Hi all!
Please excuse the lack of updates! The issue of the internet has been challenging. Unfortunately my last two blogs vanished in to the ether when I tried submitting them. Fortunately though poor internet has been the worst issue I've faced during this trip.
I find myself writing to you from Solwezi. A booming little town just next to the border with the DR Congo. I left Mukinge this morning with much sadness at the fact I was leaving. The last six weeks having been an amazing adventure, that I can't wait to tell you more about. But probably not all in this post! In fact this post will also be pretty short.
It feels pretty difficult to summarise the experience of the last few weeks. Medically it has been amazing. Emotionally it has been trying. Personally it has been a time of great progress. And spiritually it has been an excellent time of encouragement and growth. I am so very thankful to all the missionaries here, for allowing me to come along.
A few prayer and praise points:
For the staff at the hospital: the workload is immense, and their good work ethic means they are attracting more and more patients. Please pray for their strength and wisdom. Also pray that more doctors will come, as they are definitely needed!
That the blood eventually came back in stock, but that a permanent solution to the insufficient supply may be found.
A prayer of thanks for all the people at home who are supporting the people here. It does not go unnoticed and is not taken for granted!
Finally, can I ask you to pray for me. As I now get the chance to travel and have a holiday. For safety, but also for a good time of reflection on all that has been and for wisdom as to where God would like me to go next!
I have had a great trip to Zambia, and its so encouraging to see what God is doing here. I look forward to telling you more about it soon. Thank you for your kind words and support and especially your prayers. I have felt very loved.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Blessings,
Matt
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
African greetings
Hello everyone! Greetings from Zambia!
I have managed to arrive safely, and am settling in at the hospital. The journey involved three flghts to get to Lusaka, which was thankfully uneventful. I and another midwifery student from England stayed in the capital for a couple days, with some of the SIM team. It was a good time to catch up on some of the lost sleep, but also chat with some of the outbound missionaries from other parts of Africa - very encouraging to hear what God is doing!
After loading up on food we flew on to Mukinge. Landing at the rough grass strip we were greeted by a few of the resident missionaries and a lot of the local children (who came to see the plane!)
Most of the missionaries here are working either in the hospital or teaching in the school. They all work extremely hard and are very passionate about their work. They have all been very friendly and welcoming, which has been great!
The hospital here is a little dated and a little basic, and absolutely nothing like I am used to! But it is functional, and staffed by a very dedicated bunch. I have been fortunate to spend the remainder of week on surgery. The pathology here is incredibly varied and apart from the ceasarian section, the operations have all been new to me.
Despite an incredibly dedicated staff, the resources are finite, which leads me to a few prayer requests!
Prayer points:
For the staff, who work incredibly hard and faithfully. That they would be encouraged and feel supported.
For the patients, and continuing opportunities to share with them.
That the hospital will be able to source some blood soon, as there is very little available, and it is very much needed!
Feel free to continue to pray for the ebola outbreak in west africa, and those affected by it. A big praise point in that the doctors discussed in the last blog appear to be recovering. Amen!
Sorry to keep it short but I have only my phone to write on, and very big thumbs. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Matt.
I have managed to arrive safely, and am settling in at the hospital. The journey involved three flghts to get to Lusaka, which was thankfully uneventful. I and another midwifery student from England stayed in the capital for a couple days, with some of the SIM team. It was a good time to catch up on some of the lost sleep, but also chat with some of the outbound missionaries from other parts of Africa - very encouraging to hear what God is doing!
After loading up on food we flew on to Mukinge. Landing at the rough grass strip we were greeted by a few of the resident missionaries and a lot of the local children (who came to see the plane!)
Most of the missionaries here are working either in the hospital or teaching in the school. They all work extremely hard and are very passionate about their work. They have all been very friendly and welcoming, which has been great!
The hospital here is a little dated and a little basic, and absolutely nothing like I am used to! But it is functional, and staffed by a very dedicated bunch. I have been fortunate to spend the remainder of week on surgery. The pathology here is incredibly varied and apart from the ceasarian section, the operations have all been new to me.
Despite an incredibly dedicated staff, the resources are finite, which leads me to a few prayer requests!
Prayer points:
For the staff, who work incredibly hard and faithfully. That they would be encouraged and feel supported.
For the patients, and continuing opportunities to share with them.
That the hospital will be able to source some blood soon, as there is very little available, and it is very much needed!
Feel free to continue to pray for the ebola outbreak in west africa, and those affected by it. A big praise point in that the doctors discussed in the last blog appear to be recovering. Amen!
Sorry to keep it short but I have only my phone to write on, and very big thumbs. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Matt.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Departing Darwin
It's very difficult to believe that this time in a week I'll have arrived in Zambia!
For the last six weeks I have been in Darwin undertaking an infectious diseases rotation. It has been an enjoyable time, and given me a few insights in to the medicine I will be seeing shortly (albeit very sanatised!) The team I have been working with has also been a surprising blessing. Almost all the doctors have worked in Africa at some point, and most in Zambia at various stages! It has been very encouraging hearing how much they enjoyed their time there and how much they would like to go back!
Although my excitement is building about the coming medical mission trip, there is some sad news out of West Africa. As has been reported in many of the newspapers, there is an out break of the extremely deadly Ebola virus happening, that has infected over a thousand people. Sadly two of those affected are hospital staff that work for SIM, one a doctor. Please feel free to pray for all those affected by this outbreak.
As for me, now that the departure is on the horizon, I shall try update this blog more regularly.
One thing that I have become very good at this year is writing notes for doctors. As you drift from patient to patient in the ward, things that are said by doctors and patients are recorded. The results of any examinations are noted, as well as the doctor's overall impression. Above all though, the thing people want to see at the end of the notes is "The Plan". In fact, it's about the only part of the notes people will ever read again. People will flick through the many pages looking for the scribbled 'P/' and the ensuing list.
I guess it's fitting here given this is a short term medical mission trip if I finish with a few P/rayer points, but leave the Plan up to God!
P/
#1 Good preparation and safe travels over the next few days.
#2 For the staff at Mukinge whom I shall seen be meeting and serving with
#3 For the patients at Mukinge - for the opportunities to treat them medically and share with them faithfully.
#4For all those in West Africa affected by the outbreak of Ebola.
For the last six weeks I have been in Darwin undertaking an infectious diseases rotation. It has been an enjoyable time, and given me a few insights in to the medicine I will be seeing shortly (albeit very sanatised!) The team I have been working with has also been a surprising blessing. Almost all the doctors have worked in Africa at some point, and most in Zambia at various stages! It has been very encouraging hearing how much they enjoyed their time there and how much they would like to go back!
Although my excitement is building about the coming medical mission trip, there is some sad news out of West Africa. As has been reported in many of the newspapers, there is an out break of the extremely deadly Ebola virus happening, that has infected over a thousand people. Sadly two of those affected are hospital staff that work for SIM, one a doctor. Please feel free to pray for all those affected by this outbreak.
As for me, now that the departure is on the horizon, I shall try update this blog more regularly.
One thing that I have become very good at this year is writing notes for doctors. As you drift from patient to patient in the ward, things that are said by doctors and patients are recorded. The results of any examinations are noted, as well as the doctor's overall impression. Above all though, the thing people want to see at the end of the notes is "The Plan". In fact, it's about the only part of the notes people will ever read again. People will flick through the many pages looking for the scribbled 'P/' and the ensuing list.
I guess it's fitting here given this is a short term medical mission trip if I finish with a few P/rayer points, but leave the Plan up to God!
P/
#1 Good preparation and safe travels over the next few days.
#2 For the staff at Mukinge whom I shall seen be meeting and serving with
#3 For the patients at Mukinge - for the opportunities to treat them medically and share with them faithfully.
#4For all those in West Africa affected by the outbreak of Ebola.
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| The Territory from the air. |
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Introductions
Hello everybody!
Thanks for dropping by this blog. I'm intending to use it to keep all of you updated at home about my upcoming short-term mission trip to Zambia. I will be flying out from Australia for Zambia at the start of August.
I would love for you to keep coming back, and I will try to update this blog at least fortnightly (providing I have some internet connectivity!).
In the mean time, please pray for a good preperation and for the people in Mukinge who are preapring to host me!
Blessings,
-Matt.
Thanks for dropping by this blog. I'm intending to use it to keep all of you updated at home about my upcoming short-term mission trip to Zambia. I will be flying out from Australia for Zambia at the start of August.
I would love for you to keep coming back, and I will try to update this blog at least fortnightly (providing I have some internet connectivity!).
In the mean time, please pray for a good preperation and for the people in Mukinge who are preapring to host me!
Blessings,
-Matt.
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