Half way

It is Sat. evening and it has been a very quiet day. The morning was beautiful and after our run we made rounds on all our patients. Everyone is doing well although Kokole, the 15 yo with the abdominal abcess was draining more pus than we liked. Greg sedated him and I opened his wound and cleaned out a good bit more pus and placed an irrigation catheter to help keep it washed out. He actually speaks english and has been quite a brave young man. He asked Mary to adopt him and bring him home. Mary said his mother and father would miss him, but he assured her they want him to go to America. I think she would bring him if she could.

Late in the morning we walked about 3 km to a small town where they have a market. Didn't find anything but it was a nice walk, but you have to be careful of the motorbikes. They ship them from China(surprised?) and cost about 500 US. They fly around and cause considerable trauma with common accidents. We had lunch and a little nap before going back for rounds in the "ICU" which is the recovery room and post op care ward. In a couple of days they go to the general ward, usually staying at the hospital for a week and sometimes significantly longer. The wards are broken up into pods of about 3beds by concrete half walls and there are mens, womens, and maternity.

This afternoon we walked up to the church where the youth were having choir practice. They were very good. The choir director spoke to us afterward asking for prayer for his choir and increased participation, especially from the teenage boys. He said there a lot of conflicting beliefs that they have to deal with.

Tomorrow church is at 8:30. There is a French service followed by a service in Lingala. Gina and Mary will be with the youth and Greg was asked to speak a short message and he graciously agreed. I have to say that I'm glad it was him. The youth have more activities in the afternoon.

Let you know more tomorrow, thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

In Christ,

Mark, Mary, Greg and Gina