Sunday: Baby Dedication.....great celebration for all!! Part 1

Some people were even bringing infants to Him so He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Jesus however, invited them: "Let the little children come to Me, and don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:15-18 HCSB

Here she is: Adora Jessica-dedicated this day to the LORD!

Wilfred and Leonie and their daughter Adora Jessica; brought before the LORD and the church family

Helema from the CURE hospital

All the nurses are so pleased to be a part of the celebrtions

Maman Maureen and Leonie with her dear little one. (Africans do not like to smile often in pictures)

Cure Family rejoice together!

In spite of the heat, noise and being passed around....Adora Jessica sleeps peacefully in my arms!

Angele with the dear baby...she is Aunty to all the nurses' babies

Learning to make alala (Galettes) : A lesson in cooking and microfinance at CURE

Step # 1 Prepare white beans and peel lots of garlic

Step #2 & 3  Grind the beans and garlic and some onions together, gather mixing bowls and palm oil

Step #4 Pound the peppers-dried and fresh.....HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

Step #5 Mixing of ground beans, water, Maggie cubes, more chopped onions and mix

Ishatou is the woman in the yellow top, she helps with the social worker and pastors to help the poor women to learn how to make a living preparing 'Street food'. 'Ah lala' is also called galettes, in French and I think we would call them dumplings in Kentucky.

Step #6 The sloppy mixture is put into small plastic bags-available everywhere apparently!

As we bagged the mixture the women ask questions about how to make the Alala or galettes. They were taught about the nutritional value of the mixture. This is a fast food item that is sold at the gates of schools in the villages. It is a sure money maker. The initial outlay for the grinder/mill for the beans etc is soon recouped.....I wondered?

Step #7 Get a big pot of boiling water and  set up a trivet to steam the bags

Waiting.......

Yummy! Lunch in a bag....hot and ready!

Waiting......fanning the fire!

Mother's are excited of the prospects of having a little business that would support their family.

Health is more than the surgical needs of these children. Their health is affected by poverty, lack of education, lack of knowledge, lack of social support, lack of spiritual encouragement and lack of material resources to live healthfully. 

It was such a special privilege to spend the afternoon at the CURE hostel. The caregivers and their children stay there while waiting for surgery or during continued medical/surgical care. Many people stay at the CURE hostel while having prolonged treatments for osteomylitis or wound care for burns.  These long stay patients and their caregivers are given the opportunity to learn life skills to earn money in their villages. It is a real community of many cultures. There are many tribal languages spoken.......yet the common ones are love, cooperation and mutual concern for their dear children. Friday was wonderful. As we waited for the galettes to steam, I sang all the Sunday School action songs that I knew. Issatou translated them simply. The children loved the actions and tried to learn them. It was a great ice breaker. The women loved seeing me help with the chopping cooking etc....I guess cooking is a common language among women! Oh and by the way......these dumplings were delicious! No kidding! I ate it....very filling!!  Anyone want the recipe?

I am the bread of life, Jesus told them. No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again. John 6:35

True satisfaction!!

Basic Life Support--John 11:25

OK you guys have done a great job with adult CPR now we are going to pretend that these same mannequins are children :)

 

Good...keep going! Count out loud!

Practicing chest compressions for babies

Everyone gets to practice

We had a super time on Thursday in the BLS Basic Life Support class (SIR) in French. The LORD gave me strength to teach all day long....even with a sore throat which turned out to be strep!  I love training these dear CURE nurses!!! They are so patient with my broken French. We had such a good day of learning. The students kept saying....'we saved the patient', 'the baby is breathing and alive', 'we rescued the child from choking' and 'we brought the person back to life'!!

This reminded me of the source of life....the LORD Jesus Christ who said,  

'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die-- ever Do you believe this? 

John 11:25, 26

Wednesday in the Bloc....aka Operating Room

Peek-a-Boo! Guess who?

Case in progress-so glad to be here!

Dr. Jean Francois Negrini's healing hands...always ready to train and encourage others. He is an amazingly humble man. His surgical skills are a treat to observe. It is like watching a master sculpture and carpenter perform their art! He is always so clam in the OR. Each case is begun with prayer asking for God's wisdom and blessing for all in the Operating Room as they perform their duties.

Dr. Negrini is so patient with the nurses' concerns. In this case they were concerned about a wound discovered on a patient's heel upon removal of her cast. Here he is assuring the nurses that it is superficial and not unexpected as the patient does not have feeling in her heel. It is such a privilege to be a part of these encounters and see CURE teamwork in action. What a blessing!

I am able to do all things through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Tuesday Consultation Clinic

Whatever you do, do it readily, as to the LORD and not to man. Colossians 3:23

Pastors Hassane and Josh greet and pray with the people who come to CURE for consultations. They always have a word of encouragement for patients and staff too!

Djamilla and Mimouna are two of our nurses who help in the clinic and the OR. They are especially helpful in translating and repeating explanations so that the caregivers can understand the treatments that are being proposed. We thank the Lord for the provision of committed nursing staff.

This dear man has facial tumor that is called neurofibratoma. It has caused his face to deform over time. He is 25 years old and hoping to have some help. Our surgeon Dr. JF Negrini will be able to debulk the tumor and reconstruct his face....he clearly assured the patient it will be better.....but it won't be the same as the unaffected side. Praise the LORD something will be done to help this man speak, eat and move in public more easily. Praying for God's complete healing of this dear man.

A malformed foot belongs to the handsome young fellow below. What causes these malformations...who knows....pesticides? Pregnancy difficulties? I don't know. However, I know that the LORD has brought this young man to CURE for a special reason. We hope to remove the extra growth and leave a functioning foot that can fit in a sandal and can play football! (soccer!)

Can you imagine the stigma of having such a malformed foot? Can you imagine the social stigma of this in Niger? The average person in the village would blame the mother, an ancestor, the demons or the curse for some past sin. When this young man returns to his village with a pretty normal looking foot the LORD GOD will be honored! Jesus heals!

Monday Musings

Mondays are usually full days at the hospital. Today was no exception. I was training nurses in Basic Life Support (BLS or SIR) in French. Wow, we had a great time. I love these nurses. They want to learn and improve their skills.  We are using some very old but basic equipment and manage to do all that we need to do with them. I am hoping to have better mannequins next time I come. The AED is English so had to translate instructions....kind of hilarious!

Resuscitating an adult with 2 rescuers

One rescuer

Rescuing a newborn

Team work in BLS for babies

 Love my time here with the nurses! It is so pleasant and yet challenging to bring new knowledge and to raise standards to the nursing department at CURE Niger. I am grateful for this opportunity!