Can't believe we've been gone a week! We have been VERY busy so unfortunately, we didn't have time to blog on Wed.
Our day started off yesterday with a young boy (Dennis) being brought to the compound from a village in the jungle a day away north of here. He was accompanied by a man who was his present caretaker. He had a very nasty looking cleft lip. He was evaluated by the doctors here and was immediately sent to the hospital to prepare for surgery later in the day. As his story unfolded, we learned that he was 16 yrs. old and looked no more than 12 due to years of malnutrition. His mother had died and his stepfather had beaten him. Dennis had been wandering through the jungle. It was very emotional for all of us to see such a sweet boy and know that he has a miserable life. He got to ride in a pickup to the hospital and didn't even know how to open the door. He hid his face as he was ashamed of the way he looked. Many a tear were shed over him yesterday and last evening. He is doing well post-op and was expected to leave the hospital this afternoon. We hope his life will be improved with his "new lip".
Tamra and I have been working almost non-stop helping the Dr.'s with minor procedures such as scar revisions, mole removals, biopies to evaluate for skin cancers, keloid removals, etc. We have worked with all 4 of the doctors but primarily Dr. Gomez who was one of the co-founders of Nicaplast and who runs a medical school in Leon. Today we did 22 procedures by 1:00. Would have done more but we had to give up the operating room that we were working in to a Nicaragua dr.
Dean & Sue have kept very busy in the OR's, Catherine with the children's ministry & Cole has been everywhere helping wherever he has been needed. He has done a great job and we're all hoping he chooses medicine for his career. He would be a great assest to any medical community he would choose. He has the loving and caring spirit that would make him a wonderful dr. Catherine's experience as a teacher has served her well. The children have enjoyed their time with her and have been blessed by her talents.
We have been so blessed to be working with 4 wonderful doctors. They LOVE their patients and it shows. They are very caring and take special care with each and every one of them. Dr. Kurt shared with us last evening some of his story and said that his faith in God has become much stronger because of his experience with us this week. He was very touched by Dennis' story as well, and felt very honored to have been involved with his care and treatment. Dr. Taez (not sure if spelling is correct), ENT, is a pastor in Bluefields and has been a joy to work with too. Dr. Gomez has shared many of his experiences with us and is a very interesting gentleman.
A special treat for me last evening was being able to attend Mass and Ash Wednesday services at 1 of 3 Catholic churches here in Puerto Cabezas. It was a big church and was completely full. That was a pleasant surprise to see so many people there in spite of the heat. I found out during a procedure with Dr. Gomez during the day that he was Catholic and was hoping to go to Ash Wed. services. He invited me to go along if time allowed and it all worked out. I was a bit nervous on the cab ride back to the compound though. It's pretty scary being out at night here in PC and we've heard stories! Services started at 6:00 and we didn't get back to the compound till almost 8:00. Dean & others were worried when I was gone so long and I promised that I wouldn't go out again when I would be after dark getting back. I surely didn't realize services would be so long. But it was a good experience.
The surgery crew is still at the hospital but those of us that are at the compound will be eating pretty soon. Hope all is well back home. The time is flying by quickly for us here. We're all well here!
Carolyn
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
KENYA UPDATE
Kevin worked in clinic today. He helped Laura do wound care on the wards also. There are some horrendous wounds. I will not post those pictures. His biggest challenge the language. He's used to speaking Spanish so this is hard. Some patients seem to know some English, but not much. The illnesses he's seeing, especially the burns on children are heartbreaking. Laura scrubs and debrides them while they are screaming.
Our OB/GYN team is really busy. Dr. Norton and Dr. Schulte brought in an emergency C section with the Medical Resident from Washington holding his hand inside with the mother on her elbows and knees, pushing the baby off the prolapsed cord, counting the heart rate. They got everything ready, rolled her over onto her back, put to sleep, C section as fast as you could blink. Turns out she had TWINS!!! Mom knew because she had 2 blankets and 2 hats. Everyone else was surprised. She was prolapsed when she walked in. Molly, Erin and Wendy are in their element in L&D, but we stole Wendy and Megan today to scrub for me (Dr. N). Kristy scrubbed for me yesterday, but when we realized there was no one in Recovery and that's what she does back home, we rearranged.
Wendy and Megan traded off scrubbing for me today. Wendy just walked up here. She says the hardest part is paying for Kevin's pop and water (LOL). The hard part is knowing what she needs before you need it. The suture makes her crazy. We've got tons of spread all over in cupboards and totes in the new and old hospital. I think she's locked in for tomorrow at least. We wore out Megan in the morning. It was pretty hot and the cautery smoke did her in. She ended up going shopping later with some of our other women to the place that hires HIV, disabled, orphaned and criminal folks to give them work. They make beautiful stuff and the rest of us will get there sometime. Wendy finished up my last case and then helped out Dr. Stice, Diana and Joan doing some major burn scars on a 16 year old who was playing with gasoline near a fire months ago. Bad idea.
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| Wendy, Dr. N, Med Student in OR. |
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| Kristy with my first tonsil in PACU |
Dr. Dumitru lectured on CHF and Caitlin worked on the stove project. She's extremely enthusiastic so it will be interesting to see how it goes. Good day today. NN
KENYA 2-13-13
Dr. Schulte doing an ectopic pregnancy that came in through the ER right as we were preparing to start surgery. Then there's a picture of one of the many signs posted in the hospital with the costs on them. These signs are also in Swahili. This is quite different from other missions I've been on. Working side by side with the local ENT doctor and having lots of students along slows things down immensely. Then add in equipment failures, using Kenyan equipment and electrical problems it can be quite frustrating. My ENT colleague had never seen the tonsil mouth gag I use or how to do a tonsil with cautery. She said they only pack the adenoid and if its still bleeding some surgeons hold the babies upside down so they don't choke on blood. A novel approach. She also
Was very curious about the nasal septum I did as she apparently doesn't do them at all or does them very differently. The L&D nurses are trying to convince the nurses that fetal monitoring, fundal checks and Oxygen on newborns who don't move much are useful things to do. Today they are going to work on post parting things I won't go into here. They are extremely enthusiastic. We're going early today to make rounds. Two of the horrible tumors are going to Nairobi. It looks like both are lymphoma and need chemotherapy rather than surgery. The parotid mass almost fits under my hand if its fully stretched out. She can't hardly move her head and also is HIV positive. She can't go start chemo till she has $200 to be seen in Nairobi and so will probably die soon.
It turns out there is stew at every meal so guess. What we're eating?! NN
Was very curious about the nasal septum I did as she apparently doesn't do them at all or does them very differently. The L&D nurses are trying to convince the nurses that fetal monitoring, fundal checks and Oxygen on newborns who don't move much are useful things to do. Today they are going to work on post parting things I won't go into here. They are extremely enthusiastic. We're going early today to make rounds. Two of the horrible tumors are going to Nairobi. It looks like both are lymphoma and need chemotherapy rather than surgery. The parotid mass almost fits under my hand if its fully stretched out. She can't hardly move her head and also is HIV positive. She can't go start chemo till she has $200 to be seen in Nairobi and so will probably die soon.
It turns out there is stew at every meal so guess. What we're eating?! NN
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Nicaragua
Hello, my turn today. It was another busy day at the hospital today. From what I could see,things moved more smoothly today, but a lot of that is being in the rhythm on that second day and knowing what you are facing. However, by way of a disclaimer, I am in the childrens ministry end of things, so have a very different perspective from the docs and nurses. I have the wonderful job of coloring with and meeting the children who throng the hospital, children who are patients, children who are with patients, or children who just wander in from the neighborhood because the hospital is a safe place to hang out. They are precious. My Spanish may be useful, but today I found that it would have been a lot more useful to know Moskito. Most of the children that came today spoke Moskito as their primary language. Luckily there were bilingual children, too. Yesterday I was very distressed that there were any kids there because here it was the first day of the new school year and they should all have been in school. According to many of the children they do not go to school because they cannot afford the uniforms and supplies. Others say that education is not a priority for many of the people. Either way, by today I had had an epiphany. I was there to do school for them. We covered a wall with beautiful art throughout the day and I think we succeeded in raising the morale for some of the patients and families that passed by also. The place is so bleak, peeling walls, trash everywhere, dogs eating the trash in the middle of the courtyard in the middle of the hospital, an old army barracks, open plan with outside corridors. Our team is a model of efficiency passing by the chaos with patients on gurneys, doing incredible things. We have a new nickname for Cole, which is Dr. Cole. He has been observing in the OR and has been witnessing some amazing things. Today he spoke of the removal of a cancerous tumour on a ninety year old, which involved some plastic surgery for reconstruction. He said it was incredible to watch. Something quite interesting today. There was a team from Lincoln, Nebraska, Union College, in fact. They had run into some trouble and had had a large amount of money stolen, which was holding up their trip, but they were learning about things at the hospital, and then two of the California team members took them on a tour of the orphanage here at the compound. Speaking of the California team, they are so much fun to work with. I for one am learning a lot from them. Karl and RJ continued their work on Maria Elenas house after getting everyone shuttled to and from the hospital, and shuttling drinks and lunches and fixing things as needed. Ask Karl to tell you about the six head cattle drive along the main street followed by a vaquero cowboy on a bicycle. Sue said to say that surgery is going remarkably well and we are blessed with some amazing surgeons and she is blown away by their expertise. We have also commented that the doctors are some wonderful human beings that are great fun to get to know, who are not at all standoffish, and happy to share their knowledge. It is a blessing to be here to be a blessing. Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers. Catherine
Monday, February 11, 2013
KENYA
This is our hotel. You can see 4 rooms. Kevin, Ray and Tony are upper left. John and I at right below them with the open door. The other two rooms have some of the women.
KENYA - Tuesday 2-12-13
These are some pictures of the hospital. It's surprisingly clean all in all. I haven't seen a dog, horse or vulture yet. Rumor has it that dogs make it in there. Megan took particular interest in the ambulance.
Below are birds nesting on Lake Naivasha on our hippo tour, then is our boat driver, Paul and the long awaited hippo. We saw maybe 15-20 total, but this was the only one who would fully get out of the water to accommodate my camera.
Nicaragua Monday evening
Monday February 11
We are finished with Monday - At the hospital it went good the docs did amazing work and it got off to a great start for the week. There were tons of kids at the hospital and about wore the childrens ministry out. This is the day to do our shopping trip around town and get a few things that we were not able to get in the totes. Right now we are done with supper and we are getting showers and doing our skyping and our magic jack phone calls. So far it has kept up the tradition of raining - much but enough to raise the humidity that is already at about 90+ . Tomorrow RJ - Oscar and I are working on a house that belongs to the nurse at the orphanage. It has been broken into several times and has had their pots and pans stolen and etc. Steve from the church put in a new door on the front today and new knobs and locks that RJ brought from Cal. Tomorrow we will put in the back door and put some new siding on and do some work on the windows - shutters - windows - bars- Thank you all for all of your support - we could not be here without your support. God Bless You.
Love Karl
We are finished with Monday - At the hospital it went good the docs did amazing work and it got off to a great start for the week. There were tons of kids at the hospital and about wore the childrens ministry out. This is the day to do our shopping trip around town and get a few things that we were not able to get in the totes. Right now we are done with supper and we are getting showers and doing our skyping and our magic jack phone calls. So far it has kept up the tradition of raining - much but enough to raise the humidity that is already at about 90+ . Tomorrow RJ - Oscar and I are working on a house that belongs to the nurse at the orphanage. It has been broken into several times and has had their pots and pans stolen and etc. Steve from the church put in a new door on the front today and new knobs and locks that RJ brought from Cal. Tomorrow we will put in the back door and put some new siding on and do some work on the windows - shutters - windows - bars- Thank you all for all of your support - we could not be here without your support. God Bless You.
Love Karl
KENYA - Day 1 at the hospital
I will keep it short as there isn't good internet tonight for some reason. There's lots to tell.
It looks like it won't let me load any pictures.
Today was the first day working in the hospital. We had 3 clinics; Plastics, GYN and ENT. We sent 'troops' all over the hospital, but mostly to OB and Pediatrics to see what they want us to do. The nurses were frustrated by their lack of resuscitation of newborns and the new hospital isn't up and running yet, so we'll work out of the old one. We had a warm welcome from the CEO at the hospital and were surprised to find an physician from Washington University in Seattle who is living here for a year. The have a program to help improve medical education here and she's involved. I won't go into the details, but it's a very ambitious program which includes students and residents from the US and Nairobi who do rotations here so we'll be working with all of them. As far as my clinic, the patients were preselected by the ENT who comes here from Nairobi 2 days a week. It was tonsil, tonsil, tonsil, tonsil, horrible tumor, then tonsil, tonsil, tonsil, horrible tumor, tonsil, tonsil, tonsil, inoperable horrible tumor that looked like a large melanoma in the roof of the mouth. Only one nasal septum, but almost every patient needed surgery. Very interesting clinic.
There is a lady in the women's ward with a huge parotid tumor covered with a bandage who just came in today. Maybe big as a grapefruit if you partially flattened it on the side of the head. We'll do a bandage change tomorrow and get a better look at it. The pediatric ward is 4 rooms side by side with large glass windows for walls with 8 metal, white paint peeling beds in each room. Most of the kids have what appears to be a mother with them, but some are orphans.
It looks like it won't let me load any pictures.
Today was the first day working in the hospital. We had 3 clinics; Plastics, GYN and ENT. We sent 'troops' all over the hospital, but mostly to OB and Pediatrics to see what they want us to do. The nurses were frustrated by their lack of resuscitation of newborns and the new hospital isn't up and running yet, so we'll work out of the old one. We had a warm welcome from the CEO at the hospital and were surprised to find an physician from Washington University in Seattle who is living here for a year. The have a program to help improve medical education here and she's involved. I won't go into the details, but it's a very ambitious program which includes students and residents from the US and Nairobi who do rotations here so we'll be working with all of them. As far as my clinic, the patients were preselected by the ENT who comes here from Nairobi 2 days a week. It was tonsil, tonsil, tonsil, tonsil, horrible tumor, then tonsil, tonsil, tonsil, horrible tumor, tonsil, tonsil, tonsil, inoperable horrible tumor that looked like a large melanoma in the roof of the mouth. Only one nasal septum, but almost every patient needed surgery. Very interesting clinic.
There is a lady in the women's ward with a huge parotid tumor covered with a bandage who just came in today. Maybe big as a grapefruit if you partially flattened it on the side of the head. We'll do a bandage change tomorrow and get a better look at it. The pediatric ward is 4 rooms side by side with large glass windows for walls with 8 metal, white paint peeling beds in each room. Most of the kids have what appears to be a mother with them, but some are orphans.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
KENYA
We made it to Naivasha after stopping first at the elephant orphanage then
on a scenic outlook over the Rift Valley. It's something like Grand Canyon stretching from Israel to Mozambique. It's quite a view. We had a boat tour of Lake Naivasha and saw hippos, giraffes, zebra, waterbuck, wildebeest and tons of birds. It was amazing. Especially the giraffe and zebras didn't run away. The hotel is nice. I'll post I tires when I have more time. We're off to the hospital this morning. I'll include a view of our rooms from the restaurant where we're having breakfast. It's like a row of cottages. We slept under mosquito nets last night. John and I decided this is the most exotic place we've ever been. NN
on a scenic outlook over the Rift Valley. It's something like Grand Canyon stretching from Israel to Mozambique. It's quite a view. We had a boat tour of Lake Naivasha and saw hippos, giraffes, zebra, waterbuck, wildebeest and tons of birds. It was amazing. Especially the giraffe and zebras didn't run away. The hotel is nice. I'll post I tires when I have more time. We're off to the hospital this morning. I'll include a view of our rooms from the restaurant where we're having breakfast. It's like a row of cottages. We slept under mosquito nets last night. John and I decided this is the most exotic place we've ever been. NN
Nicaragua
Sunday
Greetings! What a day! We went to a 3 hour church service, lunch after and then finished gathering supplies to take to the hospital. It is always quite a job sorting through totes and organizing what we need to take.
We had a ditzel clinic which consisted of scar revisions, skin cancer excisions, mole removals, etc. and lots of teaching from the docs. We worked with 3 Nicaraguan doctors and an American living in Nicaragua. For those of you Iowans reading this, he just happens to originally be from Ackley, IA! He is a world renowned physician and is the founder of Nicaplast which is a group of plastic surgeons who do cleft lip and palate surgery in Nicaragua. One of the doctors is a general and plastic surgeon, another and ENT dr. and the other is the founder of the medical school in Leon, Nic. They are wonderful doctors and we have had a great time working with them already and have also enjoyed our interactions with them away from work. We are looking forward to the week once the surgeries start in the morning.
Sue, Tamra, and I helped the doctors in the clinic today and it is good to get back in the groove with old friends at work again.
There have been some difficulties with no water in some of the bathrooms on the compound or no air conditioning. Most of the rooms that missionaries stay in have air conditioning now which has been a blessing but equipment just does not last here. Dean and I have been without it the last few nights and got moved to another room today after a Virginia team left. Tamra and Cole have been without water off and on and I think Catherine and Sue and Karls accomodations have been good.
Time to shower and get to bed. Hope is all well with everyone at home. More blogs to follow as time allows. Carolyn
Greetings! What a day! We went to a 3 hour church service, lunch after and then finished gathering supplies to take to the hospital. It is always quite a job sorting through totes and organizing what we need to take.
We had a ditzel clinic which consisted of scar revisions, skin cancer excisions, mole removals, etc. and lots of teaching from the docs. We worked with 3 Nicaraguan doctors and an American living in Nicaragua. For those of you Iowans reading this, he just happens to originally be from Ackley, IA! He is a world renowned physician and is the founder of Nicaplast which is a group of plastic surgeons who do cleft lip and palate surgery in Nicaragua. One of the doctors is a general and plastic surgeon, another and ENT dr. and the other is the founder of the medical school in Leon, Nic. They are wonderful doctors and we have had a great time working with them already and have also enjoyed our interactions with them away from work. We are looking forward to the week once the surgeries start in the morning.
Sue, Tamra, and I helped the doctors in the clinic today and it is good to get back in the groove with old friends at work again.
There have been some difficulties with no water in some of the bathrooms on the compound or no air conditioning. Most of the rooms that missionaries stay in have air conditioning now which has been a blessing but equipment just does not last here. Dean and I have been without it the last few nights and got moved to another room today after a Virginia team left. Tamra and Cole have been without water off and on and I think Catherine and Sue and Karls accomodations have been good.
Time to shower and get to bed. Hope is all well with everyone at home. More blogs to follow as time allows. Carolyn
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Nicaragua 13
We arrived in Puerto Cabezas yesterday afternoon and hit the ground running. The California people arrived as well and all our totes made it through customs! Have been very busy! We have met the Nicaraguan doctors we will be working with and they are absolutely wonderful. So friendly, helpful and accomadating in every way. Today we had our clinic and saw several hundred patients and have a very full schedule of surgeries for the week. With several doctors, we will also be having a large ditzel clinic which will amount to a lot of mole removals, scar revisions, etc.
It is great to be back to Nicaragua and connect with old friends again and we will definitely have many new friendships when we leave here. We are very anxious to get started working with the doctors. They share the spiritual commitments that our team has and that is as important as the physical care that they will give their patients.
Keep us in your prayers as we begin a long week. Carolyn
After supper tonight we were invited to one of our favorite Nicaraguan nurse Rigbys home. It was her 60th birthday. The evening was filled with music, dancing and laughter. Our doctors this year have proved to be very entertaining leading the dancing. They are joy filled and we are looking forward to a spirited week.
SUE
It is great to be back to Nicaragua and connect with old friends again and we will definitely have many new friendships when we leave here. We are very anxious to get started working with the doctors. They share the spiritual commitments that our team has and that is as important as the physical care that they will give their patients.
Keep us in your prayers as we begin a long week. Carolyn
After supper tonight we were invited to one of our favorite Nicaraguan nurse Rigbys home. It was her 60th birthday. The evening was filled with music, dancing and laughter. Our doctors this year have proved to be very entertaining leading the dancing. They are joy filled and we are looking forward to a spirited week.
SUE
KENYA - Country Lodge Nairobi
We made it to Nairobi after one short flight to Detroit where we lost one bag, the two LONG flights 7+ hours to Amsterdam and then Nairobi. We were picked up at the airport with 3 vans and taken to the Country Lodge which is really nice. I'm feeling guilty I'm not suffering yet, but they say we should take a good long shower here since the showers in Naivasha are not as good. We'll head there tomorrow, stopping at the elephant orphanage around noon, then go on a hippo boat tour in the afternoon. Then we promise we will get to work! We went to the adjoining restaurant for a break before heading to bed. We're 9 hours ahead of Nebraska so there will be some jet lag involved. I stayed awake most of the trip (yes, I napped some) so I could sleep tonight since I don't often go to bed for the night at 2 pm! The pictures below are from the Nairobi airport and the hotel.
I see some of the pictures on the last 3 posts are out of order. I posted them from my cell phone and they didn't send in order. Operator error!
We had to use our key card 3 times and go through an additional guarded gate to get back into our hotel from the restaurant next door. I think we are safe!
Nila
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| Megan and Molly at Nairobi airport |
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| Our Baggage |
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| Dr. Ray Schulte |
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| Caitlin and her mom Dr. Stice |
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| John & Kevin |
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| Diana, Wendy, Dr. Dumitru, Kristi |
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| Jeff & Joan H. |
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| One of the vans to the hotel. |
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| Restaurant near hotel. |
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| The team at the airport. |
We had to use our key card 3 times and go through an additional guarded gate to get back into our hotel from the restaurant next door. I think we are safe!
Nila
Kenya- Amsterdam
Didn't sleep much overnight but here we are waiting in Amsterdam for the third leg. There are Dutch shoes and tulips everywhere. It's now 8am here but somewhere in the middle of the night back home. We're hoping to be so tired by the time we hit Nairobi we'll be able to sleep well tonight. N
Kenya
Megan Kresha also has a blog. http://www.tumblr.com/blog/columbusmedicalmission
She's sitting by Kevin on the plane to Amsterdam.
She's sitting by Kevin on the plane to Amsterdam.
Nairobi, Kenya
Checking in at Country Lodge in Nairobi. Only one lost suitcase! It's close to the Isreali embassy so it's very secure 😉Nila
Friday, February 8, 2013
Kenya links
Www.wendys1stmissiontrip2013.blogspot.com
Wendy Kallhoff is also blogging on our trip. Follow her also.
Wendy Kallhoff is also blogging on our trip. Follow her also.
Nicaragua '13
Good Morning from Managua! We have had some difficulty getting to this point of being able to post so bear with us. Tryng to navigate through all the questions, problems of e-mails in a 3rd world country is frustrating.
We arrived in Managua last evening around 8:30 with good connecting flights the whole way. Our totes arrived with us (sigh of relief) and then we got through customs after 3 were searched (another sigh of relief!). They were looking for drugs and since we didn't take any medications with us, we were OK. We had pretty tight connections so didn't have time for meals yesterday so were glad to hear the restaurant at our hotel was still open. We gathered for a late evening meal before going to bed.
We have just had breakfast at the hotel and will be going across the street to the airport to catch our last leg of our flight to Puerto Cabezas. We will have 2 doctors from Nicaragua joining us and the rest will come later with the California group.
This afternoon will be very busy going through totes, trying to organize things for our clinic tomorrow, getting surgical trays made up, etc., etc. And hopefully the sterilizer will run after a year of idle time. Lots to do and hope we will be able to continue to post. Continue to keep us in your prayers. Carolyn
We arrived in Managua last evening around 8:30 with good connecting flights the whole way. Our totes arrived with us (sigh of relief) and then we got through customs after 3 were searched (another sigh of relief!). They were looking for drugs and since we didn't take any medications with us, we were OK. We had pretty tight connections so didn't have time for meals yesterday so were glad to hear the restaurant at our hotel was still open. We gathered for a late evening meal before going to bed.
We have just had breakfast at the hotel and will be going across the street to the airport to catch our last leg of our flight to Puerto Cabezas. We will have 2 doctors from Nicaragua joining us and the rest will come later with the California group.
This afternoon will be very busy going through totes, trying to organize things for our clinic tomorrow, getting surgical trays made up, etc., etc. And hopefully the sterilizer will run after a year of idle time. Lots to do and hope we will be able to continue to post. Continue to keep us in your prayers. Carolyn
Kenya
All checked in at Eppley airfield. Dr. Schulte and Dr. Stice are here. Dr. Schulte is traveling in our plane. The rest are meeting us in Detroit. Megan brought a ziplock full of pizza! No pizza left behind!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Nicaragua '13
JANUARY 13, 2013
The Nicaragua team met today in Lincoln at Sue & Karl Tillinghast's. We were commissioned at their church, First Presbyterian at the 11:00 service. We had a great meeting with lots of discussion on our travel plans, finances, supplies & totes, gifts, devotions, etc. Tamra has lots of neat ideas on things that she has in store for children's ministry so that will be fun to see what all she has planned.
At this point, it looks like we will be working with 4 physicians from Nicaragua; plastic surgeons & ENT physicians. We don't know yet how the surgery schedule for the week is going to be worked out but we have learned how to be flexible and will deal with whatever is handed to us.
Everyone is getting so excited for the trip. Our medical supplies are all packed in totes & we have 1 or 2 more to pack with misc. supplies. But once again, one of the worst parts in preparing for this trip is to figure out how we can get everything we need for 10 days into our own personal carry-on size bags weighing no more than 30 lbs. Believe me, it is NOT easy (especially for us girls)!
Our mission trip will be Feb. 7-17th. We will be posting to this blog site as internet service is available.
Keep us in your prayers!
Carolyn Athey
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
KENYA HERE WE COME
Things are moving right along with our plans to travel to Naivasha, Kenya where we will work in the District Hospital. I've included a slideshow of the Kenya team. We had a team meeting this past Sunday where all but 2 of the 19 members attended so we could meet and talk with one another. Several have been there before so their experience is valuable. We will not all be on the same plane, but will arrive in Nairobi all the same evening within and hour of each other. We'll stay the night in a hotel there. They say it's near the Israeli embassy so is heavily guarded. I guess that's good to know. We'll have 3 vans, 2 for people and 1 for the supplies and luggage. On the way to Naivasha there is both a baby elephant preserve and baby giraffe preserve. I guess for orphaned animals. We'll probably get to stop there if time permits either on the way to or back from Naivasha. They also say Lake Naivasha has hundreds (thousands?) of flamingos and hippos. We'll get out on a boat in the lake at some point and see them. Yes..... we'll be careful of the hippos. It's interesting how many folks have warned me about them, as if people from Nebraska would know more about hippo safety than the people who live there and will guide us.
I just got a call from Louise at Federated Church tonight with another 20 receiving blankets and baby hats. The ladies there have already made us 25 hospital gowns. I'm afraid we won't have room for surgical instruments. We may have to rearrange and take fewer drapes or something.
I also received an e-mail from a Kenyan general surgeon today, who we will work with there. He will get me in touch with the local ENT, Dr. Anne. Since there is ENT there I may not have to take as many instruments as usual, but that's unclear right now. They apparently do not have a microscope for ear surgery so that saves us an ear tray, but tells me there is probably a lot of need for ear surgery there.
I want to add photos and stories of our team, but don't have time right now so will do it another time. The blog is a little cumbersome to sign in and we get lots of spam comments that need to be deleted from foreign advertisements it seems so it's a bit of a nuisance to have to screen them all. I will write more when I have time.
We're being commissioned at Federated Church this Sunday and following that with a Baked Potato Bar fund raiser to help cover costs. Thanks to everyone who has helped so much. This will be the biggest adventure yet. I feel a little bad about not going to DR Congo and will keep it on my list. I received and e-mail from another missionary who put off a trip there for the same reasons we did. The government is unstable, and although the mission site where we would have been working isn't in the direct line of the trouble, we didn't want to get there and then have riots in the capitol which could close the airport and lock us in. In the mean time, I gave up on my French lessons for DRC and got a "Teach Yourself Swahili" CD/book set from Amazon yesterday, so now will try to learn a few words. If I can say hello, goodbye, wait here, excuse me, please and thank you I'll be happy. Someone once told me Swahili is the hardest language in the world to learn. I don't know if that is true or not. Lucky for us, the 2 national languages in Kenya are Swahili and ENGLISH!! Woo Hoo!!
Nila Novotny
I just got a call from Louise at Federated Church tonight with another 20 receiving blankets and baby hats. The ladies there have already made us 25 hospital gowns. I'm afraid we won't have room for surgical instruments. We may have to rearrange and take fewer drapes or something.
I also received an e-mail from a Kenyan general surgeon today, who we will work with there. He will get me in touch with the local ENT, Dr. Anne. Since there is ENT there I may not have to take as many instruments as usual, but that's unclear right now. They apparently do not have a microscope for ear surgery so that saves us an ear tray, but tells me there is probably a lot of need for ear surgery there.
I want to add photos and stories of our team, but don't have time right now so will do it another time. The blog is a little cumbersome to sign in and we get lots of spam comments that need to be deleted from foreign advertisements it seems so it's a bit of a nuisance to have to screen them all. I will write more when I have time.
We're being commissioned at Federated Church this Sunday and following that with a Baked Potato Bar fund raiser to help cover costs. Thanks to everyone who has helped so much. This will be the biggest adventure yet. I feel a little bad about not going to DR Congo and will keep it on my list. I received and e-mail from another missionary who put off a trip there for the same reasons we did. The government is unstable, and although the mission site where we would have been working isn't in the direct line of the trouble, we didn't want to get there and then have riots in the capitol which could close the airport and lock us in. In the mean time, I gave up on my French lessons for DRC and got a "Teach Yourself Swahili" CD/book set from Amazon yesterday, so now will try to learn a few words. If I can say hello, goodbye, wait here, excuse me, please and thank you I'll be happy. Someone once told me Swahili is the hardest language in the world to learn. I don't know if that is true or not. Lucky for us, the 2 national languages in Kenya are Swahili and ENGLISH!! Woo Hoo!!
Nila Novotny
Saturday, December 29, 2012
KENYA
We packed for Kenya this week. We put together 14 totes full of medical supplies. There will be 6 physicians, 10 nurses and 2 ancillary personnel traveling together to Nairobi, then to Naivasha, Kenya to work in a new women's hospital built by a group of Nebraskans. They have brought Kenyans to Nebraska to train and work on training them there.
I'll have the opportunity to work with a local Otolaryngologist and helping in whatever way I can. John will be working on the stove project modeled after the project used by HELPS International (the group we went with to Guatemala last year). The idea is to built stoves to contain the fires in homes, decrease smoke inhalation, decrease burn injuries and decrease time spent gathering wood. It also helps protect the environment as it uses much less wood and with less time gathering wood and tending a fire the children can attend school and parents can be more productive with their time. Watch the YouTube video Stove project It helps in so many ways. The stoves are inexpensive and efficient. I've included a link to YouTube that explains the project. It is out of Guatemala but the same principle we will be using in Kenya. NN
I'll have the opportunity to work with a local Otolaryngologist and helping in whatever way I can. John will be working on the stove project modeled after the project used by HELPS International (the group we went with to Guatemala last year). The idea is to built stoves to contain the fires in homes, decrease smoke inhalation, decrease burn injuries and decrease time spent gathering wood. It also helps protect the environment as it uses much less wood and with less time gathering wood and tending a fire the children can attend school and parents can be more productive with their time. Watch the YouTube video Stove project It helps in so many ways. The stoves are inexpensive and efficient. I've included a link to YouTube that explains the project. It is out of Guatemala but the same principle we will be using in Kenya. NN
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Nicaragua '13
We learned from our first trip to Nicaragua, that the word "flexibility" is a key word and one that we have come to be very familiar with. Just a few nights ago, we learned that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2 physicians with the California part of our team are not able to go to Nicaragua with us in February. Of course, that news blindsided all of us but we still knew that we all wanted to go back in whatever capacity that we could be used, whether it was medical or non-medical. We now have learned that we will be working with Nicaraguan doctors, plastic surgeons from Managua. That is great news and will be a blessing for the people in Nicaragua who have been waiting for our team to return. We don't have a lot of details yet so are anxiously waiting to hear more news. But our hearts are with the people of Nicaragua so we are happy to serve them in any way we can. Please keep us in your prayers.
Carolyn Athey
Carolyn Athey
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Nicaragua '13
In spite of the miserable cold & blustery day on Sunday, the Columbus Medical Mission Team, Nicaragua '13 had a very successful spaghetti feed fundraiser. It was held at Peace Lutheran Church and we had a great turnout. We also had a Christmas bake sale with lots of delicious baked goods. Another addition to our fundraiser this year was a silent auction of items bought in Nicaragua on our last trip. These items were from Nicaraguan craftsman & many from Puerto Cabezas which is where we work on our mission. We want to thank everyone who came & also who supported us with monetary donations as well as all the wonderful baked goods. We are always amazed at the generosity of so many who support our mission. We also want to recognize Cargill for their donation of hamburger as well as the Barilla pasta company for their donation of all the spaghetti and spaghetti sauce and Michael Brittenham, State Farm agent, for his donation of napkins and cups. And thank you to Jodi Dreifurst, a 2 time member of our mission team, for her donation of the table covering. We were also fortunate to have volunteers who helped us during the spaghetti feed and to them, a HUGE thank you. Words cannot express how grateful we are to everyone who helped make this fundraiser a success.
In less than 2 months our team will be back in Nicaragua, and for some of of us our 4th trip back. The people in Puerto Cabezas certainly have won our hearts and we are so blessed to have the opportunity to serve them again. We are looking forward for the opportunity to work with our friends from California again as well as our brothers & sisters in Nicaragua. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare to return to help those in need in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. And please plan to follow this site for blogs. We will try to keep everyone updated as time allows & as the electricity allows us to.
Carolyn Athey
In less than 2 months our team will be back in Nicaragua, and for some of of us our 4th trip back. The people in Puerto Cabezas certainly have won our hearts and we are so blessed to have the opportunity to serve them again. We are looking forward for the opportunity to work with our friends from California again as well as our brothers & sisters in Nicaragua. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare to return to help those in need in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. And please plan to follow this site for blogs. We will try to keep everyone updated as time allows & as the electricity allows us to.
Carolyn Athey
Saturday, December 8, 2012
KENYA 2013
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Nicaragua '13
The Columbus Medical Mission Team (Nicaragua '13) met today & we had a fantastic meeting. We had lots to cover regarding travel plans, fundraising efforts, ordering supplies, etc., etc. Our big fundraiser will be our spaghetti feed which will be Sunday, December 9th from 12:00-2:00 at Peace Lutheran Church as well as a Christmas bake sale. A new addition that we are having this year during the spaghetti feed is a silent auction of items we purchased from Nicaragua in February. These items are made in Nicaragua and many are from craftsmen in Puerto Cabezas, the town where we work. Some of the items are baskets, jewelry, a wood carving, scarves, etc. We have been very blessed to have gotten our hamburger donated from Cargill as well as spaghetti and spaghetti sauce donated from the Barilla pasta company. Thank you to everyone who supports our mission work through your donations but most importantly, with your prayers.
Team members from left to right in top picture: Catherine Johnston, Sue & Karl Tillinghast, Tamra Boettcher, Cole Fullner, Carolyn & Dean Athey
Carolyn Athey
Friday, October 26, 2012
DR Congo
I've received another video about the mission in DR Congo. We have a contact in North Carolina with a church that sends missionaries there regularly.
http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi378274841/
http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi378274841/
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Nicaragua 2013
We are happy to report that the Columbus Medical Mission Team (Nicaragua '13) is formed. We have 2 new members, Cole Fullner & Catherine Johnston, and they will be joining Karl & Sue Tillinghast, Tamra Boettcher & Dean & Carolyn Athey. This will be the 4th trip to Nicaragua for the Tillinghast's & Athey's and Tamra's 2nd trip.
Tamra will be taking on a dual role this time. Her desire was to lead the children's ministry and she will do that with the help of Cole & Catherine. She will also use her medical skills when necessary but felt her calling for this trip was to participate more fully in the spiritual side of the mission trip. She has a lot of experience with the youth through her participation in her church and the people of Puerto Cabezas will certainly benefit spiritually & medically from her expertise.
Our team has a lot of work ahead of us from now on but we look forward to all the challenges & efforts it will take to make our way back to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for our next journey.
Carolyn Athey
Tamra will be taking on a dual role this time. Her desire was to lead the children's ministry and she will do that with the help of Cole & Catherine. She will also use her medical skills when necessary but felt her calling for this trip was to participate more fully in the spiritual side of the mission trip. She has a lot of experience with the youth through her participation in her church and the people of Puerto Cabezas will certainly benefit spiritually & medically from her expertise.
Our team has a lot of work ahead of us from now on but we look forward to all the challenges & efforts it will take to make our way back to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for our next journey.
Carolyn Athey
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