11-1[-2011

We returned back to Choma from Macha on 10/21/11. We were only there three days until we traveled to Zimba where the Zimba Pilgrim Wesleyan Church and Hospital is located. The missionary doctors are currently in the U.S.; however, there are some Zambian physicians who are excellent. We were in the Zimba Mission Hospital only Wed, Thurs, & Fri. and originally planned to travel to Namiwianga Orphanage on Saturday. However, a very strong wind storm blew down several electric poles between Zimba and Livingstone on Friday evening, so we changed our plans and returned to Choma on Saturday morning.  The power outage itself was not so bad except that they depend heavily on refrigeration for the food products and have no back-up generator. The more major thing for our team is running out of water with no real back-up for obtaining clean safe water. We were able to secure a bus in Zimba to come back. We were happy to come “home”.

All the students who were sick earlier in the week are well and participating in clinicals, exercise, etc. etc. We are grateful to God for that!

Yesterday morning was spent at Choma General Hospital where Bethany, Ms. Mukonde and I met first with the “back-up” Matron and the Hospital Administrator to discuss our options. They are very generous and kind and welcomed us into all parts of the hospital. Their bed capacity is 208, and while they are not full, they do have a nice population of patients in most of their wards. This hospital has both a dental unit and a psych ward which the other hospitals have not had. Both the doctors and nurses very openly welcomed our students to make rounds with them on the wards and to explain both the patient diagnosis as well as plan of treatment. Jerilynn delivered a baby girl today and also got to name her; so Hannah Grace entered the world today! Each of the other students working OB today had already delivered babies while in Macha J.  I believe the students will have a great experience at this hospital.

I spent the morning today with Ms. Sianchopa, the Senior Matron, who is actually on leave but agreed to come in a couple hours today to discuss the needs of the students while here at Choma General. She helped us arrange a time for the students to present their leadership projects to the other staff nurses and arranged opportunities for two students each day to spend the day with one of the other Matrons. We are very disappointed she will not be here during out stay, but she helped get us on the right path so all will have good experiences. I believe she would be an amazing woman with which to work!

I think some of the students are beginning to get something akin to “senioritis” since our time is getting short. I am hearing more and more comments about what foods they want to eat when they get home, etc. etc. I do believe, however, that each is staying very engaged here and that they will finish strong!

We are all looking forward to the rains…the heat and humidity has been oppressive the past couple weeks. They tell us all that will change with the rainsJ.

Jon and Erin Stephens returned to Choma today and were very glad to be back in Zambia. Bud was happy to turn the finances back over to Erin, although I’m sure they will be meeting several times in the next few days.

Another team of eight adults from Sheridan, Wyoming also arrived today and will be here through 11/9/11. We are enjoying getting acquainted with them.  They will be gone only two days when the team from College Wesleyan Church arrives. We are looking forward to their arrival. They will also travel home with us on 11/21/11.

Until next time….

10-28-11

Today was the last day in Zimba Hospital; another great opportunity for the students to get good experience. A couple of the doctors here are outstanding and also very good with the students. He explains everything and then asks them to compare it to care in the U.S.A. He also wanted to know a lot about crime and TV in America since he has certain preconceptions from the TV show he watches! American TV does us no favors overseas…several years ago, people overseas thought everyone in America looked and acted like those portrayed on Baywatch!! 

Zimba Hospital is much smaller than Macha Hospital, but they seem to have a better patient/nurse ratio which makes is easier to provide good care.

Lauren Gross, a 2-year Go Net Employee with Global Partners works with Mike and Cindy Helvie in Jembo but has been temporarily reassigned to help our team while in Zimba. She has been the Chief Cook but does have local help. She is doing a wonderful job with this. I went with her to Livingstone this morning to help with some of the shopping for the remainder of our time here. It is so hot that fruits and vegetables do not last very long, and refrigeration is somewhat limited given the number on our team.  Some of our team members have also pitched in and helped her with both meals and clean up. We do have a great group of students!

Bud was able to check out the site identified for the new generator for Zimba Hospital that Tom Garber's group plans to install some early next fall. He was able to send him and description and all the measurements so they know what to expect when they arrive.

I had a very interesting opportunity today; the father of one of our cooks died yesterday so Ms. Mukonde took Lauren and me to get her at the “funeral house”. It was actually in the homes of family members. Men and women greet separately so when we arrived, we went into the home where 14 women were sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall. We stooped down and shook hands with each individual, and when we reached the end of the line, we also sat down. It was very quiet; no one spoke for about 10 minutes, and then one of the women started exhorting (I am guessing since it was in Tonga). I heard her speak about Jesus Christ several times so I’m certain it was a Christian talk. After she finished, Ms. Mukonde prayed and then we went outside and went through the handshaking with all the women sitting outside the house. We sat down again for a few minutes and then left. No one was crying, but everyone was very respectful and quiet. It was very interesting and a great experience.