Empty Nest

Our house seems so quiet and empty since our guests have left. Its seems like a lot longer than two weeks since they left. We were very blessed to have Peter and Tina Tang here in Malawi for 3 weeks. Tina was able to take some great pictures while she was here as well as helping us get the O.R. cleaned up and organized so that the maternity unit at ABC Communtiy Clinic can open later this month. Her and Peter also went out on mobile clinics with us both for Ministry of Hope and Gusu. Marissa, Angie and Kit were here with us for 2 weeks (not nearly long enough). They also were very hard workers who helped set up a labor room for the clinic here as well as helping with the O.R. They were able to go on mobile clinics as well. It is amazing how fast things can run when you have such great volunteers who are willing to anything that needs to get done. Mark and Deb Holland were here with us for 4 weeks...again not long enough! Mark was great pitching in to see patients at the clinic and take up some of the slack for Dr. Young especially in the afternoons. He did his first stitches about 5 min after we arrived home from the airport! Deb was the one who got the O.R. cleaned out and set up as well as the new delivery room. She also took lots and lots of vital signs at our mobile clinics. She also pitched in with the cooking for everyone and made sure we kept cool with the neck ties!

We had lots of fun being able to hit the beach a couple of times, get away on safari, spend time playing in the pool after the clinic closed, play games in the evening and watch "Bones" together at night. I can't wait for them all to come back again. The kids just got their first report cards and teacher conferences. They are both doing extremely well and both had high enough grades to be on the honor roll.

The ABC clinic is gearing up to have its first delivery in about 4 weeks. We still have lots of work to do to get ready but we are miles ahead after all the help we got! I hope to post pictures soon of the finished rooms and O.R. We are starting to train the nurses and line up anesthesia so we would really appreciate prayer as we move forward with this.

We also just finished hosting the Zambian swim team in the Guest Lodge. There were lots of kids to accomodate and meals to coordinate but it ended up being a success. Kimmy had fun watching the big swim gala (reminds me of a gym meet) and now she wants to work hard on her swimming so she can be on the team next year.

JDS and E3 projects are keeping us busy. The dresses that were donated have been sold and we have made enough money to finish the foundation on the second school block. The goat project is also up and running strong as well as some pig farming. Our mobile clinics were able to see about 400 people from Gusu and the surrounding villages.

It is really really hot here and hard to believe that it will be Thanksgiving and Christmas soon. It is wierd to spend Christmas going to the pool or lake or BBQ OUTSIDE with friends.

We are enjoying our work and time here in Malawi even though we miss everyone at home alot. We are very thankful for all the prayers and support that we get from everyone back at home. Keep checking back for updates about how progress on the maternity unit is unfolding!