W.J.D.I.A.T

Last Post.

2010-01-13T10:51:00.004-06:00

It has been 3 weeks today since I arrived back home. I must confess that today feels like the first day that I have had to do nothing. Above is a picture of me at the grocery store for the first time in 19 months..... it was a bit overwhelming but good to have options. In the last 3 weeks I have celebrated Christmas with my family, traveled to Austin Texas and Atlanta Georgia to visit Emily and Carmen, volunteered at a conference called Passion 2010, visited with friends in St. Louis and interviewed/ landed a job.

I would say I am adjusting well. I think I have been so busy that I have not had time to really think about the differences between my two worlds. I know my heart is still trying to figure out where it needs to be, and how to be equally balanced. I know that as time goes by God will provide clarification and direction and until then I will continue to live faithfully in the place He has placed me.

As a follower of Christ I am called to live passionately for Him where I am so that is what I will continue to do. I was reading Tozer the other day and came a cross this line. "Among the many who profess the Christian faith, scarcely one in a thousand reveals any passionate thirst for God." I want to be that one in a thousand.

Since my blog is called What Jess Did In Africa Today, and today I am in America this will be my last post. Thanks so much for reading and supporting me over the last 2 years.

My friends in Africa would say God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. There is never a time when God is not good.

As I say good bye to this season of my life, the dust will always remain on my feet.

Heading Home.

2009-12-22T05:58:00.003-06:00

I am all packed after spending all night downsizing my 2 bags of 40 kilos to 1 bag at 22 kilo...slight mix up on the bag allowance. I did good only a few tears were shed when I had to part with some stuff that I did not want to part with. I was just trying to look at it as God trying to simplify my life just a little bit more. I think i did good after 19 months gone all I have returning with me is one little bag.

I head out tonight at 8pm from Tenerife, spend the night in Dublin, fly to Chicago in the am, and then to Stl early evening tomorrow. Please pray that the snow holds of until I get there. I do not want to have to relive last years disaster at the Chicago Airport.

It has been an adventure of a life time and thanks for reading and keeping up as I went along.

Merry Christmas... and Happy New Year.

We made IT.

2009-12-19T10:57:00.006-06:00

We docked this morning around 8:30 am in the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. We were welcomed by our very own trumpet player. Every time the ship comes or goes from Tenerife this man is there playing his trumpet for us. He was there last year and sure enough he was there this morning. In fact he was the only one there welcoming us. The entire crew loves to hear his music as we approach. It actually is rather moving. Around 10:30 am the mass exiting of sea loged crew began. I asked a few of the kids what they were doing today some answered the park, some answered getting ice cream but one little girl answered We Are Going to McDonalds. What ever the activity be I know we were all glad to be able to walk on dry land. The site of green grass and the smell of flowers and vegetation was enough to make me happy, oh the beauty of simplicity.

The Trumpet player

Video clip of the arriving tunes

The Numbers...for Benin 2009

2009-12-17T08:09:00.003-06:00

This post is for those of you who get amazed at the stats. I must admit they are rather impressive. However the glory goes to Him not use, for we are nothing without him.

996 reconstructive and plastic surgeries;
185 cleft lip and palate repairs;
1161 general surgeries;
2 local surgeons trained;
3,521 cataracts removed;
570 other eye surgeries (pterygia and stabismus);
2 local eye surgeons trained;
33,851 eye evaluations and other treatments;
7,083 pairs of sunglasses distributed;
5,689 pairs of reading glasses distributed;
18 community eye field workers trained;
154 obstetric fistulas repaired;
4 local surgeons trained in fistula repair;
231 orthopedic operations;
10,175 dental patients seen;
794 dental hygiene patients;
13,174 oral health education;
25 oral health teachers trained;
2 dental assistants trained;
28 patients received palliative home care;
6 Burkitt's Lymphoma patients received palliative support;
19 families trained in wound care;
10 agricultural staff trained;
23 local agricultural trainees;
1 hostel constructed for agricultural college;
19 mental health workers trained;
119 church & community leaders trained in mental health;
50 prison officers and workers trained in mental health;
2 church leaders conferences attended by 602 attendants;
and 12,000 people watched the Jesus Film and many made a commitment to Christ.

That brings the total to about 80,000 people who have been directly touched by this ministry in the past 10 months. WOW.

⁹I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to You among the nations.

¹⁰For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens

And Your truth to the clouds.

¹¹Be exalted above the heavens, O God;

Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 57:9-11

Day7. Peek At The View.

2009-12-15T14:15:00.004-06:00

Here is a peek at what I have been enjoying for the last seven days. It has been lovely. The sail is still as smooth as a baby's butt. Praise the Lord. Our ETA for Tenerife is Saturday morning, I leave one week from today, and I am 80% packed already.

There is a light at the end of this tunnel.

Sunday... Day 6.

2009-12-13T18:57:00.005-06:00

MERCY CHRISTMAS.... From our ship to your home. haha

Day 4.

2009-12-11T09:00:00.001-06:00

We are still moving, and this is how I spent my afternoon. :)

Sunrise Day 3

2009-12-10T03:24:00.004-06:00

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Au Revoir l'Afrique

2009-12-10T02:11:00.005-06:00

Tuesday we sailed out into the Atlantic blue leaving Africa in the long off horizon and our next destination 10 days away. As we left the port I found a few tears making their way down my cheek. I was surrounded by people from all over the world, some who have only been here a few weeks and some like myself who have seen this entire outreach through. From beginning to end. I wondered what most were thinking as the words amongst all of us were few.

I knew what I was thinking. I was thinking of all the hard work and sweat( literally) that has went into these last 10 months, all the patients and family members who have in someway or another been affected by our presences. I was thinking of all the randomness that occurs everyday and is now not so random. I was thinking of all the places I had visited over the last 10 months and all the people I had come in contact with. I was thinking of friends who have come and gone.I was thinking of all the challenges and success that have passed me by. I was thinking of all the change that has occurred in my life since the very first day I left home over a year and a half ago. But most of all I was thinking of how honored I was to have lived such an awesome adventure in my lifetime..not that the adventures in my life are over, just this one.

When I left home June 2008 I was expecting to see our Father in ways I never thought were imaginable and sure enough He out did himself. It has been a journey and don't get me wrong there have been good day and bad days, but that is life. I leave Africa with a heart empty of things to give and full of blessing received. I knew this would change my life, however I never knew what change my life really entailed.

So now I sit on a rocking hospital ship that is making its way to Tenerife and from there I will fly home....not sad but happy, blessed, and thankful. It's amazing really. God has granted me such peace about leaving and returning home. He has prepared me in such away that I know that coming home is the next step. Now I wait to find out what steps to take after I step of the plane.

Liz Meg and I on Deck 8 just before we set sail.

The tug pulling us out to sea.

Separation for land and people waving good bye.

The now empty birth were we lived for the last 10 months.

Togo Advanced Team that will stay in Africa and prepare the way for the ship to head to Togo in February.

Au Revoir l'Afrique!

My Thanksgiving.

2009-11-29T16:01:00.006-06:00

I know Thanksgiving is one of those holidays were most people have plenty of traditions to uphold and follow. However this weekend I have been thinking about what Thanksgiving actually means and I am almost positive that eating lots of food until you are about to burst then laying around watching tv while you flip through the ads for Black Friday is not the only way to celebrate. Enjoyable to most but not the only way. This Thanksgiving I celebrated in a new way and it was such a wonderful day.

It started out by not having to work thanks to all the hard work the dental team did 3 days prior. It was not planned to take the day off however it worked out that way.

I woke up without an alarm which is one of my most favorite things to do. After waking up I talked on the phone to a dear friend living in Norway then I had lunch. After lunch I thought to myself oh my! my first day finished with the clinic and I am all ready bored. Then I remembered I needed to actually make a trip out to the clinic to check on one thing. So I got a car and set out for the dental clinic one last time.

On my way I remembered I also needed to stop and see Joyce and Jugo one last time. You might be asking yourself who are Joyce and Jugo? I blogged about them back on September 12. Here is the short version on them. Joyce the mom and Jugo the daughter came to the dental clinic on the first day back in February. Jugo needed a cleft palate operation and we did that for her back in September. From February until now I have developed a lovely relationship with this family. I have been to Joyce's store several time for visits and she would randomly stop by the clinic just to say hi and see how things were going. Over the months I have really grown attached to them.

So I thought Thursday would be the perfect day to stop by and say hello/goodbye. First I stopped at Joyce's shop where she has a small business. After visiting for a while we decided to go pick Jugo and her sister up from school. That was a treat in its self. They were so surprised to see me and not only to see me but to see me at their school. After picking them up we drove to their house. The ride was so fun. The girls had never been in a car and they loved it. Every little bump and pot hole that most people complain about they laughed about. On the way to their house we made a small detour at the tailor shop to pick up the dress they had made for me. It was so cute.. I love it. Once we got to the house they showed me around which took about 2 min. The house was 3 rooms one room had a bed on the floor, and one room was the kitchen/ toilet all in one. The girls changed clothed and then I took them back to the shop. I asked Joyce how late will she work tonight and she told me 9pm. She then said in Africa you must work hard so your children can have a little. By the time we arrived back at the shop it was time for me to go. We prayed together, said our good byes, and even cried all of us including Jugo.

You might think to yourself this seems like an awful way to celebrate Thanksgiving... but it was so wonderful. I was able to just for a few hours step into the normal every day life of a little girl who's life has been changed by what we done here on the ship. I was able to see the grace God has given them and myself. I was able to see that the people we are here serving are just that people with normal lives. People like you and I that are just trying to get by. While we were praying before I left Joyce said one line that I will never forget She said "Father Thank you for using Jessica to stop my tears. Thank you for guiding us to her, and using her to guide us to the ship. My tears are gone now and I thank her but PRAISE YOU for who YOU ARE.

This has been the best Thanksgiving ever and it was not because I had a nice spread of Turkey, potatoes, dressing, and pumpkin pie.....which I did have in case you were wondering. It was because I was able to see at the end of the day all politics and branding put aside, peoples lives are being touched and in most cases it turns out that not just the patients lives are being changed it is also ours. The crew members who are here to help but in the end are helped more than we/ I could ever imagined.

I hope you enjoyed your families and friends over the Holiday, I know I missed mine but none the less I had a day full of things to be Thankful for.

Joyce outside her small shop.

Surprise pick up at school. The girls loved it.
Jugo at home jumping on the bed. Typical kid.
Outside the house just before we said good bye.

Packed Up Cleaned Up Wrapped Up Day 3

2009-11-25T10:22:00.011-06:00

Day 3 and the dental clinic is now packed into a container sitting on Deck 8. It only took us 3 days to tear it down, clean it up, and bring it back. All our hard work payed off and now we get tomorrow OFF... which means it will be just like home(well not just like but as close as it is going to get) tomorrow on Thanksgiving Day. Sleep, spending time with good friends, and a Thanksgiving Day meal. I have so much to be Thankful for, and have had an Amazing year. Time for whatever is NEXT.

First trip from the clinic to the ship

Second trip from the clinic to the ship. Packed true African Style. Stuff stuffed everywhere.

Neighborhood boys waving goodbye to us the last time we pulled out of the clinic.
3rd and final trip from the clinic to the ship. We had to stop and retie down the tables on the top of my Land Rover. We almost lost them.
Me bringing in the LAST thing to be packed into the container. WOO HOO it is finished.
The container with all the dental stuff.
and there it goes from the dock to deck 8.

That my friends is how you tear down, pack up, and move a dental clinic from land to sea.

Cleaned Up. Day 2.

2009-11-24T14:34:00.007-06:00

DAY 2. Cleaning- Finished! Only thing left to do is bring it all back to the ship tomorrow. :)

Day 2
empty sterilization room

Empty Dental Clinic

loading up the generators and compressors. That was a big job! Thanks Karl for the help.

All the equipment packed and ready to be driven back to the ship to be placed in our container tomorrow.

Pack it Up. Day 1

2009-11-23T09:43:00.005-06:00

Last Friday a clinic full of patients. Today messy rooms with people everywhere packing up.

DAY 1

Friday's Patient Pick.. The First and The Last

2009-11-20T14:37:00.004-06:00

Today was the last day of treating patient at the Dental Clinic and it was bitter sweet. We had so many patient waiting outside the gate of our clinic that as we drove away for the ship at 5:00pm many were still standing there begging us to help them some of them even had tears running down their faces. That is hard to take anytime and as I sit here and type this I am emotionally and physically drained. However as I have said many times, God knows when you have had enough and he knows just the way to ease your mind. Which brings me to my LAST Friday patient pick Mousaha.

Mousaha has a rather long history with us. His chart reads patient number 52. He came to see us for the first time on November 27 our first day of clinic. He presented with a rather severe mandible fracture. He is the same man I talked about in a story on my blog back in April. The patient featured on the short dental video the ship put out many months ago. The same man I have spotted several times around town while I was out and about..every time resulted in him greeting me with a smile and a hand shake.

Well today when he walked though the gate, I was greeted with a hug in addition to his huge smile. He came in today for his final check and Praise God he is healed completely, including his new denture that replaced 7 teeth that needed to be removed for the surgery, and oh man is he happy with the results.

As we did our last hugs and smiles to one another and he turned his back to walk out the gate for the last time, a part of me felt so complete. Not only is he my Friday patient pick... He is my Favorite patient ever pick.

His first appointment was our first day of clinic and his last appointment was our last day of clinic. 10 months of treatment and finally his chart reads DISCHARGED.

His charts full of clinical notes from all of his appointments.

10,000th.....

2009-11-19T14:55:00.005-06:00

Introducing our 10,000th Patient.......

The dental team treated it's 10,000 patient today. It was rather exciting for me especially because this is the goal I personally set for us before the outreach even began and now we have actually achieved it. I think this is a testimony to how HARD we have been working these past 10 months.

When I think of the many volunteer crew and patients that have passed through the gates at the Dental Clinic this outreach it amazes me. Meeting this goal represents the hard work of many people of all ages and nationalities treating and caring for one patient at a time one day at a time.

WAY TO GO DENTAL TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday's Patient Pick! Prison Edition.

2009-11-13T14:25:00.007-06:00

Yesterday and Today the Dental Team went to the Cotonou Prison to work. We treated 310 patients in 2 days and had a blast doing it. More photos to come tomorrow or Sunday. This brings me to my patient pick. The gentleman below was one of the first ones in line to receive treatment. After his tooth was extracted he decided to show off a pit for the camera. He also decided he liked me and thought it was necessary to present me with a nice pair of sandals (picture below). At the end of today we had a little sing and dance time and a few of the prisoners joined us in our celebration.... one of them being FRIDAY PATIENT PICK- prison Edition. :)

Please do not bypass the hugeness of this mans muscles.
Being a poser
My lovely small sandals, which I love and will keep forever.

Do you know what this means.....?

2009-11-10T09:52:00.007-06:00

What I hold in my hand is very important. It is the hand over manual for the NEXT dental coordinator. Which means I am ALMOST done.............. can you believe it.

I spent all day trying to explain my job for the next God selected coordinator and the entire time I couldn't stop thinking how fast my appointed time has flew by...my mom might beg to differ. :)

I am:

8 clinic days

5 clean up days

7 days of wrapping up

10 days of sailing

5 days in Tenerife,

1 1/2 days in the air

## and a few other odd days

AWAY FROM BEING HOME!!!!

Freely He Gives...

2009-11-08T13:44:00.004-06:00

There are moments in life that seem to be the worst thing possible but turns out to the best thing possible. And there are also moments in life that mean the world to you that only you and God often fully understand the depth and width of that moment regardless of how you try to explain it and share it with others.

I must say living on a ship docked in West Africa working amongst the poorest of the poor is the perfect setting for these types of moments to occur. Every minute of every day could be one of these potential ”moments," however they only come along and hit you with such impact in times of great need.

God freely gives them at times when you are so tired and weary that you don’t think you can carry on another day. Times where you are questioning your reasoning for being here. Times when you just need to hear from Him and know He is there. Times when you are missing family, friends and life at home so bad that you are willing to take the next flight back to America. And to be totally honest times when you just don’t give a crap what happens....

These moments are so great for the soul and so great for the body that I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I had one of these moments Friday night and I think it might just be enough fuel for my heart to get me through these next 6 weeks. At the end of the day God is still God, and freely He gives these moments in times of true need, you can always count on that.

14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. Ecclesiastes 3:14

Friday's Patient Pick for November 6 2009.

2009-11-06T17:42:00.003-06:00

Todays patient pick was not exactly a patient. It was a patients son. I just thought he was to cute to pass up. Hope you are all enjoying the patient picks the last few week. I just thought it would be fun for you to be able to see a few of the faces that have been passing through the dental chairs recently. Only 2 weeks left of clinic which mean only 2 more patient pick Fridays. Next Thursday and Friday we are going to work at the prison which will be a really good way to finish this outreach. Stay tuned.

Friday's Patient Pick.. a day early.

2009-10-29T11:16:00.004-05:00

Here is Friday' Patient Pick a day early........ because tomorrow I am on HOLIDAY and not working. Praise God for rest and days off.

This patient heard the noise of our drum and voices this morning at devotion time and decided he would join us. He was clapping, singing and even doing a little dancing. After he was enlightened from the Word he then had his teeth cleaned.

Two for one at Avotrou Dental Clinic!

Florent in the dark blue scrubs translating the devotion for the the patient. It was so neat to watch this take place.
Teeth cleaning time.

The dust on my feet.

2009-10-25T12:34:00.004-05:00

In just 44 days I will be sailing up the Atlantic Ocean coast with Africa being the blur in the far off horizon and visions of home on my mind. You might ask if I think this will be my last time in Africa, and I would have to respond with I don't know...but I hope not. Today I was basking in the hot African sun listening to some tunes when a song came on... with the following lyrics.

now that I have seen, I am responsible

Faith without deeds is dead

now that I have held you in my own arms, I cannot let you go

I am on a plane across a distant sea

But I carry you in me

and the dust on, the dust on, the dust on my feet

I will tell the world, I will tell them where I've been

I will keep my word

I will tell them.

I must have listened to this song about 15 times this afternoon, and the lines that kept beating at my heart were Now that I have seen, I am responsible. I carry you in me and the dust on my feet. I will keep my word I will tell them. I started thinking of all those who I have crossed paths with in the last year and a half. Faces of my dear little orphanage kids still in Liberia started flashing through my head, patients, day volunteers, and crew members names started passing through my thoughts.

Then it hit me, just because I leave the ship doesn't me I leave all that I have seen behind. I am still responsible for what I have seen. I am still called to love people and provide for those in need. Now if that is in Africa or America or somewhere else around the world I don't know, and if that is in 6 months, 2 years, or even 10 years I don't know that either. But I do know that if I let all that I have seen go, the dust that is on me feet will with time fade to a mere memory of that time I spent in Africa.

So when I get on that plane and cross the distant sea the dust will still be on my feet, and when I step off that plane in a land far away from where I am tonight the names on my heart will still be there. And that is when my faith will really have to be put into deeds. That is when I will really have to keep my word and tell others of the dust that is currently and forever will be on my feet. Now that I have seen I am responsible.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26

Friday's Patient Pick!

2009-10-23T12:38:00.003-05:00

This little guy thought he would try on the security guards shoes while he was waiting to be treated. He knew he was putting on a show for me. He just looked up at me with those huge eyes and the biggest most mischievous smile came across his face. 4 weeks from today we will be closing the dental clinic..I can't believe 8 1/2 months have passed by already. Time is flying.

Dental Education Week

2009-10-20T16:59:00.004-05:00

Mercy Ships has short term mission trips that churches can sign up for, the trips last anywhere from 10-12 days. The Mercy Team normally comes in and provides assistance to certain departments with special projects going on.

The team that arrived last Friday is from Texas and they came to help the dental team teach dental education to the communities. This has been a huge help for us and I am so glad they came. It has been a busy week so far and it is only Tuesday but it is has been good. With the team helping us with the teaching that allows us to keep our dental team at the clinic still treating patient. So we are really being productive this week. We are treating patients and education children

Myself, our hygienist Donna and one of our translators have been working with the team. The program consists of 5 stations 3 people per station. They are covering Dental Education, Evangelism, Music, Physical Education, and Art all of which are relating back to healthy bodies and teeth. It is a really nice program that the children are enjoying, not to mention a way nicer program than what we would have been able to provide without the help of the team.

Yesterday we went to a school with about 65 children, today’s was around 900, tomorrows around 150 and Thursday’s school around 1,300. I am really thankful for this team from Texas. They have been great, very flexible and very willing to do whatever to make the programs go smooth. It has been nice to be out with the children that last few days I really enjoy this type of interaction. Please keep the rest of our week in your prayers as Thursday is going to be lots of children. Pray that they are taking away something sustainable. Prevention really is key and young children need to be educated on this.

Below are a few pictures from our first two days.

Friday's Patient Pick!

2009-10-16T17:42:00.004-05:00

This weeks patient pick... a set of twins. Aren't they cute!

They were a little confused as to why I wanted to take their photo. haha

The Deer Slayer Strikes Again!

2009-10-13T04:29:00.005-05:00

That is right my brother Nate loves to hunt, and this past weekend he killed.... what he is calling "the buck of a lifetime." haha anyway I have been telling people about it so here are a few pictures. It was a 35 pointer with 29 of those being scorable. Not sure what all that means but.

After talking with my brother on the phone and listening to how excited he was after this kill, I realized we could not be more different from one another if we tried. HOWEVER I love him sooo much and our difference make it more enjoyable. After all what would this world be like if everyone was just alike... BORING. My brother will always prefer the country and I will always prefer the city but that doesn't mean I love him anyless and that I can't wait to see him in 10 weeks and 1 day. Oh and that also doesn't mean I won't enjoy myself some deer chili once I get there. :)

Friday's Patient Pick.......He aint heavy he's my brother

2009-10-09T13:47:00.007-05:00

This patient was actually carried into our clinic by his brother. Talk about inspiring and also talk about bringing life to the lyrics of the song He Aint Heavy He's My Brother. When I actually stopped and thought deeply about this man and more specifically his brother's actions... I was left speechless. That can explain why he is being featured in this Friday's Patient Pick. He won hands down.

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He's my brother

He ain't heavy, he's my brother...

WOW!!

So tired….yet soooo rested.

2009-10-07T17:25:00.004-05:00

In just over 6 weeks the dental clinic will be closing its doors. After 8 months of hard taxing work we are all growing tired. We know it, our friends/families know it, and people around us know it. It seems like this year we have been the most picked team for ship works with days off to request to come spend the day with us. Most visitors start the day off by saying I am so excited to get to spend the day with the dental team. It will be so good to see what you guys do out there. And most end by saying I really don’t know how you do that day in and day out. I am so tired and all I did was watch. It seems like I am experiencing not only physical exhaustion but also emotional exhaustion as well. The NEVER ENDING need and the realization that we can’t end that need is a big strain on the emotions.

I don’t say this in order to gain your sympathy; I don’t need that in order to feel satisfied. I love my job and I choose to be here, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get tired.

However God never fails at picking us back up and filling us with just enough to get the job done at the end of the day. Well I guess I can only speak for myself on this and I hope the rest of the team is also experiencing His presences as well, if not they are really missing out. It just seems like every time I get tired and every time I get in a mood God is there to pick me up. Every time I start to think are we really making a difference? God sends someone or something to turn my attitude around. I just love how he works in this way.

For example: Last night I was sitting outside on the sea wall talking with a friend. We were in the middle of a conversation and this man kept walking by us and stopping in front of us. We could tell he was trying to get our attention but at this point in the evening we were done with the marriage proposals (which had already happened a few minutes earlier.) As I heard Sister Sister… don’t I know you, I looked up and saw he was pointing to me. I almost said I don’t think so but instead I responded with I don’t know do you? He looked at me for a few seconds and said yes yes I do know you. You took my small boys teeth out. Didn’t you. Yes I am sure it was you. I said yes I might have. He then said remember his first visit you took out 2 teeth and then the next visit you took out 1. The front one. And then you gave him a replacement appointment. He got it and it looks good. So good. Thank you , Thank you so much. Thank you. I simple responded by saying you are welcome and he walked away.

As he walked away it hit me. We are making a difference, we might not be able to tackle the dental needs of Benin in its entirety but the reality is we are making every day life better for people and actually in some cases it can be a matter of life or death. Last night God reminded me of that. He showed me how happy a small boy and his father were to have a bad tooth removed and replaced with a new one. We might only being fixing one tooth at a time but it is more than if we were not here. So just like that God used this man to bring a smile to my face and a surge of energy to my soul.

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

2 Chronicles 15:7

SYTYCD Finale

2009-10-06T10:47:00.007-05:00

There has been a group of about 10 of us from all over the world who have been watching So You Think You Can Dance the last month or so. We received the DVD with all of the last season from a friends Dad. We have REALLY enjoyed watching this tv show and Sunday was our SYTYCD Season Finale Banquet. We booked the queens lounge, dressed up, decorated the room, had a 5 course meal, and then watched the finale. We had LOTS of fun and decided we are the coolest people on the ship. We are a bit behind as we understand that currently season 6 is playing at home, however it was all new to us and we loved it.

Thank you Ali's dad for sending the episodes to us.

The room all decorated.

The 3 ladies of the group- we were actually out numbered by the gentlemen.
All of us.

The Food
Engrossed in the Finale.

After the results were revealed photo shoot.
Jeanine WINS!!!!!!

A GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL!

Friday's Patient Pick!

2009-10-02T12:34:00.003-05:00

This Friday's patient pick is straight from the wild wild west... Zebra Style.

This is Romain and I loved his zebra print cowboy hat/bling bling shades combo.

New Pictures

2009-09-29T09:26:00.004-05:00

Hello MOM. (who has been requesting a photo update for weeks now)

Finally I have new pictures on my Flicker Page.

Click on the Photos below to look at more from the particular event

Check it out

Love YOU!

Dental Team working at the Refugee Camp last month.

80's Dance Party on Deck 8 a few weeks ago.

A weekend Hiking in Togo (last month)

Sunday night we went to an African Carnival... It was GREAT FUN!

Friday's Patient Pick.. a day early.

2009-09-24T11:07:00.003-05:00

Friday's Patient Pick is coming to you a day early... due to tomorrow being a ship HOLIDAY and us not having to work and me being away relaxing at the beach.

So today my patient pick was a sassy little independent 7 year old.

Meet Fermande.

Femande walked into the reception room with such confidence and as Florent the translator started to ask her mother the questions on the health history form she piped up and started answering them before her mother. She then continued on to answer for her mother as she too was going through registration. After both health histories were completed she carried her attitude into the clinic jump up into the chair no worries and did not shed one tear during her treatment.

Now that is an independent strong 7 year old.

Patient Satisfaction Guaranteed.

2009-09-21T12:40:00.004-05:00

Today I was able to get my hands dirty and get back to my first love dental hygiene. After I finished one particular patient today who was on a dirty scale of 1-10 about an 8, I was reminded of why I like doing hygiene cleanings in West Africa or for that matter anywhere. After about a 40 min session with me the patient was transformed into a new man, and he knew it. He asked for the mirror and as I watch the reaction on his face I knew he was satisfied. It was a priceless response. He left with the biggest smile on his face as he repeatedly voiced his gratitude towards my efforts in making him a new and improved man.

To me that was enough, that in its self was worth more than a months pay. However a few hours later the same man showed back up at the clinic. This time in a new shirt and a huge bag of pineapples, and oranges still with the same smile he left with. He said he just wanted to give me a little something to show his appreciation and that he felt wonderful.

This is just another example of why we do what we do here.

Friday's Patient Pick!

2009-09-18T11:13:00.007-05:00

I thought I would start posting pics of my favorite patient of the day on Fridays. Just to mix it up and bring something new to the blog.

So today's Friday Patient Pick is...drum roll please........... Momma Clarisse.

I just loved her sweet and innocent attitude that was accompanied by her very fashionable look.

For a 67 year old she has it going on !.!.!

Fall/Autumn Time in Cabin 4343.

2009-09-16T17:07:00.005-05:00

With my decorations from last year and new additions that my roommate Laura received in the mail tonight we gave our little window that gives us a glimpse to the outside world a fall makeover.

With all the leaves and the smell of apple cider room fragrance that has now filled our cabin, my second fall away from home is going much better than last year. Either that or I have just forgotten what it is like to be at home during my most favorable season of all. I think I will go with the first possibility.

Regardless of how many fall seasons I spend away from home, I don't think I will ever forget what it feels like to have a nice run on a crisp cool Autumn day.. with the sounds of the leafs crackling as you pass over them, or the colors that fall from the sky that range from every color on the color wheel, or the fresh breeze that fills your house and makes you just a little bit chilled, or the pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks with a good book. The moments that remind me of fall at home could fill this page if I really tried, but I suppose there is no use in torturing myself any longer. Tomorrow morning when I am running the streets of Cotonou and sweating like a crazy person I will just have to image being at home on the leaf covered trails all along thanking God for sending me here for the season of my life.

P.S. Mom I still have the waxed leaves you sent me last year.... and yes they are out.:)

Vi Savner Deg FrØken Emily!

2009-09-15T05:05:00.002-05:00

We sure do miss you Ms. Emily!

They asked me if you were married yet? HAHA.

Meet Jugo.

2009-09-12T06:20:00.006-05:00

On the first day of clinic back in February, I meet Jugo and her mother Joyce. They were sandwiched between hundreds of other people that were hoping for the mere possibility of maybe getting their sickness healed. I must admit that I was so overwhelmed that day and nervous not knowing what to do, or who we could help, or even how I was to go about getting them help. However when I came to Jugo and her mom the first thing Joyce said to me was please do you speak English. That was enough in itself to make me smile. She then explained to me that her daughter had a hole in her mouth... I looked and immediately knew that she needed a cleft palate surgery and that we could help her. Jugo and her mom spent all day at the clinic while I attempted to get in touch with the ship. Finally I had good news they could go to the ship for a screening appointment. The next day Jugo and her mom came back and when they walked in the gate to the clinic Joyce was waving a green surgery appointment card... and was yelling we have an appointment we have an appointment for surgery.

A few weeks ago Jugo had cleft palate surgery and I was lucky enough to be able to go and visit them several times while she recovered. Joyce was always by her side. One night I peaked in on them and Joyce was sleeping and Jugo was just sitting in her bed looking around. On the day she left Joyce thanked me for helping them and then said how Jugo will always be able to testify to others what God has done for her and that she too will also be able to stand in her church on Sunday and give God Thanksgiving.

I am sure you will be seeing more of this family, I have been invited to attend church with them and then visit the house afterwards. Sounds like a plan.

At Jugo's 2 week check up. They dressed up so we could take this photo. They even brought big sister with them.... I love the hair.

Desperation Stories Part II

2009-09-08T09:39:00.003-05:00

Early last week I wrote a post on a lady who was so desperate to get a denture replacement that she used an alias name in hopes that I would not notice and she would receive a free denture. Well if you read the post you know that she did receive the denture however not without me noticing or catching on to her sneaky ways.

Well this week the stories of desperation continue, these might be considered more sneaky and clever rather than desperate… however I think they all fall under the umbrella of being desperate.

Yesterday when I arrived at the clinic there was this random lady sitting inside the compound waiting to chat with me. How she got in without an appointment only the guards and God know that but none the less she was sitting there waiting for me. Once I got things started for the day I attended to her and her needs. She begged me to give her an appointment at that point and time, verse her getting in the line up and waiting her turn like every one else has to do.

Now let me give you an update on the dental line situation. The past three Mondays and Thursdays we have had around 225 people form the line hoping and wishing they get the chance to get in. The past 3 weeks after all the appointments have been handed out I have felt like we have not even made a dent in the line. Very frustrating and sad….People are getting the clue that closing time is coming sooner rather than later and they are coming in masses. The line is so huge that yesterday when I handed out the last ticket for the week the lady ran away screaming Halleluiah Halleluiah Halleluiah. That is just a little insight into the number of people who are showing up at the clinic weekly and what I am dealing with on that matter… now back to the lady.

So or course I explained to her that it was not fair for me to give her an appointment when the people outside had been waiting in line since about 5am or earlier. She was not happy but after several times of explaining my reasoning she left. I thought she had finally understood that she needed to form the line however a few hours later my translator comes to me and tells me there is a lady who has showed up with an appointment card with the wrong date on it and wants to be treated today. When I went to check out the situation I found out that the lady was yours truly….. random lady from earlier. After several questions she admitted to going to her friend and asking to use her appointment card, hoping we would not know it was not her. HAHA oh my.

Lets not forget I spent an hr earlier in the day explaining myself to her, how could I forget her lovely face. I said I am sorry but you need to form the line and you also need to get this appointment card back to your friend, because if she misses this appointment she to will have to form the line again. SERIOUSLY!

Also yesterday when I was pulling into clinic I noticed this sign hanging up outside by the motor bike parking area that said Garde Velo 1oo F.

I thought to myself, you must be kidding me, are the security guards really charging our patients for parking. What don’t they not get about NO MONEY BUSINESS. After the line up and dealing with the rest of the stuff I deal with every day I remembered this sign. So I walked out of the compound to have a look and sure enough the sign said Keep Bikes 100F (about 20 cents), I then explained that they could not charge our patients to park their motor bikes there. The security guards informed me that they were not doing it that it was some man who lived in the area who decided to start a parking garage outside of our FREE clinic. HAHA . So I said he can not do that anymore, we pay good money to the security guards and that would be a job for them not this man who thinks he needs to start a business outside the dental clinic.

I have to give it to these people, they are very resourceful and they try every avenue possible to get what they want or need. It just doesn’t always go over that well with me. My team keeps telling me I should write a book once I leave here…. I am thinking that I might need to consider this as my next business move. Oh what will I do without Africa?.?

Wild Hogs.

2009-09-01T09:44:00.005-05:00

My dad and brother the two on the left hand side of the picture below, are currently on a 6 day/4 State motorcycle tour with two other father son groups from our church back home. This is the second day and I have been updated frequently thanks to the wonderful advancements in the cell phone world. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to bike around the northern sates of the USA. I believe today is Utah.

Biking through the mountains must be an amazing experience for them.

Them at Black Canyon.. I think in Colorado. Yesterday Day 1

A New Level of Desperation

2009-08-31T12:40:00.002-05:00

Just when you think you have seen and heard it all, someone comes along and blows your mind and brings you back to the reality of life here. I was sitting in the reception room with Joyce our receptionist today and in walked a translator followed by a patient. He explained to me that she had been here before and the we had removed a few of her teeth and she had lost the appointment card with the denture man for a replacement fitting. I said ok no problem just give me your name so I can look up your chart. She complied and I proceeded to pull her chart. The notes from the day she received treatment stated that we had removed 2 teeth the very front 2 on top and that those teeth needed to be replaced.

I thought ok easy, just make her out a new appointment card and I will be on my way. Just to make sure I did not miss any teeth that need to be added into the replacement I asked the patient to open her mouth. When she did the patient had NO upper teeth at all. I then looked back at the name and age of the patient to make sure I had the right lady. Sure enough the name was the name the lady had provided us with.

First red flag the age on the chart said 24... this lady looked about 40. I asked her again is this you she nodded yes.

Second red flag and the biggest of all. There is no dentist in the right state of mind that would request only 2 teeth be replaced if there were no other teeth left. What would you attach it to. Why would you only replace 2 when 14 other teeth are missing.

Anyway come to find out this lady.. had used her friend, sister or daughters name to come in and attempt to receive an appointment to get a denture for her toothless mouth. I figured if someone is in that sate of despair then who am I to say no you can not have one. Someone asked me if I wrote on the appointment card that she only get the 2 teeth out that the original lady was suppose to get out, and I said no b/c then she will just return with a note from the denture man saying it is not possible..... just when you think you have seen it all.

Can you imaging being so desperate for a denture that you had to lie about who you where.... I am sure this lady did not even second guess this decision. There is an entire different lever of desperation here and this is just one mild example.

Locks of Love Night

2009-08-18T17:34:00.004-05:00

Tonight in Starbucks Cafe the Africa Mercy Crew had a Locks of Love Drive. Anyone supporting 8 inches of hair or more was faced with a de-lima.... to cut or not to cut. I personally did not meet the to cut criteria...I however do have a few friends who passed and decided to cut. Actually as I type this blog I am overhearing my next door roommate brake the news to her mom that her beautiful long hair is now gone...the walls are REALLY thin... you can overhear anything.

My favorite quote from the night. I will not be defined as beautiful because of my hair.

People sitting around watching the cutting show.

The freshly cut ponytail of a 5 grader.

No Words Are Needed...........

2009-08-06T12:27:00.005-05:00

New Outfits

2009-08-03T16:58:00.000-05:00

Today I received two new outfits from a patient as a thank you gift. They are very nice and fit very well as you can tell in the pictures below. Nice thought but not exactly my style or is it?

This one is a shirt and a wrap skirt in the gorgeous color of light brown. It even included a head wrap.

This one is a pants set..... a little big don't you think?

So big that Liz and I can both fit in it...... hahah

Unexpected Visitor.

2009-07-29T16:39:00.003-05:00

It is wonderful to have an un-expected visitor stop by just to say hello. They don't want anything, they don't need anything, they don't expect anything...... they just want you to know they are thinking about you and appreciate you. That is the kind of little blessing that changes a persons day from bad to good... and that is exactly what Noel did to my day today.

Noel was the 2nd broken jaw patient that we fixed this outreach. I think the number on his chart reads DBED #5 we are now on DBED# 4200. I remember him the day I spotted him in the line up on that first Thursday. He did not look so good. Today almost 5 months later he is stopping by the clinic just to say HELLO to me. His English vocabulary is not the largest in fact I think he only knows Hello, I am good, thank you, and Jessica. Which makes since why every time he sees me he sounds like a broken record saying Jessica...... however it is one broken record that I enjoy. Above is a post-op picture of Noel with his daughter. When we discharged him about a month ago I was sad when I said good-bye thinking I would never see him again.... little did I know he would stop by un-expected and say hello.

Boy or Girl???

2009-07-21T12:32:00.002-05:00

Question: Is this baby a boy or a girl?

I was holding the above baby at the clinic admiring the cute little flowered undershirt she had on... when it hit me you just never know the sex of these babies. Baby Gap, Children's Place, Babies RuS are non existent here. Your baby wears what ever can be found at the market that has been imported from a western world.

So I asked one of my translators if this baby was a boy or a girl. Just for clarification. The translator turned the babies head and looked at the ear of the child. He quickly responded that is a boy. I said no it can't be. Look at how she is dressed it is clearly a girl. I then asked another translator is this a boy or a girl. She did the same thing, she looked at the child's ear and said it is a boy. I responded by saying how can you tell the sex of a baby by looking at the ear. Is there some scientific reasoning that I am unaware of. They both said no there is no metal in that babies ear.... meaning the baby's ears were not pierced no ear rings. I still was in disbelief so I went into the clinic were the mother was at and asked her, she said it is a BOY.

Apparently it is real easy to distinguish between a boy and a girl here. All baby girls get there ears pierced very early on in life.

Guess you learn something new every day.

New PICS Posted.

2009-07-16T12:35:00.004-05:00

Click on the photos below to see more in my flicker account. I just added tons of new pictures for everyone. So take a peak.

Pictures from Deck 8

Weekends..who knows where we will be next
Good Byes
Dental Outreach and Hygiene Teaching

Random Transportation Method

2009-07-15T12:45:00.005-05:00

Random Question:

Have you ever thought of riding your bike with a goat strapped on your back?

If you have and just haven't tried it in fear of how it would look in the eyes of other....well here you go.

Flat Tire.

2009-07-09T17:16:00.003-05:00

About a month ago you might remember me posting a video clip of the dental team push starting our dead Land Rover after work one day. Today we had to change a flat tire. Oh the many things we do besides pull teeth. It is amazing really.

How many people does it take to change a tire????

Sandra and I just supervising.

The 4th of July

2009-07-07T13:21:00.006-05:00

So this is how I spent my 4^th of July, just after lunch at the US Embassy.

African Arcade......

2009-07-03T16:48:00.008-05:00

Today was a ship holiday so we were off and instead of sitting around Richard and I decided to go to a day volunteers Video Arcade Shop. Solomon the co-owner of these two successful shops invited Richard to come check them out I just went along for the ride.

We were not sure what we were getting ourselves into. We kind of thought it was just going to be a tv and an xbox but you never know. Sure enough we arrived at the first shop which had been opened 4 months and it was a small concrete room with two tvs, two xbox sytems, a PS2, a few games, a bench, and a room full of kids gaming. Richard sat down and tried out the games, I just spectated and took in my surrounds. after about an hr or so we headed across town to his second shop which has been running for 2 years. It was a little more established...4 tvs, 3 PS2, and more kids.

I asked him how business was and this is what he reported to me. Good. I charge 100CFA( 20 cents) for 15 mins of game playing time or if they want to stay an hr 400 CFA( 75cents). I have a manager at each shop I pay them 15,000 CFA a month( 30$), I pay rent and electricity on both shops, and make a profit of 50,000 CFA (100$) which I them split in half between my brother and I. So at the end of the month I take home 25,000 CFA ( 50$) and that is my main source of income. On a good day I make 3,000-4,ooo CFA( 6-8$)

Solomon is 22 years old married and has 2 kids.

Just another day here in Africa.

Richard playing the games with the kids

The equipment..nothing like a video arcade at home.

Outside the window of the arcade.

Me spectating the gaming

Outside the shop

The second shop.. with more equipment.

Extreme Dentistry.....

2009-07-02T13:27:00.005-05:00

Today and yesterday the dental team played traveling dental clinic. We closed down Avotrou and packed up dental chairs, instruments, medication, water, anesthetic, headlamps, and all the other needed equipment to set up a makeshift clinic at the Psychiatric Home in Cotonou. Our main goal for this outreach.... we like to call it extreme dentistry (sounds more adventurous) is to provide the residence with an opportunity to be able to be seen and treated by a dentist.

Last year when we did our extreme dentistry outreach at the prison in Liberia we treated almost 200 patients in 2 days. So with that in mind and also with the tid bits I received from the facility we planned on seeing anywhere from 150-200 patients in the two days. When it was all said and done we treated 39. HAHA oh how I love the management style of those who are "IN CHARGE" of things in Africa.

Even thought the numbers where lower than expected it was still worth it. This morning when I was walking around the parameters of the facility looking for patients I ran into 3 people who made it worth all the hassle and planning that comes into an event like this. Two ladies and one older man who was calling himself Fidel Castro President of Cuba really made me realized that its all for the sake of even just once person. As I passed each of them they all separately said thank you for coming, I was in pain yesterday and now I feel much better. It is not about the numbers, it is about the impact that you make even if it is only on a handful of people.

Below are a few pics I took while we were there:

Simon, Claudia, and Don extracting a tooth on a resident of the facility.

A resident who just wanted to come check out what the white people were doing... she did not want to see the dentist though. Think she was scared.
Sieh my new assistant, he was one of our day workers in Liberia now he is here as crew to serve along side us.
Registration. Joyce and Florent
A sister who thought she would come take advantage of this opportunity
My favorite patient of the 2 days. This is the face he gave me when I asked him to smile.
Comfort, Roland, and Arnold our disciplers blowing up balloons and make the crazy ballon hats you see on everyone. Roseann and Midokpa sterilzers
More work going on.
Dell getting patients numb

You know you have lived in Africa for a few days when……….

2009-06-22T17:44:00.008-05:00

You are driving down the road and you hear a random African on the back of a zemidjan yell your name. As you glance in their direction you notice them vigorously waving at you. You take a few seconds to see if you recognize the person who is admiring you and you quickly realize it is your old patient. This happened to me two different times today.

One would think that living and working in a city equipment with nearly 750 thousand people would make it rather difficult to run into old patients on the street, but it happens more often than not. I guess it could be my Yovo colored skin, or the big Mercy Ships Land Rover that I drive, or maybe even the ceil blue colored scrubs I am constantly wearing that draws the attention , but I like to think that it is my unique personality and dashing good looks that has made it so easy for them to remember me and my name.

New Dental Equipment.

2009-06-17T11:03:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago we closed down the dental clinic for 3 days in order to install almost all new dental equipment. That which was installed: 4 generators, 2 compressors, 4 sterilizers, 6 dental chairs and units, an ultra sonic cleaner, lights, and a new cavitron. The mentioned equipment was either donated by companies or bought with donations. It is wonderful having almost all new equipment. It makes my job A LOT easier. I no longer have to worry if the generators are going to start in the morning, or if the units are going to work.

Life is good at Avotrou Dental Clinic.

Below are a few pictures of the new equipment and a few names and number on who donated what.

THANK YOU!

Dental team install donated equipment at the Akpakpa clinic

Top: Installing new dental chairs
Bottom left: Tony Royston (UK) AFM med technician and dayworker Florent install the new air compressor
Bottom right: Jessica Campbell displays the new donated generators

Thanks to our donors: ADEC donated dental equipment and chair units worth $72,000, Tech West Inc. gave us a 53.5% discount of $7444.50 on the air compressors, and Cutters Equipment a 40% discount of $3,777.00 on the Honda generators

Cabin 4343.

2009-06-11T17:17:00.004-05:00

Yesterday June 10, 2009 marked my 1-year anniversary with Mercy Ships. What a year it has been. In honor of the day I celebrated by taking care of a medical emergency at the clinic-SCARY, taking care of a patient was about to die from a dental infections, pulling teeth, removing part of a ladies mandible-yes I did that…. I actually pulled out the bone that made up her mandible, and said good bye to my LOVELY roommate Emily- very SAD.

Last Saturday at 3am the the occupants of cabin 4343 and Richard piled into a Nissan car to make the 20 min truck to the airport to see our lovely roommate Naomi off. In the matter of a minute cabin 4343 went from 4 to 3.

Last night I drove and Carmen accompanied me to the airport to drop Emily off .

Now there is 2

And in 2 ½ weeks Carmen will jump on a plane and head back to Texas leaving me all alone…..

Oh wait I have already been blessed with a new roommate who is moving in tomorrow.

MEET LIZ- I am sure you will be hearing a lot about her in the future:

Oh how you must be able to adjust to constant change here. After awhile I must admit change gets old.

RIP my original Cabin 4343. What a trip it was. Welcome newcomers what a wonderful cabin it is.

Produce Anyone?

2009-06-03T12:23:00.005-05:00

Look at all the wonderful FRESH produce we get to eat here. It has been so nice seeing fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucmbers, green peppers, apples, bananas, and papaya on the buffet line daily. What a change from Liberia. In Liberia we received lettuce about once every 3 months and it sure wasn't romaine. The other options were not heard of either.

The things we take for granted until we no don't have them any longer.

Oh i forgot one thing.....

2009-06-01T16:39:00.003-05:00

So this morning I went to the hospitality center( the huge warehouse about a mile from the ship that we have transformed into a hotel like place for patients to stay before and after surgery so they don't have stay on the ward) to get a dental patient that had been brought to the center over the weekend from up country.

I went in and told the translator I was here to get the patient and to tell her she will be going home from the dental clinic so she should bring all her belongings with her. The translator disappeared to retrieve the patient and reappeared a moment later with my patient.

I said so she has everything and the translator said yes. We started to get ready to load the patient in the car and as we were doing this the patient said oh wait I forgot something. She ran back to get the thing she had forgotten and when she came back to my surprise it was not a thing it was a baby. She was carrying her child. She had FORGOTTEN her baby.

How does that happen. :)

UNO CARDS !.!

2009-05-27T14:27:00.006-05:00

People have been asking me all week are you glad to be back? I keep saying yes, even though until tonight I have not been all that excited about my return. Tonight I went down to look in my office for my ID card and on my way back to my room I ran into this little boy who was hooping around on his good leg and crutches while he dragged his casted leg behind him.

He was kicking this huge soccer ball down the hallway the same time I was walking down it. I stopped and kicked the ball back and forth with him for a few minutes and thought to myself I must go I don't have a lot of time. Just as I was getting ready to walk away he reached deep into is pocket and pulled out UNO cards. He said in his best broken English.... "Lets play UNO." To myself I was thinking man I was just about to go up to work out, then I have this to do and that to do...... only a few minutes that all I have is a few minutes.

He hopped and I walked over to this platform like hiding place under the stair way where we sat and began to play UNO. About one minute into the game he said to me MERCI MERCI BEAUCOUP and pointed to his casted post surgery leg that was propped up on the over sized soccer ball. It was at that very moment when my attitude of missing home switched over to I am GLAD to be back and nothing else on my things to do list matters at this every moment except playing UNO.

I had never ran into that boy before, and I certainly did not perform the more than likely life changing surgery on his leg. Regardless his heart was so full of gratitude that he was wanting to thank anyone he came in contact with.

We played 5 games he of course won 4 out of the 5. He was so cute when he had a move he would slap the cards down with attitude and confidence. He knew he was good...and I was not playing the awww lets let the hurt little African boy win the game. I tried to beat him but I couldn't.

Isn't it funny how the simplest things can be used for the good. How in a moment your attitude can be turn around. Thank Goodness for that moment.

Son Bon

2009-05-25T18:07:00.002-05:00

Today I was walking in the door of our dental clinic as one of our translators was walking out. Just about the time we passed each other I felt someone grab my buttock, and not just your oh I accidently brushed up against your butt kind of feel. It was an on purpose grasp. I did a quick turn over my shoulder to see if it was my translator and realized it was a middle aged female patient who was sitting on the bench waiting to get treated. I looked at her with a confused look on my face I am sure and she said Son Bon oui son bon-- it is good yes it is good. Then the lady sitting next to her took it upon herself to cop a feel and make sure she agreed it was good as well, and she did. I did not know how to respond so I said Merci beaucoup- Thank you very much.

I was not sure if I should of felt violated or if I should take it as a compliment. I am guessing it was a compliment given the fact that after the lady had her tooth pulled she came and gave me a hug and said Merci. I knew my first day back would not leave me without a story to pass along.

I am back.....

2009-05-24T05:02:00.005-05:00

I arrived back to the ship Friday night at 8:30 my time. I walked up the gang way and the Gurkhas (the security guards from Nepal) greeted and welcomed me back. They said are you hungry we made you food? So I walked up to the front desk turned in my passport, received the key to my room, dropped my bags off at my front door,hugged my roommates, and made my way to the Gurkhas room for some dinner. With-in 15 mins of arrival I found myself sitting on the floor of the Gurkhas cabin eating Nepalese food. I thought to myself..... how does this happen ?.?

and yesterday I fell a sleep on a lounge chair with my surroundings being palm trees and the ocean.

Tomorrow BACK TO WORK.....................

Vacations is over..... time to head back.

2009-05-20T21:16:00.008-05:00

My 10 days at home are over and tomorrow morning I leave to head back to Africa for another

6 months. My time here has went by really FAST..... and I have been really BUSY, but it has been GREAT. Come Friday 1pm your time 7pm my time I will be

back on the Africa Mercy. Time flies when your having fun!

Here are a few pictures of my time at home.

Cards VS Cubs- CARDS win!

THE ZOO!

Forest Park in the Summer Time... is sooooo Nice!
Nate's Graduation

It's Broken....

2009-05-18T13:07:00.003-05:00

One of our Land Rovers DIED on the way home from work a few weeks ago.

This is how you get a car started in Africa where there are no tow trucks.

Push Push Push. hahaha

There is a rainy season everywhere.

2009-05-15T16:46:00.005-05:00

Come to find out West Africa is not the only place on earth that can bring on a decent rain storm.......... Central Illinois put on a rather nice rain performance of its own this afternoon.

What a Long day

2009-05-12T13:58:00.006-05:00

After 26 hours of travel time I am finally home. I arrived in St.Louis yesterday afternoon. It is wonderful being home and seeing my family. Today I am enjoying this wonderful weather. Windows are opened the wind is blowing, I can go outside and enjoy myself. Actually get ready and not break out in sweat 5 seconds after walking out the door. Last night I made a stop by the grocery stores and forgot how GREAT it is to be able to buy fruit and yogurt and actually be able to decide what and when I want to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh the things that excite me.

However I must admit I do think of the life that is going on on the other side of world at this very moment. I wonder what my roommates are doing, how the dental team is doing, if we had any interesting patients yesterday and today. If things are going smoothly.

It is funny how different the two worlds I live in and love are. How blessed I am to know such different worlds and ways of life. For both our unique and lovely in their own ways.

Good Morning World. about 4am Monday morning.. 2hrs from landing in Paris.

I am in Paris, and more rain.

The smallest LARGE coffee ever. Portion control people.

Chicago. So close to being home.

Chicago sky line from my window. Next stop St.Louis. WOO HOO!

Oh back to the land of green grass and farm land.

And there it is the ARCH the official landmark that tells me I am home.

HaPpY mOtHeRs DaY!

2009-05-10T06:10:00.002-05:00

Happy Mothers Day MOM!

You are so WONDERFUL that I thought I would fly home to spend 2 weeks with you.....SURPRISE!!!!!!

Oh wait you already knew this.But you are WONDERFUL.

I am flying out today and will be home until the May 21. WOOHOO!

The Rain Is Starting.....

2009-05-06T17:02:00.003-05:00

The rainy season is coming... and with it it brings flooded roads, water in the generators, water in the gas, unhappy patients, and a messy clinic. But we must carry on and all we can do is SMILE and embrace the rain. :)

The Road to the clinic this morning. This is actually a good day for this road.
Please cover the generator before water gets in and it stops working. Do you like our covering a sheet of TIN. That is me begging them.

Rain from deck 7 Saturday night. It was crazy blowing wind. You could not even open the door without getting drenched.

Last week there was a rain storm in the middle of the afternoon and I did not bring my rain coat soooo Emmanuel and I made rain coats out of HUGE trash bags.

The work must go on. Rain or shine!.... and this is only the beginning of the beginning. :)

Land Rovers and the Dental Team

2009-05-01T16:25:00.003-05:00

Land Rover Owner International Magazine (the world's best selling Land Rover magazine) is exploring the possibility of featuring Mercy Ships and our use of Land Rovers in one of their issues.

So we ( the crew) have been asked to submit any photos that we might have work or play with the vehicles in the shot. Given this opportunity the Dental Team decided that we were GOING to make the magazine.... haha so here are our submissions. Regardless we had a BLAST taking the pictures today. :)

You never know in the future you might see our picture in Land Rover Owner International Magazine.

Change of Pace Monday..................

2009-04-27T12:07:00.004-05:00

The past few Mondays I have been taking a time-out on playing coordinator and stepping into the hygiene role. The hygienist on our team works on board treating crew on Mondays and I decided that Mondays would be a perfect time for me to do a little clinical work. So above is a picture of me working today. It feels good to be back were I started........ :)

Running in the streets......

2009-04-23T16:56:00.002-05:00

Tonight Naomi and I were enjoying a nice run along the streets of Cotonou and
all of a sudden I feel a tap on my shoulder. I look over and to my surprise I see one of our patients. Mousaha was our first jaw fixation. He had a broken jaw and week 2 of the field service he received surgery at the dental clinic to fix it. He has been coming back week after week for check ups and I have been able to track his healing. Last week when he came in the dentist removed the wires that had been keeping his mouth shut for the past 5 weeks. He was so happy.

Anyway it made my day. He saw me running and ran across the street to great me. We both smiled and patted each other on the shoulder, I as always spoke to him in English which he does not understand. In the end he darted back across the street and I continued with my run supporting the biggest smile ever. As I ran back to boat I was thinking I wonder what he is telling his friend...... He might be saying that white lady fixed my jaw.... even though I did not do it the patients see me the most and think I am the one who did it.. haha or maybe he was saying that lady works for mercy ships, I have been to their clinic they are really nice. I hope he was saying a combination of both. :)

What a great way to end my day.

Remebering all of you.....

2009-04-21T10:09:00.002-05:00

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:9-12

Thanks for all your prayers and support. I was reading in Colossians this morning and this passage of Scripture made me remember and think of you all.

THANK YOU!

Easter in Ghana

2009-04-19T07:59:00.003-05:00

Last weekend a group of 14 of us traveled 9 hrs to Ghana to see Wli Waterfalls in the Volta Area. We had the most amazing time, and the mountain and waterfalls we played in all weekend turned out to be the perfect way to spend our Easter away from home. Saturday we spent 6 hrs hiking up to the lower part of the upper falls and then we hiked down to the lower part of the lower falls. I attended Easter service at the smallest little church with only 10 members. The entire service was in a tribal language, however one of the pastors decided to translate for us a little bit. It was perfect. Simple yet to the point. There was one point when I looked out the window and saw chickens and goats chasing after small African children and I thought to myself where am I. It was really a great trip and I hope you enjoy the photos.This is only a SMALL amount of the pictures I took of the trip.

Please click on Easter in Ghana to the right for photos to walk you through the entire trip.

the bottom of the lower fallsthe small village we stayed in

Hiking through the jungle.... :) dirty feet... this is our advertisement for Chacos. Best sandals ever. Our 2nd mountain we have hiked together in the last 4 months.

Close Call

2009-04-18T10:22:00.005-05:00

This morning we had to make an emergency evacuation maneuver due to the threat of pirates seizing the boats docked at port. So we are currently at sea AGAIN.................

Us pulling away from the dock.

Just Kidding!!!!!!! We had to move docks to re-fuel. We are stuck on the ship however and can not get off until tomorrow when we return to our original dock. So today is a relaxation day.

Docked on a different dock and receiving fuel.

Child User......

2009-04-09T17:29:00.004-05:00

The Lady below is what I am calling a CHILD USER.......... Read on for details.

This morning when we arrived at the clinic this lady started bugging me about getting treated today. I was a bit perturbed given the fact that A. she was inside the compound some how and not out side waiting in line with the other couple hundred people who also wanted to be seen B. she thought she did not need to follow the rules and for some reason she is different and should be automatically seen C. It was 8:30 am. D. She was not in pain just being difficult.

Anyway the following events are rather funny.

I first off told the lady that no she needed to get in the line up and wait her turn. That people had been waiting in line for hours and hours and it was not fair for her to get cut in front of all of them. Surprisingly she took this news rather well and made her way outside the gate. Now mind you there were probably 200+ people waiting outside this morning to see the dentist. I started at the front of the line and made my way down and maybe 25 people in there she was. I said no cutting in line does not count. The end of the line is where you need to be. She must have knew she had done wrong because once again she did not argue but left the line and walked away. She left my mind until about 2 hours later I look out the window of the clinic and see her being brought in by the guards. I thought to myself what does she want now. It slipped my mind once again until about 2:30 this afternoon.

I went out to the waiting room to see how many people where left to register. I specifically remember the last 5 people I allowed in for the day were children. I remember this because I felt sorry for them and let them in even though we already had more than enough people to see for the day. The last two kids I let in were brother and sister and their dad brought them.

Anyway I was in the waiting room checking tickets and I reached these two kids still with dad. I come back 2 mins later and the same lady was now sitting between the little boy and his sister.

I thought you have got to be kidding me. I walked in and told Mimi the assistant coordinator what I thought was going to happen sure enough it did.

It came time for the little boy to come in and get registered and the lady brought him in. She answered all the questions gave a phone number acted like she was the best mother in the world, and then after he was done being registered she said ok now my turn I need to be seen as well. AAHA just what I thought was going to happen. I once again told the lady now out of principal that no the appointment was meant for the kid not her.

The lady talked the kids father into letting her use the boy for a chance at getting an appointment and the dad agreed. Funny thing is next up is the girl and they had the same last name and address but different phone numbers. I told the receptionist to change the number on the little boys chart in case we need to contact them for any reason so we wouldn't have that crazy ladies number and not the boys.

Next funny part is 10 mins later I walk out and tell the random people who are hanging around that we will not be able to see them but I can give them an appointment for the next available day. They all agreed including the lady. So after I gave the lady her appointment card she got up and left. I then said to the kids father. I thought that was the boys mother as I was laughing he laughed back and said no she just wanted an appointment. :)

CHILD USER............ hahaha

Above the lady and the kids she was attempting to use.

Oh well it gave all of us a good laugh.

Tomorrow 4am my time I am heading across Benin, into Togo, and then into Ghana. 14 of us are heading to the second tallest waterfall in Africa for the weekend. It should be an excellent way to spend Easter weekend. Keep us in your prayers.

Good Bye African Style

2009-04-06T16:48:00.006-05:00

The Day Volunteers have come up with a unique good bye ceremony for those who are leaving the dental team. We have a high turn over rate, which means I am lucky enough to experience this about every Friday. Below is a small clip from last Fridays Good-Byes. Florent the one in the blue outfit and white hat is the what I like to call the dance team captain. This ceremony started out small and has now grown to include personalized songs, dances, outfits, drums, shaker, and cowbell. The security guards even join. :)

My New Necklace.

2009-04-02T15:36:00.006-05:00

Back in February on the first day of setting up the dental clinic it all started. As we pulled into the clinic compound I was greeted right off with a 15 year old boy who was lying on the ground with his face covered by the hood on his jacket. Under the hood the boy had a bandage covering a huge swelling on the left side of his face. The boy’s brother had brought him to the clinic in hopes that we could help. We had no supplies, no equipment, and no medicine available to provide the boy with treatment. I apologized and asked the boy to come back in 4 days time and we would see what we could do. In 4 days time it now being Thursday and the first day of us seeing patients at our clinic, the first patient that I saw in the line-up was the boy now known as Jacques. His chart holds dental patient number# 2 out of# 1137 as of today. After several visits to the dental clinic and the ship, about a month ago I had the privilege of handing him a green appointment card that reserved him a surgery spot on April 2.

Yesterday he was admitted to the ward and today he had surgery. The surgeons removed part of his mandible and cleaned out all the infected bone. When I went down to see him last night after dinner…he spotted me across the room and greeted me with a huge smile. I told him tomorrow was the day and he responded I AM READY, then he went back to playing cards enjoying life like all 15 year old boys should be. I left the ward feeling so happy, thinking back to the first day I saw him lying on the ground in such pain and today he was playing in the ward with all the other kids who are waiting for their surgeries just like he was.

Fast forward to today…. the surgery went well and today after work I went down to check on him. Today his smile was still present but not as big as the one yesterday, which was understandable given the circumstances. I asked him how he was doing and he said dàccord-ok in French. Then he sat up reached under his bed and handed me a necklace he had made me last night on the ward. I said for me and he said oui- yes.

I love my life.

The necklace

AHHH Isn't She Cute.

2009-03-29T15:15:00.002-05:00

This little girl came to the clinic Friday with her dad and I just thought she was the cutest thing. I love her hair........its very stylish. :)

Excusez-moi

2009-03-27T18:09:00.004-05:00

So this morning I pulled into the same gas station I pull into every morning to get gas only this time I was asked a rather interesting question. I asked the gas attendant who speaks small small English, if he works on Saturday and Sundays. He responded with a Yes I do. I then replied by saying. We don't work on Saturday and Sundays we rest and sleep. He then said oh would you like me to come and SLEEP with you. ME: What!!! No I don't want you to come sleep with me. Gas attendant: You don't like that idea... Who then will you sleep with.

MY SELFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

oh he said and smiled as he walked away.

I sure hope that was just a moment of cultural misunderstanding. HAHA

NEW PICTURES!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-26T16:02:00.004-05:00

I realized the other day as I hung my head in shame, that I had not put any new pictures up since I had been back. SOoooooo now they are up. Click on the pictures below to view more of the same category. Each picture takes you to a new set of photos. You can also click the titles on the right hand side of the blog under PHOTOS, that will get you there as well.

Enjoy! and I promise I won't wait so long to add more.
Thanks ~jess

The Beach

Tenerife

Arriving in Benin

Just Hiking Around

Ganvie- Stilt Village

The Dental Clinic

Babs Dock

Around Town

THANK YOU!

2009-03-23T15:57:00.004-05:00

A picture of a thank you note we received today after one of our patients finished receiving treatment. He asked for a pin and paper and after a decent amount of time he had composed this thank you note for us. And where does our strength come from the Lord and thank you notes like this. :)

Line 'em Up

2009-03-20T18:51:00.003-05:00

I am very happy to report to you that the stick posts and ropes the security guards put up yesterday WORKED. The eyes line up today was so organized and orderly that it made it possible for the eye team to at least examine and screen all 500+ patients.

I was very proud of the security guards and they were very proud of themselves. I drove up to the clinic this morning and they all greeted me with a smile and a thumbs up. There we no mobs and no rushing today.

Good Job Security Guards.

The orderly line. I wish I had a picture from the past few weeks so you could really appreciate this line as much as I do.
People waiting with out pushing and knocking other blind people over.

and look we even had room for a zemidjan parking lot. How Wonderful!

Eyes... are used for viewing the world we live in.

2009-03-19T17:16:00.005-05:00

On Fridays we share our clinic location with the Eye Team. On Friday mornings when we arrive it is not unusual for there to be 500+ patients crowded around the gates to our compound. These people are desperate and in need. They would do and give just about anything for an entrance ticket.

Last Friday was absolutely crazy! I was standing in the court yard with my translator going over our strategy for how we were going to get through all the eye patients to find 45 dental patients... Naomi ( my roommate) was standing in the center of the court yard screening people. Things were calm inside the gate however things out side were not so calm.... the security guards decided they'd had enough so they opened the gates and at that very moment about 450 people came rushing into our compound. It was CRAZY! I had never seen anything like it before. I started yelling things in French that I didn't even know I knew how to say. I guess they understood me they listened to me.... anyway after all 450 people were inside Naomi's day volunteer came up with this brilliant idea. He said well lets go outside and start handing out tickets and then they will all ran back out... so they did and all 450 people rushed back outside the gates. I turned around at one point to see what my team was doing and they were taking pictures and videos of the event.

As I glance back at that moment now I laugh at how things like this don't happen at home, but I can tell you one thing my eye our now opened and my vision is clear. As the herds of people were rushing in there were people who were flat out bawling, there were young people carrying there elderly relatives in on their backs, there were little children that were being ran over by adults, there were ladies pushing and shoving other ladies, there were men yelling. It was like a bull race. I thought to myself how does it feel to have such a need that this is the result. There was a point during the crazy rush were I felt like time was being frozen and God was showing me the severity of the needs here.

Anyway today before we left our security guards came to me and asked if it was ok if they try to set up rope and form lines in preparation for tomorrow. I agreed with them that that was an excellent idea. Before we left I walked outside to see the progress. While I was out there I spotted about 20-25 people on the other side of the road: some lying down in the dirt, some standing, some sitting. I asked what are those people doing over there... and one of the security guards told me that was the beginning of the eye line for tomorrow. He said they have been here since 2:30.

Can you imagine sitting and sleeping outside the gates of a clinic for 17 plus hours?

Eyes are used to view the world... and eye problems are huge needs here. I'ts Obvious.

The guards forming the line with rope and sticks outside our clinic walls.

The 20+ people who were in line already @ 2:30 in the afternoon the day before the clinic opens

The belongings of the people waiting all lined up, marking there place in line.

Faces of the Dental Team

2009-03-18T15:39:00.005-05:00

Stupid Mango Sap

2009-03-16T15:40:00.003-05:00

Saturday I woke up with huge, swollen lips and my roommate said it looked like I had received botox injections. Throughout Saturday and all day Sunday I started to develop really bad sores and a nasty rash around my mouth and on my lips. I had no CLUE what was going on and I spent a few hours on line last night researching all the possibilities. Well today the mystery was solved.

Come to find out Friday night I ate a mango that I had bought off the street and forgot to wash it before I ate it. Apparently the outside skin and sap of a mango contains a chemical called Urushiol. That same chemical is also found in the sap of poison ivy, sumac, and oak.

Soooo I have poison mango haha on my lips. It is starting to crust up and slowly go away, but it hurt so bad last night that I smeared my lips with topical numbing jelly from the dental clinic to momentarily take away the pain.

I went to the doctor today and he prescribed me cream to help heal my sore funny looking lips.

So for the future..... Wash your mango's.... and don't let the outside skin touch your lips.

I always learn the hard way. :)

Movie Reviews

2009-03-14T17:13:00.005-05:00

Today my roommates and I decided to do NOTHING. It was Fantastic. I slept in, cleaned our cabin, did my laundry and watched 4 movies; 2 of which were REALLY good and 2 that were not so good. The two that were good our worthy of the post and I wanted to get the titles out to you so you can rent them. They are so worth your time.

Disclaimer: Movies are listed in the order in which they were watched not in ranking order.

Nafas is a reporter who was born in Afghanistan, but fled with her family to Canada when she was a child. However, her sister wasn't so lucky; she lost her legs to a land mine while young, and when Nafas and her family left the country, her sister was accidentally left behind. Not the best movie in the world. There are a few things that I took away from this film, but I would not recommend it.

A cheesy "Lifetime" movie about 2 bakers who fall in love while baking desserts for the Golden Whisk competition. NOT GOOD 1 star.

In April 1994, after the airplane of the Hutu President of Rwanda is shot down, the Hutu militias slaughter the Tutsi population. In the Ecole Technique Officielle, the Catholic priest Christopher and the idealistic English teacher Joe Connor lodge two thousand and five hundred Rwandans refugees, under the protection of the Belgian UN force and under siege by Hutu militia. When the Tutsi refugees are abandoned by the UN, they are murdered by the extremist militia. Written by Claudio Carvalho. Based on a true story. An exhausted Catholic priest (Hurt) and a young idealistic English teacher (Dancy) finds themselves caught in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. They must now choose whether to stay with the thousands of Tutsis about to be massacred or to flee for safety. EXCELLENT! Must watch. Gave such a good depiction of war torn Africa as I know it. So much of it reminded me of Liberia. Be prepared to not be able to use the excuse of "I just didn't know that is going on"... anymore.

Another good one!!!!!

Admist the apparent growing prosperity of India, there is a dark underbelly of poverty of another side of the nation that is little known. This film is a chronicle of filmmakers Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman's efforts to show that world of Calcutta's red light district. To do that, they inspired a special group of children of the prostitutes of the area to photograph the most reluctant subjects of it. As the kids excel in their new found art, the filmmakers struggle to help them have a chance for a better life away from the miserable poverty that threatens to crush their dreams. Written by Kenneth Chisholm

My favorite line in the entire movie qutoed from a 12 year old.... even if I was poor I would still be happy. One has to accept life as being sad and painful. That is all.

Walking through the Forest.

2009-03-08T09:26:00.013-05:00

Yesterday a group of us took a stroll through Niaouli Forest. According to our guide Innocence, this is a forest that is preserved by the government and used by researcher to explore new natural health remedies.

This is what we walked through......

Ants and cows were about the only form of moving creatures we encountered.

The group minus a few.
We found some kids along the way.

Adam and his buddy!

Bananas Anyone?!?

2009-03-05T15:26:00.006-06:00

Putting my Running Shoes on!

2009-03-04T14:40:00.004-06:00

I was driving home from work Monday and noticed a billboard that was advertising the 2nd semi- Annual Marathon taking place right here in Cotonou. Once I arrived back on board I talked to a few people and we have decided to participate. Now usually one would prepare for this for months before attempting a race of such difficulty. However we don't have months we have 10 days. The race is March 14 and a group of us from the ship will be running the half Marathon. 13 miles. We figured this would make for a good memories as well as a good pictures. Personally I am hoping to get a souvenir t-shirt out of it as well. Carmen and I have a goal of finishing in 2 1/2 hrs, but I was doing a few calculations in my head and I am thinking 3 hrs is more like it. haha

This will be my first half marathon and I will be running it in 90 degree weather with 100% humidity. I can't think of a better way to spend next Saturday than running through the streets of Benin.

This is a picture of my roommate Carmen and I after a hard night of training.!.

My life of Saturdays.......

2009-03-01T15:26:00.003-06:00

This is where I spent my Saturday!.!

Who wouldn't want every day to be Saturday if this is where they were to spend it.

TGIF!

2009-02-27T16:24:00.006-06:00

When I stepped on board tonight at 5:15 pm I was so glad it was Friday. What a week. We spent Monday- Wednesday working hard setting up and Thursday and Friday working hard seeing our first round of patients. When we arrived on Wednesday morning there were approx. 350 people waiting for us. There was no line no order just a mass of people who had been waiting for only God knows how long. I tried to explain to them that we were only going to be able to see 50 people, and they were not happy about that. I spent the next 2 1/2 hours sorting through patients, lining people up, telling people to come back another day, and telling people no I am sorry we can not see you today please come back. I remember tell this one lady after she had just told me.... but I need my tooth out. Madam, we can not see all the people of Benin today. She laughed and agreed. I spent the rest of the day refusing patients, and assuring them that we will be in operation until December. CRAZY!

Today when we arrived there were our 50 patients that we had given appointments to on Thursday for today plus an additional 80 people plus the 530+ eye patients. (The eye team works at our facility on Fridays) We arrived and thought here we go again. Another crazy day and to top it all off 2 of our dental units stopped working. haah! What can you do. At the end of the day the patients were treated and we were tired and happy to go home.

I with out a doubt have seen Gods hand at work this entire week. I can't believe the strength and wisdom He has given me in just one week. I told the team at the end of today GOOD JOB and next week is a new week! ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

Things will get better. It will take a month I am guessing for people to start to understand our system of operation. The team did Fantastic and were real troupers.I know it will be a smooth routine within a couple of weeks. Until then I will continue to be a crazy mad women running around like a chicken with its head cut off. :)

Enjoy your weekend I know I will. At the pool I think.

This picture does not do the mass crowd justice. However this was all I was bale to snap. This would be a picture of the 80 people we did not get to see today.

From nothing to SOMETHING!

2009-02-25T15:58:00.005-06:00

Monday the dental team started what felt like the never ending task of setting up the clinic. We were all excited because things were finally starting to move. We loaded up 4 trucks and 2 Landrovers and made our way to the clinic. When we arrived we had approx. 75 patients waiting there for us. After an hr or so of talking with people through a translator of course.... (I need to learn French) I finally got everyone settled down and told them to return on Thursday.

We spent all day Monday, Tuesday, and today getting things in order. We went from having NO power or water, no working generators, nothing set up or unpacked, no day volunteers to having water, power,working generators, 11 day volunteers, and all the instruments autoclaves and supplies accounted for and working.

We are ready to go. Tomorrow will be our first day of seeing patients. We are all so excited that we might not be able to sleep tonight.... Well I take that back, I don't think any of us will have trouble sleeping tonight. I have worked from 7am till 11:30 pm for the past three days. It has been another week of long hot hard days but tomorrow patients will be in our chairs and our clinic will be functioning. WOO HOO!.!

From this on Monday:

To this a Functioning Dental Clinic today:

The Night Before........

2009-02-22T15:32:00.004-06:00

It's the night before it all starts. The beds are ready and the crew is rested. Tomorrow our first round of patients will be admitted. Tuesday will be the first day for surgeries.

The dental team is heading to the clinic tomorrow to start getting it set up. We are hoping to start seeing patients by Thursday.

Keep these patient in your prayers, tomorrow is a big day for them and for all of us as well.

Brief briefing on screening. Day 1

2009-02-19T15:04:00.002-06:00

WOW! I am tired but so full and content. Today was an amazing day, and we screened a lot of people almost 2,000 to be more precise. I worked in just about every station possible. I started my day off at 6am in security, then moved into my dental role and screened and weeded out dental patients and instructed them to come to our clinic that this was not the screening for them, transported patients from pre-screening to health histories, served water, played with kids, and helped pack things up. It was hot and long but these people saw Jesus through us today and we saw Jesus through these people and that is all that matters.

We do it all again tomorrow. Same time same place. Pray that we can have the strength and compassion to see these people for who they really are and not just another surgery number. As I looked around the lines today I could not help but think of all the peoples lives that are going to be changed in the next 10months through these surgeries. And this is where it all starts, a hot, long, humid , but glorious day in Benin.

Avotrou

2009-02-17T16:53:00.014-06:00

Enjoy your first look at Avotrou Medical Center in the area of Akpakpa. This is the location of our dental clinic for the Benin field service. Today Dag and I were able to actually get out there and take a look around. What we found was a facility that is going to be WONDERFUL! It is clean, spacious, new, secure, dependable electricity and water, and in a good location.- It even has a little bit of landscaping. :)

We were both so excited after we left the clinic tonight. We were getting a bit discouraged this week considering we planned to be in the clinic by now and all ready to go. However our plan did not allow for customs, keys, and car registration issues. So as things starting to look in the upward direction we have regained our vision.

The MANY keys to the clinic- each door has a key.

The entrance from the street well actually the dirt road.

The eye team is working with us on Fridays, here is there clinic the dispensaire.

Here is our building the maternite. It has lots and lots of rooms. BIG!
Outside waiting area.

Hygiene room. Please take notice of the lights and fans. They are in all the rooms. :)

Bathrooms and showers???? for out patients.. no pepe outside. And we have flowers.......................

Hitting the paved sidewalks :)

2009-02-16T02:22:00.019-06:00

Saturday I spent my first day out and about. We left around 12pm and wondered back to the ship around 5:30pm. My brief first impression of Cotonou parts of the city are nicer, cleaner, and more developed than Liberia. Other parts are just as poor. I have found that knowing French is important and I need to learn at least the basics so I can meet these people where they are at. For now I will go everywhere with my French Phrase book..... hoping and praying that my French speaking roommate can be of assistants in teaching me a thing or two about this language.

The pictures are compliments of my roommate Carmen and other crew members who were out and about this weekend. I did not take my camera so I am glad they did. :)

The ship docked in Cotonou

The fishing dock located just to the left of ours.

A goat just hanging out on the sidewalk. Totally Normal.
In Liberia this would say no pepe here....... in Benin it says Interdit d'uriner ici.

The streets
Look at all the lovely produce they have here. :)
City Street

Business Transaction.

2009-02-14T17:39:00.007-06:00

Thursday Dag( the crew dentist) and I headed out on a little business adventure. We were needing to go discuss a few things with a local man who will be fabricating all of our dentures and replacements for our patients. We had been told that this man was very good and his prices were cheap. Cheap is good, cheap mean more patients will be able to receive replacements, but cheap can also mean poor quality. So for the first time we hit the streets on Cotonou in search of the denture man. Once we found the business we had a conversation through a translator of course... (the man spoke zero English) and we both agreed that Seidou would be our new denture man. :)

Things are moving rather slowly, we have not received clearance or registration yet for our vehicles so we have not been able to get out to see out clinic site yet. Which is sad and a little discouraging, we all kind of thought we would have had at least started setting the clinic up by now. Oh well what can you do, NOTHING! We are all praying the cars are cleared Monday and that things can really get rolling this week. Please keep our big screening days in your prayers. They are this coming Thursday and Friday. Pray God will lead those He has plans for to us and lead those He has other plans for away from us. We are expecting up to 4,000 people to show up.

Oops... did I do that.

2009-02-12T09:26:00.004-06:00

I found out today that old celery, lettuce, and black olives are not items that should be flushed down the toilet here on the Africa Mercy. I think I temporally lost my mind for about 2 minutes today. Those 2 minutes of temporary insanity caused an hrs worth of work for the plumber to reverse. I told them I had no excuses I just wasn't thinking. I guess I figured that since the toilets make such loud suction noises every time you flush them that meant that they would also make great garbage disposals. WRONG!

Bodily Waste and Toilet Paper ONLY!
Sorry!

Docked !?!

2009-02-10T16:20:00.010-06:00

We are docked! The picture above is of our dock. In order for us to get to shore we have to jump from post to post and hope we don't lose our balance and fall into the water. Port officials told us they would get it fixed by the end of the month which means in African time by the end of the field service. Only in West Africa is this acceptable.......good thing I have been practicing my Tae Bo on the sail and have built up fairly good balancing skills. I tell you what!

HAHAHAH Only Kidding. Well about the picture of the dock that is.

It is true that we are docked in Cotonou, Benin. However I have not stepped foot on ground yet. We were not cleared with immigrations and health inspectors until 8:00 this evening. By that time is was dark and made no sense to wonder out into an unknown country just for the sake of wondering. So on the ship I continue to sit. I hope tomorrow I will get time to get off and explore this intriguing new city. Not much else to report at this time.

So close...yet so far.

2009-02-09T14:23:00.005-06:00

Those lights you see in the horizon, that would be Benin. Due to engine problems that have not been fixed yet we are currently at anchor just off the coast of Cotonou. The faults were discovered right before we set in for our approach to the port. Although we will spend another night at sea..... I am thankful the problems were discovered before we attempted to dock. Maybe tomorrow I will set my feet on solid ground and then again maybe not. At least we are safe.... and we can see our new city in the distance.

The Calm before the Storm. Arrival Day 9am

2009-02-09T02:32:00.009-06:00

As I sit here in my office trying to do work I find my mind other places. Places that are unknown, unfamiliar, unaware, new, different, challenging, exciting, scary, and so much more. I can't help but feel like this very moment is the calm before the storm. In just an hour or so we will begin our approach into Cotonou, Benin. Once there we will dock and an hour and a half later we will find ourselves in the middle of a welcoming ceremony that is suggested to last up to 4 hours. After that the crazy storm will begin. The next few weeks will be filled with unpacking, setting up, and settling in.

This morning I was sitting on my bed reading my Bible and drinking a cup of coffee trying to gather and sort through my thoughts, emotions, nerves, and excitement for this upcoming day.

In the next room my roommate Carmen was doing the same. I heard her call my name and as I went in to see what she wanted she smiled and said read this, it is my devotional reading for the day Mark 6:53-56:

53When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Amazed, I returned to my room and finished reading my devotion for the day Isaiah 40, which I have read many times before, but today it comforted me in a way I had never experienced before:

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I find God so complex yet so simple at times and I love to be surprised each new day with how it is He chooses to reveal himself to us.

Pray that the people of Benin see Jesus through us and pray that our strength will not be dependant on our own strength but on the strength of the only one who is everlasting. The only one who NEVER grow tired or weary.

First Glimpse

2009-02-08T12:03:00.003-06:00

We are arriving tomorrow in BENIN...Praise Jesus! 9 days at sea is too much for me.

I thought I would let you all get a first glimpse at our new dental clinic. These pictures were emailed to me from the advanced team who has been stationed in Benin since November working all the details for the field service out. Wednesday the dental team hopes to drive out to our clinic so we can visually see how things are going to work. Thursday and Friday we hope to start set up. :)

More to come after we ARRIVE tomorrow!

Sailing Update:

2009-02-07T17:49:00.003-06:00

We are getting closer. We are now in Ghanaian Territory.

If you look at the map you will notice we have Ghana-Togo- then BENIN....... Monday is coming.

Top left corner...Canary Islands is where we started over a week ago and Benin is were we are ending Monday.

Killer Whales

2009-02-07T17:38:00.003-06:00

This morning we were cruising along the waters of Ivory Coast and Shamu was spotted really close to the ship.