Last weekend in Africa...

I can't believe it... I'm at my last 2 days here. Saturday and Sunday. That's it for me here in Africa... at least for now.

So here's an update on my last week here, Wednesday-Friday:

Wednesday: Dr. Kachinga Sichizya took Josh and I around Lusaka for the entire day. We visited UTH (University Teaching Hospital), I got to meet his wife who is absolutely precious, he showed us the house they live in right now which is small and a rented home, he also took us to the home they are building (and have been building for the last four years)... that house is going to be absolutely wonderful for him and his family! He was telling me that right now, in that small home they are in, there's him, his wife, his 3 children, plus 6 orphans from a few siblings of his who passed away. Eleven people in a tiny house... This man amazes me. I have never met anyone who is so on fire for our Lord, and will do anything He says. Kachinga also took us to see the President of Zambia's house, a previous president's gravesite, the old and new US embassy, and all the other embassies in the area. The new US embassy that is being built is the largest one in Africa. I have asked several people why we are building a new one, and they said "I don't know... you tell me! You're the American!" It's actually 2 blocks from Kachinga's new house, so he says that we are his neighbors. :)

Thursday: Josh left yesterday morning and it seems as if all the patients left with him! The ward is empty. There's probably 4 patients left now! The thing is that the OR is being renovated and it's impossible to keep the rooms sterile until they are done adding the extra OR suite. That will be about 3 more weeks... so they did one final OR day this week for the orthopedic patients who needed it. I got to hang out with them in the OR yesterday, perfecting my IV insertion skills (yippee!!!). In the OR I got to see a lot of osteomyelitis cases. I don't get to see that everyday in the US. Last night the anesthesiologist, Dr. Tshoma, who has been incredibly helpful to me, invited me out to dinner with his wife and niece. We went to this awesome restaurant called "Rhapsody" and the food was absolutely amazing. I had chili chicken penne, his wife had "meat on a stick" ...not like a kabab... but on a huge metal rod. It looked amazing! Dr. Tshoma and his niece both had bacon wrapped chicken that was stuffed with red bell peppers. I'm tellin ya... the food was awesome!

Friday-Sunday: This weekend I was asked by the director of nursing, Judith, to come spend the weekend with her and her family. She doesn't want me to be all alone, with an empty hospital during my last weekend here... I've asked her about ten times "are you suuuure? I don't want to be a burden!!!!" She said her husband works all weekend and she has 3 small kids, so I would actually be helping her by staying there! She is such a blessing to me. On Sunday, I'm having dinner with Pastor Harold and his family... The people here take such good care of me. My heart is so incredibly touched by their kindness.

Monday morning I leave for London (10 hr flight), stay there overnight, leave Tuesday morning for Texas (10 hr flight) and I arrive at 2:30 or so in the afternoon! I'm flying back in time... :)

I think that's about all I have for now... I miss everyone back home and I'm getting really anxious to be home again. When I know I'm leaving soon, I just want to get the party started... please pray I live in today's moments, for God says not to be anxious about tomorrow.


Alleluia, Sing by David Crowder Band

as calm comes to the sea
as snow falls quietly
You come to me
like justice to the weak
like the flood rising
You come, You come to me
and it feels like it's almost here...

Alleluia, Majesty
Alleluia, risen King
Alleluia, angels sing

like springtime to winter's harsh
like laughter to solemnness
like a sun rising up
You come, You come to us

Alleluia, Majesty
Alleluia, King of Kings
Allelugah angels sing

like a song rising up, with Your heart filling up
my heart's not enough for this love, for this love
to sing of love, to sing of love....

Alleluia, Majesty
Alleluia, King of Kings
Alleluia, angels sing
Alleluia sing!