This weekend was wonderful. I have quite a few pictures to go through, so there will be a series of posts about the events of the weekend. It included, but was not limited to, breakfast from street vendors, orphanage visits, bonfires on the beach, ward church, baking, sunsets, soccer games, goodbyes, and friends.

Here's a little glimpse of the beautiful sunsets we are enjoying now that 'rainy' season is approaching. I couldn't pick just one picture....

This is my friend Kacie. Yes, that is a spare
trach in her hand. Because we take 2 day
post-op trach patients to church :)

Ward church is one of my favorite parts of the week. Our patients are always excited to leave the ward to sing, dance, and worship. They start getting up and ready long before it starts. We move all the patients that are able, which basically includes anyone who is not in the ICU or on isolation precautions, to one of the bigger wards and the chaplaincy team leads worship and gives a message.

Day workers, nurses, patients, caregivers, and kids stand and clap to the beat of the African drums and Congolese worship songs. I think this may be what heaven will sound like. There is nothing like it.

Sunday we made lunch instead of brunch. It was super delicious. We had soup and sandwiches. A spicy Asian beef and noodle soup and Spicy Coconut & Pumpkin soup. Surprisingly delicious.

I made dessert. Surprise. Saturday morning when we were out in town, we stopped at some of the roadside markets and bought some fruit to top it with. We also hoarded some from lunch and dinner...

Fruit Pizza

- 1 1/2 C sugar
- 2 1/2 C flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs

Frosting

- butter
- powdered sugar
- milk/cream
- vanilla

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Add the vanilla and eggs.

2. Mix the baking powder, salt, flour and add to mixing bowl. Mix until just combined. Chill the dough.

3. Preheat the oven to 350*. Roll chilled dough into one big cookie and place on a round baking sheet. Bake 17-20 minutes (will be a little underdone!). Let cool; chill in refrigerator.