Back to Normal – Not really!

“You don’t know what you’re doing!’ is a chant that I may have joined in with a couple of times when berating a referee at a St. Mirren or Southend game. Anyone spectating on our first week of parenthood would be equally within their rights to direct the same sentiments at Heidie and me. However so far, Luke doesn’t seem to have been too adversely affected by having us as parents. However it has been a great week, if one without too much sleep.

Heidie’s parents arrived in the nick of time and drove through the gates at Chikankata just hours before Heidie was taken to the operating theatre. Their story is also quite a nice one as they had originally planned to come on the 21st September but changed their flight not long before their departure date, having just a ‘feeling’ that they should come a wee bit earlier. They have been a great help and William’s cooking in particular has helped sustain us this week and keep us strong.

Although I had the best intentions of taking a week or two paternity leave, the busyness of the Hospital and Health Services has not afforded me this opportunity. This week I have spent the mornings at home directing operations from the armchair and worked in the office in the afternoons, with the exception of Thursday when a full day was required.

Perhaps one of the biggest blessings we’ve experienced at Chikankata during our time here is the visitors we've receive and the people we've meet. My life is undoubtedly richer and my Christian experience deeper because of some of these encounters. So on Thursday I spent the day with Lt-Col Dan Starrett, the Executive Director of the Salvation Army World Service Organisation and Lt. Col. Bell, the Chief Secretary of USA Western Territory. Both ‘offices’ have assisted Chikankata in different ways, SAWSO funding our Child Survival Programme and USA Westerm helping the hospital studio to convert to a community radio station. I am a better person for talking and sharing with them and we are continually grateful to God for all the help we receive both practical, spiritual, and financial.

In a similar vein a big thank you to one Capt Jonny Smith, who ran the marathon in April and raised money for the Hospital at the same time. What a trooper! (I will now overlook how he adandoned me to struggle to the finish line with knee ligament damage in our first marathon together!) Many people when they give donations to Chikankata specified what it should go towards and rightly so. But to receive ₤5000 simply towards the running cost of the hospital is special. This will pay 5 months electricity bill or pay most of the staff wages or drugs purchases for one month. Outside of the regular funding Chikankata Hospital receives from government, we have to raise around ₤10,000 or $20,000 each moth just to function. It's a huge undertaking and without doubt the biggest stress of my job!

We are so thankful for the many people like Jonny and SAWSO, who work tirelessly so that the people of Chikankata can at least have access to a decent standard of healthcare. The old adage about “Where there’s a need, there’s The Salvation Army” is certainly true of this part of Zambia. We thank God for internationalism of The Salvation Army and the generosity of our many friends around the world.

Luke Jonathan Bradbury

Luke Jonathan Bradbury was born at Chikankata Hospital on 20th September 2007. He is so cute and so long – 54cm to be precise. He is already being lined up as a centre half. Weighing in a healthy 4.2kg (9lbs), I feel he has the upper body strength for that role. For some reason there is interested in his hair colour, which originally was dark brown but it is now a little bit lighter! We shall see what becomes. I think its going to land somewhere between my African sunset colour and Heidie's brown hard. Father and mother are feeling very proud and very sore respectively.

We are so grateful to so many people. On Thursday afternoon, Heidie had quite a bit of pain in her stomach and we were beginning to think that this was the start of labour. We called our Midwife, Clare Ntinda, and she decided it would be good just to check on the baby’s heartbeat. Unfortunately during the check-up the heartrate had dropped significantly and was a cause for concern. And so the decision was made to go for Caesarian Section.

Given the circumstances, we were asked about going to a private clinic in Lusaka on our insurance. However, we felt strongly that it was not right that we should go elsewhere when all the people we serve were expected to come to Chikankata. It would send out the wrong message. Anyway, every day, women have C-sections at Chikankata Hospital and we had every, (actually more) faith in the staff here. Heidie had a real sense that God was in control and a real sense of peace about the whole operation. By this time, I was a complete and utter nervous and emotional wreck and no help whatsoever to anyone.

The medical staff were brilliant. In the operating theatre we had 3 doctors, 2 anesthetists, 2 midwives, 1 theatre nurse and a theatre attendant. We wouldn't get that service back home! It was one of the most moving scenes I have ever experienced in my life as the medical team came to the waiting room of theatre, complete with gowns. They formed a circle around Heidie on the trolley and prayed with us just before she was taken into the operating theatre. It reminded me again of why Salvation Army hospital's exist – there is something deeply soothing and healing about the presence of Jesus. Health, Healing and Wholeness. Heidie and I both felt that God was in control. We just knew that people back home were praying for us and Heidie said she really felt uplifted and supported during the early stages of the operation. In my mind the words “We are standing on Holy Ground, and I know that there are angels all around” were singing through.

It turns out that the baby’s chord was wrapped tightly around the neck and the placenta had become stuck and was bleeding. If we would have waited for natural delivery it would have been very dangerous for the wee man and for Heidie. Even if we had gone to Lusaka, the delay would have caused trouble When Luke came out he was not breathing and had to be resuscitated. The decision to go for a C-section was a good one, Chikankata is a great Hospital, we have brilliant friends and family and God is a mighty God.

Immediately, Heidie came out of the operating theatre, in her dazed state she said his name is Luke Jonathan. We had agreed on Luke because of the medical / healing / ministry connection and all that but I was still holding out for “The Fonz” as a middle name. To be overruled with any consultation just like that ….. Well, it's a disgrace! Apparently Jonathan means God has given and indeed he has!

Still waiting!

So yesterday I was reading that only 3% of women give birth on their Estimated Delivery Date. Well in my book a 3% success rate on any estimate is pretty poor. In fact, it stinks! So we are still waiting. As usual, I have already lost my money. I had a competition (not a bet!) with my mate Keith that the baby would come on 10th, he went for the 22nd. So just like when I play golf with Keith, I've lost all my money by the tenth. Patience or golf are not really my strong points.

However what did lighten my mood yesterday (I know I know - think about the wife!) was that there is a little baby in Ngangula whose first name is Bradbury. How cool is that - Bradbury Mwiinga. Apparently I had done something to help the family - which I don't even remember - and they called their son Bradbury. Both Heidie and I know have babies named after us and it feels quite special.

So here we are still waiting. I'll keep you posted....

Good times

After the heat of the last two weeks, the final auditors left on Friday. In a 10 day period we have had the Inauguration of Chieftainess Mweenda, Graduation Day, the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, 3 sets of visitors, Performance Assessment (Ministry of Health), Action Plan and Budget Preparation for 2008 and an external audit. All have gone well but this weekend we have been pleased to relax and rest.

Yesterday we spent the whole day in Elsa and Lars' backgarden. It was beautiful. Fine food and great company. We played football, frisbee and Kube(?) I really enjoyed the day alot! Looking through the photos there were lots of smiling faces including Joshua Nakaanga so I reckon everyone enjoyed else enjoyed it too!

About 9 of us, including the Bjorkqvist boys stayed right into the night. We had two powercuts through the day, one of which was at 8pm so for a while we were in complete darkness.

Ronaldo joined us and played with her best mate Samson (Lars and Elsa's Boerbull) all afternoon.

And then this morning, Heidie (whose EDD is tomorrow) me and Ronaldo got up early and climbed Easter Hill for a wee breakfast picnic. It was nice to sit and be quiet and just look around at the beautiful sights around Chikankata.

Finally, I must have missed the class at school about the anatomy and physiology of dogs but nobody ever told me that dogs get periods. I'm shocked! Anyway, I've booked Ronaldo (who is in fact a girl by the way) in at the vets so that it does not happen again!

Chikankata Mission Hospital - Sixty Years of Service

This weekend Chikankata Hospital celebrated its 60th birthday. The hospital was officially opened on 3rd May 1947. So we decided to have a celebration to give thanks to the Big Man for his faithfulness. During the weekend there were three main services (all lasted over four hours - one lasted for six!). The Hospital, High School and two local Corps came together for a weekend of looking at the past and thinking about the future. Unfortunately the special guests, General and Commissioner Rader were unable to come, but this did not detract from the gathering. Maybe around 600 of us got together to celebrate and worship the Big Man.

Particpating were the Territorial Youth Songsters and the the Nameembo Worship Band. They have made just formed in the last six weeks after making their own instruments. They were fantastic! I wish you could see and hear them.

On the Sunday morning we had a special open air at 8.00am. The open-air may be considered out dated and no longer relevant back home to some but here we saw great results. Four new Christians came forward and knelt on the ground in the middle of gathering. Maybe the Zambian folk are just more open to the Big Man. Whatever, it was a very moving moment.

Meanwhile, many Hospital staff were praying with the people who were watching and listening round about. Dr. Elsa spent some time praying with the mother of one of her patients in the Children's Ward who was sitting by watching on.

The open-air finished with a March of Witness up to the Primary School, back through Chipanga, down through the Mission and to the pitch. The whole line must have been about half a mile long. It was great to see. The corps, the scouts,Hospital Staff, the High School pupils and the Student Nurses were all part of the procession.



The final gathering took place on Sunday morning at 10.00am. The seating arrangements were somewhat odd. We all sat at each end of the School football pitch under various tents and man-made shelters. It was, after all, over 35 degrees in the open. (The boys I play football with on a Friday evening were saying that they had a proper stadium to play in now)

At one point we all danced to the centre of the pitch to greet each other and have brief chat together. It felt a bit like the Pipes of Peace scene during the Christmas Day truce of 1914! However it was a lot of fun and epitomised the sense of unity and Christian spirit that had been evident during the whole weekend.

There was a real special atmosphere and we celebrated those missionaries who have passed through Chikankata in the past. We gave thanks to all those who have worked and supported Chikankata in recent and distant days. Above all, we were reminded that we are a Mission Hospital and mission is all about putting love where love is not. I say Amen to that!

Graduation Day 2007 - the best yet!

I cannot tell you how happy I am to post this next picture - the completed Male Hostel Student Block for the School of Nursing. When Heidie and I arrived, this building was at slab level and the contractor had basically ran off with most of the money. Once we managed to get the contract formally cancelled, we went and got a few of the local boys and built it ourselves. We have had a lot of help along the way. The ZIM Team put the roof on, the Lurgan youth group painted the inside. It has taken two long years of wheeling and dealing, scrimping and saving but on Friday - it was officially opened. Halle - flippin - lujah! A big thank you to all who assisted during the way - we got there in the end!

The Graduation Day 2007 was very special for us. Heidie had taught the students through their course and we had lot of personal interests in some of the students. It was a cracking day and by far and way the most exciting Graduation Day we had experienced since we have come here. The School recorded a 98% pass rate, one of the best again. The School Hall was packed and extra seating had to be brought in. The students were so happy! When the students enter - in typical Zambian style they dance in and then struggle to pass through their relatives who are trying to greet them. It is so noisy and just a great celebration day.

The guests included The Deputy Minister of Health, the District Commissioner, HRH Chieftainess Mwenda, The Registrar for the General Nursing Council, The Territorial Commander, the Executive Director for CHAZ, the area MP, the area Councillor, the Chief Policy Analyst for Nursing and District Director of Health amongst others.

As is the Chikankata tradition, the Nurses gave their candle light pledge following the footsteps of Florence Nightingale


And the scrum and chaos of the photographs after the ceremony......

Finally, well done to our adopted son for the day, Benson. Sadly, his father passed away after term 1 and our good friend, Barbara Howe sponsored him. So, we became his parents for the day. When his name was called out we had to run to the front of the hall, making as much noise as we could, Heidie waving her chitenge and give him his gifts. We were very proud of him. He even won the prize for Best Clinical Care. That's my boy!


A great day with some special memories!

Some Celebrations!

Mrs Ellie Kalichi, who works in our Child Survival Office and has been around Chikankata more or less all her life, was finally installed as Chieftainess Mweenda. It was a great day and maybe close to one thousand people gathered at the High School pitch to see the Inauguration. It was a very traditional and cultural day - I even wore my kilt!- which we thoroughly enjoyed, even if the ceremony did last over six hours.

Mrs Kalichi or Her Royal Highness Chieftainess Mweenda is a Salvationist and committed Christian. She stated in her speech that she wanted the communities to turn away from witch craft, diviners and witch doctors and turn to better things like Christianity and the Hospital. We have felt so uplifted knowing that so many people have been praying for us and we are really feeling the tide is beginning to turn our way a little bit. Thanks so much for those who were with us.

We are nearing the end. Less than two weeks to go and Heidie is ready to deliver at any time. She finished her last leacture at the Nurses Training School on Thursday and officially started Maternity Leave on Monday. It is so hot here and roads are very rough so its been a little tough going for her but she has done well. Today I had to give blood so that we had some blood for back-up in the Hospital. I hope she appreciates the pain I had to go through for her!

Congratulations to my little Sister who got engaged this week. All I can say is "Good Luck Adrian!" We are looking forward to spending Christmas with them both.


Finally Heidie took two pictures at the Inauguration of the Chief, I thought you might like to see them. Here they are.....

I guess she can get away with it because she is pregnant!