Our African Christmas Tree

I was mesmerized by this tree on my trip to rural Africa. It stood outside one of the medical clinics we visited. Rural Africa is breathtaking. Hopefully I will post a blog of the trip today. We wanted you to all see what our Christmas tree looks like. If you look closely, you will see a family of monkeys on the lower left branch, and a giraffe, directly behind the tree eating leaves. A clan of elephants are grazing on Sub Sahara grass about 700 meters behind and to the left of the tree. We miss you all!

Jody's Fainting Spell

Taylor's faithful blog-watchers already know that Jody fainted while performing my work duties in the kitchen (it usually takes 2 people to complete my work duties). Taylor captured the event on her blog magnificently. Please check it out for all of the details. As a follow-up, Jody is doing much better. She is still having some stomach pains, but the Dr.'s think it is intestinal flu type issue. Please just pray for her quick recovery.

Taylors Blog is: www.Taylor95.blogspot.com

Extra !!!! - Going Dark

Mel, Jody and Taylor

Mel (Germany) , Guest of Steve (South Africa), Jody and Taylor (USA) watching Hogan's Heroes - compliments of Dan Keahey. Thanks Dan, I hope you are taking it easy. I can't wait to see you. Mel and I speak German to each other all the time. She thinks I received all of my German language skills from Hogan's Heroes. Not True!

Blogger Craig Kline will be "village hopping" for the next 2-3 days with Dr. Adamson and Tim (Ahmed Fall) Grey. We will be visiting remote villages where some of the students will be working during the outreach portion of this course.

This Blog may be dark unless a guest blogger steps in. Jody...? How about it?

Craig Kline - Dental Procedure - Classroom APHC - Thies Senegal

Preparing the Crown for Re-insertion

The Consultation

Taylor Comforting the Patient

Crown Reinsertion Attempt

Complications - Procedure must be completed at Barthimee Dental Center

Developing .........

Connie's Dream Comes True - Pulls Teeth

Connie Kline has accomplished a lifelong dream. She pulled teeth at Dr. Agoustou's class last night.

The Bad News: 2 days ago while eating a brownie (a real luxury). I encountered a foreign object in the brownie dough. It turned out to be a crown(tooth) that was installed about 2 years ago.

The Good News (Please Pray) - Connie will be re-inserting my crown tonight and I have consented to anesthesia even though I probably won't need it.

Dr. Agoustou teaching on Extraction

The Return of the Goat Head

("The Patient")

This Won't Hurt!

The Extraction - (Actual Photo)

The Celebration

Connie with her first extracted tooth and her proud teacher Dr. Agoustou looking on.

Stay tuned for the results of tonight's procedure. Developing.......

Village Visit and the Citrus Farm Cont'd

The APHC school is located in a large City (Thies) with a population estimate of 500,000 to 1,000,000. The village we visited probably had a population of under 1000. It had a totally different ambiance. You could feel a greater sense of community, not isolationist suburbia. Close living quarters - almost a communal lifestyle. Many residents were happy to see us, almost a party like atmosphere. Some children cautiously observed us from a distance. These types of villages will be the focus of the APHC outreach. For 3 months, the APHC students will become primary medical providers in communities just like this. The focus will be on villages a greater distance from major cities and with limited or no modern medical care. Following are more pictures from our village visit.

Jody Hanging with Children

Relaxing under the Chief's Mango Tree

Connie, Taylor and Jody with Aliou

Creative Boys

Beautiful Children - Alious's Family - Grandpa Lower Right

The Village the Citrus Farm and the President

The Bus Ride to the Village

Aloiu (The student with the snake stories) took us to his grandfathers village. His Grandfather is the village chief and he owns a citrus farm. We commuted via public transportation. Can you see us on the bus? Please don't miss Tim the photographer to the left. More bus pictures follow. The guy that literally hangs onto the back of the bus (see below) collects the money and signals the driver when to stop by banging coins on the window. The money is collected the same way vendors get their money at Safeco Field, passing from hand to hand. The stops are frequent, so a lot of shuffling in very tight quarters is normal. The guy with the glasses next to Tim and on the right of Connie is the President of Senegal.

Jody, Connie and Taylor getting a picture

with the President.

Craig and another guy

snuck into Heather's picture

on the bus.

Tim, Lin, Connie, Craig, Taylor, Joday, Heather and Aliou invaded a small Senegalese Village. We were warmly greeted by what seemed like most of the village, especially the children. I don't think two many "toubobs" visit this village.

Children

We went outside to get a family picture when DeeAnn and Edd left this week. We were immediately joined by children who wanted to be a part of the picture. These children are students in the John Huffman Christian School where we live. We are privileged to hear these children's joyful singing every morning and throughout the day.

December 14th Extra! -Inside the Toilet Paper Roll!

Cash $$$$$

DeeAnn and Edd were kind enough to leave us their extra toilet paper. Toilet paper is not a commonly used item with local people. We carry toilet paper with us wherever we go. But... to our surprise, their toilet paper roll had a bonus! A wad of cash. $US Dollars. Thanks sister. That will come in handy as well. Also, you might want to remember where you hide your cash. :)

This was an extra blog for today. Read on for the rest of today's exciting adventures in Senegal.

Barthime'e Hospital - Dr. Ted

Barthime'e Christian Hospital - Thies Senegal

The above picture is Barthime'e hospital that serves many Senegalese citizens. As can be seen, the hospital is partially completed. Chief of Staff, Dr. Ted (U of W and Michigan) took DeeAnn, Taylor, Jody and Dana on a tour. Much has been accomplished with little resources yet much remains to be done.

Dr. Ted in O.R. Number 1. There are 2. After tons of work by Dr. Ted and Dr. Adamson (anesthesiologist) the O.R is set up and they are now awaiting government approval to sharpen the scalpels. A midwife just came on staff and they are ready to bring new babies into the world. Dr. Ted is a surgeon and frequent lecturer in Connie's class. Dr. Ted has been in Senegal 3 years and previously spent 7+ years in D.R. Congo. He left when the war got "a little too hot". and hopes to return in the future. Dr. Ted is another one of my hero's. There are many here!

DeeAnn spent time with Dr. Ted assessing the equipment list for the laboratory. She has agreed to interface with Dr. Ted and equipment providers. DeeAnn and Edd are leaving us today. It has been great having them here for the last couple of days. Edd has been a little under the weather. He began Malaria treatment based on symptoms. Pray that he has a comfortable trip home. The machine to DeeAnn's right is a ventilator that was donated. It works some of the time! (They don't use it) Editorial comment: Don't send junk equipment to 3rd world countries.

Craig high-5ing Dr. Ted's Endoscopes

For some strange reason I wanted to get a picture with Dr. Ted's Endoscopes. If you are over 50 and haven't met these creatures, you should! It could save your life.

Ask my brother-in-law Kim Stanbery if you have any questions about the care and feeding of Endoscopes. He's an expert.

Dr. Ted, Dana and Craig - Rooftop Experience

Four stories is the maximum building height allowed by Thies building code. The foundation of Barthime'e hospital was built for 8. I call that faith. With dedicated servants such as Dr. Ted and the support of people around the world, this small fledgling hospital will continue to bring The Kingdom of God to Senegal. Dana (middle in photo - taking picture - her natural pose) left us last night after 3 short weeks. We will miss Dana's blood curdling screams as she enters the ice cold showers on wintry Senegal mornings. We will miss her bug dances, and getting yelled at by Senegalese ladies that "think" she is taking their picture. However, most of all we will miss her kind compassionate heart and friendly helpful upbeat attitude. Dana served the children of Thies in this hospital. She loved her time here. Thanks again NW Pediatrics. Your sacrifice was our gain. (Isn't that the way it always works). Who's next?