This week has been interesting, as indeed most weeks are at Chikankata. Firstly I have spent a large portion of the last two weeks at British High Commission trying to get visas for the four people from the Hospital who are visiting the UK next month. We finally managed to get them on Thursday. Now I know where the Zambian authorities get their love of paperwork and bureaucracy.

Sadly we had a very disturbing incident in the hospital this week. Without dragging out all the details, a man murdered his child on the ICU ward. This is a very sad development and the police were called (although it took them seven hours to get here – nothing like preserving the crime scene!). There are all kinds of reasons being put forward for his behaviour; psychiatric, demonic, or jealously (the baby may have been another mans). There are many sad and even dramatic incidents that come to Chikankata Hospital (like any other Hospital) but this seems particularly shocking.

Wednesday was Independence Day so as is the custom I took to the school pitch representing the Hospital against the High School in the Annual football match (I first of all checked that there was oxygen in the wards and the Ambulance was on standby!). I have enjoyed the times I have played football, whether it be with the guys on a Friday after work or with the kids at various activities. I am not sure who it was and I am not sure of the exact words but one prominent Army officer once noted that some of his best sermons were preached with his feet. I am not sure if this kind of thing (especially my style of play!) is what he was referring to but it has been my experience. Playing football has undoubtedly brought me a special connection with some of the younger members of staff and the guys from the villages. Overall it was a good afternoon of football and fellowship and for the record, the Hospital won for the third year running.

One footnote from the afternoon - Usually I am the oldest guy playing on the Hospital side. For those of you that know Chikankata Hospital, step forward one Wilner Chiyota who played for three quarters of the game. He showed potential, that’s all I can say!

We have also enjoyed sharing with the new International Health Services Co-ordinators for The Salvation Army, Majors Dean and Eirwen Pallant. Dean used to be in the same position as me at the Hospital so it was good to chat with him. I will post later about one or two discussion as we had a good time of sharing but, when picking them up and approaching the car at airport, here’s something I’ve never said before; “You get in the front, your legs are longer than mine”

Finally I found a quote this week, again I am not sure who it is by – the reference section for this post is not looking impressive!- which reminded me that our biggest enemy is not the challenges we face but complacency, negativity, self imposed limitation and self pity (see previous post.) Deuteronomy 11 v 2;

“Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him”

God is faithful!

Oh the Grand old Duke of York!

I seem to be living in a parallel world at the moment. On the one hand I am loving being a father and spending time with my wee boy. He's a lively fella and keeps us entertained and occupied already. It is 9am in the morning and I am already on my 3rd t-shirt (one poo, one vom!) Loving it! I am also very proud of Heidie who has basically recovered from a C-Section by General Anaethestic with only Paracetomel, as some of the other painkilling drugs are not available. We are very happy as a family. She's a star. She's my star!

On the other hand, I'm tired in my work. I'm tired of struggling. Tired of having no money and having to balance things around. Tired of bills and debt. Tired that things don't work smoothly. Tired that things are ten times as much effort here than back home. Tired of being 'on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tired that people blame me when things are not right when their departments are not exactly perfect. Tired and frustrated because people are just too relaxed. Tired of inefficiency. Tired of corruption. Tired of not having running water in my house. Tired of feeling unsupported. Tired of electricity cuts. Tired of the politics within Chikankata and The Salvation Army. Tired of inequality and injustice across the world and the church. Tired that most people only show their true capabilities when its important and not on the everyday matters. Tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Just tired and lacking in a bit of motivation at the minute.

Yet I am acutely aware that the things I am tired of are the day in day realities for many of the people we serve and some. Yet for the most part the people here seem so content with their circumstances. (Although I also finding from some people who visit that it is often used as a rationalistion or excuse. A person's contentment with a situation of poverty does not make it ok - a debate for another time)

Trying to figure all this out and where I am going wrong I was reminded of three things I have previously written in my journal;

1) Intimacy with Christ must be first. Without it mission is empty and self-serving. It becomes a chore and grinds you down. I have learnt that you can love mission more than you can love Jesus. Without intimacy with Jesus we have nothing to give away to others.

2) Relationships, relationships, relationships. Listening to others. One of the fundamental principles of TSAs Integrate Mission concept is listening and transfer. By building relationships, by sharing, by just listening we release ourselves from the compulsion to do in order to take time to be.

3) When Jesus sent out the disciples (Luke ch 9) although the commission was about others, you could argue that the disciples themselves were the mission field when he sent them out. Maybe this experiences is not just about others, it's also about me, my journey and my faith. Tolstoy once wrote; "Everyone wants to change the world, nobody wants to change themselves.

I don't want to survive the last 6 or 7 month here, I want to live them. I want to make a difference but I also want to be different.

Some Cheeky Photos of the Wee Man

Luke thoroughly enjoying his first trip on a boat, a sunset cruise on Lake Kariba (the biggest man-made lake in the world!) as you can see from the first picture!

BOBBY DAZZLERS

So on Friday we gave out some assistance to the the care givers in our Home Based Care programmes. See if you can guess what they got.......

The Official Opening of the College of Biomedical Sciences

Another busy weekend and Friday saw the official Opening of Chikankata College of Biomedical College. The college has been operating since February and we have 20 students on campus, with another 20 due to commence in 2008. The Guest of Honour for the day was the Minister of Health and a number of important dignitaries made their way to Chikankata for this special event. We all met in the Boardroom for a briefing beforehand before touring the Hospital and the School.

There had been a Lab School at Chikankata for a many years but for a number of reason this was closed in 2000. However, at the request of the Ministry of Health and with the support of The Salvation Army, Churches Health Association of Zambia and the Ministry things have really been moving. It's been a long standing problem across Zambia, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS that the backup personnel have been in demand. In response to this request, Chikankata made the necessary arrangements and joins two other similar programmes for the whole country.

In order to get this project up and running we have had to renovate the old Lab Hostels, build a new classroom and renovate one of our rooms into a new Demonstration Lab for students. We had a lot of different supporters and it has been a huge undertaking. In the short-term the College will benefit the Hospital because the students will learn and support our own Laboratory Services. However it will also help a number of institutions across the country, especially the Mission Hospital as part of the funding agreement with CHAZ is that we reserve a certain number of places for Church health institutions.

The day went well and everyone was suitably impressed by the new facilities. Thank you to all those that helped in a special way, many from afar. The Lab School is officially back-up and running but there is still a lot of work to be done.

FINALLY!

Well look at this big baby!!! After months of waiting, the new ambulance finally arrived at Chikankata today. I can’t tell you how happy I am.

We have waited for nearly 9 months for this machine, the reasons for the delay being twofold; firstly the money to pay for this new vehicle took quite a long time to arrive through The Salvation Army system. Then when it did arrive we have major delays when ordering through Toyota Zambia. Of all the companies I have dealt with Toyota Zambia have, in my opinion, given possibly the worst customer service and that is saying something in Africa (note to self : file away under “don’t get me started……”) Anyway back to the point; its been a long time coming!

So a big thank you to all who helped raised the ₤25,000 for this special vehicle. It’s beautiful. It’s got an electric winch and everything. So, no more getting stuck in the mud or the streams. No more putting people in the back of pick ups on plastic mattresses. No more having to pay to use Project vehicles to answer emergency calls. It has flashing lights, an oxygen cylinder and a proper emergency trolley. This vehicle will undoubtedly save lives and will definitely make a difference to the community we serve


So a special thank to all who contributed, especially my mates - Nick Hanover, Garry Smith, Kevin Fenton Herring and Clark Baim. Thanks also to a number of corps such a.s Chelmsford, Carlisle and Aberdeen as well as the young people who attended the Scotland Youth Councils. Also thanks to our friends at the UKT International Development Department.

This morning we held a dedication service, where we gave thanks to God for his continued provision and thanks to all those who contributed in anyway. This ambulance is testament to what can be achieved when alot of people are prepared to give big and small amounts in the spirit of helping others.

Twalumba Kapati!