Graduation Day 2008

What a great day! Despite all the hassles and pressures building up to this special day, it is always one of the best days at Chik. This year was no excpetion. Here are a few highlights...

In the morning there is a dedication service in the hospital chapel. Then after the service, the current students meet the graduants. It's a very touching moment.

The Lecturers from the College of Nursing and the College of Biomedical Sciences, includign Heidie, prepare to enter the High School Hall behind the flag of Zambia and the flag of the Salvation Army.

As is the African way, the nurses don't just march in, they dance in!

Then great fellowship in the evening as all the Nursing School staff and Managers gather for a braii (BBQ). The entertainment was led by MC Chiyota. And was very entertaining.

Apart from one thing. Zambia humour. I just don't get it. Here's joke from Issac Mweetwa that had everyone apart from me and Heidie in stitches;

IM:"A woman has 5 children. Two and half of them are boys, How many are girls?"

RB and others after a few suggestions (like two and a half): "I don't know how many are girls?"

IM: "It's not possible"

Cue: Loud laughter.

Can anyone explain to me how that is funny!

Because I can!

I am writing this post not because I have anything really interesting to say but because this is the first time in almost two weeks that we have had electricity in the evening. I wanted to post this photo, which is one of my favourites. It epitomises what Chikankata stands for and recognises that people who visit our hospital have a range of needs that require our care. We are not a one-dimensional institution. One of my favourite books at the moment is Authentic Christianity, which is excerps from the writings of John Stott;

"In the ministry of Jesus words and works, gospel preaching and compassionate service went hand in hand. His works expressed his words and his words explained his works. It should be the same for us. Words are abstract they need to be embodied in deeds of love. Work are ambiguous, they need to be interpreted by the proclamation of the gospel. Keep words and works together in the service of the church."

Getting back to where I started, I do not know what is going on with the Zambian Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) but quite frankly I would like to.... anyway best stop there in case my mum reads this! Needless to say having only a few hours of electricity has put a huge strain on the hospital. Last month we had to pay out almost $10,000 on generator fuel alone. We had not budgeted for this and are struggling to keep on top of things. However, my experience continues to be that God is faithful and that this hospital survives and thrives by His grace. It's a miracle really and I for one am persuaded.