Je suis fatigué. [I am tired].
I think everyone who serves here is tired too. We work 6 days a week at the hospital and are on-call every night. This is busy season for the OR and we have about 2 more months before our annual leave. Je suis fatigué... I haven't written much for a long time. Here are a few highlights of our past few months:
*Grace & Emmie are thriving. They are making friends and learning more French. Our compound is surrounded by a wall and every day (morning & evening) kids are sitting on top wall calling "Grace"..."Emmie"...
"Give me ball" or "Give me water".
We received 3 soccer balls in a care package and we loan them out every day and the local kids return them (almost) every night when they are done. We also give them fresh water to drink. It's such a little thing for us but it builds relationships and trust with our "neighbors". The girls now frequently hop the wall to play with the locals.
*We've had two great visits in Dec and Jan from friends/anesthesia students. They all brought gifts and stories from home and really served to lift our spirits. One group had perfect timing because a visiting anesthetist (Shawn) covered the OR for me (& gave me an IV!) while I was bedridden with malaria for 3 days. Everyone gets it--that's life in Chad, Africa.
Our 2nd visiting group brought fresh energy and encouragement. David kindly took on any project thrown at him & Jessica rolled up her sleeves and ran the OR like a seasoned anesthetist and not like a 3rd year student. They are future missionaries no doubt as they departed for home continuing treatment for malaria without complaint.
*Three Chadian nurses are still in-training to be safe anesthetists. They are mastering spinal anesthetics, learning simple pharmacology and how to administer general anesthesia. It is exciting to see them improving.
*We have received amazing donations from a few people and have been able to fund student tuitions, school supplies, and uniforms. We could easily triple this with more resources. The need is so great and opportunity limited. How do you break the cycle? Education is so important. The issues Chad faces likely will be solved by a Chadian. The kids we aid may help shape this country's future.
*We have been able to pay for medication for many children in the village and on the pediatric ward whose families just couldn't afford care. We continue to see kids needing treatment for severe malaria, typhoid, tetanus, meningitis, terrible burns from fire or scalding water, various cancers, snake bites, and debilitating malnutrition. Again, the need is great.
*We have received many emails and care packages over the past several months. Your messages, care packages and prayers have been truly encouraging. Life here is incredibly rewarding, incredibly stressful and exhausting!
So as I reflect on our time here, we are making an impact. You are part of that impact.
Our family is getting used to dirty black feet, insects, heat, and lots of meals served with rice. We are ready for 2 months in the U.S. to eat well, relax and reconnect with you all. If you want to hear stories, see pictures or have us over for a meal in April or May--please let us know. Just don't serve rice & beans. Je suis fatigué of that meal :-)
-Mason
"Love your neighbor as yourself"
Matt 22:39
Good Job Bro
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