I know you have been awaiting my update. Thank you for assuring me I am prayed for. I would not be here if we did not partner together in God's work!
Here are some highlights:
1) Remember my last update on maxillofacial patients and that I was scared of them? Well I met one of them again this week! It was so great to see him and of course he recognized me (being one of the few Chinese). I bumped into him at the HOPE centre, a place patients stay the day before their surgery. Apparently he had traveled all the way from Guinea for this! He was very thankful for my service and blessed me. I felt like my purpose here is well worth it=) Although I did not get a chance to see him again, please pray for his integration back into his community as it can be challenging sometimes after a drastic change.
2) This week I scanned a few more neck and facial CT exams. We think I am ready to take call. I'm on call starting tomorrow for seven days. I'm not dreading the calls but I AM dreading that I need to stay on ship. Please continue to pray for me as I still feel very confined here. Please pray for a grateful heart and to stop complaining! Btw, the food has gotten better. I had spaghetti today!
3) Work is still generally slow most days. So I have been observing other areas such as the OR and dental clinic (I assisted my first tooth extraction!) Please continue to pray that my doubts for being here are blocked and for God to show me His purpose and vision. Please pray for the patients who no longer have teeth - pray for strength to chew and live on with life.
4) The locals and hospital odour is simply unbearable. I have trained myself to breathe through my mouth in specific areas. Please continue to pray that I will be compassionate from my heart - despite odour, hygiene and pathology. I know only Jesus can help me with this.
5) Last evening I attended the Jesus film showing. We went to a new neighbourhood, put up a screen and showed the Jesus film. I'm amazed by the hundreds of people who sat/stood through two hours watching, young and old! We had an alter call. I believe everyone raised their hands and gave their lives to Jesus. Please pray for the hearts of these people and for the church to follow up with them. As Africans are very community based, I'm not sure if they rose their hands because everyone else was doing so, only God knows. Please pray they will choose for themselves who their follower will be.
6) I was very excited today to be off ship! We hiked across Freetown up towards the college. It's a bit over an hour. It was very trying as we hiked on the broken roads and rocks. I don't know how the locals here do it with flip flops. None the less it was rewarding finishing the journey - exhausted and perspiring with a cold coke reward! Please pray that I will strive through this journey looking upwards and not give up! It's truly a beautiful city despite the disaster the war had brought.
I have included some photos. Two taken today as we hiked. One was from the dental clinic - the boy was my first tooth extraction patient. I hope you are well in Toronto!
Blessings,
Janet
http://www.mercyshipsadventures.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment