Ahhh, Ship Life

As I look out the starboard side of the ship (aren't I impressive with all my nautical knowledge--that's the right side), I see a partially sunken, definitely not see-worthy vessel "docked" next to us. Apparently, this boat came in to dock because it was being taken out of commission and was just abandoned there. Within a few days, some very resourceful Liberians decided it would make a fine home. So, now a handful of Liberian men live there (I like to think they are pirates--but nice ones like Johnny Depp). We see them quite often, walking on the pier or swimming to shore with buoys in tow. We're told that piece by piece they remove items from the boat take them into Monrovia and sell them. They seem to be a peaceful enough group. I was very surprised the first time I saw them. However, I was even more surprised to see that quite often while their walking along the pier they are naked! Apparently, some of them can't be troubled to put on pants. I only mention this because yesterday while I was eating lunch one man was walking along the pier in a life jacket and nothing else! I really laughed at that! I guess he was given the choice: life jacket or pants, not both. Ahhh, ship life!

I have been on the ship for almost two weeks now and am definitely getting in the swing of things. The OR schedule has bulked up a little bit and next we will be running four ORs. The past two weeks we have run two or three. Next week we will have an eye team, an ortho team, and a VVF (gynecology) team here. The PACU is about to get quite a bit busier. I look forward to that. Paula left on Wednesday. I was very sad to see her go, but that is just another part of ship life. People are constantly coming and going. Gigi is the new recovery nurse that started on Monday. She will be here for one month. She and I have spent most of the week working out our process so we don't duplicate tasks or step on each others toes. It's a delicate dance that sometimes takes a few days.

The crew of the ship was under "ship arrest" yesterday because of the Liberian Independence Day (July 26th). National holidays always mean beefing up security, not that Mercy Ships is a target, but they would rather us be safe. There were rumors of riots being incited. However, because it was on a Thursday, many Liberians are putting off their celebrating/carousing until Saturday night. So, again on Saturday night, we'll be under ship arrest. I think I'll go onto the dock after dark and watch the fireworks. Anyone who has been around me on the 4th of July knows my love of fireworks!

Island Paediatric Hospital

On Saturday afternoon I went to Island Paediatric Hospital (no, I didn't spell that wrong). Island Paediatric is a Doctors Without Borders hospital that was built shortly after the civil war "finished." I use the word "finished" loosely. Mostly, the hospital treats malnutrition, HIV, pneumonia, and other related diseases. It is purely a medical facility; meaning no surgeries are done there.

As someone who typically feels very comfortable with children of all ages, it took me a while to figure out how to interact with the children. I sat down next to a very small toddler (whom I presume was being treated for malnutrition and had secondary pneumonia) and talked to him. He was too weak to talk and play. He held a blue colored pencil in one hand and a red balloon in the other. He simply watched the other children draw and play, longing to join them. Most of the other children had more energy and really enjoyed playing. Four children and four Mercy Ships crew, including myself, played catch in the covered courtyard of the hospital while the daily afternoon rain came down. I also colored with some of the children after the game of catch was over. I sketched pictures and the children colored them in (a make-shift coloring book). When we left, the mothers were very gracious to us for playing with their children and the children were sad to see us go.

One thing that I can count on is that the language of play is international. Children, despite their surrounding, will play and celebrate life even in the most tragic of circumstances. I have found this to be true in the US, as well as here in Liberia.

Swedish Aerobics

"Von an doo an dree an foor; juse jour bum!"

These are words that were shouted at me during my aerobics class on Wednesday night. One of the dining room staff teaches aerobics once a week to the crew who are stupid enough to put themselves through the agony. The class is rumored to be quite rigorous. I, however, thought, "I've been a dancer most of my life, how difficult can it be?" It was like Jane Fonda and Billy Blank on crack, not to mention that I was laughing for half of it because I kept picturing "Hans & Franz" yelling at me and trying to "pump me up!" Two days later, I am still a little sore. I do think I'll be going back for two reasons: 1. sheer entertainment and 2. with it being Liberia's rainy season, it is easy to go several days without getting outside of the ship. So it's nice doing something to stretch my sea legs.

There was finally a break in the rain today. The sun came out this afternoon and evening. I officially stepped off the ship for the first time since arriving! I took my camera and got some great pictures of the ship and the view from the ship. (I'll be posting those soon.) As I was wandering around the outside decks and the dock, I saw the lifeboats and immediately thought of Titanic (the movie). "Don't you understand? The ship is sinking and there aren't enough boats!" Ne'er you fear, there are enough boats, but more importantly the ship won't be leaving the dock while I'm on it. The captain has made it very clear that he won't be needing my assistance in driving the ship. Apparently, someone tipped him off on my less than stellar driving skills!

Thank you everyone for your comments! I love reading them. It's so encouraging being reminded of how many people are praying for me and thinking of me often. God is doing some amazing things here! I think the most remarkable thing I have seen since first starting work on Monday is the change in the children. As I think I mentioned before, we have done two orthopedic cases per day on toddlers. Earlier this week, the majority of the time walking past the children's ward you just heard crying and yelling. The majority of the crying was not from pain but from fear. (Those who have toddlers or have worked with toddlers know that there is difference in the way they cry.) When I would approach one of the children, you could see the fear washing over their faces. Today, I sat on the ward floor and had children bringing me books to read and toys to play with. One little girl, named Lady, crawled in my lap while we played and cried when I had to leave. It is such a joy to be able to watch these children come so far in just days!

A Pirate's Life for Me. . .

As of yet, I have not had to swab any decks or trim the main sail. Mostly because Africa Mercy (AFM) doesn't have a sail, but a giant engine that consistently provides a gentle vibration throughout the ship. I'm hoping to go to the bridge today to get in a quick lesson on how to steer this contraption should the captain become incapacitated and I need to fill in. I doubt it's much different than the Hyndai Santa Fe.

There are two of us who work in the Post-Anethesia Care Unit (PACU). She is an Aussie named Paula. We are having a good time getting to know each other and figuring out what to do, since PACU is not what either of us actually do at home. We have recovered 2 patients each day since Monday, mostly kids following orthopedic repairs of their legs. It's supposed to pick up next week when another specialty gets here. It has been nice though because I have been able to figure out more "ship stuff."

Yesterday evening the ship showed a documentary about the history of Liberia leading up to about 10 years ago. It was called "Liberia: America's Stepchild." It's a PBS film that is very well made and could probably be found at the library or Netflix if anyone is interested. For all you Red Box-ites, I doubt they carry it. It's very fascinating/appauling to see where Liberia has come from and to see it today.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I got here. The countryside is beautiful and lush; it looks so fertile juxtaposed to buildings that are literally shells of where life used to be. Someone more poetic than I would probably talk about it being ironic. I am looking forward to getting to know Liberia as a country and its people. Please continue to pray for the Liberians, for Liberia, and for me as I continue to figure out life here. I am doing well (not really jet lagged); I am still trying to find my place here. I suppose it will take more than 3 days. Fair enough.

Rejected Blog Titles

1. Molly's Magical Mongonlian Mercy Mission -- a little too long. Trying to see how many M-words we could string together and have it still make sense. 2. Molly's Mission -- definitely more concise; however, I'm not sure if alliteration is the way to go. and finally. . . 3. Missionary Style -- while I do laugh when I think about this title, it's obviously inappropriate.