Saturday at Mazimbu

Saturday, July 9

We have all fallen into our regular routine in the mornings. Some still don’t have hot water, and there is a group consensus that we miss our “American” breakfasts. We gather onto the bus and head off to the hospital for another blessed day.

Andrea performed a major surgery today, removing multiple fibroids from a young woman, one the size of a soccer ball. The woman who had the surgery also had a sister we saw yesterday. Both of them speak English and were here early this morning. Paige had been in the examinations with them yesterday and was able to talk with them before the surgery and afterwards. The sister brought her five year old son for all of us to meet, and it was such a privilege to be able to connect with the people we help. Paige went to see the sleeping and recovering patient, and on the way out, the sister told her how thankful she was for helping her sister because all of her previous doctors refused to help her. The way we have shown Christ’s love has touched everyone here, patients and team members.

Doug also had a very busy day, and was scheduled for four surgeries. It is about 5 pm as we are writing this blog and Doug is in the OR, or theatre as they say here, finishing his third procedure. But the power has just gone off in the hospital—another example of TANESCO’s power management—and the newly repaired generator has not yet kicked in to restore power to the theatre. This may make it impossible to finish his last surgery. We’ll update that in our next blog.

Chelsea, Dani, Pati, and Paige had the privilege of observing different surgeries today and Doug and Andrea were really great about explaining the procedures to them.

One satisfying experience came from Pati. Andrea’s surgical patient needed blood, and Pati was able to donate hers. An interesting aspect that was discussed was that when we give blood in America, most of the donors don’t know who their blood goes to or how it actually helps others, but today, Pati was directly able to see the impact she has made for the patient.

It’s amazing how our team can come together, with all of our talents and gifts, and share with each other and people of a completely different way of life. We are working nonstop, but smiling and loving every step of the way. We are staying in tonight, and all of us are looking forward to a night of regrouping and relaxing.

God’s work. Our hands.

1 John 3:18- My little children let us not love only in word and in tongue but in deed and in truth.