Looking for Nub!!!!

So as many of you know my Dad had an accident several months ago and lost part of his big toe, and he is still recovering, this walking has been very good for him, but I had the unfortunate mistake of watching my Mom caressing his foot, she says it was medical therapy on his nub....Gross!!

 I wonder where Joey and Toby get it from.....Perhaps from Grandma Mona!!

Walking has been great for him and his pants are already fitting better and he is feeling healthier.  I took them all on a trip back to the big waterfall yesterday and just the boys went up to the big peak on the front range today, called Half-Dome.  Dad was happy to hear from our guide that Cameroon doesn't have poison ivy, as he must have drank too much water and he had to squat like a native.  Unfortunately I don't have photo of that for the audience...But he made the trip none the less.  Yesterday's walk was pretty, but today's was one of those walks that between endorphin rush and pride leave you with a real sense of accomplishment when you finally reach the top.  It is one of the hills I had never done before, and was extremely steep at the end.

We all went to chruch today, and was not as intense as usual, as most of the women had gone to greet and worship with another village today.  It was still great for them to see and experience the passion and joy and the faith these people have in the Lord.

Had a wonderful dinner with Dr Nana and his family tonight.  Great food, great company and learned much.  Dad is having a wonderful time investigating the culture of Cameroon and Dr Nana is very open and willing to share his knowledge.  Learned an interesting Pigeon English Saying, "Ripe Banana still loose a tooth."  Meaning, even with a soft ripe banana you can still break off a tooth, if it is time for the tooth to come out.  Got some great African wear from Dr Nana's family as well.  D & J seemed excited to try on and looked pretty good.

Last but not least I did do some work Friday, and really had one of those great days, where some really messed up stuff came through and got it much better.  Took this very crooked kid and got him alot straighter.  Dr Nana gone all week, so Im'm holding down the fort for a week.  Need to go. Have to put together some lectures for the orthopaedic PA students I am suppose to teach in his abscense.  Also Pretty big spine fusion, and 3-4 other surgeries plus 60+ patients in clinic.  (Velvet and Es, don't get any ideas, seeing 60+ African patients way different that seeing that many in the states.)

Paybacks a B.........ingo!!!!!!

Dad made it up the hill twice today, He and Mom headed out this morning and he came with me this afternoon.  I made him go up the waterline trail and as you can see.  Quickly paid him back for all the Baatan Death Marches he took me on as a kid, "Its just around the corner Brian.."  I so loved telling him, the top is just over the next rise:)

So I'm now I'm sitting here trying to blog and having to debate with my Dad about the use of the Bataan Death March on the blog as a historically propagandazied event, that may offend my Japanese audience.  We have since gone on to the inhumanity of the Trail of Tears, the A-bomb and death of Japanesse Generals...

Thankfully, Mom popped her head in and told Dad to quit picking on me...I don't even give a crap, I'm just looking for a descriptor...  Allan just wants to add here that "water-boarding saves lives" he is such a crapp stirer.  I'm pretty sure he just needs to get his own blog site...Back to the blog.

Hayfield on the hill side...have no idea how this guy is not falling over.

Mom

almost became a moto (motorcycle) statistic today.  They were walking down the hill and a moto, rolling silent down the hill came zooming up behind her and dad and had to scoot.  She jumped out the way and skinned her knee, pretty sure she will survive.  Walking through the hospital late the other night, I was realizing how many people were sleeping out side. see the attached pics.  Last pic is the crazy rod put in at St Elsewhere, bent and backwards, have no idea how they even got it in.  Worse, is figuring out how to get it out  Now to play pitch, and kick Jim and Dads butt.  

Blogging on Ipads Sucks!!!

I've written this 5 times, had to put this at the front because I cant get to the end.
I'm just going to stick in all the pics and keep fighting it.

So as many of you know, I have traveled back to Cameroon with my Parents and Uncle Jim, hence forth to be known as "the entourage or MDJ (Mom,Dad, Jim)  I think it has been quite the eye opening adventure for them.  They all seem to be enjoying themselves, the quite pace, great weather and pictures surroundings.  They are quickly settleing into life here.  MDJ all went and visited the Hope Village (Leper colony) today and were toured around.  Then I made a point to get done early and hiked them up the mountain that looks back on the compound.  Breathtaking views and again Mom and Dad were taken by the natural beauty.

Grasshoppers for dinner!!

Patients laying outside for sunshine...

E

Both my parents are amazed at the feeling of community and closeness this place exudes.  Dad just enjoyes sitting on the porch watching the kids play "football"  I  saw this compassion again today when the kids past up walking up the hill going home from school all holding hands in a line.

I can't tell you how frustrated I am right now, between the horrible internet here and how bad a choice it was to bring the Ipad with me, which is not designed to work with this blogging site...pretty grumpy right now.

MDJ have hiked 3 days in a row at this point and I think are pretty well enjoying themselves.  Dad and Jim tried to find jobs here, eventually got handed to the painting crew...scared the crap out of two poor old paws (men) who were the painting crew..  Pretty much two young wipper snapper Americans' (Dad and Jim) were there to steal their jobs and take there pay.  So Dad and Jim decided maybe they'd just head for the mountain...good side, is Dr Palmer is very pleased, because he hadn't seen them get the ward repainted that fast...ever.


Mom is settling in as well.  She has more to do, went to wound care clinic and got invited to come spend time in Physical Therapy once they found out she use to work on rehab unit.  She is going to come home and complain about how much laundry she did, but as opposed to Roxy and Amy before her, who did it all by hand and it would never dry.. She has a laundry machine next door and extremely dry weather and the dry fast.
So

As most of you probably know, Brian is off to Cameroon again.  This is his third trip to the hospital in Mbingo where he is teaching Orthopedic surgical skills to local African doctors.  The kids and I were not able to travel with him this trip.  So, his mom, dad, and uncle Jim are with him.  I'm sure that they will have a blessed exerience and once again see God's hand at work in a whole different capacity!
 
I just got word from Brian and his entourage.  He wanted me to let everyone know that they have made it safe to Douala.  Aside from some cash under the table at customs to get through smoothly, their travel was uneventful.  I guess that means Allan made it without upsetting too many people on the plane!   I am sure that as soon as he has internet in Mbingo Brian will post updates from here on.  Thank you for all your prayers for him, his parents, and uncle Jim.  And...stay tuned!

-al

Today we saw 460 patients.  We were so busy that I didn't even take any pictures so I have nothing to post.  I will say it is still amazing to watch people see clear for the first time.  Even with the reading glasses.  And surprisingly the number of Christians that have come through is very high, so were doing more confirming of faith than witnessing to unbelievers.  Praise God for that!  I will share one of my conversations with you though...
Me-"When you die what will happen to you?"
New friend-"I'll be in the forest"
Me-?????  We had a little chat!
Looking forward to an end tomorrow.  Although, since it's the last day there is the potential for twice as many people as today.  I am so glad I brought my roller skates.
Please continue payers for our team, our last day of mission, and our travels.
Love you all,
al

Day two in Kitui

Day two of clinic today.  Yesterday was a bit slow, 200 patients.  Not as many people as we had hoped, but that allowed us to learn our jobs well and get to know the local volunteers.  Their are eight of us in our group and about 15 local volunteers that help us and translate.  Today we saw 260 patients.  Better than yesterday, but still waiting for the "rush".  Tomorrow a speaker truck is headed out around town.  We told the driver to say it will be the last day, that way people will come and not all wait till Friday!

We start the process with registration and evanelisim which is manned by the local church volunteers.  (A new Lutheran church plant was started here in Kitui 2 months ago)  

After check in they head to triage.  Pastor and Thomas and Sybil and Philip assess the patients needs  and direct them to their next stop.  They also take the opportunity to talk to them again about God, our salvation, and His grace.

After triage, they head to either the Doctors, reading glasses, and/or vision screening and distant glasses construction.    I have been pulling the lenses after the refractor assessment.  Rich and Rose have become very efficient at putting custom glasses together.  And when we are not busy, Rose gives Swahili lessons.  I anticipate Rich might move to translator by the end of the week.

The reading glasses station is the most popular.  The gals running it stay very busy.  It has been awesome to watch these patients put glasses on for the first time and being able to see!  So cool!

   We end the day with praise and prayer together.  David leads us in song.  And as always it's full of the African spirit!  Not even the Lutheran influence can suppress that!   It is awesome.  I wish I could bottle it up and bring it home.

Now it's, dinner time.  So I need to refresh and then to bed early.  Oh, one highlight of the day...I got to hold baby girl named Michelle!  Yep, you guessed it, after M Obama!  I have a lot to say about that, but not wanting to cause a cyber fight I will keep to myself.  Let me just say, this week while I'm in Kenya, is the only time I am glad for Obama's win.

Sleep tight all!  Don't let the bed bugs bight.  Keep your nets closed and the squitos out!

love  and prayers,
amy lea

Day of rest in Nairobi??

This is the whole crew leaving the airport in Nairobi.  60ish people and a lot of totes.  Everything/one accounted for.

Settled into the hotel in Nairobi and straight to bed.  A full 4 hours of sleep before the breakfast bell was ringing.  Sorta.  We were ready, staff was not.  Welcome to Africa!  An hour later we had breakfast and hit the road for a driving safari right in the heart of Kenya.  75 square miles of African plains.  It was so amazing!  Everywhere you looked there were animals.  We ended up seeing 6 lions, 7 rhinos, tons of giraffe and zebra, and hundreds of different antelope.  It was so beautiful!  We were all amazed at works of God in this place.

`

After the safari we had lunch and did a little pre trip shopping (some souvenirs and some supplies).  Back at the hotel we worshiped together as a group before dinner.  A guest band The Conquerors led us in praise!  It was great to see you Lutheran Africans praise through song.  What an inspiration.  Prayers , dinner, and good night.

Today we are taking a 3 hour drive to Kitui,  our home for the week.  And with that I've got to  get my bag packed and get to the van.
  Hopefully I'll have wifi at the hotel and will chat at you all later.  Blessings to you!  Happy Sunday! Parise The Lord!

amy