It's a right old rollercoster here. What a topsy turvy week.

Monday and Tuesday we did well to divert a strike as the Government were paying some backdated Allowances (from 2002). Allowances are a very thorny issue in Zambia, as those who have served at Chikankata will tell. The Civil Servants were not happy with the Central Health Office over the whole issue and were clearly very agitated. The problem was not with us here at Chikankata, they were satisfied we had done everything properly and correctly on a local level (which was a relief!) but with the process, which was handled centrally. However, I did realise for the first time that my strategy in meeting the Union Executive Committee once a month, often when there were only a few or small problems, to discuss matters was a worthwhile investment. At 20.00 hours on Tuesday a very amicable agreement was reached, with the Union praising the way the matter had been handled here at Chikankata.

Thursday was not a good day! Now I am going to be perfectly frank, more so than I expect I should be. I had to authorise the payment of salaries, amounting to a considerable amount of money (300 workers across the whole Health Services). In our bank account we had eight (8) pounds! 15 dollars! eight quid! 15 bucks! Best not to tell you how we paid them, but we did. It's a cash flow problem more than anything after people didn't pay us on time and one cheque for 10,000 pounds from a reputable NGO for a months residential training course we had run for them flaming bounced! I mean to say - how can you get it that wrong. Then 2 of our vehicles broke down, which is such a pain and really limits our outreach work. It will be a struggle to have them fixed, based on the eight quid scenario

Friday was an all together better. We joined with our friends from around the Salvation Army world in praying for the victims of human trafficking or sexual slavery as it is referred to in Africa. Pete did a great job of that and the event was well attended. I was reminded that The Salvation Army is in the process of opening a refuge centre at the Zambian Malawian Border for victims of this horrible trade. Then this afternoon, we found out the good news that one of the largest companies in Zambia, who are based in Mazabuka, have tentatively agreed to pay for the complete renovation of our maternity ward. This has been the culmination of lengthy discussions and today they came to measure up, which I took as a positive sign!. Then the Salvation Army in USA West agreed to pay for a new Childrens Playground for our Childrens Ward. It's an exciting place to be.

It's funny but even though we have absolutely hee-haw money, we are still able to move forward. At present we have just completed a new Ultra Sound room, the doctors room is almost finished, we are renovating the dental room, we are building two new Counselling Rooms in the HIV/AIDS Clinics, we are building a new hostel for the Nurses School for 22 men, we have just completed 3 new self contained rooms for nurses and the first phase of the Seminar Centre renovations are almost complete. We have raised almost half the money for the Ambulance we so desperately require. Our figures also show we have reduced Chikankata's debt by over 120,000 pounds in one year. All with eight pounds in our bank account! Who says miracles don't happen.

The Big Man upstairs (aka God) is really doing his stuff right now. In Bill Hybels book on Courageous Leadership he talks about some of the struggles he had went through when setting up Willow Creek Church. I was particularly struck by his chapter on resources. I am writing off the top of my head but he says something like this;

• It's very important to remember The Big Man is the ULTIMATE resource provider
• Nothing strengthens your trust, reliance and faith in The Big Man like having no money
• People love to give under the right circumstances and when they believe in something.

This has been my experience! Big it up for The Big Man