A day in the garden through the eyes of our little man...

Living out in the African bush is full of adventures for little Zeke - the morning begins with the emptying of the rubbish into the bin pit - which is located to the side of our house.  Thankfully this task is supervised to ensure that no one falls in :)

Recently here in Mukinge there has been a lot of burning off going on to keep the grass and foliage to a minimum during the dry season. 

Each mornings' efforts are accompained by a smoko period chilling with Natson our  
    wonderful gardener.

The vegie garden:  Chinese cabbage, carrots, onions & tomatoes. 

A weekend in the big smoke...

We are very thankful to be enjoying a few days away in Solwezi (2 hours drive from Mukinge).  Life for us has been quite full on in recent weeks and to be completely honest – we’ve probably found ourselves feeling on the flat side.  We are both still thoroughly enjoying out time here in Zambia - the people are wonderful, our fellow missionaries are amazing, the work at the hospital is enjoyable and challenging, and the simplicity of life here is something we enjoy. But as we’re discovering – some days are just plain hard.

It is amazing how God provides times of encouragement and refreshment just when it’s needed.  He’s never promised that there will be no trials, difficulties or sadness, but HE does promise to be enough through it all.  

So...yesterday we were very blessed to be able to hitch a ride with a fellow missionary up to Solwezi. First stop was SHOPRITE.  Now for those of you who enjoy a good grocery shopping experience - this is your shop.  The first aisle to be visited had to be the chocolates and chips aisle - we won't go into details - but will say that it was good!  We are now well stocked with flour, sugar, cereal, cheese, toilet paper, meat, butter, a new mop, and just a couple of chocolates.  :)

We are staying in a lovely hotel here in Solwezi.   We even have meals prepared for us here.  Such a nice treat!  We are thoroughly enjoying the time of rest..but are also looking forward to returning home to the quiet and 'not so much traffic' Mukinge on Monday. 

The main road through Kasempa (our local town) on our way to Solwezi

The markets along the side of the road in Solwezi

Trolleys are the same all across the world - i ended up dragging mine from the front to avoid running into people

"Hooray - we survived the trip to the shops"

The car all packed with groceries - thanks for unpacking Bridget - you're the best!

The road to the hotel

Lovin' the Aussie flag out the front!

Zeke enjoying his first buffet breakfast at the hotel

All the boys -Toby enjoying "sitting" in a big boys chair

ps: a huge thanks to the person who sent over packets of TimTams, Malteesers and Mintees.  We have no idea who you are as they arrived in a plastic shopping bag and without a letter.  That was a great surprise - thankyou! (feel free to own up!)

A memorable mum…

Friday week ago, started like any other morning at the hospital. We had devotions, and then began our clinical hand-over at about 0800hrs. David Friend (the senior doctor here at Mukinge) had been on call on Thursday night, and told me about a mum on maternity. He said she was 14 years old, in her first pregnancy, and had a seizure (eclampsia) at about 0430hrs. It also seemed that she had a fairly big baby from the size of her abdomen. After treatment for her seizure with magnesium sulphate, she had settled well, and was progressing in her labour. The hand-over to me (the doctor looking after maternity during the day), was that she should be delivered soon, and to keep an eye on her.

On arrival on the labour ward, the young mum was unfortunately not yet delivered, but was progressing well (with only 1cm to go until she could start pushing). She still had some of the signs of eclampsia, so I decided to continue her magnesium injections and review her again in an hour.

When I returned to check-on her, the poor girl was not progressing, and after review by our Zambian medical officer (Menda), we decided to take her for a c-section.

In theatre, I began scrubbing to assist Menda with the c-section, while our senior nurse-come-anaesthetist (Lynn) was about to give the girl a spinal anaesthetic. My scrubbing was interrupted by a commotion on the operating table where our patient had begun to have another seizure, just as the spinal was about to go in!

Following some diazepam and a quick anaesthetic, our c-section began stat. Menda is a fantastic surgeon, and he quickly had the baby out. The boy appeared no worse for wear, and was quickly passed off to Lynn (our nurse-come-anaesthetist-come-paediatrician). I was still looking over my shoulder to see how Lynn was going with the baby when Menda let out a cry – “and another one!” Shortly after, a healthy second boy came into the world. 

Mum actually had yet another seizure while she was being closed up, but fortunately settled well on medications over the next 24 hours (delivery is the best treatment for eclampsia). I discharged her and the boys home late last week, for what will no doubt be some challenging and busy days ahead. - d

Kona Fried Chicken

Today we had our first bought meal here at Mukinge.  The Kajo Kona is a lovely little place to grab a snack or meal which is located alongside the hospital grounds.  Sadly our lovely bread maker did not come today, so we decided to go fancy and head down to the Kajo Kona for lunch.  It was delicious.

At the Kajo they were serving nshima (the national staple here in Zambia - made from cornflour) with cabbage, tomato, a lovely piece of chicken and delicious gravy.  The chicken is the closest thing we have tasted to KFC!  We were able to have a full meal for all four of us with an apple soft drink for 50 000 Kwacha (about $10).  I think this is going to have to be a new tradition!

 

So for those of you who may be considering popping over to Mukinge anytime soon - make sure you get the nshima and chicken from the Kajo Kona - it's great!  In the near future they will be serving dessert.  According to people in the know - there is a truck arriving sometime soon that has the mixture for soft serve ice-cream!  Look out!! - m & d