My time in the Republic of Congo

I should have posted weeks ago...
Here is post one of four. I have so many pictures I couldn't narrow them down to just one post. Even as it is these posts are going to be lengthy, so settle back and enjoy!

First day in Congo with Mama Jeannichelle and her sister Talia.

They run the quest house in Brazzaville.

 Sweet Karis Samoutou

 Mervede

 The Samoutou family

 Baby Ellen came into the hospital in a coma and very anemic. She made a miraculous recovery!

 This premie had graduated from the incubator.

 Jean Claude and his aunt.

 Jean Claude was a little boy who came in for malnutrition. I spent hours feeding and holding him. When he gained some strength back, he liked to color.

 A cute baby in Pediatrics

 The day I got Jean Claude to smile was one of the best days of my life. We were great buddies. When he gained most of his strength back we were inseparable.

 Jean Claude trying not to smile

 After he got better, I carried him around with me. I had to be careful with him though because every now and then he would attack me. It was funny most of the time, except when he bit my figure and wouldn't let go. He was so starved for affection. I'll never forget this sweet boy!

 Lunch at Bethlehem. Around from left to right: Arwen Cockman, Lauren (she worked with Mama Sarah), Paige (the nursing student who came with Hannah), Kate, Faith, Hannah

 This little girl so badly wanted her picture taken, but every time I took one of her she was too shy to look at the camera

 Me and the kids!

 Christopher came in screaming with a head injury from a motorcycle accident. Day two he was up smiling and bouncing around. Every time he would come in laughing and excited for his wound care, but this joy wouldn't last when things got started. His one comfort was that a "mundele" was holding him down.

 We had fun making jewelry with Charnelle (left) and Celeste (right)

 Morning report

 Little Emmanuel! He was admitted for malnutrition and a respiratory infection. Man! This kid could sweat!

 Charnelle (maternity nurse) tied my hair. It took many sessions because the power kept going out.

 Doing laundry and washing motorcycles behind the Bloc.

 Francy and Lizou. I loved hanging out with these boys!

 For the time that his brother was at the hospital, Lizou was my little shadow. At first he was a very silent shadow with an accasional,"Mundele", but soon he became very talkative.

 Doing dishes

 Oh Jean Claude! You are so cute!

 The Masky family