Lusaka!

Hello all!

I have made it to Zambia safe and sound! Of course, as I got off the plane, went through customs, got my bag (thank you Lord for getting it to me in one piece), I exited the airport not recognizing one sign being held up as one with my name or that of CURE. ha. So I dropped my suitcase, looked around, and for a half of a second the thought went through my mind: "What was I thinking coming to Africa by myself???". But just as fast as that thought came, I remembered exactly what I was thinking when I signed up for this trip -- I wanted to make a difference in a health care setting that was COMPLETELY different than what I was used to (and goodness gracious, I had no clue!). So I looked around again, eventually found a young man holding a sign saying CURE International, and I introduced myself to him. Danny, is the main driver for the hospital and he made sure I knew where to go and what to do after I arrived.

The sweet kitchen staff whipped up a light breakfast and after a short tour of the facilities, I was instructed (after minimal protest) to take a nap and shower and then stop by the hospital in the afternoon. (I like the time structure here, very much whenever you want to do something, you do it. Although that can also be frustrating in the hospital sense when trying to give medications or schedule operations). Oh, here's a few examples to start out some of the funny differences between nursing in the States and in Zambia (sorry, most of this humor is probably more for nurses...)-- OT (not occupational therapy, here it is operating theater - yeah, that means operating room). They say, "bed 16 is going for theater in the morning". I like that one. Or the fact that a guardian MUST be at the bedside at all times (it is neat to see a community stand up and fill in when the mother must take care of other kids or the father must return to work). I saw a doctor create a makeshift insentive spirometer device using IV tubing and an almost empty water bottle. Had the girl blow through the tubing making bubbles in the water. I saw a makeshift wheelchair using a white plastic chair fastened onto pipes with wheels. We had spine doctors visiting last week who created their own chest tubes after extensive surgeries using gallon water bottles and suction tubing. Oh, here's a kicker, the patients in the States we would usually give Morphine PCA's or at the very least IV narcotic pain meds, in Zambia, they are only prescribed Tylenol. Seriously?!

I am very thankful, though, for the nurse manager, Judy. She lived in the States for 15 years and worked at several good hospitals around. So she is able to a) speak my language when need be, b) laugh with me at the differences between the two worlds, and c) use my skills and knowledge base to promote stricter conditions on the unit (i.e. make sure all doctor's orders are carried out and not ignored just because the nurse didn't feel like completing it or had forgotten). We'd get yelled at or fired for that kind of work ethic. For sure! So instead, what I see is doctors doing their own dressing changes or lab draws (I guess because otherwise it may not get done).

Anyhow, it has been a very fun experience so far. I am so thankful for the wonderful staff at the hospital. Everyone makes sure that I know everyone around me. And when I meet a new person, the first thing the say to me when they find out I'm a volunteer, they say "You're welcome". It took me a couple of times hearing that to understanding that they were welcoming me here, not making a response after I said "thank you". But the friendliness makes it a little less lonely out here. I do have a housemate in the guest house, a girl from Germany (another person who speaks English, but I have an extremely difficult time understanding -- you should see me with the doctors, "please repeat", because I NEED to understand what they are saying, with other people I can smile and nod, no biggie). We are hoping to do some traveling together on our days off. Although I laughed when they told me I would only be working 4 days a week. What am I to do for the other 3? So Judy said I could work 5, but said that I must have the weekends off. I think they are just so excited to share their culture and country with me. (For instance, Judy made me eat lunch with my hands yesterday. Every day for lunch they have a white really thick mashed potato looking thing called "inshima" that they roll into their hands and then dip into a meat sauce. It was actually quite good). So I, obviously, have tons of stories already that I would just LOVE to share, and I hope in my excitement to write I haven't created a chaotic swarm of words, but my lunch break is about over. More to come-- especially now that the doctor has fixed our internet connection! Thank you!

Prayers: That my relationships with staff will be intentional and purposeful. That I do not slack in my work ethic just because the other nurses have or say that it is okay. To continue to desire God's Word each day. To pray with families.