Welcome to Africa: The Flu and Acid Bugs

On my second week in Africa I didn’t receive the warmest of greetings! I ended up with the flu on Monday night, and I spent almost five days in bed! It is amazing how large the ship appeared on the first day of arrival. After being cooped up in my room for several days with only briefly getting out of my cabin, the ship started to feel a bit smaller with not having many places to go where I wasn’t going to infect someone else! I am glad to report that I am doing better with each passing day, and I’m back to work on night shifts this weekend.

One advantage to having a cabin on the lower decks of the ship is there are no windows! It is great for sleeping when working night shifts or being sick in bed. After awhile though, you need to get outside to see the sunlight. There are lots of chairs on the top decks, and there is even a pool on Deck 8.

WATCH OUT FOR THE ACID BUGS! I’ve recently discovered these new little flying insects here in Africa which are attracted to artificial light! I’ve only encountered them on Deck 7 and 8 of the ship. They do not bite, but you must be careful because the Acid Bug releases a toxin which causes inflammation and blistering to that area on the skin! So you have to keep a watchful eye when venturing outside on the ship decks!



The "ACID BUG"

Thankfulness

I am so thankful for God’s direction in bringing me to Mercy Ships and providing me new friends within my first week to celebrate Thanksgiving in Africa. It is a bit different being on a ship with 35+ nationalities when celebrating a holiday unique to the United States.

My Thanksgiving day started off with going to an orphanage. It was so sweet to just snuggle up to the little toddlers. Many of the children wanted to be held more than play games. A little bit later I wandered upstairs and found the baby room where three little babies were just waking up from their nap. What an amazing way to spend Thanksgiving with getting to bless these little children.  

Loving on the Babies!

Playing with the kids!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the afternoon several of us toured a French Naval ship that just so happened to be docked right behind the Mercy Ships. Not a typical Thanksgiving activity, but it was interesting and something different.

French Naval Ship
 

In the evening we enjoyed a nice turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and green beans to keep with Thanksgiving traditional foods! You can’t forget the apple crisp and pumpkin pie for dessert!   

Sharing Thanksgiving Dinner with new friends!

No worries... I still had Turkey for Thanksgiving!

 

We'll that's it for now!

 

 

2 Minutes


I arrived on the ship Saturday evening without any problems during the long trek over the Atlantic. After being here two days, I am starting to get settled and learning my way around. One thing about being on a ship is everything is within close proximity. In 2 minutes you can be anywhere on the ship whether walking up two flights of stairs to the cafeteria or walking down the hall from my room to the hospital. In no time I can reach the Starbucks café on board or the top deck which has a small pool and a great view of the water.




The 2 Minute "Ship Shower"

So continuing with the 2 minute theme… a “Ship shower” permits two minutes of water use. I guess this also helps to decrease the bathroom demand with six ladies sharing one bathroom. The bunk room feels more spacious than I anticipated. I am enjoying the various nationalities in my room. I have two roommates from Norway, one from Australia, one from New Zealand, and one roommate from the United States who I met in the airport in Brussels during out layover.

This may be a silly thought, but I realized when I got on the boat that I am surrounded by water. Here is a view from the top deck of the ship!

The View from the Ship

Tomorrow I start my official orientation on the unit. There haven’t been any ICU patients in awhile, so I will be working on Ward D which currently cares for Maxo-Facial patients.  There will be lots of learning, especially because I will be taking care of adults alongside of children. I am excited and ready to get to work! I’m also looking forward to spending Thanksgiving at an Orphanage this Thursday morning!

My bunk is on the Top

Bon Voyage

The time has almost come for me to depart for Africa! On Friday I will board a plane and begin the 26 hour trek to Conakry, Guinea. I have felt so loved and supported by lots of people during this time of preparation. I am so thankful and humbled by the many people who have supported me financially. Thank you friends and family for your generous support and encouragement!

So where is Guinea? Many people have asked me this question, so I’ve had to brush up on my geography. It can get a bit confusing with four countries sharing the same name: Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, and Papau New Guinea (which is in the Pacific Ocean). I will be in French speaking Guinea for the entire 4.5 months while aboard the Africa Mercy Ship. The population of Guinea is about 10 million people with almost a quarter of the population residing in the capital city of Conakry. There are many medical needs in this country with only 1.3 healthcare workers for every 10,000 people. Here are a couple of maps showing the location of Guinea:
 

 

I will have access to the internet to update my blog and check email. If you’d like to send any letters please mail them to the address below. It will take about 2-3 weeks for mail to be forwarded to the ship. For anything over an ounce, I will be charged at a rate of $8.80 per lb (0.55 cents an ounce) to cover the shipping costs to the ship.

Emily Seamon/ AFM Crew Mail

PO BOX 2020

Lindale, TX 75771
 

I'd love to hear from you, so please keep in touch!

A Dream Becoming Reality

It has been almost a decade since I toured Mercy Ship in Wilmington, NC. That fateful day a dream sparked which would continue to grow over the years. As I have traveled to Mexico, Zambia, and Honduras on missions trips, I have realized the vast need of people all around the world. My desire grew to not only provide physical healing for people but to share the hope of Jesus Christ.  

Being motivated by this dream, I remember studying in nursing school hoping that one day I could use my knowledge overseas. Over the past three years, I have gained a variety of pediatric nursing experiences while working at Duke Hospital. The dream to travel overseas as a nurse has remained, and if anything it has grown with each passing year. I finally decided to apply to Mercy Ships in August. Things have come about quickly, and I have been officially accepted to be a Pediatric ICU & Ward Nurse aboard the Africa Mercy.

On November 16^th I fly to Africa where the Mercy ship is already in the port of Conakry, Guinea. I will be living and working on the “floating” hospital ship for four and a half months. I am excited to be a part of a team of over 400 volunteers who work together aboard the ship to bring hope and healing to people both physically and spiritually.  Since 1978 Mercy Ships has been operating a fleet of hospital ships in developing countries.

Mercy Ships relies on a team of volunteer crew members who pay their own room and board, travel and personal expenses while serving.  This allows general Mercy Ships donations to be used for direct patient care, community development programs and other costs associated with its Field Service initiatives. From doctors to nurses, engineers to deck hands, housekeepers and teachers, everyone serves as a volunteer. If you would like to partner with me financially in this endeavor you can give a tax deductible gift online at http://mercyships-us.donorpages.com/crewmates/seamone

Of course, I will definitely appreciate all of your prayers while I am traveling and living in Africa. I pray that I will do more than just provide medical care for people’s physical needs; I’m praying for opportunities to live out and share the gospel too!

So…I’m off to Africa in six weeks to finally make a dream a reality!

 

Africa Mercy: This is where I will be living and working while in Guinea

 



Changing Seasons

The Golden View

What a wonderful time of year to be out here in Colorado visiting my sister. It is fall and the Aspen leaves are turning a beautiful golden glow. The gleaming colors mark the changing seasons, but now the golden leaves also celebrate the life and birth of my little niece Aspen Glenn Montoya.  She is six weeks old today, and I’m loving being Auntie Em! Life is so precious, especially when you can hold one in your hands and ponder what seasons lie ahead for this little girl. 

Stay tuned for some exciting new changes coming about in my life in the next couple of months! 



Mama and Aspen

Leaf looking with Jessica and Aspen






Auntie Em with Aspen. Not so sure she likes the cold weather!

Fighting for Life

Every day I walk into work surrounded by children who are fighting for their life. These past two years, I have watched many kids persevere with dignity and strength through difficulties, trials, and pain. My patients inspire me as they endure so much without complaining.

Many have asked how I can work on the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (5200) where death and dying is a reality for some of these patients. I know foremost it has been the grace of God on my life to carry me on after heartbreaking moments. However, most days on the unit are fun seeing kids still being kids. As you enter the double doors make sure to watch out for patients barreling down the hall on tricycles. You may also see others dancing in the playroom during music and movement.  One of the most exciting moments is the confetti parade celebrating when a patient leaves the hospital after transplant. It can be very emotional as this sometimes represents several months of being in the hospital.

As a nurse I have the privilege to be part of these families most challenging and intimate moments in their lives. I chose the field of nursing because I wanted to help people in their greatest time of need. In return, I am the one who has been blessed as I have walked and fought alongside these amazing patients and families.

Now it is time for me to transition to a different position at Duke so that I can continue to expand my knowledge and skills within a variety of areas within pediatrics. As I say goodbye to my home unit, many of these patients and their families will forever be carried in my heart. What an opportunity to be part of their lives and to bring a smile or a kind word during such a difficult trial. In reality, they also touched my life and inspired me as I witnessed their daily battle fighting for life. Life is precious; and we should count every day as a blessing from the Lord.