September 5, 2012

We safely arrived in Zambia after two nights of flying and a day in London seeing the sights! It was a good but tiring trip; everyone was looking forward to actually lying down flat someplace where they could sleep a few hours. It was a good trip as long trips go…there were no problems other than four bags that didn’t arrive with the group; however, all four bags arrived today.

We attended a great church service on Sunday with Dr. Bud Bence finally starting his message about noon! They had several dignitaries there from the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as a number of officials from the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church. They had just completed their national conference so these folks were still in Lusaka. The choir was good and sang several numbers as well as leading the congregation in singing. The entire service was about 2 ½ hours, but it really seemed to go by quickly.

Our group had to be divided into two different guest houses which are about ½ hour apart, so that’s not so convenient but we have made it work. All the meals are served at the house where we are staying so we personally are not doing the traveling. The students have demonstrated great attitudes about all the uncertainty about schedules, etc. Some arrangements that we thought would have been made for us had not been made so we’re “flying by the seat of our pants” part of the time. Fortunately for us, Ms. Mukonde, a wonderful Zambian retired nurse who traveled with us last year, is with us again so she provides the stability that otherwise we would NOT be feeling.

We had a student who experienced some problems with homesickness the first couple days but after getting some rest, she has been much better! She is doing well now.

These few days in Lusaka, we have visited several hospitals and health care agencies to get a feel for healthcare in Zambia. We visited the University Teaching Hospital which is a huge University Hospital with all the modern conveniences, a hospital that cares primarily for disabled children as well as the Church Hospital Organization of Zambia (CHAZ) and World Vision. It has been an interesting couple days. Both Carol and I were able to get our temporary Zambia nursing licenses.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Zimba Mission Hospital which is a 5 – 6 hour drive. On that note, I better go work on getting my suitcases organized and ready for travel again.

Until next time.