Happy Christmas from The Bradburys

Christmas Newsletter

2007 was another eventful year in the lives of the Bradbury’s at Chikankata. The first two weeks of the year were spent finishing our holiday back in the UK, where it was great to meet up with friends and family. In April we met up with Richard’s parents and sister in Cape Town and enjoyed a few days in this stunning place, before the whole party returned to Zambia where we were joined by Susanna. Richard is extremely proud of his parents who have supported the Hospital so well and amongst other things took the trip to Chaanga to see The Salvation Army’s Clinic there. This is a 30 miles trip which took three and half hours just to get there, driving on extremely treacherous conditions. We also managed a quick jaunt down to Livingstone and were very fortunate to see a lunar rainbow or moonbow at the Victoria Falls, which is apparently very rare. We spent another beautiful weekend in Livingstone later in the year staying at the 5-star Royal Livingstone with our good friends Kevin FH and Paul, during which we treated to the life of luxury. We were even able to shower everyday and flush the toilet whenever we liked!
This year has been another challenging but fairly positive one for the hospital. Running a hospital in Zambia these days seems near impossible but we have tried as best we can. On the plus side the College for Biomedical Science was reopened in February at the request of the Government, the Hospital started to operate at General Hospital status, having been downgraded a few years before, we enjoyed Mission Team visits from Northern Ireland, England and Canada and we were visited by many Chikankata “old-timers” including the du Plessis’, the Campbells, the Pallants, Major Schoch and Col. Rader. We also managed to purchase a brand new ambulance and many thanks go to all our friends who helped us in the venture. It’s got flashing lights and a siren and even a loud speaker to tell people to move out the way!

Perhaps the most positive development for us was a successful external audit and a straightforward International Headquarters audit. It is difficult to describe how much of a mess we found the accounts books in but take it from me (and IHQ), this was a great achievement. The report shows that in 2006 the Hospital had an annual turnover of over £1m, that we went from a deficit of almost £100,000 in 2005 to just £8,000 in 2006 and that as an institution we had to raise over £400,000 outside grants and project income just for day to day running costs. Thank you again to so many of our family and friends who continue to support the hospital so faithfully. It could not function without you. I can personally assure you that we are doing the best we can to serve God and the people here in difficult circumstances


Of course for us the most exciting and life changing development during this year was the new addition to our family. No, not our dog Ronaldo – although she (yes, that’s right, she!) is very special to us – but the birth of our son, Luke Jonathan Bradbury. On the 20th September 2007 Heidie was taken for an emergency C- Section after doctors detected the baby’s heart beat had deteriorated significantly. During the surgery, it was discovered that the umbilical cord had been wrapped round Luke’s neck and the placenta had become detached. It was a very tense night, as Luke had to be resuscitated. We cannot speak highly enough of the care we received at Chikankata and are proud that we follow a long list of special people (both locals and expatriates) whose children have been born at this great hospital. Most of all we are thankful to God for keeping Heidie and Luke safe.


A special well done to Heidie who recovered from major surgery under general anaesthestic with nothing but equivalent of paracetamol for painkillers, as these were the only drugs available. Luke, as you might expect given the height of his parents, was rather long (56cm) and continues to grow at an alarming pace. However he is a very happy young man and seems to be coping with having us as parents so far. One of the amazing things was that Heidie’s parents arrived on the morning of Luke’s delivery and having them around was just great. We are not sure what we would have done without them. We also enjoyed a few days with them in Siavonga, home of the largest man-made lake in the world and the Kariba Dam.

Another special event for us was the engagement of Richard’s sister, Clare to Adrian. While we are not quite sure how Adrian is going to cope, we are extremely pleased for them both. We are looking forward to the wedding in July 2008 and we are excited that they are visiting us for Christmas. Luke is particularly looking forward to meeting the Bradbury side of his family for the first time, as we will also be joined by Grandma and Grandad Bradbury. We were also pleased to learn that Heidie’s brother Carl and his wife Anne-Mie are expecting their second child in 2008.

As we look forward to next year, we are not sure what it holds for us. Our contract expires in May 2008 and we will soon need to make a decision as to whether we should stay or whether the time is right for us to move on. However we have the same assurance that was outlined by Jeremiah; “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, they are plans to prosper you, plans to give you a hope and future.” This is our hope for both our little family and our big family at Chikankata.

Wishing you a very peaceful Christmas
and a Happy New Year

With Love and Best Wishes

Richard,Heidie &Luke

PRAYERS

I have not done a lot of blogging recently but I have been doing a lot of thinking.

Over the next couple of weeks we need to make a decision about our future. It's really hard. There are lots of possibilities and options but we want to do what is right. (We were even offered a job managing a lodge last week in Zambia!). Heart and head are at different places for us at the moment so we are praying that God will make the way clear for us. We are confused about the future so we ask you to pray for us. Our contract here finishes in May so we are nearing the time where a firm decision needs to be made.

In all honesty I would stay without hesitation at Chikankata if it weren't for the burden of the finances. It is just almost impossible. We are doing the best we can with what we have. It even seems like getting funding is like a lottery. It's all upside down. Big organisations (most of whom are just funders not implementers) raise money on the basis they are helping the poor, then make those that are actually helping the poor jump through hoops to get the money. Anyway before I get on a rant, it's important to concentrate on those who do give and their kindness. But it is a heavy burden and I am not sure I can carry it for much longer. Please pray for the finances at Chikankata.

December 1st was World AIDS Day. I hate HIV/AIDS. It's a horrible disease. We have seen first hand the devastion this disease causes amongst families and the consequences for people in this area. I have seen first hand the havoc and distress this diseases causes, even amongst our own staff. Even in the last week I have seen at first hand the utter despair brought when someone is told they are HIV positive. So in the same way as the UK has rememberence day for the victims of the war, it seems that Zambia has rememberence services for victims of this disease.

I am convinced more than ever that the church has leading role to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Without taking the moral high ground by teaching people in the way of holiness. You can have all the fancy programmes in the world but I still believe good Christian teaching and love is best way forward. Please pray for those who are suffering from HIV/AIDS. Please pray for those left behind and please pray for the church and the hospital as they treat the causes and the symptoms.