Tag: Jean-Louis Godinot

Jean-Louis Godinot came back to Zambia on the 13^th March 2015 in good spirit and health. His surgery took place in France on the 12^th January with a complete success even though he will need a second surgery late on to fix a prosthesis. At the moment, a piece of metal and some kind of ‘cement’ is holding his hand, especially his index. Jean-Louis needs a special black glove to help for blood circulation.

As you know, he was unable to use adequately Internet at home but takes this opportunity to thank all who sent him a word of encouragement and they are many.

Please, find the story on the following Internet link CrocBITE Worldwide Crocodilian Attack Database. The only thing missing is his age, only 67 years old… ready for another fight!

Saturday, 20 December, 2014

A French missionary named Jean-Louis Godinot was attacked by a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) while crossing the Lukulu River at approximately 3:05 PM. At this location the river was approximately 80 meters wide and upon reaching within 20 meters of the opposite shore, a crocodile (estimated to be 2-2.5 meters in length) seized Godinot’s left hand and dragged him to the river bottom (approximately 2 meters deep at this location). The crocodile apparently began rolling and Godinot pushed his index and major fingers into the crocodile’s eyes. He managed to come up twice for air but was dragged back under both times. The last time he was pulled under he was in shallow water and could stand. This allowed him to fight back more and he again gouged the crocodile’s eyes, causing it to release him. His left hand was badly damaged and he was initially treated at a hospital in Kasama before being transferred to France for surgery. Godinot states that, while at one time the African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) was present in the river, he recognized the crocodile that attacked him to be a Nile crocodile (C. niloticus).

Links:

http://www.crocodile-attack.info/incident/100-5442

Some news of Jean-Louis Godinot (Mpundu) who was attacked by a crocodile in December 2014.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On January 31, 2015

In News

As some might have heard, I was caught by a crocodile on the 20^th December. I was taken three times to the bottom of the river which I was crossing swimming. Fortunately, I managed to pierce one eye of my enemy, which left me with a left hand in very bad condition. I was very lucky to survive.

In the hospital of Kasama, they did not realize that there were some smashed and dislocated bones. I got plenty of injections and antibiotics. But it was not enough as an infection started. When we could make a new radiography, the doctor discovered the disaster and told me that I was starting a ‘scepticemy’ (general infection of the blood) and that I could get as well a ‘osteite’ (infection of the bones). I was advised to go home.

I left Lua-Luo for Lusaka on the 7^th January. The following day, I was admitted in the afternoon in a hospital specialized in the traumatisms of the hand. I was operated on the 11^thJanuary. I was told that there was a possibility of cutting my index. But they succeeded to keep it. They could remove all the smashed bones, which were in a bath of pus. I could leave the hospital on 16^th January and be taken care by one of my sisters who is a nurse. Antibiotics, pain killers and five injections a day. And many exercises for re-education.

I will visit Patrick Bataille in Paris on the 9^th February. Then, I went on the 29^th January for a review. They could remove the stiches. But they want me to be still on antibiotics (oral and injections) till the 16^th February. Then, 2 weeks without antibiotics and new visit at the hospital on the 3^rd March.

I was very disappointed, I had hoped to be back in Zambia beginning of February. But the doctors will not let me go before they are sure there is no danger of a new infection of the blood or of the bones. They are still ‘cultivating’ in laboratory the germs they found. Crocodiles do not brush often their teeth!

Right now, I am at my twin brother’s place (the doctor). Then I will go to visit my other brothers and sisters, as long as I can get my injections.

Here, it is cold and we have snow. I feel sorry for my confreres of Lua-Luo, for the students, especially those of St-Matthew’s team: Paul, Bishop, Cyprian, Gildas and Edmond. I should be back around the 8^th March.

Greetings to all of you, and many thanks for your prayers,

Jean-Louis / Mpundu. (I might be without internet from time to time…)