Summer Volunteering at Baptist Hospital...

Ok, I have told several people about my volunteer work I am doing at Baptist, but here is the official low down on what I am doing. Baptist has a great summer volunteer program for teens 13-18 years old. After the interview and orientation process plus a TB skin test I was ready to go. On the application I requested that I would like to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I am volunteering two days a week, Mondays and Tuesdays. Mondays I am in the NICU. The NICU has several units or areas within the Main unit of NICU. My first day was in 2K with is for the babies who are almost ready to go home within few days or who are more stable that some. Yesterday, I was in Stepdown which cares for more of the tiny, more critical babies. Most of my time I'm answering phones for the unit while the nurses are busy caring for the babies or doing paperwork. Also, I'll do little things like takedown the chart after a patient has been released. I also help the families who are being discharged by carrying their things, and making sure they have everything before they leave. I have also cared for the babies occasionally by trying to settle him/her down, making sure they have their pacifier etc. Yesterday, I was called into rock a cranky baby. He was asleep very shortly! I loved it! The nurses are great and I really enjoy working with them.

One Tuesdays I am on 5B and Pediatrics. Which is a recovery unit for women and children who have had surgery. There is usually about 6 or less kids in the unit, but most of the patients are women who have had hysterectomy's, mastectomy's or other procedures. We usually get the patient an hour after their surgery is completed. My job usually is to make sure that the patients are doing well, refilling their water pitcher and getting them snacks and restocking supplies. Also, I go get equipment, like IV pumps, poles and bags from the supply area and bring them up before we recieve the patient. I do some answering the phones and paperwork when needed.

So far I am really enjoying this oppertunity. It is a really great way to get your "feet wet" in the medical field and it looks good on a resume! :) Though that is not my goal!! :) They need volunteers on basically any floor and in most units. From greeters to ER, NICU, Labor and Delivery, Cardiac, Cancer, Critical Care, Pedriatrics units etc.

Here are some things that I would ask you to specifically pray for:

~ * Pray that I would represent Jesus Christ well to those I'm around both doctors, nurses and patients. Pray that people would see Jesus in me and that I would have the heart, compassion and love for people that Jesus has. Pray that I would serve selfless and humbly, having others needs as my priority.

~ * Pray that the Lord would make divine appointments to encourage and share my faith with those who are hurting phyisically but most importantly spiritually. Pray that I would speak with boldness and confidence in Christ. Pray that I would not rely on my own strengh to do this but on Christ!

~ * Pray for the patients and their families. A lot of the babies in the NICU do not come from good situations, some of the reasons they are there are due to drug use, smoking, and teen age pregnancy. A lot of these babies will grow up in difficult home situations, so pray that they will come to know the Lord as their personal Lord and Savior. While I rocked the little baby yesterday I took time to pray over him. Commiting him to the Lord. Asking the Lord to bless him and that he would come to have a personal relationship with Jesus someday. Please pray that for all the babies.

Thank you all for praying for me! I appreciate you all so much! What I am learning is that there are spiritually hurting people everywhere, wanting hope for life, and I have it!! Pray that God's grace would be seen through me as I serve!!

All for His Glory,

Mariah