Well, we had a much needed restful weekend here in the jungle. Saturday we slept in and had a leisurely breakfast. We then took a walk and had some time to take some pictures of the hospital and mission compound. After lunch about 12 of us (physicians and missionaries) went tubing down one of the local rivers. Even though I was continually scanning the river for anything that may attack me, it was quite relaxing. After we returned, some of us went to the local restaurant and had some of the favorite game meats here antelope, gazelle, and porcupine (yes, porcupine). As you might expect, the porcupine wasn't very good.
This morning we attended the local Alliance church here on the campus. It is always wonderful to me to sit alongside my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and worship the same God half-way around the world. Despite the language barrier and cultural differences (3 hour service), we come together for the same purpose.
After church, we ate some lunch and then settled in for a quiet afternoon. Well, the phone rang and they needed help with a stat C-section. I made my way down to the hospital to provide the anesthesia. All went well with mother and baby doing fine.
A little late afternoon basketball with some of the local teens, missionary docs, and missionary was a great time of fellowship and exercise. Even in the high heat and humidity, I was able to keep up with the younger players.
After dinner at another restaurant (when I say restaurant, this means a one room shack with one table) in town, we headed back to our guest apartment. One of the surgical residents stopped by to get something and as he was leaving he spotted a snake near a tree outside our place. We ran out with our machetes. The resident hacked the snake's head off and that was that. It wasn't very big, but who knows it could have been deadly.
So, all in all a great weekend here in the jungle. Thank you so much for your prayers. This place is special and they are doing special things for God here. We start again tomorrow with another busy week. God Bless!!
