I come from a long line of wanderers so it is not strange that I go to South Sudan - Now called The Republic of South Sudan - to work at Memorial Christian Hospital. I have been doing this since 2008. The hospital is located in the bush near the village of Werkok. It is northeast of Bor, if you look on a map. People walk, sometimes for days, to get medical care. Dr. Ajak is the Dr. Boss-man. He arrived a week after I did in 2008 and has graciously stayed, keeping the place open and allowing me to continue to visit and work.

Memorial Christian Hospital & Compound

Memorial Christian Hospital & Compound
I will be returning to South Sudan next month, October, 2011. I am very excited to be on my way back to the land I so love. I miss the people and hardly a day goes by that I don't think of my colleagues and friends. And, as I said in the past, I come from a long line of wanderers and the call to get back wandering is very strong!

I have recently added pictures to my blog. Please go to the beginning of the blog and read forward to see the work that is being done. This puts faces on all the people I have written about. Learn about Gabriel and his family, Dr. Ajak's work and all the Mamas. I will begin writing again as I prepare to go next month. I hope you join me on this adventure.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Saturday Morning

Up early to do rounds and grab some oatmeal and coffee.  We had eleven patients arrive around 6:30 pm.  All had gunshot wounds.  We assessed, irrigated, cleansed, dressed the wounds.  All of IV antibiotics to start with and will continue on oral.  Wounds ranged from through  and through calf wounds to one that entered to the left of the nose and then came out the mouth, taking care of the patients two front teeth.  I said he will now be very handsome with his Dinka mouth.  He started laughing so hard, I did not know he spoke English.  The Dinka often have teeth missing, it is a rite of passage to pull certain teeth, the look is revered by many.

We did a good job of organizing, prioritizing, and caring for the patients.  Team effort for sure.  All are stable and Ajak and I will go to Juba.  We are just waiting for a nurse to come from Bor.  It is Pastor Paul, I have known him since I started coming here.  He is a nurse at Bor Hospital and a Pastor for the Episcopal Church.  He will help Jon Jok, who is left here with the patients.  I think it will be fine.  All have their meds, wounds need to be redressed after they shower.

Crazy night.  All the military are still here.  They think they will be here for two weeks.  Even though the patients won't be here that long.  They are afraid of retaliation.  We saw a report in Sudan Tribune this morning about it.  They did say that one group went to Bor Hospital and that another group went to another clinic.  Thank goodness they did not name our hospital.  As most of you know, I have no trust in the media.  Here or at home. 

I will sign off now.  Again, I have another round of good-byes to do.  I did this yesterday, but will repeat it today.  This crazy country of Deng's. 

C

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