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!

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.