www.zambiamedicalmission.com

Tomorrow afternoon we are leaving on the medical mission. Our first stop is Simalundu, a very poor and remote village that we have visited in the past. We will be camping out in the bush until Thursday, so I won't be able to post for awhile. You can follow the medical mission's blog for updates on what we are doing while we are there.

Church at the Basic School

This morning I woke up feeling much better, after staying home and not feeling so great all day yesterday. The rest of the medical mission team arrived safely Saturday night. My dad led a group of the Americans to a church that meets at the Namwianga Basic (Elementary) School this morning, and I went along. After communion, a lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "You come with us." Not exactly sure where I was going, I followed her out of the church, followed by all the children, which clued me in to the fact that I was probably going to be teaching a Sunday school class. My mother has gone around to the churches in the area and trained the women how to teach the children, and given them a children's Bible to use. So I used that to teach the story of David and Goliath. Then I taught them a few songs, and they taught me some too. Then the regular teacher, Angela, led the children in a game of "Jesus Says, which I figured out was the church version of "Simon Says." At the end of class, all the children recited the Lord's Prayer by heart, with their hands together, eyes closed. Even the littlest ones knew it perfectly.

Sick

Inevitably, every year when I come to Africa I get some kind of sickness. This year my diagnosis is a sinus infection. I've had a sore throat ever since I got here, and tried to keep it away with allegra and mucinex, but the doctor told me yesterday with my weakened immune system it was a matter of when I would get the sinus infection, not if. I think we caught it early enough that its not going to be a big deal, and I'm glad I'm getting it now instead of next week when we are out in the bush. Little Jason is also sick, so he and I are staying at the house together and being taken care of by my mom (whom he calls "Nana"). Its so nice to have a mom around when you're sick! So keep us in your prayers - Jason has a 104 degree fever and is just plain miserable. We will take him to the clinic tomorrow to get tested for malaria. My fever is only 100, so I'm not too bad. The big group of Americans for the medical mission arrive tomorrow, and then Monday we will leave for the bush, so hopefully with antibiotics and some r and r we will be well by then.

For the Longhorn fans (sorry Aggies, I had to be fair!)

This is George saying "Hook 'em Horns!"

Zambian Avocadoes

For David (and all you Aggie fans)

Trip to the Clinic

Kevin, one of the little two year olds has been sick all week. Yesterday I brought him home for the afternoon to get some rest away from all the other boys and he seemed to be better by the time I took him back. This morning one of the aunties told me he needed to go to the clinic, and since he wouldn't go to anyone but me, I told her I would go with her. She had to bring one of the other boys too, so she helped me tie Kevin into a chitenge (a strip of bright colored fabric that the women use as skirts and baby-carriers) on my back for the walk to the clinic. Zambian women must have really strong backs, because by the time we got to the clinic I thought I was going to fall over. I had to hold Kevin while the nurse gave him a shot, which he was not happy about, poor thing, but he didn't squirm at all- just cried a little and soaked his cloth diaper which leaked all over me. Thankfully the auntie said I didn't have to carry him on my back for the walk back. :)