said that there was ice on Hwy 70 and that there had been about 6 accidents already on one stretch. She said that when I got to St. Louis, that I might want to wait til later or tomorrow before leaving for my trek back to Omaha.

Well, I arrived in St. Louis and was picked up by a man, driving the van that I would use. We drove to "Righteous Rides", the ministry that has  fleet of vans that they lease to ministers and missionaries at a "good rate". The car had just joined their fleet of 38 other vehicles and needed a bit of tweaking. After an orientation to the car, I started off driving, listening to GPS HOPEFUL tell me to turn left onto HWY 61. I did as told. I drove, hoping to find Hwy 70, the one I expected to cross Missouri to get to Kansas City and then go north to Omaha.

HOPEFUL never did get me to Hwy 70. Of course, I didn't know where it was. I just kept going north. The van has a compass so as long as I was driving North or West or NW, I felt I was ok. I finally stopped at a filling station and looked at a map to see I was heading directly North and was almost to Hannibal. Mark Twain's territory I'm thinking since there were lots of things with his name attached. Anyway, before getting to Hannibal HOPEFUL directed me to turn left onto Missouri A. That turned out to be the "scenic" route which is might have been if it had been a sunny day. It was however cloudy with snow flurries the whole trip. That road was the most snow covered but no where the whole day did I hit anything that made the car slip. I road West on Missouri A until it had me turn North for a few miles to get to HWY 36. I turned left on 36, headed towards St. Joseph, MO and completely bypassing Kansas City. That's fine with me.

By this time it was 5pm and dark. My prayer was twofold. That I would not have an accident (with the possibility of ice) and that I would find a hotel with internet for the night. About 5:30 HOPEFUL got me to Mason, MO where I spotted ONE known motel, a Super 8. I got the LAST room, a smoking room for four people. Of course I do not smoke and I am one person but the price wasn't really much different, only about $8 more. And it was the ONLY room!

I left my stuff in the room and checked out the internet. If there had not been any, I would have taken my computer to the restaurant when I went out to eat. There WAS internet. Why did I doubt?  I ran off to the Burger King and had a grilled Chicken salad with honey mustard dressing. It tasted oh so good. I am now in the room watching NCIS LA and computing. WooHoo!

Today's Positives:
1. My flights were good and I got some exercise walking through the airports.
2. I picked up my nice van, easy to drive with a nice ride.
3. Although there were snow flurries in the air, I didn't hit any patches of ice on the road.
4. I got the LAST available room at the motel!
5. I chose a chicken salad for supper instead of some highly caloric, not so good for me meal.
6. I was able to buy a snow scraper after supper in case I need it in the morning.
6. I'm here in my warm room, doing INTERNET! I don't yet have it yet in my home in Omaha. That should be installed on Friday.

Thanks for the many who have been following my adventures from the Equator to the snow storms of the Midwest. After finishing my trip to Omaha tomorrow I hope to stay put for awhile. No trips!!

247I got a call from a lady at the ministry that was going to lease the van. She said that there was ice on Hwy 70 and that there had been about 6 accidents already on one stretch. She said that when I got to St. Louis, that I might want to wait til later or tomorrow before leaving for my trek back to Omaha.

Well, I arrived in St. Louis and was picked up by a man, driving the van that I would use. We drove to "Righteous Rides", the ministry that has  fleet of vans that they lease to ministers and missionaries at a "good rate". The car had just joined their fleet of 38 other vehicles and needed a bit of tweaking. After an orientation to the car, I started off driving, listening to GPS HOPEFUL tell me to turn left onto HWY 61. I did as told. I drove, hoping to find Hwy 70, the one I expected to cross Missouri to get to Kansas City and then go north to Omaha.

HOPEFUL never did get me to Hwy 70. Of course, I didn't know where it was. I just kept going north. The van has a compass so as long as I was driving North or West or NW, I felt I was ok. I finally stopped at a filling station and looked at a map to see I was heading directly North and was almost to Hannibal. Mark Twain's territory I'm thinking since there were lots of things with his name attached. Anyway, before getting to Hannibal HOPEFUL directed me to turn left onto Missouri A. That turned out to be the "scenic" route which is might have been if it had been a sunny day. It was however cloudy with snow flurries the whole trip. That road was the most snow covered but no where the whole day did I hit anything that made the car slip. I road West on Missouri A until it had me turn North for a few miles to get to HWY 36. I turned left on 36, headed towards St. Joseph, MO and completely bypassing Kansas City. That's fine with me.

By this time it was 5pm and dark. My prayer was twofold. That I would not have an accident (with the possibility of ice) and that I would find a hotel with internet for the night. About 5:30 HOPEFUL got me to Mason, MO where I spotted ONE known motel, a Super 8. I got the LAST room, a smoking room for four people. Of course I do not smoke and I am one person but the price wasn't really much different, only about $8 more. And it was the ONLY room!

I left my stuff in the room and checked out the internet. If there had not been any, I would have taken my computer to the restaurant when I went out to eat. There WAS internet. Why did I doubt?  I ran off to the Burger King and had a grilled Chicken salad with honey mustard dressing. It tasted oh so good. I am now in the room watching NCIS LA and computing. WooHoo!

Today's Positives:
1. My flights were good and I got some exercise walking through the airports.
2. I picked up my nice van, easy to drive with a nice ride.
3. Although there were snow flurries in the air, I didn't hit any patches of ice on the road.
4. I got the LAST available room at the motel!
5. I chose a chicken salad for supper instead of some highly caloric, not so good for me meal.
6. I was able to buy a snow scraper after supper in case I need it in the morning.
6. I'm here in my warm room, doing INTERNET! I don't yet have it yet in my home in Omaha. That should be installed on Friday.

Thanks for the many who have been following my adventures from the Equator to the snow storms of the Midwest. After finishing my trip to Omaha tomorrow I hope to stay put for awhile. No trips!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Yesterday's Equator Crossing!

I have closed down my home here in Africa and started my six month trip to the States. Yesterday I left home at nearly 7am, about an hour later than I had wanted. There was just too much to do to get ready to leave. I picked up Odile, the wife of the High School Chaplain, and we started out of town.

Here is some of what I saw on the trip:

The highway from the town to the capital city, Libreville, is a mix of newly paved roads, those roads were the tractors are still working and some bridges not yet done, places where there the road is still dirt or mud when it rains and old paved roads. By far, the worst road of the trip was that which had been paved many years ago but has not be repaired for years. The potholes were absolutely terrible!! Three times I had to pull over to close my eyes because I was quite sleepy. We stopped in a larger city for "fast food", in my case, and omelet sandwich. When we got to the capital city the traffic was bumper to bumper because of road construction in many areas. Our trip took 10 1/2 hours.

What did I see? Lots of trees as I live in the jungle. There were "umbrella" trees, palm trees, mango trees, banana plants (bananas do not grow on trees), huge bamboo plants. There were wild flowers, poinsettia looking bushes and some as big as trees, ferns, Safou trees (the “Butterfruit”). Here is an article on the Butterfruit.

 blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/safou-the-%E2%80%9Cbutterfruit%E2%80%9D/

Most houses in a village are on the main highway as there are usually no other roads in town! In front of the houses people put 55 gallon steel barrels and each one usually has a wooden board on top to expand it into a small table. This is where food goods or other items are placed for sale. As we drove around yesterday we say sweet bananas, plantains (cooking bananas), pineapple, mangoes, wild garlic, a monkey, an antelope, manioc (cassava), tomatoes, cabbages, baskets, short wooden stools, etc.

Yes, I did "see" the equator. I wanted a photo for this blog. As soon as I got out of the car the little man pictured with me came up to me and said in French, "God Bless You". It turns out he goes to a church near the equator that is connected with my church. The sign at the equator shows that there are 10,300 kms (6,400 miles) from there to New York City.



Today's Positives:
1. I did not fall asleep on my 10 1/2 hour trip yesterday. Thanks for those who prayed for me about that. I have had a history of falling asleep at the wheel before.
2. I slept very well last night, 7 hours. For me, that is exceptional.
3. I have today and tomorrow until 11pm to catch up on blogging, emails, personal financial files, etc.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

I give Thanks... Past, Present and Future!

I wrote this blog entry first for www.sparkpeople.com and decided to share it here on my personal blog. If you would like to know more about Sparkpeople.com then click on the above link. It is a site that motivates people to good health. Here is what I shared:

During this week of American Thanksgiving to God for His provision, I want to give thanks to Him and others for my blessings.

Past:
I thank the Lord that at age 12 He accepted me as his child when I believed in Him.
I thank God for leading me to serve him abroad and for keeping me as I have lived overseas since 1975.
I thank the Lord that I live in an African country that is peaceful, beautiful and has friendly people.
I thank the Lord for the many American, Dutch, Canadian and African colleagues that I have worked with over the past 36 years.
I thank my cousin Roxanne for inviting me to SparkPeople in January 2008.

Present:
I am thankful for health. Even though I have various chronic "conditions", I am rarely sick.
I am thankful that I have had the privilege to help start a 158 bed teaching  hospital that started as a very small African dispensary. I am thankful that I still work at that same hospital.
I am thankful for electricity, water into my house, telephone, internet, satellite TV, a comfortable home and a car to use. I do not take these things for granted because I have lived many years without some of them.
I thank all my SparkFriends for their support during these 3- 3/4 years.

Future:
I am thankful that it is time for my six month Home Assignment in the States. I'm tired and do need this break. I will do lots of speaking but it will be a change from living on the equator. I leave home here Nov. 30 to arrive in Omaha, NE on Dec. 3rd.
I am thankful that a couple has offered me a two bedroom townhouse to use during the next six months.
I am thankful that I found a van that I can lease at a reasonable price for my time in the States.
I am thankful that I will  continue to receive support from SparkPeople and Sparkfriends. I will NOT give up my quest to become healthier!

This & That !

I'm going to ramble a bit today....

It's Sunday and I went to Nzoundou Chapel for church this morning. I took three American visitors along so they could see a this small African church.

I watched "Top Chef" on TV as I ate lunch. Now I'm doing a SP blog.

I have just a bit over three weeks before my trip to the States and I have a long list of things to do. This afternoon I'm going to look through my freezer and see what I will use up and what I will sell or give away. Since I'll be gone for six months, I'll completely empty out my freezer and fridge and not leave them plugged in for that time.

Last night I had a dinner party for Dinah, a nurse who studied Midwifery with me and who finished up in September. I had just not given her the Certificate yet. After eating we all watched a movie in French, a comedy. I'm glad to have finally finished with all the classes and paperwork for the three midwives who have studied with me this past year.

My class on Obstetrical Pathology will finish in about ten days or so. I have a few classes to give, one set of exams to correct and the final exam to write, give and correct.

I'm having guests for dinner again tomorrow night. My plan this time, meatloaf. Don't know what I'll fix to go with it.

I'm designing a prayer card, type of business card. I would like to order them so that I'll have them when I arrive in the States an start doing speaking in churches. I'm going to use one of my new profile photos on it. I'm now downloading a free publishing software so I can design the card and then I'll order them online.

Well, I should get up out of this recliner and get to my freezer!!

Have a good day.

Photo Shoot!

In October I had a "Photo shoot" done by Alicia Lewan. Here are some of my new profile photos.

Cakes and Cookies for the President!

On Tuesday October 4th all of us American women made cakes and cookies to prepare for the arrival in Lebamba of the President of Gabon. Then on Wednesday morning Wendy Hofman, Joanna Thelander and I went to the home of the Minister of Health to cut our goodies and place them on about 5-6 large platters. Photos are of Wendy and I then of all three of us with some of the ladies at the Minister of Healthy's home.

Back to School!

I teach in the Nursing School at Bongolo Hospital. The students started their second year of classes last week and of course I too went back to school as one of their professors.



I am teaching Obstetrics (Maternity) this quarter.

CCC- Walking Stick

Gabon and my church Christ Community Church (Omaha) are linked together in this video about the opening of the Gabon Field.

Opening of the Gabon Field

Remembering 9-11.... !

On September 11, 2001 I was in the States, in Colorado, at a MidAmerica District Conference for all the Pastors and Delegates of a five State area. I was scheduled to speak at a Women's noon banquet that day. Mary Block, another International Worker,  and I went to Village Inn for breakfast. After finishing eating Mary and I walked over to  the table of Pastor Gary Benedict, who was the President of Crown College at that time. As we approached his table he got a phone call from his Secretary who was still back in MN at the College. She told him that a plane had just flown into the 1st World Trade Center Tower. Then she told him about the next plane flying into the 2nd Tower.

Mary and I walked back to the Hotel and found many of our conference delegates watching the TV in the Hotel lobby. Our conference had started only the night before and was to finish on Thursday. We went to our first morning of meetings, still not knowing what else was to happen. The Military Chaplains who were present left the conference to report in back at their bases.

At noon I was scheduled to speak at a Women's banquet for those women who attended and also for women from churches in the area. The banquet continued as planned and I was given the floor to speak. The title of my message that day was "UNDER HIS CARE". God had given me just the right message, even though I, of course, did not know what that day would entail. I shared many things but for this blog, I will only share which Bible verses I shared that day:

Psm. 91 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, b ut in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

SONG “Under His Wing I am safely abiding….”

Well, our Conference was shortened and finished on Wednesday instead of Thursday. Churches around the Nation were going to have services on Friday that week and all the Pastors from the 5 State area were in Colorado but needed to get home to their congregations. I got home on Thursday.

Everyone was flying American Flags at their homes, in their windows. I went to many stores before I finally found a package of plastic flags. I put one in the window of my apartment and one in my car window.

I live in Africa but I am an AMERICAN. I fly my flag!



I live in Africa but I have Satellite Television so I've been watching the news Remembering 9-11.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

Birthday Blog!

Monday night my brother David and his wife Leslie had several of us over for a BBQ to help celebrate my August 16th Birthday. I turned 62 years young. The Chocolate with Mint Ice Cream Baskin Robbins Ice Cream cake was yummy.



Yesterday morning my brother Bill and his wife Shari took me for a Birthday breakfast to a restaurant called, "The Egg and I".



I had many online Birthday greetings yesterday. My 62nd Birthday was great!

I have been on a one month vacation in the States so that I could attend a Smith family reunion in CO.  I have had a great time in Colorado: visiting family, family reunion and Birthday. I fly from Denver back to Omaha today.... with only about ten days left before flying back to Africa.

1st Annual Bongolo 5K WALK/RUN!

Yesterday, July 2nd, was the 1st Annual Bongolo 5K WALK/RUN! There were 24 of us who registered to participate including Missionaries, Africans and many Visitors on the Station.



First the runners took off and then those of us who were walking. At first I stayed ahead of many of the walkers.



Then everyone passed me up and I was behind:



Although I came in Last at 55 minutes 25 seconds, I met my GOAL of improving my 1st ever, June 25th, 5K WALK time of 60 minutes. I had shaved off 4 minutes and 35 seconds!



At the end of the 5K WALK/RUN we gathered for stretching, carbs and water.



Here I am, the oldest walker in the 5K (62 years old next month), with the youngest walker who is 55 years my Junior!



Oops... Nope... she wasn't the youngest. Our youngest was pushed in a stroller!



Thanks for checking out my 5K Photos!

My First 5K WALK!

The past 5 weeks Dr. Deborah Walker and I have been doing the SparkPeople 5K Walking Training Program together. Yesterday we walked our first 5K in 60 minutes. WooHoo!



As we passed one of the homes we hollered in to those in the kitchen to get their cameras to be able to take a photo of us as we finished the 5K. They not only came out with photos but with a computer playing triumphant type music!

Today's Positives:
1. I walked my first 5K yesterday and finished in 60 minutes.
2. I have another 5K scheduled next Saturday and would like to improve my time. It will be Bongolo's First ever 5K Walk/Run.
3. There were 52 people in Nzoundou chapel this morning. Many adults were away at a conference but we had about 40 children present.

Party Time!

On Monday afternoon one of the Nursing Students invited the class and professors over to her house for an end of the year PARTY! Here are some of the photos from that afternoon:



The Students were dancing with joy! I'm sure that they burned a lot of calories!



Me with a few of those who were at the party.



The whole "bunch" of us!



Today's Positives:

1. I walked over 2 1/2 miles today as Walk 2 of Week 4 of the 5K Walking Training Program. (my legs really ache tonight).
2. I got some more hospital bookkeeping done today.
3. I got my Visa this week. It's a visa that permits me to leave this African country and return  to it so that I can go to the States for an August vacation.

Thanks for following my blog.

Midwifery Graduation!

On Monday, May 30th I hosted a reception for two nurses who finished a one year Midwifery program. Martine and Annushka both did well in their academics, a good match for each other! It was a pleasure to teach them. Monday they  received their Midwifery Certificates from Dr. Kier Thelander, the Medical Director of the Hospital. The Administrative Director, Pastor Serge, also was present. Various employees who work at the Hospital stopped by for cake and soft drinks.



After the reception Martine and Annushka came over to my home to learn to make Pizza. It was a first for them. They made it a contest to see which one made the best looking pizza!

Here is Martine and her Pizza.



Here is Annushka and her Pizza.



When the pizza was ready Dinah arrived. Dinah did not start the Midwifery course until later in the year so she still has more studies to do.  Here is a photo of all three of them, Annushka, Martine and Dinah.



By the way, our look-a-like dresses were ones we wore last year for the Nursing School graduation that took place in May 2010.

My Guinea West African Trip and More!

On April 18th I flew to Libreville then on April 22 I flew to Conakry, Guinea via ASKY Airlines. I was met by Arnie Solvig who drove me to their home. Cheryl had dinner waiting. Saturday I spent with Arnie, Cheryl, Stephanie and Katie. Nicole was away at boarding school in Senegal. The Solvigs had spent `3=`4 years in Gabon and Katie and I have a special bond. I was the "Midwife" when she was born.

 Sunday was Easter and we attended an 8 am Easter service on the tennis court on their mission compound. There must have been 40+ people present. After the service we had a potluck breakfast together before some of us headed off  on a 4-5 hour van ride to the town of Mamou.

April 25-30 Cheryl and I attended a SYIS Workshop in Mamou, Guinea. SYIS stands for "Sharpening your Interpersonal Skills". It was excellent!

This past Monday I flew back to the equator. Went from Conakry to Abidjan to Accra to Lome and changed planes. Then flew from Lome to Lagos and then my final flight to Libreville. I had no problems with flights and was glad to get to Libreville even earlier than my e-ticket said I would.

Tuesday I worked on budget items for the hospital. Also rested up from my 12 hours of flights on Monday.

Wednesday I had a 12 hour bus/car ride down to where I work at a hospital. I carefully reserved place on an air conditioned bus BUT.... the air conditioning was never turned on and everyone had their windows down. It was a bus with a high top and high windows and I was sitting where I got the morning East sun. I got a blue top out of my carry on so I could protect myself from sun burn as we rode along. Here is me riding along on the bus, listing to a podcast.



Thursday afternoon my neighbor and I hopped in my car to go grocery shopping in town, a couple of miles from here. We had not even gotten to the stores yet when my car made aloud noise and then the CLUTCH went out!. I called a colleague who came over with his car and towed us back home. A National car repairman followed us and worked on my car that afternoon for a couple of hours. He returned yesterday and worked on the car for about four hours. I was glad that he was able to fix the clutch so the car is back up and running, I hope permanently. At least I know which piece to buy if it breaks down again.

Yesterday morning I also had Dan Lewan and Olivier install my new stove. Unfortunately the top works but electric system will not spark the oven to start.  Our American maintenance man, Paul Davis, is on vacation and will not be back for about ten days so it looks like I either not be using my oven or I'll need to use the neighbor's oven. Then I hope that it can be repaired.



Today's Positives:
1. I had such a nice trip to Guinea, with no complications in my travels.
2. It so nice seeing and being with the Solvig family again.
3. The SYIS Workshop was very good and taught many Interpersonal Skills.
4. My car got fixed without buying any parts.
5. My stove got installed and works at least partially.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Resistance!

I'm in the capital city Libreville and some of us went out to eat supper. I had a very good chicken fahita pita sandwich and bottled water. Next to the cash register there was a long counter of pastries.

What I resisted:



Then on the way home we stopped and some of us bought (deluxe) Magnum Ice cream bars.

What I did NOT resist:



Nuf said!

Today's Positives:

1. I bought a new stove this morning. My other one had a gas leak and then had the thermostat fried with a lightening strike.
2. I wrote a news letter today.
3. I'm in Libreville and got to go out to eat supper this evening.

Have a great day!

Queen Esther!

Yesterday was a good day. I worked at the hospital this morning, visiting the students on their wards and then working on Hospital bookkeeping. In the afternoon I and my Midwifery students attended a lecture by a visiting doctor.

Last evening I attended our weekly women's Bible Study. We are using a Beth Moore Bible study on Queen Esther in the Old Testament. Here is a photo that we took at one of our Monday studies.


After Bible Study last evening I walked a mile with a Leslie Sansone DVD.

Yesterday's Positives:
1. Our rain did not have too much lightening!
2. I used a Walking DVD!
3. I heard that my Visa for the country of Guinea was obtained. I will be traveling to Guinea Conakry next week so that I can attend a seminar. I'm glad that I now have my visa.

Thanks to all to follow my blog. I sure appreciate you.

Update!

March 24, 2011 UPDATE from Carolyn!

March 24, 2011

Thanks for your prayers for the Bongolo Hospital Nursing School. This past quarter I taught the Pharmacology course. The students just finished their second full quarter of classes and I am happy to report that all eleven students passed and will be admitted into the third quarter of classes. They are now on a one week vacation before classes resume again on Monday, March 28th. I will not be teaching a class to students nurses during the third quarter.

I had been teaching two new Nurses (Annushka and Martine) a one year course in Midwifery but this third quarter of classes we now have an additional student, Dina. Dina's husband was just transferred to the Bongolo Hospital Surgery Residency program from one that closed down in the Cameroon. Dina was already a nurse with experience in Maternity but she had had no additional classes in Midwifery. Annushka, Martine and Dina are doing well with their classes. They will finish third trimester theory on April 14th except for a term paper "care study" that will be due before the end of May. I will teach Dina the first two quarters of material this summer. Pray that the three nurses get good learning experiences in during their clinical work.

A month ago I became the Bongolo Hospital Bookkeeper again, after a break of two years. Until this week I did not have time to actually work in that office but my African helper, Christine, and I have worked every day this week and it's going smoothly.

I continue to attend church at Nzoundou Chapel, the next small village out the back road from Lebamba where the Bongolo Hospital is located. From our high of 94 people who attended for the Christmas service with following meal, the chapel is back down to having about 40+ each Sunday morning. An African couple, Felix and Adele, go with me each Sunday. Between Felix, Adele and the village nurse, Parfait, we four take turns giving the Sunday message.

Thanks for your prayers.

Blessings,
Carolyn

Visiting Hope House!

I drove up to Libreville on Friday to do some bookkeeping this next week.  There is an Alliance Orphanage here called Hope House. Most of my colleagues have visited there but yesterday was my first visit. The 30 kids live in this temporary home, awaiting construction of their new home.



I went with others. Upon arrival, some of the kids were finishing their spaghetti lunch. We got lots of hugs as the kids were so excited to see us.



I did not get to meet their "house parents" as they were out for the day but I did get to meet a young man who lives in the house and helps out with the kids.

A few of the kids tried to teach me a game with my hands, I'll call it "patty cake" but I had really no ideas who's hand to "slap" and when. I guess I won the game though because they told me so!



I gave an impromptu English class to about a half dozen kids, mostly teens.

We were at the orphanage about two hours. It was fun.These kids are getting a solid Christian upbringing.
I'm glad I got to go and I would go back if given the chance.

33+ Years without DRINKABLE TAP WATER!

For over 33 years I have lived in Africa and worked as a nurse at Bongolo Hospital. The water that comes into our houses and into the hospital wards has been pumped directly from the Louetsi river into a reservoir and then it has come into our houses by gravity.

At first I had a BUCKET FILTER SYSTEM. With a bucket of tap water (from the river) on the top.... and a filter in that bucket. The water would enter the filter and then go by plastic tube down to a lower bucket that received the filtered water. I would drink the water in the bottom bucket.

In recent years I have had an inline filter connected directly to the tap so that I could drink water that came through that filter. I fill up bottles so that I already have filtered water when I need it.

In the past ten days a team of four men have been on our hospital compound to install a PROFESSIONAL FILTERING SYSTEM that has started to filter all of the water that comes out of our taps! It also chlorinates the water.



This afternoon some of us had a tour of the facilities, so we could be convinced that the water was potable, pure. After all, I have been filtering my water for over 33 years! That means that I haven't even brushed my teeth using the tap water. Some of us needed to be convinced!  Here are some photos from the tour.


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After a few weeks of this purified water going through our old pipes to clean them out, the chlorine level coming out of the taps in our homes will be checked to make sure that they have the correct amount of chlorination. At that point our water will be DRINKABLE!
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Today's Positives:
1. We will soon be able to drink the water coming out of our home taps without first filtering it!
2. The patients at the hospital will now have drinkable water instead of having to buy it from other sources.
3. The water is not only pure, it is clear. The water in our house has had so much dirty sediment that sometimes washing our clothes changed them to a dingy color instead of whitening them!

Now..... if I only liked to DRINK WATER!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Shall I give them Away?

Yesterday afternoon I got in the mood for Oatmeal cookies. What I really wanted was an Oatmeal- Peanut Butter cookie (healthily made) like I had eaten at a SparkFriend's house on Friday. Well, I went into the Kitchen to make cookies but did not have the right recipe and I really wanted peanut butter to be in my oatmeal cookie.

I spotted a package of brownie mix that really needed to be used up because it was old and I had fresher mixes in the house. I decided to make the Brownies. They were no fuss and were done in about 40 minutes, complete with putting them together. I ate two brownies right away!

What they tasted like was................ old. I had saved the package tooo long. I don't know what an old package mix tastes like in the States but on the very humid African Equator, well, if we keep things around too long they taste.... well. I can't even let you know other than OLD.

Now for my dilemma. Should I save them and eat them? If I frosted them would the frosting make them taste better? I really didn't want to waste the frosting. Should I give them to the lady who cleans house for me and maybe she or her kids would like them? It's not that they were tooo bad but I just knew that they weren't .... well, they were old tasting. They looked ok.... see the photo!



What should I do? What would YOU do?

Today's Positives:
1. After warning the cleaning lady that perhaps only her kids would like them, I gave all my brownies away today! 
2. I've been on track with my eating today!
3. I will go for a walk outside today!

Thanks everyone who follows my blog.