Hey Everyone!
Quick update from PNG!
Arrived on the MV Pacific Link and sailed to the gulf
provence. Apparently the sail was rougher than usual and only 3 out of the 12
of us didn’t vomit. I was one of the 9 who became quite close with the vomit
bucket ;)
But it’s still been an incredible experience to live on the
ship, and see how much it takes to run…. And I’m getting much better at all the
locations on the ship, aft deck, foc’sle, galley, etc.
We were a part of outreach 3 to the Gulf provence and the 12
of us were divided among optometry, opthamology, PHC (primary health care) and
dentistry. I spent one week in PHC going to 5 different villages. Treated some
malaria, lots of skin conditions, back and knee pain and a few pregnant mums.
It was so neat to see the expression on the mom’s faces hearing the heartbeat
of their baby for the first time!
Spent the 2nd week in dentistry, which was
initially a surprise, since I was expecting to stay in PHC. However, I made a
great discovery that I have an passion and gift for teaching. I so enjoyed
explaining the importance of post-op care and why it’s important after tooth
extraction and had an appx.99% success rate of patient compliance after
teaching and translating. That was extremely gratifying! Also taught the
patients how to rinse and brush their teeth, and emphasized how they could
“keep their teeth” until old age! Some of the patients are now taking the
information back to their villages which gets me so excited!
On a personal note, I’m doing really well, learning so much,
from being on the ship, to working with so many nationalities. I’ve picked up a
little fijian! J
Getting more and more organized living in community and sleeping in close
quarters. And living flexibily with
“island time” where some things happen and some things don’t, you just have to
roll with it!
Love my DTS
school/family, growing laughing, crying together, they are such a blessing!~
speaking of which, we have an update video on the YWAM reef to outback website.
Check it out! J
I can’t wait to share with all of you the stories,
excitement and passions from being here, and just realizing what it is to give
life; that is to give someone else the opportunity for a rich and satisfying
life as God intended.
Lots of love, Christina
