Saturday, March 29, 2014

Our first Sunday back

 For our first Sunday in Impfondo, we thought we were going to be mere spectators.  Stephen was asked to translate, and he was happy to help.  Of course, I had to snag a few pictures.

After church, we had a few of the short term people over for a simple lunch. It was fun to have a chance to get to know them a little bit. It's always interesting to see the different people who come to work with us. There are people from so many different backgrounds who come to do such a variety of work. They all make our experience here more pleasant.
Apples to Apples after lunch
Lots of laughter with new friends

Stephen has already been shown the program for the church services, and he was surprised to learn that he's scheduled to preach this Sunday.  He'll be jumping right back into the swing of things!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Nurse's Training Program Graduation

Nurses's Training program graduates with their professors
Thanks to Jenny Case for the photo!
We were back in Impfondo just in time to attend the graduation of the second group of students from our Nurses Training Program this Saturday.

After the graduation, there was a soccer game, followed by the grand opening of the new playground.

A fun, busy day for our first Saturday back in Impfondo!

Kids enjoying the new playground

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Back to Congo

At a restaurant in Brazzaville
Our traveling is temporarily at an end.  Our whole trip back to Congo went smoothly.

We did not have to pay any extra luggage fees leaving the US, and had no major delays or problems on our trip.  We arrived safely in Brazzaville with all fifteen pieces of luggage.

We spent four days there, adjusting to the time change, resting, and catching up with Anne Stephens and Barb Sorenson, the members of our CMA Congo team currently living in Brazzaville.
Stephen with two of our CMA colleagues in Brazzaville

The hospital
On Monday, March 17, we arrived safely in Impfondo with four of our pieces of luggage.  Four more pieces arrived Thursday, and we are hoping the remaining seven will make it this week.

We have been busy unpacking, and beginning to settle into life here in Impfondo.  Stephen will begin working part time this week and full time next week.

Thank you for all your prayers for our family and the hospital during this time of transition.
The children wading in the Oubangi River

Friday, March 14, 2014

A Visitor's Perspective

Nastasia (a Med/Peds resident from the states), Erik Scharrer,
Dr. Harvey, Sarah and Elliott Tenpenny
While our family is busy traveling, you may be wondering what is going on around the hospital.  A recent visitor posted some thoughts on her time there...
It's 4 o'clock in the morning and -14 degrees Fahrenheit outside.  Erik and I are wide awake.  Erik decides to make us some eggs for breakfast while I sit in the dimly lit dining room, wrapped up in a blanket at the kitchen table.  I slowly, intently, scroll through the pictures from our last two weeks in the Congo.  As the eggs sizzle in the pan, we recall memories from our trip.  It is 9:00 a.m. in Congo right now and we think about the hospital.  They have already had morning chapel, morning report, and the doctors are probably on rounds.  Even though we have been home three days, our body is still on Congo time...
Read the rest of “Hôpital Evangélique ‘Le Pionnier’”.



 You can see the latest hospital news on the Tenpenny's blog Reigning in Life.

We are looking forward to our return and being able to give updates on the hospital in person.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Ready, Set, Go

Ready to leave for the Congo for the first time
The last few weeks have been full of preparations for the next three years.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for all of our last minute details.  Our visas arrived on March 3, coincidentally my birthday.  I've decided it's my best birthday present ever- at least the most expensive!

Stephen finished his recertification exams.  He has received the news that he has passed both his Pediatric Boards and Emergency Medicine Boards.


The kids are much bigger now!
We've been saying some bitter-sweet goodbyes to friends and family. We have enjoyed the time with them and are so grateful for their presence in our lives, but it is difficult saying good-bye for 3 years.

For our last Sunday in the US, we were able to visit with our friends at Davidson Baptist Church.  This is the same church we visited our first Sunday in the US!   It was nice to close out our time here the way we began.

Now our trunks have been packed, weighed, repacked, rearranged, and finally they are ready to go.

This morning we depart for Congo!  We'll be driving to Cincinnati, flying to Atlanta/Paris/Brazzaville.  Please pray for our safety while traveling and that all of our luggage will arrive intact.

When we get to Brazzaville, we will spend a few days to adjust to the time change and climate, while doing some errands and reconnecting with friends.  After a few days, we'll be on to Impfondo.

Thank you again for all of your prayers, support, and encouragement.  We couldn't do this with out all of you!