Dan typing...
 |
| The surgeon had to remove some teeth in order to get to the tumor he was trying to remove (This is the least gruesome picture Alicia had). |
In mid-March, we spent a week down in Bongolo with the Straw family. We were able to move a good portion of our stuff into the house we will be living in for the next year. We were also able to re-arrange much of the house in anticipation for our big move from Libreville on April 18th. (Before and After pictures to be posted soon.) Alicia got a chance to observe several surgeries (which she loved) and I was able to spend a day shadowing Paul Davis. Paul manages the hospital facilities and has a lot of work to do. I was able to get a feel for the maintenance needs there and begin formulating how I can help in my down time and coordinate projects when we have teams.
The big reason for us to be in Bongolo that week was to attend the Gabon Field Prayer Retreat Friday and Saturday. We were encouraged and blessed by the opportunity to be updated on and pray for the work going on in the hospital, around Gabon, and beyond.
Alicia typing…
When we arrived home from Bongolo, we were also arriving home to a brand-new French instructor named Jean Jacque. (Our previous instructor took a new job in Franceville.) Our instructor started off the class speaking entirely in French, and maybe spoke 10 words total of English the entire time. Whoa! Let’s just talk about being overwhelmed. We left French class super frustrated, but as it turns out, his approach to teaching us has really helped us out. Although, having French class entirely in French seemed horrible at first…our understanding of the French language has totally sky-rocketed in the last couple of weeks. This is also due to the fact that we decided to start hanging out more with our Gabonese friends, with the intention of practicing our French. It has been so awesome to finally be able to communicate and ask questions to our friends here. J
French class will be ending this Saturday, and Dan and I are still kind of nervous. We have decided to continue with Rosetta Stone and have considered hiring a tutor down in Bongolo.
Dan typing...
 |
| Dan working at the Guest House |
This past week a team of 12 men from New Jersey were here in Libreville doing a whirlwind of construction projects, medical missions, and connecting with Gabonese. I was able to help out the team as they re-modeled a Guest House located at the National Church Seminary. The team helped build windows, created holes in the walls for windows and doors, and helped hang cupboards and ceilings.
 |
| Alicia at Cssni |
Alicia was able to finally return to Cssni clinic where she spent most of her time here in 2009. She was able to help the team's Doctor and Physician Assistant quickly adapt to the Gabonese medical system. She said it felt really great to be back at the clinic, and being able to finally communicate (in French) with the people she worked so closely with in 2009.
 |
| Dan mixing up some concrete |
We were also able to help as the team put in four concrete posts establishing a boundary on a new 65-acre piece of property that will eventually be used as the new location of Hope House, the Libreville Envision center, a new medical clinic, and a school. This property will also house other social ministries of the national church. The team was full of very
hard-working, fun-hearted men of God that really got a LOT done in their seven days here. They were the first big team to arrive since we have been here and it was good for us to be able to help host a big team before we get our first team all on our own!
 |
| Our finished product! L to R: Papa John, Shannon (a new intern), Pastor Hypolite, Alicia, and Dan |
 |
| Alicia packing down the dirt |
 |
| There were also crabs everywhere! |
Alicia typing…
For part of the time the team was here we took care of the Guest House for the Straw Family while they were away at Cameroon and Ghana. They are a really cool family and You can check out their blog HERE. It was a lot of fun staying at their house. We were able to get some shopping done for our move down to Bongolo. We also bought some fresh anana (pineapple), papaye (papaya), and pamplemouse (grapefruit).
 |
| Alicia and her accidental dress and successful purse |
I am also modeling the purse I got made. The purse came out exactly how I explained it to the tailor…in French. It was definitely a “whoo hoo” moment.
We are officially moving down to Bongolo to start our work on Monday, April 18th. We are super excite and cannot wait to join the team down there; however, we are very sad to leave the team in Libreville. Please pray for safe travels and easy transitions.
We love you all and miss you dearly!
Alicia and Dan Lewan
