Just wanted to give you all a quick update. On Sunday I will be
getting picked up by Dr. Paul. We will be taveling to Buea and Limbe
for a little bit of "sightseeing" and then I get on a plane Monday
night to travel home, arriving back Tuesday night. It has definitely
been an experience and I have learned a ton, but I am ready to see all
of you again :)
Unitl I see you!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Wounds, Graduation, & Snails
This week, I worked in the theater, or the OR. For the most part, we
dressed wounds and stitched up a couple of small things. Normally
Tuesdays and Thursdays are operation days, and tend to be very busy.
However, the doctor was gone this week so there wasn’t really much we
could do. Besides the student nurses, there are two men who work in
the theater, Amos and Ray. However, they can only assist with the
surgeries, not actually perform them. Anyway, on Wednesday a doctor
from another hospital came here and will be here for a month. We ended
up doing two operations on Thursday, a C-section and an appendectomy,
both of which I had seen before. However, I got to take some awesome
pictures, so those of you who can handle it, be ready!
On Friday, I headed to Kumba (a town about 30 minutes away) with the
visiting doctor to another medical center. We did some consultations
and then headed back, which let me tell you was very tight! Imagine a
tiny tiny Toyota, then imagine me and three men who were at least 6
feet tall, probably more, and were very big men in general. Lets just
say that space does not exist when you are traveling in Africa.
On Saturday (today), I had the privilege of witnessing 24 2nd year
nursing students graduate! Originally, the ceremony was to start at
11, but it is Africa so African time rules, which means that it didn’t
start until a little after 1. It lasted about 3.5 hours and was very
different from what we see. I will explain more to you when I come
home. The guesthouse, where I am staying, was used as a “reception”
area for the staff and higher ups after the graduation, so I actually
had people in my house! There was tons of food, most of which I didn’t
recognize. However, I did have the opportunity to try snails, which
they cook over a fire and eat on a stick. It was interesting, but not
something that I would like to eat again :)
In just over a week I will be home again. I have enjoyed my time here,
but am definitely looking forward to seeing my family and friends
again. Hopefully I should be able to send out a couple more updates
before I leave.
For now, God Bless and goodnight!
dressed wounds and stitched up a couple of small things. Normally
Tuesdays and Thursdays are operation days, and tend to be very busy.
However, the doctor was gone this week so there wasn’t really much we
could do. Besides the student nurses, there are two men who work in
the theater, Amos and Ray. However, they can only assist with the
surgeries, not actually perform them. Anyway, on Wednesday a doctor
from another hospital came here and will be here for a month. We ended
up doing two operations on Thursday, a C-section and an appendectomy,
both of which I had seen before. However, I got to take some awesome
pictures, so those of you who can handle it, be ready!
On Friday, I headed to Kumba (a town about 30 minutes away) with the
visiting doctor to another medical center. We did some consultations
and then headed back, which let me tell you was very tight! Imagine a
tiny tiny Toyota, then imagine me and three men who were at least 6
feet tall, probably more, and were very big men in general. Lets just
say that space does not exist when you are traveling in Africa.
On Saturday (today), I had the privilege of witnessing 24 2nd year
nursing students graduate! Originally, the ceremony was to start at
11, but it is Africa so African time rules, which means that it didn’t
start until a little after 1. It lasted about 3.5 hours and was very
different from what we see. I will explain more to you when I come
home. The guesthouse, where I am staying, was used as a “reception”
area for the staff and higher ups after the graduation, so I actually
had people in my house! There was tons of food, most of which I didn’t
recognize. However, I did have the opportunity to try snails, which
they cook over a fire and eat on a stick. It was interesting, but not
something that I would like to eat again :)
In just over a week I will be home again. I have enjoyed my time here,
but am definitely looking forward to seeing my family and friends
again. Hopefully I should be able to send out a couple more updates
before I leave.
For now, God Bless and goodnight!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
June 25
Wow! It is hard to believe that I have been in Cameroon for only five weeks! It seems like so much longer, and it is strange to think that in two weeks time I will be headed for home. Last week I worked in maternity, although I only worked a couple of days. My stomach has been bothering me the last week or so, so please pray for good health! While I was in maternity, I had the opportunity to experience two births (both boys), a vaccination clinic, a clinic for pregnant women, and a couple of circumcisions. Unfortunately, I was not able to assist in either of the births. I was supposed to help with the first one, but I had barely walked into the room and the baby was out. No time to put on gloves or a gown. In fact, I almost missed it all together! The second was a breach baby, so they wanted to make sure that everything worked ok with the baby coming out and the umbilical cord and such. Even though I was not able to help, watching was so amazing and reminded me again how amazing our God is. One of the women, throughout the birth and after, was constantly praising God for His grace and mercy..it was so great!
On Sunday I attended the Apostolic church here in Banga, and experienced God in a wonderful way. The spirit was definitely present during the church service, and I had the opportunity to listen to some
wonderful testimonies.
This week I will be working in the theater, or operating room. Today we dressed about 10 different wounds, learned about different techniques for sterilization, and learned about the different instruments used in surgery. At the end of the day, Amos (one of the nurses in the theater) talked me the student nurses and myself about
different types of wounds, how to dress them, and some of the causes. It was very interesting, and I can’t wait to see how things are done differently in the US.
With that, I will leave you with some interesting tidbits that I have
discovered while in Cameroon.
--in the French areas of Cameroon (8 out of the 10 regions), the country is spelled Cameroun
--flip-flops are known as “slippers”, and are only worn around the house
--when women shake hands, they hold the elbow of the hand they are shaking with with the other hand
--police randomly stop cars on the side of the rode and ask for ID
--banana plantations are EVERYWHERE!
--for church, women dress very very fancy and always have their head covered
--everyone owns a cell-phone
--most women have a weave or a wig
--picking your nose in public is ok
--anytime you travel on a paved road, you have to pay a toll
On Sunday I attended the Apostolic church here in Banga, and experienced God in a wonderful way. The spirit was definitely present during the church service, and I had the opportunity to listen to some
wonderful testimonies.
This week I will be working in the theater, or operating room. Today we dressed about 10 different wounds, learned about different techniques for sterilization, and learned about the different instruments used in surgery. At the end of the day, Amos (one of the nurses in the theater) talked me the student nurses and myself about
different types of wounds, how to dress them, and some of the causes. It was very interesting, and I can’t wait to see how things are done differently in the US.
With that, I will leave you with some interesting tidbits that I have
discovered while in Cameroon.
--in the French areas of Cameroon (8 out of the 10 regions), the country is spelled Cameroun
--flip-flops are known as “slippers”, and are only worn around the house
--when women shake hands, they hold the elbow of the hand they are shaking with with the other hand
--police randomly stop cars on the side of the rode and ask for ID
--banana plantations are EVERYWHERE!
--for church, women dress very very fancy and always have their head covered
--everyone owns a cell-phone
--most women have a weave or a wig
--picking your nose in public is ok
--anytime you travel on a paved road, you have to pay a toll
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Meaning Behind the Ink
Most people do not see me as someone who would randomly go out and get
a tattoo, so when people find out that I have one they are usually
pretty surprised. Of course, the next thing they ask is “why that
tattoo?”
There are a couple of reasons why the words “Go Ye Therefore” are
permanently engraved on my right foot. The words come from God, and
are specifically located in Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Since a young age, I have
been called to missions and I am passionate about them. Matthew 28:19
has been my go to verse and my direction in everything that I do.
Likewise, my friend Sarah Buller had a wonderful and blessed heart
when it came to missions. It was something that we both shared and
were passionate about. She also held Matthew 28:19 close to her heart
and used it as a guide for her life. Just two years, while Sarah was
serving God in South Africa, she passed away due to a tragic car
accident. About a month before her accident, she got a tattoo on her
foot. About a year after the accident, I really felt like I needed to
get something to remind me of God’s calling on my life, and also to
remind me of Sarah, and the work she had been doing. I felt like a
tattoo of the verse that meant so much to both of us would be a good
reminder of God and His grace.
Now when people ask me about the tattoo, I am not only able to talk to
them about God and His love for the world, but I am able to share the
story of a young missionary with a heart for God who happened to be
one of my closest friends.
a tattoo, so when people find out that I have one they are usually
pretty surprised. Of course, the next thing they ask is “why that
tattoo?”
There are a couple of reasons why the words “Go Ye Therefore” are
permanently engraved on my right foot. The words come from God, and
are specifically located in Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Since a young age, I have
been called to missions and I am passionate about them. Matthew 28:19
has been my go to verse and my direction in everything that I do.
Likewise, my friend Sarah Buller had a wonderful and blessed heart
when it came to missions. It was something that we both shared and
were passionate about. She also held Matthew 28:19 close to her heart
and used it as a guide for her life. Just two years, while Sarah was
serving God in South Africa, she passed away due to a tragic car
accident. About a month before her accident, she got a tattoo on her
foot. About a year after the accident, I really felt like I needed to
get something to remind me of God’s calling on my life, and also to
remind me of Sarah, and the work she had been doing. I felt like a
tattoo of the verse that meant so much to both of us would be a good
reminder of God and His grace.
Now when people ask me about the tattoo, I am not only able to talk to
them about God and His love for the world, but I am able to share the
story of a young missionary with a heart for God who happened to be
one of my closest friends.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Good Evening!
(From Sunday, July 17)
My second week at the Apostolic Hospital in Banga is coming to a close. It is Sunday evening here, and all is quite as people sit in their houses watching TV. Speaking of TV, the hospital bought one for the guesthouse on Monday, but it is still sitting in the box. Let’s just say that Africans are not the most punctual about getting things done :) I also finally received a new gas stove, complete with an oven, so I can finally cook my own food. However, I don’t have matches, so I will have to go and buy those tomorrow so I can actually cook.
Update on the camera: I traveled to Douala yesterday and found a camera. It cost me $140, but it is worth it. The cameras here are very very expensive, and they make the price even higher when they see the color of your skin. However, I did get the price down from $180, so I was a little proud of myself. The trip itself was long-we left at 7:30 am and didn’t get back until 5:30 pm, with driving time being around 4 hours. We had to drive all over the city looking for cameras, and they were few and far between. However, we did succeed, which I am very happy about. I have already taken pictures of the hospital, where I live, and some of the people so that I can make up for the last week:)
As I mentioned in my last update, I was working in the lab this week. It was good to learn and be able to run different tests including: HIV, malaria, typhoid, syphilis, pregnancy, urinalysis, gram staining, staining, and blood grouping. I only saw the doctor a couple of times because he was gone for half of the week, and he is very very busy. Before I came, I thought that I would be spending most of my time with him. However, he is the only doctor here, and he is a surgeon, specializing in plastic surgery, so he often leaves this hospital to work at others. Surgeons, particularly plastic surgeons, are a rare thing in Cameroon, so he is very very busy.
Back to the lab. It was nice to be able to work in one department for a whole week because I got to know the lab techs and the students working there. I worked with Pamela, Juliet, Mirabel, Amelian, Mois, Daniel, and Lawrence. After a couple of days, I felt like we knew each other pretty well and conversation was easy. It was really nice to be able to talk to people, and I think that really helped be through the week.
Today I attended the local apostolic church. It is a Pentecostal church with deacons, elders, and a pastor. However, the only thing the pastor did was pray over the offering while one of the elders gave the message and did all of the announcements. I found that interesting. We will see if that is the same next week. I was really excited for church, but came away a little confused and frustrated. Between last week and this week, both of the messages have focused on money and how the people need to give more. The elder talked about how people are forgetting their first love, and the reason he knows this is because the offering has been lacking. At the end of the message, I came away with the idea that the people do not love God as much because they don’t give as much money as the church believes they should give. I don’t know if it is a cultural thing or what, but I came way from the service with an unhappy feeling in my heart Anyway, that was my week. I will try to update again midweek and let you know what I am doing. Feel free to e-mail with questions, comments, or general information :)
Update on the camera: I traveled to Douala yesterday and found a camera. It cost me $140, but it is worth it. The cameras here are very very expensive, and they make the price even higher when they see the color of your skin. However, I did get the price down from $180, so I was a little proud of myself. The trip itself was long-we left at 7:30 am and didn’t get back until 5:30 pm, with driving time being around 4 hours. We had to drive all over the city looking for cameras, and they were few and far between. However, we did succeed, which I am very happy about. I have already taken pictures of the hospital, where I live, and some of the people so that I can make up for the last week:)
As I mentioned in my last update, I was working in the lab this week. It was good to learn and be able to run different tests including: HIV, malaria, typhoid, syphilis, pregnancy, urinalysis, gram staining, staining, and blood grouping. I only saw the doctor a couple of times because he was gone for half of the week, and he is very very busy. Before I came, I thought that I would be spending most of my time with him. However, he is the only doctor here, and he is a surgeon, specializing in plastic surgery, so he often leaves this hospital to work at others. Surgeons, particularly plastic surgeons, are a rare thing in Cameroon, so he is very very busy.
Back to the lab. It was nice to be able to work in one department for a whole week because I got to know the lab techs and the students working there. I worked with Pamela, Juliet, Mirabel, Amelian, Mois, Daniel, and Lawrence. After a couple of days, I felt like we knew each other pretty well and conversation was easy. It was really nice to be able to talk to people, and I think that really helped be through the week.
Today I attended the local apostolic church. It is a Pentecostal church with deacons, elders, and a pastor. However, the only thing the pastor did was pray over the offering while one of the elders gave the message and did all of the announcements. I found that interesting. We will see if that is the same next week. I was really excited for church, but came away a little confused and frustrated. Between last week and this week, both of the messages have focused on money and how the people need to give more. The elder talked about how people are forgetting their first love, and the reason he knows this is because the offering has been lacking. At the end of the message, I came away with the idea that the people do not love God as much because they don’t give as much money as the church believes they should give. I don’t know if it is a cultural thing or what, but I came way from the service with an unhappy feeling in my heart Anyway, that was my week. I will try to update again midweek and let you know what I am doing. Feel free to e-mail with questions, comments, or general information :)
Praises:
--I was able to have meaningful conversations with multiple people
--I was able to purchase a camera
--I am feeling more comfortable here
--Because I am alone, I have spend more time with God and in His word
Prayer Requests:
--I am able to conserve my remaining money and use it wisely
--I do not get sick—I have been feeling a little down lately
--I am able to connect more with the staff and learn about them
--God gives me patience with cultural differences
--My relationship with God continues to grow and develop
God Bless and Good Night!
--I was able to have meaningful conversations with multiple people
--I was able to purchase a camera
--I am feeling more comfortable here
--Because I am alone, I have spend more time with God and in His word
Prayer Requests:
--I am able to conserve my remaining money and use it wisely
--I do not get sick—I have been feeling a little down lately
--I am able to connect more with the staff and learn about them
--God gives me patience with cultural differences
--My relationship with God continues to grow and develop
God Bless and Good Night!
Facts about Cameroon & the Hospital
--Cameroon is a bilingual nation: French and English
--People do not make appointments for the hospital, they just show up
--The hospital doesn’t keep files; everyone brings their own notebook with notes from past visits when they come in
--Patients who have surgery have to supply their own drugs, gloves, and syringes
--Everyone here loves Obama
--Almost everyone that I have talked to has asked me if I am married, and when I tell them no, they are shocked
--500 francs = $1
--Motorcycles are very popular and most people have one, but no one wears helmets
--Death and accidents are very common
--Public transportation consists of people who own cars driving around, picking as many people up as possible, and bring them to their destination
--to “chop” means to eat
--instead of saying “hello” or “hi”, you always greet someone with either “good-morning, good-evening, or good night”
--shaking hands is done all of the time, not just when you first meet someone or leave someone; it is equivalent to our waving
--when you get to know someone better, you hug and hold hands
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Beginning
[This is the very 1st e-mail Sarah sent out...so it's a bit out of order.]
Hey Everybody!
I just wanted to let you know that I arrived safely in Cameroon on Monday and have been staying in a hotel in Bamenda. Every day I go to work with Dr. Paul at his Clinic, Mount Zion, and shadow and such. I have given an injection and they want me to do IVs, but I am not ready for that yet. Probably tomorrow! I am going to a village on Sunday and then work again for the next week. After another week here I will be going to Banga.
I haven't really got to know anyone yet, which is hard for me. I eat alone, go to the clinic, eat alone again, have 4 hours were all i can whatever, which is usually reading cause I can’t go anywhere by myself, supper with the doctors family, and then alone again. Let’s just say that it is pretty lonely.
All that to say, it is great. Hard, but great all the same. However, I have been having constant headaches so if you could pray for that I would really appreciate it.
I may not be able to get to a computer for a while, so this may be one of the only times that you hear from me.
God Bless!
Sarah
Prayer Requests
-headaches subside
-I am able to connect to some of the people of Cameroon
-God gives me peace while working with patients
-God works through me in ways unknown
-Thoughts of loneliness disappear
Friday, July 8, 2011
Summer of Service Info
[This is information from Sarah's prayer card]
Sarah Van Eck
Cameroon
Luke Society
June 20-August 9
Located in central Africa, Cameroon is a beautiful country with a rich cultural background. I am working with Dr. Paul Atem and his wife, Comfort, assisting at clinics and hospitals, traveling to surrounding villages to teach healthy living habits, and sharing the gospel.
Please pray...
-God works through me and gives me a servant heart
-Lasting relationships are built
-I am safe during my travels and adventures
-Hearts and minds are open
-I am able to assist the Cameroon physicians with whatever they need
-I am discerning in all that I do and say
-Christ's love is communicated
Sarah Van Eck
Cameroon
Luke Society
June 20-August 9
Located in central Africa, Cameroon is a beautiful country with a rich cultural background. I am working with Dr. Paul Atem and his wife, Comfort, assisting at clinics and hospitals, traveling to surrounding villages to teach healthy living habits, and sharing the gospel.
Please pray...
-God works through me and gives me a servant heart
-Lasting relationships are built
-I am safe during my travels and adventures
-Hearts and minds are open
-I am able to assist the Cameroon physicians with whatever they need
-I am discerning in all that I do and say
-Christ's love is communicated
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Update from Africa
[This e-mail was sent from Sarah early this week. Her e-mail is svaneck@nwciowa.edu]
Hey Everyone!
So I just moved locations and am now located in Banga at a hospital. It is super super hot here, very buggy, and no running water to speak of. Being here has made me realize that I was very spoiled in Bamenda with the cool air, warm showers, and TV. Anyway, I just traveled to Banga yesterday from Bamenda, which was a wonderful 7 hour car ride. Today was my first day at the hospital so I am not exactly sure what I am going to be doing, although I am sure that it is going to be interesting. Unlike Bamenda, most of what I will do here is work. I am living all alone in a guest house on the grounds of the hospital, and work from 7am to around 5-6 pm.
Even though I am living alone, there are two girls, Anna (9) and her sister Esther (12) who kept me company last night. Their mom works at the hospital and they live in the grounds too, so I am hoping that they can keep me company in the future. It is weird to be lonely in a place with so many people.
I also went shopping for the first time today at an open market. Let me tell you..the people of Cameroon like to eat! I had someone come with me to shop and the food that she had me buy for one week was crazy! The closest market to Banga is 15 minutes away, so we took a car to get here. As some of you know, they try to cram in as many people as possible. We had 4 people in the back of the tiny car and 5 in the front. Very interesting indeed :)
Well, there is not much else to report. I do not really know anyone and haven't made any connections, so I am still very much by myself.
Please please please e-mail me and update me on your lives! I should be able to check once a week and I would love to hear about what is going on there. It is nice to be able to connect and such.
Prayer Requests:
--patience with the hospital staff and the confusion that sometimes occurs
--that I am able to connect and from some lifelong relationships
--God works through me in ways that I would never have imagined
--I do not become bored with working
--to be able to find purpose and worth in everything that I do
Hey Everyone!
So I just moved locations and am now located in Banga at a hospital. It is super super hot here, very buggy, and no running water to speak of. Being here has made me realize that I was very spoiled in Bamenda with the cool air, warm showers, and TV. Anyway, I just traveled to Banga yesterday from Bamenda, which was a wonderful 7 hour car ride. Today was my first day at the hospital so I am not exactly sure what I am going to be doing, although I am sure that it is going to be interesting. Unlike Bamenda, most of what I will do here is work. I am living all alone in a guest house on the grounds of the hospital, and work from 7am to around 5-6 pm.
Even though I am living alone, there are two girls, Anna (9) and her sister Esther (12) who kept me company last night. Their mom works at the hospital and they live in the grounds too, so I am hoping that they can keep me company in the future. It is weird to be lonely in a place with so many people.
I also went shopping for the first time today at an open market. Let me tell you..the people of Cameroon like to eat! I had someone come with me to shop and the food that she had me buy for one week was crazy! The closest market to Banga is 15 minutes away, so we took a car to get here. As some of you know, they try to cram in as many people as possible. We had 4 people in the back of the tiny car and 5 in the front. Very interesting indeed :)
Well, there is not much else to report. I do not really know anyone and haven't made any connections, so I am still very much by myself.
Please please please e-mail me and update me on your lives! I should be able to check once a week and I would love to hear about what is going on there. It is nice to be able to connect and such.
Prayer Requests:
--patience with the hospital staff and the confusion that sometimes occurs
--that I am able to connect and from some lifelong relationships
--God works through me in ways that I would never have imagined
--I do not become bored with working
--to be able to find purpose and worth in everything that I do
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)