The third H

My dear friend Bendu was back on the ward earlier this week. She came to have her eyelid and forehead worked on by Dr. Gary. I went in to see Bendu as she was leaving and she was very upset. She eventually told me " I don't understand. Everyone is talking about my arm, but my face is the problem. I am young and with this problem (her facial burns) no man will marry me." She went on to say that the nurses and Dr.s have not mentioned any plan of surgery on her face. I went into the OR to talk to Dr. Tertius and he said that we have to wait at least 1 year to do surgery or it will not take due to all the scarring.

This keeps running through my mind over and over. There is nothing I can do for Bendu except pray. Mercy Ship's motto is Hope and Healing. Those who have been here for a while think they should add another H for heartache. Unfortunately not everyone's story ends up with a happy ending. Sometimes it is just an ending and all we can do is pray that joy will come later, maybe that is better than a happy ending.

So much...

I have so much to say that I feel like I could have explosive diarrhea of the mouth. I would love for all my thoughts to come out eloquently, but that's just not me.

Every time I walk into D ward Cecilia's mom lights up and gives me a great big hug. Cecilia had a tumor under her right eye that was causing her eye to bulge out and would have eventually blinded her. She is grateful to me because I started an IV on Cecelia and took care of her after surgery, Cecilia (age 5), on the other hand, holds a bit of resentment of the pain I caused her. But, her mother knows that those things that caused pain needed to be done in order for the problem to be resolved. I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I have been thinking this is how God works in our lives. We have an area that is causing us pain but are not able to see that enduring a little more pain will lead to a full recovery in the long term.

Over the past couple of months, I have been on the ward nurse activities team. In June we did Coffee night in the Queen's lounge. We made coffee, had nice music playing, yummy treats, and just had a fun time of fellowship with the ward nurses. In July we did a brunch in the dining room. It was just so fun to hang out with nurses and organize something for these hard-working ladies and 2 gentlemen.

Yesterday, I went to my friend Nalea's house for a graduation party for her nephew. It was very fun and interesting. It was by no means the cookie-cutter Mercy Ships activity. We ate with her family and chatted with her and her guests. They did some traditional dances and what I liked was that it was not for us the white people, they did it because that is what they do when they are celebrating. Of course, we were the odd ones out and sort of a novelty but it didn't matter, they invited us to be a part of their celebration.

So much to be grateful for.

Judged by a meal...( A Rant )

I was talking on the phone to a friend recently who is in multiple facets of the foodservice business. One thing we have had in common in the past (many times) is the frustration and anger of being judged negatively by your 'bosses' personal taste buds, even though everyone else's taste buds are being satisfied every day.

Here's the scenario:  You have a boss that eats some of your food and because he personally doesn't like the meal he feels like your 'heart' was not in the meal.  But later your boss eats a meal that he really loves (you know the standard 'meat & potato' meal with no creativity) and he thinks you are doing 'better'.  But really that was the least amount of work and thought you ever put into a meal, actually, it almost cooked itself.

It's really hard to be judged according to someone else's taste buds when their taste buds are inexperienced and offended at anything different.  My friend is in a similar situation to me.  He cooks by menu's he's developed to help accommodate some international 'taste' so it's quite easy to 'offend' the 'meat & potato' mouth.  Especially when the 'meat & potato' mouth accuses you of not putting your 'heart' into your job.  Frustrating.  Wouldn't the boss like to know it took 'zilch' effort to cook the meal he liked the best?

I had a similar experience in the past...cooking a certain lunch crowd I pulled out the creativity and went a little 'Asian' style with some grilled chicken salads.  Later a 'colleague' commented that the interim boss -a temporary boss- asked them (the colleague), if I was 'ok' or doing well because they felt like something was wrong with me AND THAT'S why my lunch chicken salad was not what he liked or expected (not the BIG BOSS that arranged the lunch who I have cooked for over & over again -- and they know and like my 'style').  He thought I made a poor lunch and questioned whether I did it on purpose because I didn't like my job.  Does he not realize that everyone else doesn't enjoy the boring food he likes?  Or even comes from the same country or cultural background?
 
Hello, the lunch was not for him or arranged by him.  He was just a guest of the bigger boss.
I hate it when people judge our performance or 'welfare' based off of their BLAND NON-CREATIVE taste buds...Ah, but that was in the past, in a land far away...but it does really make me MAD for my friend because I recognize the 'mind-set' he is dealing with.

SORRY, my friend, I feel your pain and It makes me just as mad knowing you have to deal with it!
(End Tyrone's personal rant, sympathy, & empathy for a fellow Epicurean)

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Kids say the FUNNIEST things!

My mother writes about my niece & nephew (Noah is 8)...

They are studying the presidents, and we talked about them when Noah and Katy were here last night. Noah is impressed with little quotes and sayings, and he told me that Kennedy said,

"Ask not what your country can do for you!  Ask if you can do one for your country!"

I asked them which president left the White House in disgrace, and they didn't know, so I told them it was Nixon, and then they asked me what he did (to bring disgrace on himself)  and I told them that Nixon was involved with a bad thing that folks call "Watergate".

Noah said: "Oh!.......I thought he was involved with POLITICS!"

The Proof is in the Picture...

Thirst

I have been working in the Recovery Room for the past 3 weeks and I really love it. Although, I must admit I do miss the relationships that I have with the patients in the ward. I truly believe I have the best of both worlds by switching back and forth from the recovery room to the ward.

I am really happy, well actually I think I can accurately use the word joyful to describe where I am at right now. I think the reason why I finally have this joy and the undertones of being miserable are gone, is because of the time I have been spending reading the Bible. I have known forever that reading God's word is important but I did not know that it would quench my thirst. I did not know that it would allow me to rest easy, as the Liberians say.

When a patient wakes up from surgery the first thing they say is "I want drink". See, they have not been allowed to drink anything since midnight the night before and by the time they waited most of the day to go to the OR and then they finally woke up after their surgery they are truly parched. This is a huge picture of my life right now. I have been parched, but no more I know the keeper of the well, and I will thirst no more.

Frozen Moldy Tortillas

The following pictures are of the Corn Tortillas that were sent on the frozen container - I just recently started using them.  After having them pulled from the freezer and defrosted for half a day I discovered that even though they were frozen there were ADVANCED cases of MOLD on them and I threw at least half of the case away in the trash/rubbish.  I have not looked at the other cases yet but we bought both corn and flour.

Yes, it's a little scary to know the mold was advancing on the tortillas sometime before they arrived for us...especially since that doesn't happen unless they have been thawed out and froze again.

If you try to fry these corn tortillas they will probably kill the mold culture and be safe to eat, BUT the mold still makes dark spots on the chips when frying them.

Another good way to tell mold if you can't see it well is by smelling the product.  Mold smells, and it smells like no corn tortilla you ever sniffed or any other food for that matter.

It's really going to be a shame if the rest are that way...another unplanned trip to the 'deep freeze' tomorrow.  Oh, what Joy!

So....

First of all, let me just say Tyrone got his first pedicure and he loved it.... enough said.

I feel like a lot is going through my head right now but I don't have any actual stories per se. This past weekend has been a ships 4 day holiday and has been such a time of relaxation and fun.

On Friday I went out to the orphanage for a sleepover but it turned into a layover due to the nonexistent sleep. Sleeping in a small room with no fan with 11 people and 1 small window that is covered by fabric. It was incredibly hot and at one point I felt something creepy, crawly on my face. We made dinner, sang songs, and just hung out. I love those girls. They are so fun and now I feel like we are getting to know their deeper side or sillier side depending on how you look at it.

Today I went down to the ward to see little Yeme and she was so sad. It just breaks my heart to see the normally smiley girl be so sad. I think she is sad because she misses her family and she said her tummy is upset. But I think maybe it was the age-old "my tummy hurts" but actually there is something else going on. Her friends in the next 2 beds were moved over to A ward and I think the ache of missing her family has kicked in. We were asking her a little more about how she got here and she said that her mother sent her with her older sister to the border and she got separated from her sister but she met up with John (a guy who works in Guinea and helps patients get to the ship) who brought her to the ship. She said she was so scared because she did not know John and he was speaking French to her but she does not know French well and she said she didn't even really know where she was going, her mom just told her to go and some Dr. would help her. I patted her head and stroked her arm and she laid there with tears streaming down her face.

As I sat at Yeme's bed I could not help but sob for this little one. There is nothing I can do for her. I can't take away her fear, loneliness, or pain. All I can do is just pray that the Lord does.

International Cuisine, Everyday

With over 30 nations represented on board there is a chance that you can experience international cuisine everyday.  We have a crew galley that is open and has equipment for multiple cooking stations and cleaning up.  During certain times of the day or week you can go in here and find many different people cooking their own 'home' comfort foods or 'favorites' from any cooking style.

Last night I was showing a lady from Ghana and Jamaica how I make bread, and bread rolls fresh from yeast, flour, salt, oil, and a little sugar.  (kind of like a home demonstration).  During this time they were also cooking their own dinner.  No, this does not offend me in the least.  I encourage it so people can be more independent of the ships galley and maybe have a better appreciation of what we do for 400 everyday.

[As a side note I have found that people who like to cook for themselves from time to time do not usually complain about the food on the ship...mostly its those who are confined to eating the ships menu everyday because they don't or are unwilling willing to cook for themselves from time to time who complain the most...or maybe they just don't like cleaning up after themselves or have time to do itl.]

Also the guys from Nepal (our security Gurkhas) were cooking at the same time.  Let me tell you, these guys are nice...yes sir, no sir, yes chef, good evening chef...it goes on and on.  They treat most everyone on the ship with much respect and are always ready to give a helping hand.  Very humble in their demeanor.  But if there is an emergency, alert, or security issue...Yes, it would be in your best interest to NOT find out what they are capable of.

As I came back after the second rise of the dough (which were formed into rolls after the first rise) my wife and I were offered Curried Chicken (Curry was a Jamaican blend and it was cooked with coconut milk) & fried Plantains by Joyce from Jamaica.  And she was in collaboration (preparing food and rice to share) with Comfort from Ghana and she offered us Jasmine Rice with home made Shito.  During this time we were offered a stew of sorts (I don't know any Nepalese) from Ganesh & Chitro from Nepal.  The stew was like a Brunswick Stew (minus the meat) mixed with some Indian & Thai (?) spices (best I know how to describe it not necessarily what it was)...Wow!  Although it was spicy hot, it was VERY flavorful.  I could feel the beads of sweat literally popping up on my forehead as I ate more.

Several groups actually get together no matter how big or small and do certain country/culture foods from time to time.  You just need to know when to be 'hanging out' in the vicinity of getting fed.  Timing is everything.  And if you have mastered that 'hungry look' then you should apply it here.  The invitation will usually materialize soon after!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Last night we served chicken tortilla soup with fresh chips (corn tortillas cut in wedges and fried & salted) and salsa, a friend of ours Kathy L. came and made it at my request.  And an excellent job she did too! (I will save the salsa recipe/making for another post later).  We also served rice but at home, I usually do not make rice for this meal.  Other condiments were shredded cheese, sliced Jalapeno, avocado, etc...
I won't bore you with the bulk preparation but walk you thru a recipe that's close to mine that is from allrecipes.com: chicken tortilla soup  -->

INGREDIENTS

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons chili powder

I omitted the chili powder and use chipotle peppers or roasted cumin instead -- much better taste I think
In order to spice things up consider crushing or using powdered chipotle peppers.  Chipotle peppers are smoked & dried Jalapeno peppers, not as hot but great smoky taste.
Also consider using a non-stick pan, dry, heated up for toasting some cumin seeds to add whole to soup or grind up...this develops a greater taste than just adding some cumin powder.

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

Alright, last I checked these following products started becoming more available in grocery stores, I prefer Muir Glen, but I have not tasted the Hunts brand Fire Roasted Tomatoes.   *Or see below how to 'oven-roast' your own

• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken broth
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 cup whole corn kernels, cooked
• 1 cup white hominy

If you are not a hominy person, leave it out

• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
• crushed tortilla chips

In an earlier post I noted Chili's chips are a good pickup option without costing much and being 'same day' fresh

• sliced avocado
• shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• chopped green onions

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in chili powder, oregano, tomatoes, broth, and water. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Stir in corn, hominy, chiles, beans, cilantro, and chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Ladle soup into individual serving bowls, and top with crushed tortilla chips, avocado slices, cheese, and chopped green onion.

The way I like to eat it is to put some chips in the bottom of the bowl, put the soup on top, a little cheese, slice of avocado, then (if you have limes) a fresh squeeze of lime juice over the top.

*  Oven Roast your own tomatoes!  Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Cut tomatoes in half, toss with olive oil to coat, and place, cut-side down, on a baking sheet. Roast for 1-1/2 hours, until the tomatoes are soft and have just begun to exude their juices. Cool, remove the skins, and pack into a container. They keep for several days, refrigerated.  I am sure you can find several uses for them!

Francis

Francis is the cutest little guy. He came in with chronic malaria and needed to have a splenectomy (removing part or all of his spleen). He is the sweetest little guy and has the cutest smile ever. He has been involved with some math, reading, and English classes and he excels. His dad is always at his bedside and talking about when Francis gets better he will be able to go to school and maybe he will be the next Liberian President.

Missing Camera (stolen?)

Well my L60 Samsung digital camera is 'missing'.  It has been about a week now and I have checked the only 2 places I keep it, my cabin and the office.  So I am not optimistic about it re-appearing anymore.

I checked with 'lost & found', reception, and various other places...so I am now tempted to move it in the category of possibly stolen. SIGH

Stephanie still has a great camera that her parents purchased for her as a gift, so we will not want for one.  But it was nice when we had our own, and I used mine for work and blogging a lot.

If you are on the ship and reading this, let me know if you find one that looks like this with a possible black foam type case.

Outcast

Outcasts are people that are not allowed to even think they are a part of a community. Yeme was the definition of an outcast. She had this monstrous growth overtaking her petite 14-year-old body. Yeme believed the lie that she is unworthy of love and could not make eye contact when she first entered the ward. I can not express to you how much admiration I have for this little one. She was dropped off (from Guinea) at the gate by herself, does not speak English, and has been treated like a monster most of her life, but she came in took her place in the ward, and began her journey towards healing.

To say this tumor was huge is an understatement. I was in the OR as they were cutting away at this 7.5-kilo mass. Dr. Bruce took it off in parts and each part filled these huge metal bowls. Yeme now has an incision line from her ankle up to her bum where it overtakes all of the left side and some of the right side. She will need skin grafting on her bum and she also has a growth over her left eye that needs to be taken off as well so she will be here for a while, lucky for us.

I get a bit overwhelmed when I really think about what it was like for her living with that huge smelly growth. No one touched her, played with her, educated her, or loved her. Yeme looks like a different person now not only because of her surgery but because the nurses, translators, and disciplers have lavished love on this child that she could only have dreamt of. She has visitors constantly. I love her not only because she needs it but because I feel this pull towards her. She has such a sweet, gentle, and helpful spirit. When I did her GINORMOUS dressing yesterday she laid still on her tummy and lifted up when I needed her to and was incredibly patient. I have never met anyone so brave in all my life