Rainy Days and Mondays make me smile!

It's raining! It's pouring! Rain is seen as a blessing for the crops. Sometimes those who live in low lying areas, their homes flood. JF kindly chauffeured some hospital staff including me to work on Monday and rainy days. Thanks!

Blessed to have a team of Americans come to help with surgeries.

It is great to see collaboration and precision in the work at CURE!

Behind every great surgery is a team of anesthesia staff, techs and of course nurses! Rabi and I were circulating together yesterday! We love being together! 

Behind my surgical mask is a big smile. Why? I love being here in Niger. It is a huge privilege to be a small part of bringing healing to disabled children and at the same time bringing the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  

I have been asked how my day rolls. So I will try to tell you about a typical day like yesterday in the operating theater, bloc or whatever you like to call it.

5:30 Alarm goes off, get ready for work
6:10 Join the Negrini family for breakfast
6:30 Espresso coffee made by JF Negrini (surgeon and master of coffee preparation) 
6:50 Leave for the hospital to pick up staff along the way
7:20 Arrive at the hospital
7:30 Ward Rounds
8:00 Hospital Devotions/Yesterday I helped prepare for the surgical cases, otherwise I attend daily
8:30 Begin first surgical case (anesthesia induction and nerve blocks)
9:00 Prayer and surgeons begin first case
12:00 First case finishes
12:10  Prayer and second surgical case begins with anesthesia preparing patient with a spinal and nerve block
12:30 Surgeons begin surgery on second patient. I am helping to translate from English into French and also circulating as a nurse (gathering and opening materials like sutures or bandages)
15:30 Second surgical case finishes. We eat lukewarm rice, beans and spices for a late lunch. We are so hungry we do not care what we are eating!
16:00 Observe a training session that JF is giving to the nurses regarding a new drill system and drill cover for the orthopedic cases. Quick visit to the ward to see post op patients
16:30 Return to my corner in Josh's office to write notes and check email etc
18:00 Leave to go home for the evening.....tired and satisfied in a good work day!!
Thank you dear Heavenly Father for the work you put into our hands. May it be done in such a way that those receiving care would see Your love and care for them. May the words of our mouth share the Good News as we go about our daily duties.
18:30-20:30 Dinner and refreshing time with the Negrini family.
20:30 Reading etc then to sleep early as each morning comes around early!!