Posted by Mary Lou on July 13, 2009
We’ve just realized that we’ve missed a few days. Our only excuse is that we’ve been quite busy in those days.
On Friday most of the team was working on cataloguing the surgery container, which brings much joy to the OR team. They also did some other sorting, but the main work was with the OR supplies. I (Mary Lou) spent the day with Peg getting supplies for the retreat at the farm. All of it was an adventure – picking up vegetables at market, getting new house keys cut, getting eggs, going to the missionary compound to get things from Peg’s container there – it all took time and driving in crazy traffic on bad roads.
Saturday we packed up and drove here to the farm at Tchincombe. The first part of the drive was on pavement, a nicely surfaced road. Then we turned off and drove for at least another 2 hours on gravel and then sand – in total the drive is 180 km. We’re actually on the edge of the Kalahari Desert!
On Sunday morning we went to the local church. Sterling and Donna farm here, with a village of local people who herd the cattle and do other work for them, and many of them attended the service as well. There was a large choir of children who delighted us with their singing and rhythmic movement. We had a triple sermon. Sterling preached in Portuguese, Alfredo (the teacher from the school) translated into Olungambwe and Steve translated into English just for us.
Today we had a couple of team meetings. Tex and Carole are working hard in the kitchen already, while the rest of us get busy in earnest tomorrow when the missionary conference actually begins. In the meantime, we have prepared for the children’s program the best we can.
There are so many things that are new and exciting, others that are simply unexpected. Who would have thought internet would be so much better here in the middle of nowhere than in Lubango? And who expected a puff adder on the way in, water filters in town and here, a guinea pig outdoors in a cage, and hardly any bugs.
We’ll try to update sooner next time. In the meantime, we’re taking lots of pictures and will be happy to share them when we get home. Many blessings. Boa tarde!
Posted by Mary Lou on July 8, 2009
Today we made it almost all the way through the second container. There are just a few boxes left to count and catalogue, as all the sorting is done. It’s satisfying to see the numbered boxes stacked in the container and to know that now the staff can access much needed supplies. Some items are whisked away by OR staff just as soon as we sort them – we never have to count and catalogue those.
Steve finished surgery earlier than usual, so we had time to go shopping for the first time. We went to see the carvers where there were many wooden and soapstone carvings for sale. We bought some things, ordered others, and left satisfied.
After that, Peggy took us to the mall. It was a big surprise. Inside the main entrance you are looking around at store fronts on two levels that look like buildings on a main street, and the ceiling is painted with clouds and stars. It’s quite lovely. Prices are very high, but we bought a few snacks and enjoyed wandering through the stores.
Tonight after supper (always eaten at Peg & Steve’s) we gathered around the table to share Holy Communion. It was good fellowship, particularly important because we will split up for a couple of days. Jason is heading out to the farm (where the retreat will be held next week) to help with preparations. On Friday Tex and Carole will go to begin food prep, and on Saturday the rest will drive up with Peg & Steve.
Tomorrow we’ll be back at work on the containers. I wonder how many we’ll be able to finish by the end of the week. Of course, we’ll be back at them after the retreat – there will still be more to finish then.
Many thanks for all your prayers. God is so good, providing us with new friends, even if we don’t always understand their language, and giving us moments of silliness and fun when we get tired. Maybe we’ll be able to give you another update tomorrow.
Posted by Thomas Abthorpe on July 7, 2009
Received via email from Mary Lou
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Today we finished sorting and cataloguing all the items in the first container. What a lot of work that was! What fun too – St. Thomas’ bulletins were packed in with the medical items! We found everything medical, obscure and otherwise, from newborn knitted caps to prosthetic legs, from 3,000 syringes to scalpels and disposable scrub pants, size XXL. And we never knew how many different kinds of catheters there are.
The drive to the hospital takes us up the mountain on a winding bumpy road full of maniac drivers, cows, pedestrians and motorcycles. Andy and Jason ride in the back of the truck feeling they’re training for bronc riding. The view from the mountain shows a much larger city than we expected. The hospital itself is made up of various buildings, unlike the Canadian standard single building. The first building contains outpatients, lab, x-ray, treatment area, emergency, pharmacy and administration. Directly behind this building are the wards which house both semi-private and general wards. To the left of this building is the OR building containing 2 ORs, pre-op, recovery and small maternity. Behind the OR are two buildings housing cafeteria/kitchen and laundry. Far to the left are the containers which we are sorting with great drive.
Four of our team are staying at the missionary compound at Mitcha, Carole, Jason, Elissa and Julaine. There are 8 homes, a one-room schoolhouse presently not in use, a small swimming pool. The other four – Bonnie, Tex, Andy and Mary Lou – are staying with Steve and Peg Foster in their house in the city.
All in all it’s certainly an adventure. Their winter is so cold we’re all burnt. They complain of the cold as we peel off jackets and sweaters and work in shirt sleeves. Waking at 4 a.m. for a bathroom and needing a flashlight – having no water for a shower – passports coming and going – it’s all part of the Lubango experience.
We’ll be back again soon to update you on our progress. Tomorrow – Container #2!
Posted by Thomas Abthorpe on July 6, 2009
Received via email from Mary Lou
It was a long journey but yesterday we finally arrived in Lubango. Along the way we enjoyed(?) two very long flights, spent 4 hours wandering the Frankfurt Airport, essentially lost, took a bus tour of Frankfurt, had a day inWindhoek, Namibia, and spent hours wishing we were asleep!
Here in Lubango we went straight to the missionary compound at Mitcha, where Jason, Julaine, Elissa and Carole are staying, and saw the baptism of a wonderful young man in the swimming pool. After the party, we headed to Peg and Steve’s and had supper, happy to settle in.
This morning we spent 4 hours sorting a container. What a lot of stuff, little of which we recognized. We sort like with like and Shelley, Steve’s sister, provides the medical expertise to help us categorize. We’re off for more sorting soon.
It’s winter here – very warm compared to Thunder Bay!
But now I must run. I’ll try to write more another time.
