Tuesday March 10

So what happens in the week that keeps from writing quite as regularly as you would all like? Life. Since I wrote last week I have had a steep learning curve, met new staff, said goodbye to others and decided that I need to keep myself fitter than I am currently.

I remain in the eye rooms and this week have learned how to give a peribulbar block. In laymans terms that meansputting an injection in to someone's face just below the lower eyelid to numb the eye before we operate on the eye. just like the dentist numbing your mouth before a filling. Learning this technique will enable me to speed the process in the eye rooms as I'm not waiting for a surgeon to give the block. With 2 surgeons operating this will enable us to complete more cataract operations.

Meanwhile in the rest of the department the VVF surgery continues. 20 more patients came down from the north of the country late last week and are now having their surgery. On Friday the first "Gladdie Gladdie" ceremony took place where the ladies who have had surgery arre given a new dress. It's a sign of their freedom from being permanently wet with urine.

Dr Gary Parker along with another surgeon is continuing with the maxillary facial surgery. These patients have tumours which are often disfiguring beyond anything we would probably see in our own countries simply because the people here don't have easy access to doctors. These are things of which I can't put pictures out because along with all patients I care for they have the right of total confidentiality.

Orthopaedics continue and we have new surgeons for this speciality this week. This always presents new challenges for the staff who have to learn what the new surgeon wants and likes. But somehow we always manage to work together in good humour.

On Thursday I was part of the worship team for our community service and it felt like a great honour to be able to help lead others in worship.

Over the weekend I went out to see the stilt village of Ganvie. It was originally built so that the people there could not be taken as slaves but is now home to quite a large population. The boat trip is about 14 kilometres and is interesting as I had a chance to see something akin to the salmon traps used on the River Severn although here they were for catching prawns (shrimps) and also other fishing devices. The lagoon in which the stilt village sits is not incedibly deep but it is the dry season here. Not sure how deep it gets later in the year. The photo is of the village as we approached it.
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Sunday I spent going to church in the morning where we were thoughtfully moved by the stewards so that we were under the fans and then managed to be dropped off at the pool. The local hotels are becoming used to seeing "Mercyshippers" frequent the place at weekends. Hopefully it will increase profits for them.

Yesterday evening I spent some time playing my guitar with a few others and helping to teach some the basic chords while also learning from those more proficient than myself. Along with discussions with my cabin mate late into the night my time is filled more than adequately.

I am hoping to start a new "small group" rather like a housegroup on the ship and the plan is to meet alternate Wednesdays. I am fortunate that a family has offered the use of their lounge so that we can meet in peace. Public areas on the ship can be noisy at times and that can making having peace and quiet to discuss, share and pray more difficult.

So life continues.