there is hope, but not at this internet cafe

so, once again, i typed out a big posting about good stories when only half the computers shut off, mine being one of them. i think i have to update my blog one sentence at a time...

ryan, the OR tech had someone pull his phone out of his pocket and hold it to his ear while he was putting blunt instruments in someone's abdomen. if i have surgery, i would prefer someone's attention is on me and not what the person is saying to his wife...

i have several "hopeful" stories which i have been attempting to share...

today i found some worthy patients to sponsor their surgeries.... gilbert & family, one is a really cute little lady with a huge smile but an even bigger goiter on her thyroid. it is almost the same size as her head!! but is a happy little lady.

when i taught the nursing students today, they were receptive and eager! even the head nurse was open to suggestions! we got the unconcious patient all comfortable and doing better and then he died right in front of me! i hope they don't connect my teaching with patients passing away! they won't ever want me back! that is the 3rd patient who has died in front of me...

there is doctor who runs a village hospital who wants me to start a biosand water filter program in the community, so i am returning in january to get one up and running. if anyone wants to donate some seed money to get it started, the program will be self-sufficient quickly. talk to me when i return if you are interested. the doctor runs a pretty amazing little hospital, it will be interesting to spend time there.

a very physically disabled guy whose community wanted to throw him in the bush when he was born is getting a degree in special education and has defied all nigerian odds of survival and success. he is the only one in his family to get a university education. the boy who was the biggest burden at birth is now described as the "biggest blessing" by his mother. he has a vision to transform the attitudes towards disabled people in nigeria, and he can probably do it!

the hospital engineer works harder than anyone there, and is donating several months of his own salary to fix the electrical work at the hospital. he is going up north to drill water wells on his vacation which is unheard of for a nigerian to do (without getting paid).

all of these people have humbled me, amazed me, astonished me, made me proud and re-instilled some hope that was fading away...