#7. The one where I ask for help.

Hello again, from Liberia :)

Today is one week until my flight out of Africa departs.

Friday afternoon my boss approached me to ask if I'd consider staying longer. A nurse just left early because of a family emergency, leaving the ward one nurse short through November.
I am feeling more comfortable and therefore more effective here with each passing day. I love Liberia. (Most days.) There is so much joy in giving back. I finally know all the girls at the orphanage by name, even when they change their braids. Rainy season is fiiiiinally coming to an end and the sun is shining bright. I am learning about so many things here. Poverty. Music. Ethical Dilemnas. People. Global Medicine. Culture. Serving. Liberian English. Faith. Community. Resourcefulness. Why wouldn't I stay longer?

Oh wait. I miss home. I can almost taste a home cooked meal just thinking about it. I was pretty stoked about the thought of heading to the jersey shore with my girlfriends only two weekends from now. My sister has a book signing at the end of the month. [Sidebar: Danielle was published! http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9780738550497] And I could really use a trip to the clearance rack at Urban Outfitters. But these are things I can look past a while longer. The clincher is the thing that unfortunately dictates way too many of our decisions all the time. Money. Mine is running out. And it's not exactly free to be here. Plus, there are bills at home.

[I hate this part.] I am wondering if anyone would be interested in financially supporting my work here, or knows of any other possible resources I could look into. Please know that I will not think you love me any less if you are not interested in giving or if you are not in a place to give. I know making ends meet is not always easy. Life is expensive. But I looked at the numbers and determined that extending my commitment in Liberia will only be possible with some assistance. [Did I mention that I hate this part?] As much as I feel really awkward about asking, something tells me I might be doing you an injustice if I didn't give you an opportunity to be a part of this mission.

Here is a breakdown of my expenses for an extra two months:

Crew Fees (room & board) $1050
Health Insurance $150 ish
Flight Changing Fee $100 ish
Random Spending Money (Transportation, Food, Toiletries, etc.) $200 ish

So the grand total is about $1500. And that's a lot of money. I am putting the need out there and trusting that if I am meant to stay it will somehow be provided for. And if it is not, coming home as planned is fine, too.

Contributions can be made at https://secure.mercyships.org/webinfo/US/staffgiving?staff_data=2266~Lindsay~Marie~Burrows

I am sorry to tell you that the IRS does not consider donations tax deductible for crew who are here less than two years. Also, donations don't become available to me until a couple weeks after they are made. So, if you are making a donation, could you just drop me an email and let me know so that I can plan accordingly? I must decide by Wednesday whether or not I can stay, and this decision will be based on funding.



In other news...

We took the older girls from the orphanage to the beach on Saturday for a picnic and a swim. They had NEVER been to the beach before. An amazing time was had by all. I am trying to attach a picture so that you can appreciate their adorable-ness with me. Our tuesday afternoons with them are going so well. Two weeks ago I talked to them about purity. They were receptive, and it went better than I expected.

Things are going pretty well in the hospital. Most of our patients who are now in the ward are recovering from eye surgeries, plastic surgeries on old burn injuries and maxillofacial surgeries for facial deformities and tumors. People who look different here for any reason are often outcasted from society. So we are not only healing their deformities but also giving them a chance to be accepted again.
The majority of our VVF ladies have been discharged from the ward. Before they leave we have a "dress ceremony" where they are given a new dress and we celebrate the healing of their bodies together in song. They thank God for what He has done for them. They thank us for being a part of it. It has been so amazing to rejoice with them! We only have six ladies here still recovering from their VVF surgeries. Can I ask you to pray for them? Gorpue is sixty years old, and her surgery did not go so well. She ended up with a colostomy and an awful wound. She has an infection. Not only is she is still leaking, but her prognosis does not look hopeful. I am sad that she came to the Mercy Ship expecting healing and ended up worse off than when she arrived. Unfortunately this is always a risk with surgery. Also, Baby is a patient who came in for her second VVF surgery. Her body is very damaged, and when the first surgery failed in June she was sent back to us. The woman who she was supposed to be staying with kicked her out. "Baby can only live here if her problem is fixed," she said. Unfortunately, she still has some leakage after her second surgery. Baby is 22 years old and has so much life inside of her. There is not much more we can do for her. She is healthy aside from her leaking. All of these ladies' desire is to return to their families. We pray that this will be an option for them. And if it is not, that God will make another way for them and provide them with the grace to cope along the way.

Yesterday we had a church service in the ward. The African workers lead us in worship, to the beat of the African drum, "I am an overcomer. I will never give up." I remain in awe of the hope in these broken people.


Much Love,

Lindsay