Mali Medical / Construction Team - Feb 2010

Feb 19, 2010 Update (by Steve Bakunas)

Hello again from Koutiala, it was another great day here at the hospital - - after devotions the construction team got off to a good start on the roof, Dr. Kris began her maternity rounds (she is actually the chief OBGYN in charge right now as Dr. Dan is still in Nigeria at a medical conference - so she's been on call 24x7 for the past few days) and Elizabeth began seeing dental patients.

The construction team has made so much progress that we're going to have to slow down in order for the metal workers (the guys who build and set the roof trusses) can get back out in front of us - - we had a lot of cloud cover today so it wasn't as hot as its been the past few days which makes our job that much better. To date, I believe Dr. Kris has assisted with the delivery of 3 babies and after Elizabeth got her operatory cleaned, and her dental chair operational, I think she's seen about 15 patients in the past two days - - the needs are so great here that anyone with medical/dental skills could literally work nonstop.

Working around a hospital deep inside the heart of Africa you get to experience a lot of things you don't normally get to see. One thing that has hit home with myself and the team is the very real struggle between life and death for so many Malians - - for many of the very poor it is something that they may face each and every day. Since poverty in Mali is such a reality many Malians either refuse to go to a doctor or wait until the last moment before seeing one - - it simply comes down to economics. Several of us got to witness the unfortunate results of this decision making process while working at the hospital. As we were waiting in the van for Dr. Kris to finish up with a patient before calling it a day we saw a car pull up to the side of the building - - a lone driver was its only occupant. Before long a nurse emerged from the hospital, approached his vehicle and after a brief conversation the two of them walked back into the hospital. Before long he returned to his car with a nurse following several steps behind him holding his dead, lifeless child in her arms - - as she placed the child on the back seat of his car the child's mother could be seen coming out of the hospital..... doing her very best to constrain her emotions but was struggling to do so - - you see, in Islam you are not allowed to mourn the loss of a loved one .....no one....... not even the loss of your 4 year old child. Death is considered to be the will of Allah and showing emotions is a demonstration of mocking his will. As I watched their car leave the hospital compound I couldn't help but feel the pain this couple was undoubtedly feeling but simply weren't allowed to express.

This trip has been a growing experience for all of us - - it has stretched our faith and increased our awareness of our complete dependency on God ............please pray that God will continue to teach us as we serve Him in an environment that is so very different than our own.


Feb 18, 2010 Update (by Steve Bakunas)


Hello everyone, as I lay in bed this morning I could see the alarm clock said it was just a little after 5 AM but my body said it was 11:00 PM ........as I lay there thinking about what the day had in store for the team I could hear the beginning of the Muslim call to prayer off in the distance. For those of you who have never experienced this ritual it is a real eye opener (and yes, I mean a literal eye opener - especially early in the morning). As you lay in bed you realize that you aren't at home anymore but somewhere far away from the familiar. I've heard this before but this was new to Elizabeth and I'm certain she won't forget it for some time to come. (we've had the windows shut the past few days but not last night)

As the team was gathering for breakfast I noticed that one of our members wasn't with us - - we soon found out that Lou was still in bed and not feeling well ........after a brief exam by a couple of my team members who work in medicine (a doctor and a nurse) they determined that he had gotten himself dehydrated yesterday at the work site. It is pretty hot here (daytime about 100 degrees) so it's extremely important to drink lots and lots of water - - we take regular breaks at the work site but being up on a tin roof for a couple of hours a day can take its toll. Given that we're so close to the hospital it was decided that we could get an IV Bag going and bring his fluids back up to where they needed to be - - so that's what we did right here at the missions house. Alan, who is a team member and nurse spent the better part of the morning administering IV's to Lou and before long he was back up on his feet and feeling better. He's decided not to join us this evening as he thought it would be a good idea just to get his rest and turn in early.

The team finished up about noon today and after lunch Dr. Nessleroads wife Marcy took us down to the market. The market was extremely busy today given that it was "Market Day" in Koutiala - - this means that folks from all the villages surrounding Koutiala come into town to buy and sell goods. If you've never experienced this first hand its kind of hard to explain - - there's lots and lots of commotion with people going every direction on foot, by motto (motor scooter), donkey cart, you name it. The team had a terrific time and everyone was able to pick up a few things for loved ones back home.

Tonight we're back at the mission house and its our "family night" - - this is an opportunity to get to know one another better by playing games, cards, etc. - - I can hear an intense game of Pictionary off in the distance and I'll be joining them as soon as I've finished up this email. Our neighbor, who is a missionary from Holland, sent her house keeper over this evening to make an authentic Malian meal for us and it was DELICIOUS ! ! ..........fried fish, rice and some type of slaw .....did I mention that it was really, really delicious !

Tomorrow we're back at it full time and hope to get another few sections of the roof in place - - please continue to keep the team in your prayers. Hope all of you are doing well ! !


Feb 17, 2010 Update (by Steve Bakunas)

Hi everyone, well it was another great day here in Koutiala - - we started the morning out with devotionals with the hospital missionary staff and the Christian Malian's who work at the hospital. Its really cool to hear them singing praise/worship songs in their native tongue which is Bambara. After morning prayers the team received a tour of the hospital - - I was absolutely blow away with all the construction that has occurred since I was here a year ago in October - - there are three new buildings that have been put up with more on the way. The building we are working on is one that members of Christ Community Church provided the funding for - - its about the same size (about the length of a football field) of the building that we put the roof on last time. We've been charged with putting a tin roof on this building as well and the eight of us got off to a really good start - - all the trusses were in place this time which really make's the work go quickly.

After dinner the team was asked to join the missionary team for Bible study and prayer time - - these are truly great people and it was and honor to join them this evening. Right now we're all just kinda sitting around talking our experiences thus far and its really fun to hear how this trip has already affected the lives of my fellow team members.

Tomorrow afternoon we're going to take a couple hours off work and head into the city - - Thursday is market day in Koutiala so the team will have full access to true, Malian shopping - - its a hoot and I'm looking forward to seeing the teams reaction to this experience - - it should be a really fun afternoon and everyone will get the opportunity to buy some fabric to have some authentic Malian clothes tailor made.