[ photos ] - Prune Island

We went on our camping adventure in Madagascar! This weekend one of our friends arranged a boat trip to a nearby uninhabited (except for the lighthouse keeper) island.  It was a really wonderful break from the busyness of life on the ship.

I don't have a lot to say- just wanted to share some photos...it's such a beautiful place!

I collected some treasures- there are coral reefs around the island, and all sorts of cool shells and coral on the shore.

Pancakes for dinner!

The lights in the distance are the port where the Africa Mercy is docked.

Before took the boat ride back to the ship today, Nick and I climbed the lighthouse to see the view.

Goodbye for now, pretty island!

The Ponseti clubfoot program is up and running!

Edit: I started this post over a week ago...just now getting around to finishing it :) 

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Nick taught an introductory course to raise awareness about Ponseti clubfoot treatment last week. 

It went really well!

 The course was held Thursday and Friday morning in the rehab department at Hôpital Be (newly renovated by Mercy Ships).  There was an excellent turn out- around 40 doctors, nurses, midwives, students, and staff from the ministry of health from Hôpital Be and surrounding clinics all attended.

  This was the fist time I've ever seen him teach this course (he's taught it several times before in other countries), and he is a wonderful teacher!  He's very clear, gives practical tips, and he's very good at winning over his audience.  

And while I'm busy being proud of Nick, I'd also like to share the exciting news that he received an award from his university!  The award is called the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, and it is for graduates who's "early accomplishments inspire and provide leadership to students and alumni."  

Go Nick! Congratulations!!! :)

Here's the bio they wrote for him, it's on the University of Queensland's website here.

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Here's a few more photos from the course...

Everyone was very interested in learning more about clubbed feet, and had lots of questions.

Nick went over and shook hands with each person who had asked a particularly good question.  Everyone thought that was pretty funny :)

I'll post more updates soon, but know that we are doing well, and we are enjoying resettling in to life on the ship.  We've had very full work days, but doing exactly what we came here to do.  The ponseti clinic is really up and running now, and this week is the first week of seeing patients together with the trainees. Please keep us in your prayers! We appreciate you!

Our floating home finally sailed in!

Home sweet ship!

On Sunday, we had the privilege of standing here on the dock in Tamatave and watching the Africa Mercy come into port!

It's been a busy first few weeks here in Madagascar- we spent most of last week selecting patients for the clubfoot program.  Now we are gearing up for a course which Nick will teach over two days later in the week.  The course will be an introduction to the Ponseti method of clubfoot correction for all the hospital staff who wish to attend.  The idea is to raise awareness about the best way to correct clubfoot, and raise awareness of the teaching that will take place at the hospital.

Here's the view from the end of the dock- the hospital where we will run the Ponseti training is just near the beach in the photo.

We've loved catching up with dear friends!

Finally we could see the ship come around the corner!

And then we could start to make out faces- it was so fun to wave at our friends!

Here's a few pictures from in town- the ship is visible in the port from the main road along the beach.

We love the public transport here!  The 3 wheeled yellow car is called a Tuk-Tuk, and the bicycle is called a Pousse-Pousse.  You can take one just about anywhere in town for 1,000 Ariary, which is $0.30 USD.  

I took all these photos from a pousse-pousse, the red in the photos is the driver's shoulder.

This one of the main roads, looking towards the "Hotel de Ville", which is one of the main government buildings in the city.

More updates soon, but for now we are enjoying getting settled in to our floating home and reconnecting with old friends!