Here's a funny thing....

Since coming back from my holiday, I've realised how attached I've become to this place and how much I love Chikankata. There is absolutely no place in the world I have ever visited that can compare to Chikankata. I try to describe all about life and stuff in this blog and various other articles but I've come to the realisation that unless you have lived here or visited for some time it's impossible to fully understand what it's all about - it's just indescribable. WHAT A PLACE!

Anyway, I am typing from the Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka and listening to Radio 2 (really miss the radio) on my laptop using wireless internet. This weekend break is a Christmas present from one of my best friends, Kevin FH. It's all been VERY exciting. I have taken the advice of many people and decided to get away from Chikankata once in a while, where possible. And good advice it was too! It's even better when someone else is paying!

This week has been an extremely busy week but a good week. We have been inspected by TEVETA and Ministry of Health for the Lab School (or College of Biomedical Sciences to be precise). This was an extrmely extensive process but we survived. We have managed to completely renovate the old Lab Hostel, decorate and kit out a new classroom and start construction of a teaching Lab, all within four weeks. Good effort! My main builder Grant Nanzele is a great guy and did a very good job. We were all running around like mad men on Tuesday and Wednesday trying to get everything finished and organised. It was like one of these tv DIY shows with all the deadlines. Big it up for Grant! On the whole the inspection went really well, permission was granted to open (subject to one or two documents being written), a commitment to funding was tentativelty given by MoH and we should be on course to open next month.

We also had a Performance Assessment for the Provincial Health Office, which went extremely well too. There were points for improvement but they were happy with what they found. Our Level 2 status was confirmed and a real unexpected bonus of this was an improved grant for the running of the Hospital. Also received good news that money has been given to build two new houses. Accommodation has become a real programme.

Yesterday whilst in Lusaka we went to the cinema and saw The Last King of Scotland, which has just opened in Lusaka. I am still mulling this film over in my mind but it was great to get to see the film and the cinema was surprisingly ok.

Finally a big pat on the back for my little sis Clare who officially became a Candidate this week. She is due to enter The Salvation Army Training College in September and we are all very proud of her. Well done Cando Bradbury!

SIX PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSPIRED AND ENCOURAGED ME THIS WEEK………

1. Clark Baim was one of my bosses from the Home Office (NPD) and most of all he is my friend. This week past marked Clark’s birthday. He is one of the most generous, kind and caring men I know. We used to travel all over the country together, along with Mary (who is also very special to me). Man, we used to laugh a lot but I am realising how much I learnt from Clark and Mary. This week I had a lengthy conversation with Chabota in English. This time last year Chabota could only sing the alphabet in English. Clark pays for Chabota to go to school, amongst other things. By giving Chabota a chance with education, he has given her a chance to escape a life in poverty. Clark has no affiliation whatsoever with The Salvation Army or the church but gives so much to Chikankata, through his words, his attitude and his money. Why? Because he can and because he cares! He is great man.

2. Mike and Sue are commercial farmers who live about 30 minutes from Chikankata. They have encouraged me and Heidie so much just by their hospitality and care towards us. They have listened to us, offered advice and given us a place to escape to. Mike and Sue are like our Zambian parents and they will really never know just how much they have helped us, especially during the most difficult times. They are such a lovely couple who enjoy each others company. Sue is always smiling and a fantastic cook. Mike is a very funny man, who loves his whisky. They are kind hearted and generous people who make a great couple.

3. Gretchen is a doctor / professor from Michigan State University. She has achieved so much with her life and yet has a lovely down to earth personality. I love the way she has a real heart for Chikankata and really cares for the people. She comes here for about 4 months each year. Gretchen has brought a lot of development, help and profile to Chikankata Hospital. She has been a real source of help and encouragement to us by including the Hospital and also Heidie and me in many different things when she really didn’t really need too. She is extremely clever, extremely humble and an extremely thoughtful person.

4. Brian Houston I have never met. He is the pastor of the Hillsong Church in Australia. Every Sunday we are able to listen to his message on Zambian TV. Apparently his parents were Salvation Army officers. Pastor Houston’s words are always an encouragement to us. He’s humble, interesting and inspiring and he always uplifts our spirit. He often reminds us of our mission and our responsibilities. Brian Houston has a heart for the poor and is able to put that in the context of a Christian life. I like that and, though he does not know and probably never will, he has helped change (and improve) my perspective, attitudes and behaviour on many things. He is an inspiration and a pastor.

5. Lt-Colonel Rader regularly visits Chikankata. He is a retired officer in the Salvation Army. He always has a kind word to say to us and continually reassures us. What I like about the Colonel is his passion for his mission. He has had a real lifelong ambition for a particular kind of Kingdom work and now, in his retirement, he is helping this take shape and become a reality through the creation of Chikankata Community Radio. I also like that he is so open; he has told us about his life, the things he has done well, the times when he has made mistakes, what his beliefs and feelings are and so on. He is an open and committed man.

6. Heidie is my wife. On Monday she hits the big 3.0. She is my blessing and I am so grateful I met her and married her. It’s great to share your life with someone who wants the same things as you and who cares about the same things. She is compassionate and has a real way of connecting with people. I love the way she is so positive, I love the way she smiles and I love the way she encourages and just cares for the people here. In fact, I love her to absolute bits!

Last week I was a real life Mr. Topsy Turvy. On Monday and Tuesday I attended a conference for Directors of Christian Healthcare Institutions in Zambia. Whilst it was a very interesting and worthwhile experience in terms of increasing my knowledge, I came away with a bit of a dent in my own confidence and severely questioning my abilities in my job. The main problem is that I find it hard to think on my feet and I am not very organised – two things that are essential qualities of a manager / administrator of a hospital. I need time, man!

Wednesday, I finished the Annual Review for 2006, which was an achievement in itself. It was a good document and made me realise that despite all the difficulties, Chikankata Hospital has achieved so much in one year. I honestly believe that somehow the Big Man’s hand is on this place, as given our financial woes and lack of income - the management and staff has managed to do so much. It’s difficult to explain how.

Then on Thursday and Friday we had a whirlwind trip to Livingstone with Bengt and Goran (I’ll tell you about them in a minute). No matter how many times I go to Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, I am always amazed at its beauty. As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls are truly magnificent and surrounding wildlife is impressive too. We stayed in the place for less that 24 hours and we managed to see hippos, crocs, elephants, warthogs, buffalo, wilderbeest, giraffes, impala, and rhinos. Not bad really.

Bengt and Goran are two engineers who have been staying with us for a week. They are Swedish and came to install some second hand autoclaves sent to us courtesy of Arne Norberg and the Swedish Salvation Army. Bengt and Goran are engineers in Swedish army (military not Salvation). They are very kind, down-to-earth and funny guys. They basically use some of their holidays to come and sort out stuff for us here at Chikankata. This is their second visit to Chik and a bonus for us because they fix everything that’s faulty in our house. They are an example of the great help that Chikankata gets from all kinds of places and the many fantastic people we get to meet. We are always grateful! Big it up for Bengt and Goran!

BON ACCORD!

Over the last few weeks we have been distributing clothes, blankets, soap and many other things through our Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Programme and the Social Work Office at the Hospital. It's been a lovely experience for us. One of the things I struggle with most at Chikankata is to see children walking around with no shoes and such old clothes. Poverty seems such an injustice which people are powerless to prevent. However, although it will not allieviate poverty, making gestures such as this indicates that people do care

The Hospital has also benefitted with a whole host of medical equipment. What would be thrown out in the UK is state of the art equipment here. For instance, for the first time in years we have 3 working incubators. It's been a great time, with much rejoicing!

As an ex- Aberdeen Grammar School former pupil, I am very proud and touched with how the Aberdonians has really responded to Chikankata. They have been our encouragement and inspiration and have really made a difference. Led by Stuart and Pam (who used to be my prefect at AGS!) their Youth Group really got it the whole idea of a mission trip. They should be rightly very proud of themselves. Thanks also to all who helped in anyway - the local oil companies, the shops, the hospitals. Thank you - you have done a good thing.

Below is Gerald. As you can see from the picture, Gerald was / is severely malnourished. He has been on our Children' ward for two weeks this time but has been in and out over the last few months. We handed him a Winnie Pooh to play with today and a bright beaming smile came across his face. The nurses said that has been the first time he has sat up and the first time he has smiled the whole time he has been here. His mum started to cry and said that it was the first time she had seen him smile for over 6 months. It was a magic moment. That's what it means!