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!