This blog was meant to be written on Monday evening (4/28) but because the power was out for the entire evening, we were unable to enter our thoughts from that day.
Kaloko Village Clinic:
Marcia Bartz writing:
As one of the 2 nurses on the pharmacy team, I would like to take this opportunity to share some of my experiences and observations from our clinic today. The clinic served approximately 470 patients and we filled roughly 1200 – 1500 prescriptions, and this was one of the healthier villages we have seen since we have been here. In our days together as a team, we have developed a system where we can anticipate what is needed with very few words, if any. This has allowed us to do this many prescriptions in one clinic.
Today our set-up was in a building with separate rooms. Each part of the clinic had its own room, and they were small with very dim light so I took my contacts out. In pharmacy, we had one table where we directly faced our two lines of patients. Karen and Chriss worked as a team as did Wendy and I. I really enjoyed having this direct contact with each person we served. We gave out many prescriptions for vitamins, pain meds, antibiotics, malaria medicines, dehydration pacts, and de-worming medications to babies as little as 2 weeks to 80 years old. Some interesting things happened in pharmacy today. One of our elderly male patients was so appreciative of our services that he walked back to his small home in the village and brought back Nshima stir sticks for us that he had made. He carved these “large stir spoons” out of wood. Nshima is the primary food made and eaten by all Zambians. Nshima actually means “food” in the native Zambian language and is made from corn and looks somewhat like grits. We ended up buying 6 spoons from him in the pharmacy. After we filled his prescriptions and bought his spoons, he knelt down in front of the pharmacy table and said, “thank you, thank you, thank you” --- thank you for coming to my village.
Later that day, I had the opportunity to observe in our wound center, which was in the room next door and run by Gil Harrington, an RN from Virginia. One of the interesting cases she had was a bee keeper. One and a half years ago, he was using smoke to sedate his hive and a fire broke out. His son was killed and he was burned over a large percentage of his body. He spent 6 months in the hospital. He came to the clinic today still showing some open wounds from this fire. Gil used her magic with peroxide, silvadene, and tube socks and redressed all of his wounds. We are lucky to have this amazing experience and creativity on our team. Gil’s philosophy is, “we are helping to save Africa with duct tape, tube socks, OR excess/trash, flip flops, candy canes and clean water”.
We do have our “funny moments” during our clinics. Gil asked me today, “do you have bats in your room?” I thought she said slats in your room, and she asked, “are they squeaking?” Then she pointed up to the bats hanging from the ceiling in her wound care room. Only in Africa! Our room had a light bulb that would only work after it was wrapped with duct tape. They wanted to also put in some newspaper but we have standards and I don’t know how close a fire department is.
I have really been blessed to have this great experience. OMNI is a wonderful giving group of people and I have been blessed to be a part of this team.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday April 27, 2008 and Tuesday April 29, 2008
April 27, 2008 Sunday
Pastor Sherman writing:
It is a day of rest much needed by the team. Well almost a day of rest, we did visit George Compound for follow up visits on a number of patients seen earlier in the week, but I’ll let the medical staff tell you about that.
Jon, Dr. Lynn and I left for church at 8:30 this morning. We dropped Lynn off at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Ndola, where she arrived in time for the English mass. Jon and I journeyed on to Twapia to find the Untied Church of Zambia congregation. This is the church recommended to us by Ron and Mary Sue Claus after their service in Zambia last summer. Ron and Mary Sue, you will be pleased to know that when we told some of the Elders the reason we chose them, they remembered you.
Rick, our very capable driver, did not know where the church was. We drove around town for a short time but could not find the congregation. Zambian men are not like American men, Rick asked for directions, and after passing a Mosque, a Jehovah Witness and an Apostolic Church we found our church of choice.
There was no one in the church when we arrived (9:00). But in the area behind the church lots of boys were marching in drill formation. The younger boys wore white shirts with yellow sashes, and the older boys wore white shirts with red sashes. Some adults were in uniform as well, and several of the oldest boys had chevrons on their sleeves.
This was the congregation’s Boys Brigade, something akin to a military corps, which is utilized as a toll for Christian Education, but also to instill in the boys discipline, team work and physical fitness. There is also a Girls Brigade. We had come to Twapia on the Sunday new boys would be enrolled in the Boy’s Brigade. On May 11 the Girls Brigade will be enrolled.
I was told by an elder of the congregation that the boys (and I assume the girls) wear their uniforms to special services, and to all communion services held in the congregation (they commune once a month).
We also saw a new member’s class being conducted, outside, under a shady tree. Jon and I were ushered into a gathering room at the back of the church, introduced to two visiting elders from another United Church of Zambia congregation. It turned out that the woman was to lead the worship today, and the man would be preaching. I was told that lay people attend clinics for preaching and leading worship, and that congregation’s then send elders to one another’s churches to serve in those leadership roles. This congregation had sent members to another church in the area to do this same service. The pastor was present, but was not preaching on this day.
At about 9:30 the room filled up with elders, and the pastor. Instructions were given for what was to happen in worship. We were introduced as guests from the United States of America, and the visiting elders were introduced as well. When everyone had their instructions we all went outside and lined up for the processional. First was a woman’s core of deacons. Each wore a red shirt over a black skirt, with a white color and turbine. Then came the pastor and Secretary of the congregation, followed by a lead deacon (a woman) and then Jon and I. The visiting elders were behind us followed by the elders of this church. As this was happening wonderful strains of song were coming from the congregation, the singing led by the choir. We lined up on the side of the church, in the front were the Boys Brigades, divided by color of sash. At 10:00 the Women Deacons leading our procession broke into song. Wonderful African harmony filled the air with the beautiful blended voices of these women. Then they started to process, with a dance step/shuffle. As they entered the back of the church the congregation stopped singing and only the voices of these women proclaimed God’s praises.
Up to the front we marched, led by these women who formed an honor guard on either side of the aisle. At the front we were seated in places of honor next to the Pastor and the Secretary of the church. Before the procession was completed, that is before the last of the Boy’s Brigades were seated it was 10:30. That was a sign of things to come. We had been warned that it would be a three hour service, from 9 – 12, but were told that normally it was 2 hours long, 10 – 12. The added honor of welcoming the Boys Brigade lengthened the service. We expected Rick to return with the bus at 12:00, and at that time asked an elder to go out and ask him to come back at 1:00. The bus was not there. The elder say it drive up at 12:35 and went out, but the team was on the bus prepared to go to George Compound and they asked for us to come at that time. We left before the sermon had even begun.
What we did experience was the wonderful songs. The choir was thrilling in their melody. The Deacon corp sang, as did the youth offices of the Boy’s Brigade. Prayers were offered, scripture was read, announcements were made, all in Bemba except for the announcement introducing us – this was in English. The offering was most interesting.
Two older boys of the BB held baskets at the front of the church. A wooden stand was brought out that had 11 divisions. We were told that guest placed their offering in #11. Then as the choirs sang congregational members brought their offering forward and placed it in the appropriate box. I gathered that the congregation has some sort of number system, like our numbered envelopes at home. If one had an offering for the Boy’s Brigade it was placed in the basket. I was told that the basket on the right was for offerings from women, and the basket on the left for offerings from men, but I noticed that rule being liberally broke by the congregants.
I went forward and placed by offering in the box, and then in the basket. I gave K50,000 for the support of the congregation and K20,000 for the Boy’s Brigade. The 50,000 note was the largest I had. It is something like $12 US, or about 6 times the average wage of a typical Zambian.
I was absolutely thrilled to worship this morning. The singing, the hospitality and the shared love of God made for a wonderful morning. But the day was not over.
Chriss writing:
Though it was Sunday, “school” was in session at OMNI Village. We drove to the new school building and nearly all of the students were there, in uniform, waiting to see us. Remember that the building is in progress, but the children knew to stand on the stage area. Finally, finally, I was so blessed with the opportunity to meet and greet each and every child. It is difficult to decide who was more excited! On behalf of all of our wonderful sponsors, I was able to give greetings to each of your children. The mail that many sponsors have sent to OMNI was hand delivered. And, all the while, the students were singing to us! I was able to update much of the information I currently maintain for OMNI regarding names and ages of children, as well as their home status. A very few students no longer attend OMNI school (they have moved to other districts), but we also have new students who will also need sponsors. The last names of most of the children prove challenging to me, but with the help of Teddy, our wonderful teacher, I was able to correct my spelling errors. Personally, it was such a joy to meet in person each child and observe briefly the personalities of these beautiful children. The pictures we’ve had on our bulletin board at church finally came to life for me. Those are not just pictures of random African children; they are real and have distinct personalities and are all so delightful!!!
Through the course of the day, four more children were sponsored. The good news is that there are just a few more children in need of sponsorship. So, if you are reading this and wishing you, too, could be a sponsor, please email me quickly (rossdds@verizon.net). I will be more than happy to help match you with a child upon my return!!
We then moved to the new children’s home, also under construction, where we began the task of distributing new skirts and pants to our children. So many were in such need and their faces just glowed when we gave them new uniforms. Many “struck a pose” to model their new outfits!
And in the meantime, at the village ----
Karen here: At 13:00 hours we drove to our OMNI Children’s Village to meet all of our school children. Each arrived in full uniform and sang for our team at the school site. We presented Melvin our child who was stricken by polio years ago with a new polio crutch as the ones that we carried from the states were a bit too short. He was pleased to know that we would be returning with the matching crutch as soon as it is available in town to us.
Our next task was fitting the children with new school pants and skirts, a very fun task.
Dr. Lynn, Dr. Jeanette, Gil, our driver and I went on to the George compound and treated about 25 people who were waiting for medications and wound care. We were unable to treat them earlier in the week due to running out of meds at the clinic. Everyone was pleased and yet 2 more medications will be delivered tonight as Foster returns to the site.
Even though today was a day off….business as President had to be dealt with back at the Lodge. Our architect just left and I am looking forward to the delicious meal that has been already served.
Tomorrow we will be off to serve the Koloko village in the deep bush of Mpongwe region. We know from experience that it will be a very full and challenging day.
God bless to all,
Karen
p.s. Colin, we are praying for you each day. Stay well and we send our love!
April 29, 2008 Tuesday
Pastor Sherman writing:
Sorry that we have not been able to update the blog these past few days. Our access to the internet became non existent. It happens here.
The first of our team has left for the US. June flew out today, to meet some obligations back home. Tomorrow we lose two more as Kevin and Dr. Jim leave for Lusaka to conduct business related to the club feet surgeries that have been scheduled. Chriss and Pastor Sherman will depart Thursday, and be joined in Lusaka by Kevin and Jim to fly back to the US, and on Friday four of the team will depart Ndola for a trip to Livingston and Victoria Falls. They will rendezvous with the remaining team members on Sunday and begin the long trip home.
It is Africa, and things are unpredictable. On Monday we held a clinic at the Koloko Trust, finding the health in this community improved over the visit even two years ago. There is a skilled nurse and aids working at a clinic in Koloko, so this village has access to health service that is not available to most villages. Our visit provided needed medicines for villages, one thing that seems in perpetual short supply in Zambia.
It turned out that the Koloko clinic was our last. It is Africa. The government health ministry in Ndola suddenly decided that they needed more paperwork and documentation of our medical staff than had been supplied. They refused us permission to hold the remaining clinics at government sites. This is their country, and we are bound to be good guests as well as servants, so the work we came to do is prematurely ended. Still we have seen thousands of men, women and children. Numerous active cases of Malaria have been treated. Several critically ill people have been transported to hospitals, and our witness to God’s compelling love, and the generosity of American Christians has been well received.
Several team members looked into changing plane reservations and coming home early, but discovered that Ethiopian Air had no seats available on the Addis to Washington flight, and changing to another airline would have been prohibitively expensive. So what to do?
Today the doctors and nurses made rounds at Ndola Children’s Hospital. We are happy to report that baby Peter seems to be doing much better. He was alert and has put on weight, an excellent sign. They will check on him again before we leave Zambia for home.
While most of the team was at the hospital Foster and I went shopping. We went to the primary market in Ndola that supplies items to the poor of this country. It is like a very large flea market with open air stalls providing nearly everything that one might need. Our primary mission was to buy beans for a bean clinic this afternoon (while the government can say that we cannot provide medicine, there is no permit needed to give away food). This was again one of those most unique experiences. Foster buys the beans from a shop run primarily by women. After negotiating the price the women begin to fill a large bag with forty buckets of beans. The final weight will be between 300 and 400 pounds. The cost for this bounty is K960,000. To that we add K3,000 for the bag and another K3000 for porters to carry it to the car. Everything went smoothly until the porters were carrying bag number 2 to the car. Only two of them decided to do the job, likely they wanted to increase their pay. Ten feet short of the car they dropped the bag and it split open, spilling the precious beans all over the ally.
Now it became interesting. Women from several bean stands all came together to help the women who sold us this food salvage the sale. A new bag was produced, and they ingeniously salvaged the majority of the food. Then they patiently picked up the remaining beans, sifting through them with fingers and sorting the beans from the detritus on the ground. The day was saved, and now four men picked up the bag and carried it to the car. What a parable of cooperation and mutual support was lived out in front of us this morning.
The rest of our shopping went off without a hitch. It was off to the mattress store (Foam King) to purchase two mattresses for the maternity ward in Kasongo.. It is a much needed gift. Deliveries are made with the mother lying on just the slats of the bed frame, covered only by the material she brought. The mattresses, mosquito nets and supplies we are giving will be a great aid to the moms giving birth at this site.
Following the shopping we returned to George Compound for a follow clinic (since it is considered “bush” and not government run, we could conduct one without the withheld permit. We arrived, but no one else was there. The gate to the community center was locked, and while a runner was sent to find the man who had the key (he was working in the field) we waited. Finally the key arrived, but still no patients. We decided to cancel the effort.
We drove to the OMNI Children’s Village. The first orphanage unit is 95% completed, and the first school building is nearing completion. Next Monday, when school resumes, they will be holding classes in the orphanage. The rooms they will need were cluttered and filthy. We made the afternoon into a cleaning servant event. The primary rooms were cleaned and emptied of construction materials (it is stored inside for security reasons). We cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. We organized boxes and bags of school supplies. We were prepared to fully set up the classroom, but were told that the cement floor will be polished and painted this week. The team remaining in Ndola on Saturday plans to come out to the site and set up desks for the first day of school.
After a long and dusty day we returned to the Setanga Lodge and washed the duffels and bags, reorganized and repacked all remaining supplies. Some will be returned to the local Chemist (pharmacy) for a credit, some will be donated to the Ndola Children’s Hospital, and the remaining items donated to Ndola General Hospital. It has been a strange end to a wonderful week.
The evening ended with a visit by Mildred Chisanga and her daughter Dorcas. Mildred is a pastor from Lusaka who was living in a rural village, a widow with four young children when OMNI first met her seven years ago. We gave her a small gift ($4.00 US) that paid rent and bought beans for some time. That kind gesture was received as a sign of hope, and Mildred began to look to the future. First she volunteered at a nearby hospital, then was hired part time at the OMNI school in George Compound, and ultimately enrolled in Bible College in Lusaka. She is now the assistant pastor of a key Pentecostal church in the capital. Mildred shared her side of the story with us over supper, and we were all thrilled to meet her. Hers is quite the story of transformation. Paul said that faith, hope and love last forever. The truth of that can been seen in the story of Mildred.
Before Mildred arrived the electricity went off at the Lodge. Our meal was by candlelight. Since they were going to a remote village with no lighting I asked if they had a flashlight. As soon as we figured out that I meant a torch, they said no. I gave her mine, given to me by Ron and Mary Sue for this trip. Immediately upon giving it away the lights came back on. A sign? It is hard to say no, considering how remarkably God has worked through Mildred.
Our remaining few days here will be different than we had planned. It will allow us some rest before the long trip home. We will be able to take a trip to Kitwe, and shop at the market there (quite a treat we are told), and we will hopefully meet Chris, the older brother of Memory ReMine. Memory is the Zambian son adopted by Steve and Karen.
More work will be done at the OMNI site at George Compound, and the staff will continue to follow-up with the mothers and babies at the Children’s Hospital. We also purchased supplies for the maternity clinic at Kasango, and those will be delivered this week.
It has been a fulfilling trip to Zambia. Most of us speak openly about wanting to see family and friends again, but even as we travel back to the US we will carry with us memories of beautiful people of Zambia, connected to us through service and friendship. Thinking of the work we did we can only say Sola Deo Gloria! (To God alone be the glory!).
Pastor Sherman writing:
It is a day of rest much needed by the team. Well almost a day of rest, we did visit George Compound for follow up visits on a number of patients seen earlier in the week, but I’ll let the medical staff tell you about that.
Jon, Dr. Lynn and I left for church at 8:30 this morning. We dropped Lynn off at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Ndola, where she arrived in time for the English mass. Jon and I journeyed on to Twapia to find the Untied Church of Zambia congregation. This is the church recommended to us by Ron and Mary Sue Claus after their service in Zambia last summer. Ron and Mary Sue, you will be pleased to know that when we told some of the Elders the reason we chose them, they remembered you.
Rick, our very capable driver, did not know where the church was. We drove around town for a short time but could not find the congregation. Zambian men are not like American men, Rick asked for directions, and after passing a Mosque, a Jehovah Witness and an Apostolic Church we found our church of choice.
There was no one in the church when we arrived (9:00). But in the area behind the church lots of boys were marching in drill formation. The younger boys wore white shirts with yellow sashes, and the older boys wore white shirts with red sashes. Some adults were in uniform as well, and several of the oldest boys had chevrons on their sleeves.
This was the congregation’s Boys Brigade, something akin to a military corps, which is utilized as a toll for Christian Education, but also to instill in the boys discipline, team work and physical fitness. There is also a Girls Brigade. We had come to Twapia on the Sunday new boys would be enrolled in the Boy’s Brigade. On May 11 the Girls Brigade will be enrolled.
I was told by an elder of the congregation that the boys (and I assume the girls) wear their uniforms to special services, and to all communion services held in the congregation (they commune once a month).
We also saw a new member’s class being conducted, outside, under a shady tree. Jon and I were ushered into a gathering room at the back of the church, introduced to two visiting elders from another United Church of Zambia congregation. It turned out that the woman was to lead the worship today, and the man would be preaching. I was told that lay people attend clinics for preaching and leading worship, and that congregation’s then send elders to one another’s churches to serve in those leadership roles. This congregation had sent members to another church in the area to do this same service. The pastor was present, but was not preaching on this day.
At about 9:30 the room filled up with elders, and the pastor. Instructions were given for what was to happen in worship. We were introduced as guests from the United States of America, and the visiting elders were introduced as well. When everyone had their instructions we all went outside and lined up for the processional. First was a woman’s core of deacons. Each wore a red shirt over a black skirt, with a white color and turbine. Then came the pastor and Secretary of the congregation, followed by a lead deacon (a woman) and then Jon and I. The visiting elders were behind us followed by the elders of this church. As this was happening wonderful strains of song were coming from the congregation, the singing led by the choir. We lined up on the side of the church, in the front were the Boys Brigades, divided by color of sash. At 10:00 the Women Deacons leading our procession broke into song. Wonderful African harmony filled the air with the beautiful blended voices of these women. Then they started to process, with a dance step/shuffle. As they entered the back of the church the congregation stopped singing and only the voices of these women proclaimed God’s praises.
Up to the front we marched, led by these women who formed an honor guard on either side of the aisle. At the front we were seated in places of honor next to the Pastor and the Secretary of the church. Before the procession was completed, that is before the last of the Boy’s Brigades were seated it was 10:30. That was a sign of things to come. We had been warned that it would be a three hour service, from 9 – 12, but were told that normally it was 2 hours long, 10 – 12. The added honor of welcoming the Boys Brigade lengthened the service. We expected Rick to return with the bus at 12:00, and at that time asked an elder to go out and ask him to come back at 1:00. The bus was not there. The elder say it drive up at 12:35 and went out, but the team was on the bus prepared to go to George Compound and they asked for us to come at that time. We left before the sermon had even begun.
What we did experience was the wonderful songs. The choir was thrilling in their melody. The Deacon corp sang, as did the youth offices of the Boy’s Brigade. Prayers were offered, scripture was read, announcements were made, all in Bemba except for the announcement introducing us – this was in English. The offering was most interesting.
Two older boys of the BB held baskets at the front of the church. A wooden stand was brought out that had 11 divisions. We were told that guest placed their offering in #11. Then as the choirs sang congregational members brought their offering forward and placed it in the appropriate box. I gathered that the congregation has some sort of number system, like our numbered envelopes at home. If one had an offering for the Boy’s Brigade it was placed in the basket. I was told that the basket on the right was for offerings from women, and the basket on the left for offerings from men, but I noticed that rule being liberally broke by the congregants.
I went forward and placed by offering in the box, and then in the basket. I gave K50,000 for the support of the congregation and K20,000 for the Boy’s Brigade. The 50,000 note was the largest I had. It is something like $12 US, or about 6 times the average wage of a typical Zambian.
I was absolutely thrilled to worship this morning. The singing, the hospitality and the shared love of God made for a wonderful morning. But the day was not over.
Chriss writing:
Though it was Sunday, “school” was in session at OMNI Village. We drove to the new school building and nearly all of the students were there, in uniform, waiting to see us. Remember that the building is in progress, but the children knew to stand on the stage area. Finally, finally, I was so blessed with the opportunity to meet and greet each and every child. It is difficult to decide who was more excited! On behalf of all of our wonderful sponsors, I was able to give greetings to each of your children. The mail that many sponsors have sent to OMNI was hand delivered. And, all the while, the students were singing to us! I was able to update much of the information I currently maintain for OMNI regarding names and ages of children, as well as their home status. A very few students no longer attend OMNI school (they have moved to other districts), but we also have new students who will also need sponsors. The last names of most of the children prove challenging to me, but with the help of Teddy, our wonderful teacher, I was able to correct my spelling errors. Personally, it was such a joy to meet in person each child and observe briefly the personalities of these beautiful children. The pictures we’ve had on our bulletin board at church finally came to life for me. Those are not just pictures of random African children; they are real and have distinct personalities and are all so delightful!!!
Through the course of the day, four more children were sponsored. The good news is that there are just a few more children in need of sponsorship. So, if you are reading this and wishing you, too, could be a sponsor, please email me quickly (rossdds@verizon.net). I will be more than happy to help match you with a child upon my return!!
We then moved to the new children’s home, also under construction, where we began the task of distributing new skirts and pants to our children. So many were in such need and their faces just glowed when we gave them new uniforms. Many “struck a pose” to model their new outfits!
And in the meantime, at the village ----
Karen here: At 13:00 hours we drove to our OMNI Children’s Village to meet all of our school children. Each arrived in full uniform and sang for our team at the school site. We presented Melvin our child who was stricken by polio years ago with a new polio crutch as the ones that we carried from the states were a bit too short. He was pleased to know that we would be returning with the matching crutch as soon as it is available in town to us.
Our next task was fitting the children with new school pants and skirts, a very fun task.
Dr. Lynn, Dr. Jeanette, Gil, our driver and I went on to the George compound and treated about 25 people who were waiting for medications and wound care. We were unable to treat them earlier in the week due to running out of meds at the clinic. Everyone was pleased and yet 2 more medications will be delivered tonight as Foster returns to the site.
Even though today was a day off….business as President had to be dealt with back at the Lodge. Our architect just left and I am looking forward to the delicious meal that has been already served.
Tomorrow we will be off to serve the Koloko village in the deep bush of Mpongwe region. We know from experience that it will be a very full and challenging day.
God bless to all,
Karen
p.s. Colin, we are praying for you each day. Stay well and we send our love!
April 29, 2008 Tuesday
Pastor Sherman writing:
Sorry that we have not been able to update the blog these past few days. Our access to the internet became non existent. It happens here.
The first of our team has left for the US. June flew out today, to meet some obligations back home. Tomorrow we lose two more as Kevin and Dr. Jim leave for Lusaka to conduct business related to the club feet surgeries that have been scheduled. Chriss and Pastor Sherman will depart Thursday, and be joined in Lusaka by Kevin and Jim to fly back to the US, and on Friday four of the team will depart Ndola for a trip to Livingston and Victoria Falls. They will rendezvous with the remaining team members on Sunday and begin the long trip home.
It is Africa, and things are unpredictable. On Monday we held a clinic at the Koloko Trust, finding the health in this community improved over the visit even two years ago. There is a skilled nurse and aids working at a clinic in Koloko, so this village has access to health service that is not available to most villages. Our visit provided needed medicines for villages, one thing that seems in perpetual short supply in Zambia.
It turned out that the Koloko clinic was our last. It is Africa. The government health ministry in Ndola suddenly decided that they needed more paperwork and documentation of our medical staff than had been supplied. They refused us permission to hold the remaining clinics at government sites. This is their country, and we are bound to be good guests as well as servants, so the work we came to do is prematurely ended. Still we have seen thousands of men, women and children. Numerous active cases of Malaria have been treated. Several critically ill people have been transported to hospitals, and our witness to God’s compelling love, and the generosity of American Christians has been well received.
Several team members looked into changing plane reservations and coming home early, but discovered that Ethiopian Air had no seats available on the Addis to Washington flight, and changing to another airline would have been prohibitively expensive. So what to do?
Today the doctors and nurses made rounds at Ndola Children’s Hospital. We are happy to report that baby Peter seems to be doing much better. He was alert and has put on weight, an excellent sign. They will check on him again before we leave Zambia for home.
While most of the team was at the hospital Foster and I went shopping. We went to the primary market in Ndola that supplies items to the poor of this country. It is like a very large flea market with open air stalls providing nearly everything that one might need. Our primary mission was to buy beans for a bean clinic this afternoon (while the government can say that we cannot provide medicine, there is no permit needed to give away food). This was again one of those most unique experiences. Foster buys the beans from a shop run primarily by women. After negotiating the price the women begin to fill a large bag with forty buckets of beans. The final weight will be between 300 and 400 pounds. The cost for this bounty is K960,000. To that we add K3,000 for the bag and another K3000 for porters to carry it to the car. Everything went smoothly until the porters were carrying bag number 2 to the car. Only two of them decided to do the job, likely they wanted to increase their pay. Ten feet short of the car they dropped the bag and it split open, spilling the precious beans all over the ally.
Now it became interesting. Women from several bean stands all came together to help the women who sold us this food salvage the sale. A new bag was produced, and they ingeniously salvaged the majority of the food. Then they patiently picked up the remaining beans, sifting through them with fingers and sorting the beans from the detritus on the ground. The day was saved, and now four men picked up the bag and carried it to the car. What a parable of cooperation and mutual support was lived out in front of us this morning.
The rest of our shopping went off without a hitch. It was off to the mattress store (Foam King) to purchase two mattresses for the maternity ward in Kasongo.. It is a much needed gift. Deliveries are made with the mother lying on just the slats of the bed frame, covered only by the material she brought. The mattresses, mosquito nets and supplies we are giving will be a great aid to the moms giving birth at this site.
Following the shopping we returned to George Compound for a follow clinic (since it is considered “bush” and not government run, we could conduct one without the withheld permit. We arrived, but no one else was there. The gate to the community center was locked, and while a runner was sent to find the man who had the key (he was working in the field) we waited. Finally the key arrived, but still no patients. We decided to cancel the effort.
We drove to the OMNI Children’s Village. The first orphanage unit is 95% completed, and the first school building is nearing completion. Next Monday, when school resumes, they will be holding classes in the orphanage. The rooms they will need were cluttered and filthy. We made the afternoon into a cleaning servant event. The primary rooms were cleaned and emptied of construction materials (it is stored inside for security reasons). We cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. We organized boxes and bags of school supplies. We were prepared to fully set up the classroom, but were told that the cement floor will be polished and painted this week. The team remaining in Ndola on Saturday plans to come out to the site and set up desks for the first day of school.
After a long and dusty day we returned to the Setanga Lodge and washed the duffels and bags, reorganized and repacked all remaining supplies. Some will be returned to the local Chemist (pharmacy) for a credit, some will be donated to the Ndola Children’s Hospital, and the remaining items donated to Ndola General Hospital. It has been a strange end to a wonderful week.
The evening ended with a visit by Mildred Chisanga and her daughter Dorcas. Mildred is a pastor from Lusaka who was living in a rural village, a widow with four young children when OMNI first met her seven years ago. We gave her a small gift ($4.00 US) that paid rent and bought beans for some time. That kind gesture was received as a sign of hope, and Mildred began to look to the future. First she volunteered at a nearby hospital, then was hired part time at the OMNI school in George Compound, and ultimately enrolled in Bible College in Lusaka. She is now the assistant pastor of a key Pentecostal church in the capital. Mildred shared her side of the story with us over supper, and we were all thrilled to meet her. Hers is quite the story of transformation. Paul said that faith, hope and love last forever. The truth of that can been seen in the story of Mildred.
Before Mildred arrived the electricity went off at the Lodge. Our meal was by candlelight. Since they were going to a remote village with no lighting I asked if they had a flashlight. As soon as we figured out that I meant a torch, they said no. I gave her mine, given to me by Ron and Mary Sue for this trip. Immediately upon giving it away the lights came back on. A sign? It is hard to say no, considering how remarkably God has worked through Mildred.
Our remaining few days here will be different than we had planned. It will allow us some rest before the long trip home. We will be able to take a trip to Kitwe, and shop at the market there (quite a treat we are told), and we will hopefully meet Chris, the older brother of Memory ReMine. Memory is the Zambian son adopted by Steve and Karen.
More work will be done at the OMNI site at George Compound, and the staff will continue to follow-up with the mothers and babies at the Children’s Hospital. We also purchased supplies for the maternity clinic at Kasango, and those will be delivered this week.
It has been a fulfilling trip to Zambia. Most of us speak openly about wanting to see family and friends again, but even as we travel back to the US we will carry with us memories of beautiful people of Zambia, connected to us through service and friendship. Thinking of the work we did we can only say Sola Deo Gloria! (To God alone be the glory!).
Saturday, April 26, 2008
April 26, 2008 Saturday
Wendy Ryan writing:
Today was our 5th clinic since we arrived in Zambia. Mansansa is a community of roughly 2000 people. The clinic was held in their school, which their community built two years ago. It is made from split logs and is laid out with the rooms right next to each other, making it a long building with a small front porch running the length of the building with an overhang providing shelter from the rain and sun. The team expressed that this was, by far, the nicest setting we have held clinic in so far during this trip. It was also the most organized from a community setting. Mr. Peter Zimba, the Health Coordinator of Mansansa and pastor of the United of Church of Zambia in the village, really helped to organize the running of the clinic. He had about a dozen “volunteers” from their community helping us with interpreting and other tasks. Each portion of the clinic (triage, doctor exam, testing, wound care and pharmacy) needs a translator and we were blessed with some wonderful translators today. The translator for pharmacy (where I work with 3 other women) was a woman named Elizabeth. She is the wife of Mr. Peter Zimba and is also the village Birth Attendant (mid-wife). She was just wonderful! Our translators are all great! They “stick it out with us” all day long through the heat, dust and crying babies and don’t expect anything in return. We do give them small things like bottled water, ink pens and maybe a protein bar --- all of which brings a huge smile to their faces. They help us and their village out of the kindness of their hearts. That is one thing I have found here over and over again ---very kind and gentle hearts.
The village was ready and waiting for us when we arrived. They were already in line and greeted us with huge smiles. We unloaded and began serving their health needs within
15 – 20 minutes. We have our routine down and get things going a fast as possible. We also gave out beans today to everyone that came to the clinic --- roughly 500. We didn’t have bags for them to put their beans in, but that didn’t matter. They will put beans in their hats or wrap them in their shetanges, but will always find a way to bring them home. They are such a gracious people. When you give them a pound or two of beans, they bow their heads with deep gratitude.
I’m going to hand the blog over to Chriss, who works in the pharmacy with me. She will add a few more stories from the day. Just in case I don’t get another chance to write in the blog, I want you all to know that your family & friends that are on this team are totally incredible --- all of them! I feel so blessed to be part of this!
Chriss writing—
What a long and satisfying day it has been. We arrived to a very orderly group – all lined up and sitting quietly, just waiting for us. I have learned so very much since coming. I work in the pharmacy with Karen, filling prescriptions, and trying to help in any way possible. Every day has been filled to the brim with people in need. Today, we had a young woman in her 20’s who had been widowed about 13 months ago. She had an 11 month old son and 2 other young sons. All the boys were dehydrated and malnourished and so very weak that it was difficult for them to walk to where we were. We provided them with dehydration packs – but that was the tip of the iceberg of what they needed. By the time she left, she carried a bag with rice, beans, meds, hats (it is cold here in the winter months), my shirt and lunch. (To my family: please don’t worry. I borrowed Wendy’s tank top and wore that while she wore an outer shirt.) My low tonight is that I didn’t have more in my rucksack to give her. In the future, I will carry more clothing with me.
Another man in his early 40’s was suffering from pneumonia. He had fallen twice on his way to see us and it had taken him 30 minutes to walk to the clinic. We were able to provide him with meds and with a safe place to sleep for about 30 minutes before he began his journey home.
Early in the day, an older man and his grandson were presented to me – cutting the line with the help of a team member – needing attention asap. They had had a death in the family yesterday and the body was at home waiting for the funeral today. They were worried about waiting in our lines for attention, delaying the funeral. We filled their med list and they were on their way, back home, to conduct the funeral.
And so, we head for bed tonight, fulfilled again. I feel the prayer coverage of my family and friends. I feel the hands of my Disciples Sisters still warm on my shoulders. I know that without a doubt I am supposed to be here and I know why. I am so very grateful to my family for allowing me to come (and I promise I will come home as scheduled – but I am coming back), and I know I am being lifted and covered so very well.
Tomorrow is a great day of rest – thought we will head to George to see the children of the OMNI school once again!!!!
God’s peace,
Chriss Ross
Dear Family and friends of OMNI,
I am so blessed to have such a compassionate and skilled team to call OMNI. We have pushed forward with little sleep, getting up at 6 each am and coming back after 12- 14 hour work days to no electricity and little sleep ahead.
Each day we have seen the face of Jesus over and over again. In the mother who came to our first 15 minutes of clinic yesterday, wasting away from HIV with a child at her breast actively dying both. Each had desperate gazes at the other to connect saying “We are dying together.” I had the honor of creating a hydration room for 2 babies that needed intensive care, reluctantly leaving my new pharmacy team to care for the hundreds of patients in their line.
We eventually transported the 2 families by our OMNI care with Foster driving them to the Ndola Children’s Hospital. Each family was given K20,000 for food for 3 days. A mere $5.00. Foster assured me that it was “plenty”for Zambian people. As I escorted the families into the back of our OMNI car, the mother of Peter who was so sick, reached out to thank me in English. “Thank you” A whisper in my ear, and she left down the dusty road perhaps never to been seen by our team again.
Today, we ran out of Coartum, the third tier of malaria medication. For all of you who have contributed to OMNI for medications, we spent $900 yesterday just on this medication. Fansidar is no longer used in Zambia and this current drug is 3 X more expensive to buy and therefore, impossible for the poor to buy without our help. I fear that more will die for this disease this year.
Tomorrow on our only day off, we will go to George and fit Melvin for new crutches of which we could only get one, give medications, and follow up on the very ill from earlier this week. We are blessed here to do what we have done for God’s poor.
In His service,
Karen
p.s. I was so happy to reach my husband Steve and hear his voice!
Today was our 5th clinic since we arrived in Zambia. Mansansa is a community of roughly 2000 people. The clinic was held in their school, which their community built two years ago. It is made from split logs and is laid out with the rooms right next to each other, making it a long building with a small front porch running the length of the building with an overhang providing shelter from the rain and sun. The team expressed that this was, by far, the nicest setting we have held clinic in so far during this trip. It was also the most organized from a community setting. Mr. Peter Zimba, the Health Coordinator of Mansansa and pastor of the United of Church of Zambia in the village, really helped to organize the running of the clinic. He had about a dozen “volunteers” from their community helping us with interpreting and other tasks. Each portion of the clinic (triage, doctor exam, testing, wound care and pharmacy) needs a translator and we were blessed with some wonderful translators today. The translator for pharmacy (where I work with 3 other women) was a woman named Elizabeth. She is the wife of Mr. Peter Zimba and is also the village Birth Attendant (mid-wife). She was just wonderful! Our translators are all great! They “stick it out with us” all day long through the heat, dust and crying babies and don’t expect anything in return. We do give them small things like bottled water, ink pens and maybe a protein bar --- all of which brings a huge smile to their faces. They help us and their village out of the kindness of their hearts. That is one thing I have found here over and over again ---very kind and gentle hearts.
The village was ready and waiting for us when we arrived. They were already in line and greeted us with huge smiles. We unloaded and began serving their health needs within
15 – 20 minutes. We have our routine down and get things going a fast as possible. We also gave out beans today to everyone that came to the clinic --- roughly 500. We didn’t have bags for them to put their beans in, but that didn’t matter. They will put beans in their hats or wrap them in their shetanges, but will always find a way to bring them home. They are such a gracious people. When you give them a pound or two of beans, they bow their heads with deep gratitude.
I’m going to hand the blog over to Chriss, who works in the pharmacy with me. She will add a few more stories from the day. Just in case I don’t get another chance to write in the blog, I want you all to know that your family & friends that are on this team are totally incredible --- all of them! I feel so blessed to be part of this!
Chriss writing—
What a long and satisfying day it has been. We arrived to a very orderly group – all lined up and sitting quietly, just waiting for us. I have learned so very much since coming. I work in the pharmacy with Karen, filling prescriptions, and trying to help in any way possible. Every day has been filled to the brim with people in need. Today, we had a young woman in her 20’s who had been widowed about 13 months ago. She had an 11 month old son and 2 other young sons. All the boys were dehydrated and malnourished and so very weak that it was difficult for them to walk to where we were. We provided them with dehydration packs – but that was the tip of the iceberg of what they needed. By the time she left, she carried a bag with rice, beans, meds, hats (it is cold here in the winter months), my shirt and lunch. (To my family: please don’t worry. I borrowed Wendy’s tank top and wore that while she wore an outer shirt.) My low tonight is that I didn’t have more in my rucksack to give her. In the future, I will carry more clothing with me.
Another man in his early 40’s was suffering from pneumonia. He had fallen twice on his way to see us and it had taken him 30 minutes to walk to the clinic. We were able to provide him with meds and with a safe place to sleep for about 30 minutes before he began his journey home.
Early in the day, an older man and his grandson were presented to me – cutting the line with the help of a team member – needing attention asap. They had had a death in the family yesterday and the body was at home waiting for the funeral today. They were worried about waiting in our lines for attention, delaying the funeral. We filled their med list and they were on their way, back home, to conduct the funeral.
And so, we head for bed tonight, fulfilled again. I feel the prayer coverage of my family and friends. I feel the hands of my Disciples Sisters still warm on my shoulders. I know that without a doubt I am supposed to be here and I know why. I am so very grateful to my family for allowing me to come (and I promise I will come home as scheduled – but I am coming back), and I know I am being lifted and covered so very well.
Tomorrow is a great day of rest – thought we will head to George to see the children of the OMNI school once again!!!!
God’s peace,
Chriss Ross
Dear Family and friends of OMNI,
I am so blessed to have such a compassionate and skilled team to call OMNI. We have pushed forward with little sleep, getting up at 6 each am and coming back after 12- 14 hour work days to no electricity and little sleep ahead.
Each day we have seen the face of Jesus over and over again. In the mother who came to our first 15 minutes of clinic yesterday, wasting away from HIV with a child at her breast actively dying both. Each had desperate gazes at the other to connect saying “We are dying together.” I had the honor of creating a hydration room for 2 babies that needed intensive care, reluctantly leaving my new pharmacy team to care for the hundreds of patients in their line.
We eventually transported the 2 families by our OMNI care with Foster driving them to the Ndola Children’s Hospital. Each family was given K20,000 for food for 3 days. A mere $5.00. Foster assured me that it was “plenty”for Zambian people. As I escorted the families into the back of our OMNI car, the mother of Peter who was so sick, reached out to thank me in English. “Thank you” A whisper in my ear, and she left down the dusty road perhaps never to been seen by our team again.
Today, we ran out of Coartum, the third tier of malaria medication. For all of you who have contributed to OMNI for medications, we spent $900 yesterday just on this medication. Fansidar is no longer used in Zambia and this current drug is 3 X more expensive to buy and therefore, impossible for the poor to buy without our help. I fear that more will die for this disease this year.
Tomorrow on our only day off, we will go to George and fit Melvin for new crutches of which we could only get one, give medications, and follow up on the very ill from earlier this week. We are blessed here to do what we have done for God’s poor.
In His service,
Karen
p.s. I was so happy to reach my husband Steve and hear his voice!
Friday, April 25, 2008
April 25, 2008 Friday
Dr. Lynn:
I am reporting from the medical/pharmacy team after an exhausting clinic in Baluba, a Congolese refugee camp in Zambia. At dinner tonight, we realized that these are the people that we came to Africa to serve. They needed us and the need was desperate which made most of us pensive, reflective, sad, stunned, and impotent.
The clinic started with two terribly ill babies who needed to be immediately hospitalized. Peter was 14 months but weighed around 12 pounds with an HIV positive mom. He was terribly underweight, with pneumonia, and had desperate wide eyes in his frail face that remained fixed on his mother’s face. He tested HIV positive. Although we transferred him to the hospital, we do not expect him to live very long. We also admitted another baby to the hospital who was malnourished, dehydrated, and floppy, suffering from diarrhea and unable to eat in four days. At the same time, we had two very ill 6 and 8 year olds lying on the floor on plastic very ill with malaria. We tried to rehydrate them and give them comfort and the $10.00 of medication that they couldn’t afford. Others were brought to us at the beginning of clinic who couldn’t stand or sit in the sun anymore because they were so ill.
Baluba had very ill people and the whole community seemed desperate for care. We worked continuously for hours without looking up but the need and the crowd was incessant. It was with great heartbreak that we had to leave the community before all were seen because it was too dark to see them (no electricity) or do a physical exam, or fill a script.
At the same time, Dr. Jim was off with two children with club feet from Kasongo taking them to Lusaka for evaluation by CARE for reconstruction. They were successfully admitted to the program with the first of their operations in Zambia to begin 5/24/08! That was a high as OMNI has followed these children for 2-3 years (Violet and Peter).
Lots of malaria in this community today. Even more prevalent than the physical illness was the desperation that seemed apparent. We are happy to be some bearers of hope and reflections of God’s love.
Pastor Sherman:
Peter is a day old. As Dr. Lynn said above, he was born about 14 months ago. But he is a day old in the Kingdom of God. Peter’s mom is a Christian (a Baptist), and upon learning that both she and her child were HIV positive, and knowing, as any dying person knows, how ill they both were she asked that Peter be baptized. So with a specimen cup and water from the wound care station I declared to Peter (and his mom) the promise articulated so well by the Apostle Paul, “Peter, today you are joined with Christ in his death, so that forever you will be joined with him in the life of the resurrection.” Then in the name of the Triune God I washed Peter clean of his sin, and with oil blessed for this very moment, sealed the promise of God for his life. Today Peter is a new born, a brother in Christ, and one who I will meet again in the resurrection. God bless you Peter. God keep you Peter. “God, now it is up to you to keep your promises to Peter.” Thanks be to God, who hears our prayers and does not forget his own.
We promised Peter’s mom that we would pray daily for him. Tonight, as we sat for supper we offered that prayer. I would ask that you, who are reading this blog, if you feel a connection to this brother in Christ, and to his very ill mother, would you pray for him/them also? Pray also for his three year old sister. She tested negative for HIV, but within the year, dare I say month, she will be an orphan, without mother or brother. Pray for her as well as she carries the pain of that family loss.
In addition to the medical clinic we also held a bean clinic at Baluba. As the team’s spiritual director I am somewhat of a “floater” when it comes to duties. I volunteered for the bean clinic. These have been known to be a bit chaotic, even dangerous. I was partnered with three local women, volunteers for the health department, they do home health care visits in the community. We were inside a small room, the women were great (in truth they did not need me, as was later proved.) We had not announced the availability of beans, so no one brought containers. When the first villager arrived to receive beans we had nothing to put them in (we had not brought bags -- oops). One of the women working on this station had a number of small plastic bags with her, she donated them to the cause. Perfect, they held exactly two cups of beans. It worked great, but we soon ran out. I asked where she had gotten them, and she said a little shop in the village.
I admit it, I broke about a dozen team rules, but I walked into the village, with a 10 year old guide, and a following of small children. I didn’t tell any of the team members where I was going (that’s the big rule I broke), and I am sorry for that. I wish I had told someone so he/she might feel compelled to accompany me for safety sake. Then they too would have had this wonderful experience of walking through a refugee camp guided by a child. We passed children tending the goats (at least that is what I think was happening). We passed a woman doing the laundry – three basins on the ground in front of her “hut”, one with soapy water, and two it seemed for rinsing. We passed the elderly, the young and the curious. We arrived at the village general store. What a store. I think Target and Wal-Mart should consult with this owner about how to maximize floor space for product. This small hut was filled with so much that it was impossible to take everything in. Fabric hung from the rafters, bowls of dried minnows lined one wall. Small plastic bags (the very bags I was after) filled with corn meal, and other products I couldn’t identify. There was even a small box of candies.
I asked for bags, and he showed me the two sizes that he had. I told him I needed the larger bag (filled it is about the size of a pound of coffee from you favorite coffee shop.) “How much?” I asked. (His English was limited), “300 for 10.” Was his reply. That is 300 Kwatcha for ten small bags. Now here is a traveler’s dilemma. Am I supposed to barter with him, or just accept his price? Let’s see, the Kwatcha yesterday was 3,450 for $1.00, which makes his asking price about 9/10th of a cent apiece. For giving away our beans I could live with that. I sealed the bargain, “100 for 3,000.” “Yes”, he said, and began to count them out in groups of ten. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … you get the idea. Now this is interesting. For the first 3 piles he counted out 10 bags, and put them in an eleventh bag – kind of like a Zambian baker’s dozen. Then he realized the bonus he was giving me and began to count, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (pause, thoughtful furrowing of the brow) 7, 8, 9, 10,” putting the counted bags inside the last bag. In the end, I got 100 bags for my Kwatcha.
Although he is running a shop in the middle of a Congolese refugee camp, where the poverty is beyond description, I imagine that this business man would be successful wherever he was. Successful, and from my experience honest.
This was a long day. When I returned we quickly went about filling bags of beans. Soon I was called away (for Peter’s baptism), and when I passed by our triage station saw that Amy was alone in that important task. I went to the bean station and told the women than I would be next door helping with triage until Dr. Jim returned (he never did – I didn’t realize that he had gone to Lusaka) and I never saw the bean operation again. The three women did a marvelous job.
The rest of the day, until literally the bus was packed and ready to go, I triaged villagers. I wish I could have each of you looking over my shoulder, and experiencing the incredible experience of talking with these people one on one about their lives and concerns. The focus is largely upon health, but I learned that a simple honest comment could open a wonderful moment of human connection. “You have beautiful children, they must make you proud.” “What an interesting name, does it mean something special in your language?” Simple questions, but the connection they establish closes the imagined distance between this pastor from the United States and this refugee from the Congo. We are all made in God’s own image. You can see it in the smiles.
The leader of these mission trips, Karen, has said time and again that it is dangerous for us to be in these villages after dark. This is another of those rules I was so freely breaking today. I just could not tell families who had waited patiently all day that there was no time to see them. So I kept triaging, until finally there was only a mother with a sick child on her back left. Thankfully Dr. Lynn came over, and was able to offer them good council, and give the mother a bottle of infant rehydration fluid before we were pulled back to the bus and headed out of Baluba. (Thank you Dr. Lynn!)
Before I end tonight’s entry let me mention the two very skilled photographers we have on this trip. Misty is a professional from San Francisco, who connected with the team late. Kevin is a videographer from Michigan. Someday (when we all get back to the States) we will be able to post some of their work. I know you will be moved by their images.
But what is most impressive is how they have moved beyond those designated roles and pitched in where needed. Wound Care has called on them the most. Today Jon, who is in charge of testing, and assists with Wound Care, had to leave for a luncheon with the Ndola Rotary (June also attended). The Rotary International has been a very generous supporter of the OMNI Children’s Village, so it is important that relationships be maintained and strengthened with the local Rotary chapter. In Jon’s absence Kevin put down his camera and took over testing station, and dressed wounds (as both he and Misty have done since day one). From the triage station I sent Kevin a family of three siblings. The oldest brother was twelve. Their dad was working in the fields, (it is the harvest season here) and the mom was away at a market. These three children came, told of symptoms that suggested malaria. I felt funny asking them if they wanted to be tested for malaria (no parental consent after all) and finally the older brother said “Yes” he and his brother and sister would like to be tested. Kevin tested them. Positive for malaria with all three. He sent them to the pharmacy for medication, and when he noticed that adults and older children were elbowing them out of the way, constantly pushing them to the back of the line (yes, “sinful and unclean” is as true for the poor of Zambia as it is for the rich of US America) Kevin went to their aid, walked them to the front of the line, and saw that they received the medication and vitamins they needed. We didn’t get a picture of that, because the picture takers were the image of the day. The videos and photos we will not see are well paid for by the care Kevin and Misty have given to the people we came to serve. The Lord Himself will say this to them one day, “Well done good and faithful servant!”
I will likely say this every night I write on this blog, but it is a privilege to be here with this group of caring people. Thank you too, for all of the support you have given OMNI.
Tomorrow our day starts at 6:00 A.M., so it is off for some rest, and a glad spirit knowing that while we sleep under African skies, you in the US will be telling God not to forget us, or the people of the Zambian bush. Thank you.
I am reporting from the medical/pharmacy team after an exhausting clinic in Baluba, a Congolese refugee camp in Zambia. At dinner tonight, we realized that these are the people that we came to Africa to serve. They needed us and the need was desperate which made most of us pensive, reflective, sad, stunned, and impotent.
The clinic started with two terribly ill babies who needed to be immediately hospitalized. Peter was 14 months but weighed around 12 pounds with an HIV positive mom. He was terribly underweight, with pneumonia, and had desperate wide eyes in his frail face that remained fixed on his mother’s face. He tested HIV positive. Although we transferred him to the hospital, we do not expect him to live very long. We also admitted another baby to the hospital who was malnourished, dehydrated, and floppy, suffering from diarrhea and unable to eat in four days. At the same time, we had two very ill 6 and 8 year olds lying on the floor on plastic very ill with malaria. We tried to rehydrate them and give them comfort and the $10.00 of medication that they couldn’t afford. Others were brought to us at the beginning of clinic who couldn’t stand or sit in the sun anymore because they were so ill.
Baluba had very ill people and the whole community seemed desperate for care. We worked continuously for hours without looking up but the need and the crowd was incessant. It was with great heartbreak that we had to leave the community before all were seen because it was too dark to see them (no electricity) or do a physical exam, or fill a script.
At the same time, Dr. Jim was off with two children with club feet from Kasongo taking them to Lusaka for evaluation by CARE for reconstruction. They were successfully admitted to the program with the first of their operations in Zambia to begin 5/24/08! That was a high as OMNI has followed these children for 2-3 years (Violet and Peter).
Lots of malaria in this community today. Even more prevalent than the physical illness was the desperation that seemed apparent. We are happy to be some bearers of hope and reflections of God’s love.
Pastor Sherman:
Peter is a day old. As Dr. Lynn said above, he was born about 14 months ago. But he is a day old in the Kingdom of God. Peter’s mom is a Christian (a Baptist), and upon learning that both she and her child were HIV positive, and knowing, as any dying person knows, how ill they both were she asked that Peter be baptized. So with a specimen cup and water from the wound care station I declared to Peter (and his mom) the promise articulated so well by the Apostle Paul, “Peter, today you are joined with Christ in his death, so that forever you will be joined with him in the life of the resurrection.” Then in the name of the Triune God I washed Peter clean of his sin, and with oil blessed for this very moment, sealed the promise of God for his life. Today Peter is a new born, a brother in Christ, and one who I will meet again in the resurrection. God bless you Peter. God keep you Peter. “God, now it is up to you to keep your promises to Peter.” Thanks be to God, who hears our prayers and does not forget his own.
We promised Peter’s mom that we would pray daily for him. Tonight, as we sat for supper we offered that prayer. I would ask that you, who are reading this blog, if you feel a connection to this brother in Christ, and to his very ill mother, would you pray for him/them also? Pray also for his three year old sister. She tested negative for HIV, but within the year, dare I say month, she will be an orphan, without mother or brother. Pray for her as well as she carries the pain of that family loss.
In addition to the medical clinic we also held a bean clinic at Baluba. As the team’s spiritual director I am somewhat of a “floater” when it comes to duties. I volunteered for the bean clinic. These have been known to be a bit chaotic, even dangerous. I was partnered with three local women, volunteers for the health department, they do home health care visits in the community. We were inside a small room, the women were great (in truth they did not need me, as was later proved.) We had not announced the availability of beans, so no one brought containers. When the first villager arrived to receive beans we had nothing to put them in (we had not brought bags -- oops). One of the women working on this station had a number of small plastic bags with her, she donated them to the cause. Perfect, they held exactly two cups of beans. It worked great, but we soon ran out. I asked where she had gotten them, and she said a little shop in the village.
I admit it, I broke about a dozen team rules, but I walked into the village, with a 10 year old guide, and a following of small children. I didn’t tell any of the team members where I was going (that’s the big rule I broke), and I am sorry for that. I wish I had told someone so he/she might feel compelled to accompany me for safety sake. Then they too would have had this wonderful experience of walking through a refugee camp guided by a child. We passed children tending the goats (at least that is what I think was happening). We passed a woman doing the laundry – three basins on the ground in front of her “hut”, one with soapy water, and two it seemed for rinsing. We passed the elderly, the young and the curious. We arrived at the village general store. What a store. I think Target and Wal-Mart should consult with this owner about how to maximize floor space for product. This small hut was filled with so much that it was impossible to take everything in. Fabric hung from the rafters, bowls of dried minnows lined one wall. Small plastic bags (the very bags I was after) filled with corn meal, and other products I couldn’t identify. There was even a small box of candies.
I asked for bags, and he showed me the two sizes that he had. I told him I needed the larger bag (filled it is about the size of a pound of coffee from you favorite coffee shop.) “How much?” I asked. (His English was limited), “300 for 10.” Was his reply. That is 300 Kwatcha for ten small bags. Now here is a traveler’s dilemma. Am I supposed to barter with him, or just accept his price? Let’s see, the Kwatcha yesterday was 3,450 for $1.00, which makes his asking price about 9/10th of a cent apiece. For giving away our beans I could live with that. I sealed the bargain, “100 for 3,000.” “Yes”, he said, and began to count them out in groups of ten. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … you get the idea. Now this is interesting. For the first 3 piles he counted out 10 bags, and put them in an eleventh bag – kind of like a Zambian baker’s dozen. Then he realized the bonus he was giving me and began to count, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (pause, thoughtful furrowing of the brow) 7, 8, 9, 10,” putting the counted bags inside the last bag. In the end, I got 100 bags for my Kwatcha.
Although he is running a shop in the middle of a Congolese refugee camp, where the poverty is beyond description, I imagine that this business man would be successful wherever he was. Successful, and from my experience honest.
This was a long day. When I returned we quickly went about filling bags of beans. Soon I was called away (for Peter’s baptism), and when I passed by our triage station saw that Amy was alone in that important task. I went to the bean station and told the women than I would be next door helping with triage until Dr. Jim returned (he never did – I didn’t realize that he had gone to Lusaka) and I never saw the bean operation again. The three women did a marvelous job.
The rest of the day, until literally the bus was packed and ready to go, I triaged villagers. I wish I could have each of you looking over my shoulder, and experiencing the incredible experience of talking with these people one on one about their lives and concerns. The focus is largely upon health, but I learned that a simple honest comment could open a wonderful moment of human connection. “You have beautiful children, they must make you proud.” “What an interesting name, does it mean something special in your language?” Simple questions, but the connection they establish closes the imagined distance between this pastor from the United States and this refugee from the Congo. We are all made in God’s own image. You can see it in the smiles.
The leader of these mission trips, Karen, has said time and again that it is dangerous for us to be in these villages after dark. This is another of those rules I was so freely breaking today. I just could not tell families who had waited patiently all day that there was no time to see them. So I kept triaging, until finally there was only a mother with a sick child on her back left. Thankfully Dr. Lynn came over, and was able to offer them good council, and give the mother a bottle of infant rehydration fluid before we were pulled back to the bus and headed out of Baluba. (Thank you Dr. Lynn!)
Before I end tonight’s entry let me mention the two very skilled photographers we have on this trip. Misty is a professional from San Francisco, who connected with the team late. Kevin is a videographer from Michigan. Someday (when we all get back to the States) we will be able to post some of their work. I know you will be moved by their images.
But what is most impressive is how they have moved beyond those designated roles and pitched in where needed. Wound Care has called on them the most. Today Jon, who is in charge of testing, and assists with Wound Care, had to leave for a luncheon with the Ndola Rotary (June also attended). The Rotary International has been a very generous supporter of the OMNI Children’s Village, so it is important that relationships be maintained and strengthened with the local Rotary chapter. In Jon’s absence Kevin put down his camera and took over testing station, and dressed wounds (as both he and Misty have done since day one). From the triage station I sent Kevin a family of three siblings. The oldest brother was twelve. Their dad was working in the fields, (it is the harvest season here) and the mom was away at a market. These three children came, told of symptoms that suggested malaria. I felt funny asking them if they wanted to be tested for malaria (no parental consent after all) and finally the older brother said “Yes” he and his brother and sister would like to be tested. Kevin tested them. Positive for malaria with all three. He sent them to the pharmacy for medication, and when he noticed that adults and older children were elbowing them out of the way, constantly pushing them to the back of the line (yes, “sinful and unclean” is as true for the poor of Zambia as it is for the rich of US America) Kevin went to their aid, walked them to the front of the line, and saw that they received the medication and vitamins they needed. We didn’t get a picture of that, because the picture takers were the image of the day. The videos and photos we will not see are well paid for by the care Kevin and Misty have given to the people we came to serve. The Lord Himself will say this to them one day, “Well done good and faithful servant!”
I will likely say this every night I write on this blog, but it is a privilege to be here with this group of caring people. Thank you too, for all of the support you have given OMNI.
Tomorrow our day starts at 6:00 A.M., so it is off for some rest, and a glad spirit knowing that while we sleep under African skies, you in the US will be telling God not to forget us, or the people of the Zambian bush. Thank you.
April 24, 2008 Thursday
Kasango:
Dr. Lynn writing:
Today we saw over 525 people in Kasango in the hot sun! We used over 75 blood tests for malaria today of which many were positive. Many people, including young children, had the shaking fever and couldn’t afford the expensive medicine, Coartem, which costs K45,000 or the equivalent of $12.00. A two year old had just gotten out of the hospital and had been given quinine ( an old medication). The doctors had wanted to put him on Coartem but the family didn’t have the money. He is now on Coartem! Many of these children with malaria get liver complications and severe anemia. Malaria is the number one cause of child mortality in this country. He may have a chance now with the meds recommended.
We had a few HIV positive tests and realized that we and the locals do not completely understand the public health system in place and what level of counseling a person might get or the treatment given. In this community, there were many older women caring for multiple grandchildren whose parents had died. One older woman cared for five young children around the same age from three of her own children who had died. She will do her best I’m sure, but her advanced age of 58 in this environment makes it exhausting for her.
There were many pregnant women to whom we gave those prized birthing kits. This community had two trained birthing attendants who would deliver them in their home (swept dirt floor) or in the community birthing room. I will try to describe the birthing room but I am already tearing up…
This room was in an abandoned health building and was quite dirty. There were two old metal cots in the room with only metal slats and no mattresses. There was no light as a window was covered for privacy with an old door. There was an abandoned rusted pitchfork on the side and a coal pot for warmth if needed. There was no running water. I was here two years ago and there were no mattresses then and they hadn’t had them for many years.
I needed to check three women at term with “labor pains” with an internal exam. They calmly placed their shetengis (cloth used to make a skirt or a backpack for their babies) on the chipped white metal cots and lay down. The birth attendants were very, very knowledgeable and even deliver breech and twin deliveries. One of the women said she was in labor and was breech. That scared me! She also had had fast labors in the past. When I asked her how many children she had, she replied through the interpreter, that she had six children of which three were living. Two of the others had died at birth. The birth attendants and I agreed that she was not in a breech position. She had been told, however, that she would possibly need surgery and should get to the community hospital. OMNI got her there so she wouldn’t have to walk a mile to get to the main road to take a bus to the hospital while in labor! All the women in line holding their own babies, shouted and cheered her as she left. The hospital expected her to deliver early this evening. By the way, she had to bring her own linens, one set of clothing for the baby, food, and her own sanitary napkins for herself and the baby (used as a diaper). This costs money so many women don’t deliver at the district clinics or hospitals but rely on the community clinics or home.
I couldn’t help contrasting this experience with the birthing rooms that I have used personally and with patients. We have TV’s, cold drinks, calming music, epidurals, etc. These women were so grateful to have a piece of plastic to lie on during the birth. I am stunned and humbled by their courage and strength.
We saw two children with club feet that have been being serially casted for a year. One improved quite a bit but the other with bilateral ( two) club feet will need extensive surgery. There is hope – CARE has opened a new free clinic in Lusaka and Ndola which can help with surgeries such as these. Two years ago, when this child was seen, it seemed hopeless.
Yes, this is the clinic with goats, chickens, and cows that are free range, sometimes even in the clinic! There was another large snake that was right next to the clinic and killed a chick but was sticked off by the villagers. Our guard told me that the children here in the bush become very “clever” because they have to.
There are too many stories to tell and Karen will continue. The team is tired but content in its continued quest to help the poor in Africa. We know lives were saved today. We know that each person was treated as made in the image and likeness of Christ. We are counting our blessings tonight.
Dr. Lynn writing:
Today we saw over 525 people in Kasango in the hot sun! We used over 75 blood tests for malaria today of which many were positive. Many people, including young children, had the shaking fever and couldn’t afford the expensive medicine, Coartem, which costs K45,000 or the equivalent of $12.00. A two year old had just gotten out of the hospital and had been given quinine ( an old medication). The doctors had wanted to put him on Coartem but the family didn’t have the money. He is now on Coartem! Many of these children with malaria get liver complications and severe anemia. Malaria is the number one cause of child mortality in this country. He may have a chance now with the meds recommended.
We had a few HIV positive tests and realized that we and the locals do not completely understand the public health system in place and what level of counseling a person might get or the treatment given. In this community, there were many older women caring for multiple grandchildren whose parents had died. One older woman cared for five young children around the same age from three of her own children who had died. She will do her best I’m sure, but her advanced age of 58 in this environment makes it exhausting for her.
There were many pregnant women to whom we gave those prized birthing kits. This community had two trained birthing attendants who would deliver them in their home (swept dirt floor) or in the community birthing room. I will try to describe the birthing room but I am already tearing up…
This room was in an abandoned health building and was quite dirty. There were two old metal cots in the room with only metal slats and no mattresses. There was no light as a window was covered for privacy with an old door. There was an abandoned rusted pitchfork on the side and a coal pot for warmth if needed. There was no running water. I was here two years ago and there were no mattresses then and they hadn’t had them for many years.
I needed to check three women at term with “labor pains” with an internal exam. They calmly placed their shetengis (cloth used to make a skirt or a backpack for their babies) on the chipped white metal cots and lay down. The birth attendants were very, very knowledgeable and even deliver breech and twin deliveries. One of the women said she was in labor and was breech. That scared me! She also had had fast labors in the past. When I asked her how many children she had, she replied through the interpreter, that she had six children of which three were living. Two of the others had died at birth. The birth attendants and I agreed that she was not in a breech position. She had been told, however, that she would possibly need surgery and should get to the community hospital. OMNI got her there so she wouldn’t have to walk a mile to get to the main road to take a bus to the hospital while in labor! All the women in line holding their own babies, shouted and cheered her as she left. The hospital expected her to deliver early this evening. By the way, she had to bring her own linens, one set of clothing for the baby, food, and her own sanitary napkins for herself and the baby (used as a diaper). This costs money so many women don’t deliver at the district clinics or hospitals but rely on the community clinics or home.
I couldn’t help contrasting this experience with the birthing rooms that I have used personally and with patients. We have TV’s, cold drinks, calming music, epidurals, etc. These women were so grateful to have a piece of plastic to lie on during the birth. I am stunned and humbled by their courage and strength.
We saw two children with club feet that have been being serially casted for a year. One improved quite a bit but the other with bilateral ( two) club feet will need extensive surgery. There is hope – CARE has opened a new free clinic in Lusaka and Ndola which can help with surgeries such as these. Two years ago, when this child was seen, it seemed hopeless.
Yes, this is the clinic with goats, chickens, and cows that are free range, sometimes even in the clinic! There was another large snake that was right next to the clinic and killed a chick but was sticked off by the villagers. Our guard told me that the children here in the bush become very “clever” because they have to.
There are too many stories to tell and Karen will continue. The team is tired but content in its continued quest to help the poor in Africa. We know lives were saved today. We know that each person was treated as made in the image and likeness of Christ. We are counting our blessings tonight.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
23 April 2008
I understand why everyone loves George Compound so. But I am ahead of myself.
We arrived safely, if tired, in Zambia on 21 April. The long flight on Ethiopian Airlines was very pleasant. It is hard to say this and be believed, but the airline food was well prepared and tasty. The flight from Washington was late in taking off, and that set us back with every connection. Thankfully they held the plane in Addis Ababa and we arrived in Lusaka. How important is this mission to Africa? The Prime Minister of Malawi and the Vice President of Zambia were on our flight from Addis, and still they held the plane!
Our first day in Zambia is somewhat of a blur. We had to drive to our most remote village, but were delayed by “procedural issues” at the Chemists (i.e. Pharmacy). So it was after noon before we arrived at the remote village of Chisapa. Karen kept telling we had to leave by 5:30 because it is such a difficult road out. But the nearly 500 people who waited patiently for several hours all needed to be seen. In the end we saw everyone, packed up, and pulled out at sunset. Newsflash, Africa is dark at night, especially in the deep bush.
I imagine everyone has some level of anxiety in traveling to such a remote place. Mine is the toxicity of the snakes in Africa. I do not want to see one. I already have. On the drive out we saw an African Viper, between 4 and 5 feet, as thick as my arm, and in no hurry to vacate the road. But we were not in any danger, were we? We were in the bus. I felt perfectly at ease, until our guard shouted, “Close the windows!” I still don’t know why, but I have seen a very large snake, and thank you Lord, one is quite enough.
Today we held the clinic at George Compound. I rode to George with Foster. We thought we were behind the bus, but instead were early. The children were lined up to meet us, were very excited, and then realized that it was just Foster, Pastor Oswald and some strange American. I joined the end of the children’s line, and as they waited (and waited and waited) for the bus to arrive they began to sing. A student would step into the center, begin a rhythmic clapping and then sing the opening line of the song he or she chose. The remaining students would respond. Call and response. Strong voices of children. Singing praises to God, singing thanks to OMNI, singing of their faith in the future. It is easy to see why the OMNI team loves to come to George Compound.
We estimate that we say approximately 470 people today. Everyone who lined up was seen. Everyone who needed a doctor had a personal appointment. Those with wounds had them cleaned, treated and bandaged, with extra supplies sent home. The day was filled with appreciation and gratitude – and that is from the team members (we are so grateful for the opportunity to be here and serve in this way). But the thanks and humble expressions of gratitude from the children, their parents and grandparents, it is quite impossible to explain the depth of the appreciation that we experienced these last two days.
Pastor Bishop is writing these words. I spent most of the day in triage, but twice was called out for special prayers. The first time was to honor the request of a grandmother to pray for her, and her granddaughter. The baby’s mother had died in childbirth (not uncommon) and the grandmother was caring for her. I estimated her age at about 85, and was quite shocked to learn that she was 57. She was so frail, and she hobbled along with the child on her back (carried in the African way). She asked that I pray that her granddaughter would be blessed. I prayed for the child (her name is Grace), and for the grandmother (her name is Mary), and for the deceased mother (her name is unknown to me, but well known to God.) I anointed both Grandmother and child with the sign of the cross, and entrusted them, and their future to God’s care.
What have I learned in Africa in these two days? It is as I told the team after the first day’s clinic. We are the answer to people’s prayers. The community that supports Mary and Grace will be an answer to this prayer. OMNI, both the teams that come to Zambia, and the many more who support this ministry, will be the answers to this day’s prayer for Mary and Grace. Thank you for what you have done to make this ministry possible. God is present here. We are here, and so are you, to make the world better, one child (this day her name is Grace) at a time.
Now here is Dr. Lynn, to tell you a bit about what was actually done from a medical perspective.
Peace to all who read this,
Pastor Sherman
Yesterday we saw 479 people in the deep bush school at Chisapa. They were all gathered “under the big tree”. We saw many, many pregnant women who fairly accurately knew when they were due. Some supporters had made up “birthing kits” and these were received with great gratitude and joy. There is no ability to have the baby at the hospital as the community is 1 hour from a main road so these kits are precious resources…
A candle and matches, a razor blade to cut the cord, an actual string to tie off the cord (instead of a strand of Elephant grass), a washcloth and soap, and most of all , a piece of plastic on which to lie during delivery. We asked one woman where she would deliver and she replied, “Where the baby finds me”. Each pregnant woman also received a diaper which was like gold.
The newest OMNI team worked together very well. We took two people to the nearest hospital 45 minutes away. One was a pregnant woman who was due in three days with a rapid first labor who had very severe anemia (Hemoglobin of 6.5 one month ago). She was supposed to deliver at the hospital but that would include transportation, a stay in the hospital until baby came (where you need to supply your own linens and food and medicines!). She did agree to be transported to the hospital over that very rough road and we will get follow up on her later this week. We are praying that she and her child can make it through delivery but she has a much better chance at the hospital.
The other patient was a four year old girl who had hurt her leg one week ago playing and wouldn’t try to walk on it since. She needed an X-ray (for possible femur fracture). She was very uncomfortable. We also treated many burns and sores.
On Wednesday, we went to George School after going the pharmacy again for K5,664,000 of medicine! (Did I mention that that was in kwatcha?!) (one dollar = about 3450 kwatcha). We saw around 400 people who stood patiently in the sun for hours. We treated a serious breast abscess in a woman who had delivered one month earlier. We will check her again on Friday. We delivered care to the OMNI school children including Melvin, our student with a history of polio. There were cases of malaria to treat. We brought many clothes for the OMNI students and one of the interpreters was an OMNI school graduate who is now a student teacher there. (OMNI has supported him with tuition, food, books and housing and supports his family while he is in school.)
About four men needed treatment by a shot of penicillin in the behind. When one man came to get his treatment, he was told to unbuckle his pants and looked surprised. The interpreter stepped in and found out that the man thought he was getting two “shirts” not two “shots”! The matter was cleared up! He got the point.
It was a wonder to see children and adults named “Precious”, “Happy”, “Gracious”, “Loveness”, ”Gift”, and “Blessing” .
I even wrote scripts for “one new shirt” because some of the clothes were so tattered.
One set of shoes perfectly fit a young man who needed shoes to help treat a serious infection of his foot which would have only worsened with being exposed to dirt and dust.
We are off to the pharmacy tomorrow again to get more medication and wound dressings.
Thank you to all who are helping with buying medicines, clothes, and supplies. You really are saving lives and making a difference! OMNI’s motto, “One child at a time. Please continue to pray for us and for the people of Africa. “
In His peace and love,
Lynn
We arrived safely, if tired, in Zambia on 21 April. The long flight on Ethiopian Airlines was very pleasant. It is hard to say this and be believed, but the airline food was well prepared and tasty. The flight from Washington was late in taking off, and that set us back with every connection. Thankfully they held the plane in Addis Ababa and we arrived in Lusaka. How important is this mission to Africa? The Prime Minister of Malawi and the Vice President of Zambia were on our flight from Addis, and still they held the plane!
Our first day in Zambia is somewhat of a blur. We had to drive to our most remote village, but were delayed by “procedural issues” at the Chemists (i.e. Pharmacy). So it was after noon before we arrived at the remote village of Chisapa. Karen kept telling we had to leave by 5:30 because it is such a difficult road out. But the nearly 500 people who waited patiently for several hours all needed to be seen. In the end we saw everyone, packed up, and pulled out at sunset. Newsflash, Africa is dark at night, especially in the deep bush.
I imagine everyone has some level of anxiety in traveling to such a remote place. Mine is the toxicity of the snakes in Africa. I do not want to see one. I already have. On the drive out we saw an African Viper, between 4 and 5 feet, as thick as my arm, and in no hurry to vacate the road. But we were not in any danger, were we? We were in the bus. I felt perfectly at ease, until our guard shouted, “Close the windows!” I still don’t know why, but I have seen a very large snake, and thank you Lord, one is quite enough.
Today we held the clinic at George Compound. I rode to George with Foster. We thought we were behind the bus, but instead were early. The children were lined up to meet us, were very excited, and then realized that it was just Foster, Pastor Oswald and some strange American. I joined the end of the children’s line, and as they waited (and waited and waited) for the bus to arrive they began to sing. A student would step into the center, begin a rhythmic clapping and then sing the opening line of the song he or she chose. The remaining students would respond. Call and response. Strong voices of children. Singing praises to God, singing thanks to OMNI, singing of their faith in the future. It is easy to see why the OMNI team loves to come to George Compound.
We estimate that we say approximately 470 people today. Everyone who lined up was seen. Everyone who needed a doctor had a personal appointment. Those with wounds had them cleaned, treated and bandaged, with extra supplies sent home. The day was filled with appreciation and gratitude – and that is from the team members (we are so grateful for the opportunity to be here and serve in this way). But the thanks and humble expressions of gratitude from the children, their parents and grandparents, it is quite impossible to explain the depth of the appreciation that we experienced these last two days.
Pastor Bishop is writing these words. I spent most of the day in triage, but twice was called out for special prayers. The first time was to honor the request of a grandmother to pray for her, and her granddaughter. The baby’s mother had died in childbirth (not uncommon) and the grandmother was caring for her. I estimated her age at about 85, and was quite shocked to learn that she was 57. She was so frail, and she hobbled along with the child on her back (carried in the African way). She asked that I pray that her granddaughter would be blessed. I prayed for the child (her name is Grace), and for the grandmother (her name is Mary), and for the deceased mother (her name is unknown to me, but well known to God.) I anointed both Grandmother and child with the sign of the cross, and entrusted them, and their future to God’s care.
What have I learned in Africa in these two days? It is as I told the team after the first day’s clinic. We are the answer to people’s prayers. The community that supports Mary and Grace will be an answer to this prayer. OMNI, both the teams that come to Zambia, and the many more who support this ministry, will be the answers to this day’s prayer for Mary and Grace. Thank you for what you have done to make this ministry possible. God is present here. We are here, and so are you, to make the world better, one child (this day her name is Grace) at a time.
Now here is Dr. Lynn, to tell you a bit about what was actually done from a medical perspective.
Peace to all who read this,
Pastor Sherman
Yesterday we saw 479 people in the deep bush school at Chisapa. They were all gathered “under the big tree”. We saw many, many pregnant women who fairly accurately knew when they were due. Some supporters had made up “birthing kits” and these were received with great gratitude and joy. There is no ability to have the baby at the hospital as the community is 1 hour from a main road so these kits are precious resources…
A candle and matches, a razor blade to cut the cord, an actual string to tie off the cord (instead of a strand of Elephant grass), a washcloth and soap, and most of all , a piece of plastic on which to lie during delivery. We asked one woman where she would deliver and she replied, “Where the baby finds me”. Each pregnant woman also received a diaper which was like gold.
The newest OMNI team worked together very well. We took two people to the nearest hospital 45 minutes away. One was a pregnant woman who was due in three days with a rapid first labor who had very severe anemia (Hemoglobin of 6.5 one month ago). She was supposed to deliver at the hospital but that would include transportation, a stay in the hospital until baby came (where you need to supply your own linens and food and medicines!). She did agree to be transported to the hospital over that very rough road and we will get follow up on her later this week. We are praying that she and her child can make it through delivery but she has a much better chance at the hospital.
The other patient was a four year old girl who had hurt her leg one week ago playing and wouldn’t try to walk on it since. She needed an X-ray (for possible femur fracture). She was very uncomfortable. We also treated many burns and sores.
On Wednesday, we went to George School after going the pharmacy again for K5,664,000 of medicine! (Did I mention that that was in kwatcha?!) (one dollar = about 3450 kwatcha). We saw around 400 people who stood patiently in the sun for hours. We treated a serious breast abscess in a woman who had delivered one month earlier. We will check her again on Friday. We delivered care to the OMNI school children including Melvin, our student with a history of polio. There were cases of malaria to treat. We brought many clothes for the OMNI students and one of the interpreters was an OMNI school graduate who is now a student teacher there. (OMNI has supported him with tuition, food, books and housing and supports his family while he is in school.)
About four men needed treatment by a shot of penicillin in the behind. When one man came to get his treatment, he was told to unbuckle his pants and looked surprised. The interpreter stepped in and found out that the man thought he was getting two “shirts” not two “shots”! The matter was cleared up! He got the point.
It was a wonder to see children and adults named “Precious”, “Happy”, “Gracious”, “Loveness”, ”Gift”, and “Blessing” .
I even wrote scripts for “one new shirt” because some of the clothes were so tattered.
One set of shoes perfectly fit a young man who needed shoes to help treat a serious infection of his foot which would have only worsened with being exposed to dirt and dust.
We are off to the pharmacy tomorrow again to get more medication and wound dressings.
Thank you to all who are helping with buying medicines, clothes, and supplies. You really are saving lives and making a difference! OMNI’s motto, “One child at a time. Please continue to pray for us and for the people of Africa. “
In His peace and love,
Lynn
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
"And you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
The OMNI mission team arrived safe and sound in Zambia yesterday, with only one duffle bag missing. That could be a record! Today was an exciting and exhausting day, as the team mobilized their first clinic in the deep bush at Chisapa. Always one of the team's favorite sites, the clinic at Chisapa is conducted under a mammoth tree, with the treatment stations forming a circle at the base of the tree. Nearly five hundred patients received care today; a wonderful testament to a hard working team that works well together. Other information is sketchy at this point, because as usual, everything is a challenge in Zambia! Power outages are common place, and internet is dial-up. Patience is a virtue and flexibility a must! To our team: We love you, we miss you, we are praying for you - we wish you a shower with more than a trickle of water, electricity when you need it, a hot meal, and a restful night's sleep. Wish we were there!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thank You Colin and All Who Attended
Well, the Bluz Over Africa benefit concert went very well. We were able to raise quite a bit for the orphans in Zambia. Colin, while having to hold back (on doctor's orders), was still the wonderful band that we knew and asked to play for us two years ago. Colin has a special heart of OMNI now and we all have a special place for Colin AND all of his band in our hearts.
The team is leaving today for Washington DC and will be on their way to Rome, Addis Ababa, Malawi and then finally get to Lusaka, Zambia after 30 hours of travel. And then, they get to take a 5-7 hour bus trip to Ndola which is their base. We bless them for their trip and work and the pouring out of God's Spirit on the people that they will meet there. We pray for safe travel and hope for a productive and life changing mission.
God bless and God speed to OMNI team 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
OMNI Medical Mission April 20-May5
On April 20, 2008 a team of 14 volunteers from 5 different states will represent OMNI in Zambia to provide medical care for the orphans and the poor. Please follow our journey as we care for rural tribal villages and those who have little or no access to medical care in Zambia.
We will be carrying all of our medical supplies and pharmacy supplies into the country and will begin our first outreach clinic on April 22 in the Ndola, Copperbelt Region in northern Zambia.
We ask for your prayers and support as we reach out to those in need in Africa.
In His service,
Karen ReMine, RN, President, OMNI
We will be carrying all of our medical supplies and pharmacy supplies into the country and will begin our first outreach clinic on April 22 in the Ndola, Copperbelt Region in northern Zambia.
We ask for your prayers and support as we reach out to those in need in Africa.
In His service,
Karen ReMine, RN, President, OMNI
OMNI 2008 Blues Over Africa Benefit
The 2008 Blues Over Africa Benefit will be held at the Irish Heritage Club in Avon Lake, Ohio on Sunday April 13th this year. It will still feature the hardest working band in northeast Ohio, "Collin Dussalt's Blues Project. Collin's band van was spotted on the road somewhere on the west side of Cleveland and suburbs back in 2006. Rae Van De Motter, an RN in the pharmacy for 3 years with OMNI in Zambia, called the number and asked a question, "Would you be interested in doing a benefit concert for an organization that helps the orphans in the copper belt of Zambia?" Collin replied,"Is it anything like what I saw in the movie, 'The Constant Gardener?'" Rae said, "Absolutely! It's just like that." Collin was moved by the movie and wanted to help in some way. Little did he know that a woman he did not know would call him up the same week and aske that simple question.
This is the third year for the benefit and Collin has played all 3 years. He has been very gracious and the people who have seen this concert went away knowing that they had helped in some small way, the orphans of Zambia.
As I said, Rae was with OMNI, that's Orphan Medical Network International. You can see what they are all about at www.orphanmedical.net.
There will be door prizes, raffles, and an auction. All proceeds will go to help support OMNI in Zambia. They have an education program, a feeding program, a building program, and a medical program that need our support.
Hope to see you all there! God bless.
Patrick Van De Motter
This is the third year for the benefit and Collin has played all 3 years. He has been very gracious and the people who have seen this concert went away knowing that they had helped in some small way, the orphans of Zambia.
As I said, Rae was with OMNI, that's Orphan Medical Network International. You can see what they are all about at www.orphanmedical.net.
There will be door prizes, raffles, and an auction. All proceeds will go to help support OMNI in Zambia. They have an education program, a feeding program, a building program, and a medical program that need our support.
Hope to see you all there! God bless.
Patrick Van De Motter
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