Last post from Cameroon

It is Sunday afternoon, and I am sitting here writing my last blog post from Africa...sigh. We are leaving today around 1:00 pm to travel to Bamenda, then the rest of the way to Douala pending no Cameroon controversy tomorrow. I am planning to post a few more pictures and wrap up a few other details I never gave once I get back to the states and have time to sort through things.

Our last few days here have been spent with mama and pappa Snell :), our Cameroonian friends made here, wrapping things up at the hospital, and just trying to enjoy the time we had left. Friday Jeremiah and I went to the market after work at the hospital. We have been praying for rain the whole time we have been here (its the dry season, and literally everything is covered with a coating of red dust, and the rainy season is supposed to be spectacular).... well let's just say we got what we wished for. We got monsooned. One minute we were shopping in the market for things to take home, and next thing you know, it was a downpour. I am talking the biggest raindrops I have ever seen, all at once with no warning. In 5 minutes flat, the streets of the market were flooding with a current of water that was so fast, we had to jump up onto a ledge to keep from getting caught up in it. It was great. I'll post a picture or video for you to see. Having it rain like that was just such a small thing, but it really meant a lot to us to see it for some reason.

Saturday we went up to visit the orphanage up the road. We played with the children for a while (they really really love for you to "take their snap" (take my picture). If you ever visit a third world country and you love kids, bring your camera = instant popularity with cutie kids whenever you bust that thing out :). Jeremiah played soccer with his team one last time. He bought two soccer balls for them (which is a big deal to them because its very hard for them to afford them). They loved it, and were so happy. They even said they had been praying about needing a new soccer ball. So they played their final game, gave Jeremiah a jersey (aww :) ), it was very memorable.

Jeremiah and I tried the market again yesterday, and got rained on once again! :) Not as bad this time though. We had our friends over for dinner last night, Yvonne fixed pizza to share with them! It was great to just hang out and spend time together before we have to leave.

In medical news, I have become the C-section queen around the OR. I love them! I think I got to help with 5 C/S the past 3 or 4 days I have been at the hospital. Jeremiah has been in on some gruesome ortho stuff, and we have also each done a few hernia surgeries. Looking back, I cannot believe some of the stuff I have been able to help with, seen at the hospital, and learned in the time I have been here. I realize what an incredible opportunity this was, and how blessed we have been to actually be a part of it. I cant believe I have been helping with surgery, and I LIKE IT! I dont think anything will ever gross me out again after this. If any of you are interested and wont get too grossed out, I have some really awesome pictures and videos I can show you or send you sometime of some really cool stuff in surgery.

Well I better go finish packing, we are leaving in a few minutes. It has been hard to say goodbye to our newfound friends here, especially my friend Elvyn. Maybe I have written about her before. She is 22 also, and we became very close in the few weeks I have been here. Its hard to say goodbye to someone knowing you may never see them again. But we are planning on keeping in touch through email.

I know I have said this a million times before, but i want to say thank you so much to all of you once again for your prayers and encouragement to me throughtout this trip. Also thank you to those of you who made it financially possible for me to come here. This trip has been lifechanging, and I am so glad to have been able to share a little bit of that with you through this blog. I love you all very much, and I am so thankful for you. So thank you again!

Keep checking this, I promise to put up pictures and more stories as soon as I am able.

LOVE
Rachel