Kalene at last

I arrived at Kalene Mission Hospital yesterday afternoon following a rather jam-packed morning in Lusaka. We were told by Immigration that our missionary work permits would be ready Wednesday morning at  the earliest.  But being familiar with the way these offices are run, we expected that we would either have to spend a couple more days in Lusaka, or fly up to Kalene, returning at a later date to pick up the permits.  We prayed a lot for these permits to be completed on time, as the cost and time of flying down to Lusaka would not be desireable. The Lord came through, as we knew He would. Our permits were completed less than an hour before we were scheduled to fly! After running through Immigration, we stopped at a grocery store for our last opportunity to by cheese and yogurt then went straight to the airport.
The flight took over 3 hours from Lusaka to Kalene. It rained, allowing for a smoother ride than the previous one I arrived on 3 years ago.  No one was sick on the flight, although the sick bags were readily available!
I was taken on a tour of the mission station and hospital...so much has changed in the past 3 years! Most of the staff at the hospital were recognisable, but the school of nursing has had 2 new intakes of students since I left. The hospital itself has had several renovations, including a new theater block and several new staff houses.
We also were taken to visit the Chief today, the meeting went well, and in closing he invited us to come back anytime, provided that we would preach God's word. This is very encouraging, as there have been times here, recently, where this wasn't the case.  One of the missionaries offered to close in pray, praying for the Chief and his family.
All in all, it's been a great week since I left the Great White North.
Rachel
All in all, it feels like I'm home. The settling in process has begun and the work will start bright and early tomorrow morning.

Lusaka...still

We just returned from our third visit to the local immigration office. The good news is that they've found my file. The bad news is that it won't be my last visit there! My permit will be ready, at the earliest on Wednesday morning. This is cutting it very close, as our flight to Kalene leaves early Wednesday afternoon, and Immigration closes for 2 hours at lunch! The worst case senario involves taking an 18h return trip to Solwezi in a mini-bus. I had the privilege of taking this drive three years ago. It was memorable for all the wrong reasons! We are currently praying that this trip will be avoided...feel free to join us in prayer!
On another note, we spent the morning at the local market... the typical, non-tourist, real market! I managed to get a great deal on some fabric because I spoke French with the Congolese refugee shop owner, and because I was single. I prefer to think that it was because I spoke French, lol! The married, English nurse with me was giving the "Musengu" (white person) price :)
Along with acquiring fabric, I got my first sun-burn of the season, courtesy of doxycycline (anti-malaria with sun-sensitivity effects)...I'm looking forward to not being the pasty Canadian for much longer.
Dr. John and Rachel Woodfield arrived with there family last night from NZ and will be heading up to the hospital a day or two after us...its a relief that the "real" doctor and pharmacist will be there...and that we won't be completely thrown into diagnosistic medicine!
Well, I should go an enjoy the 39 degree weather, as I see on the weather network that Canada is experiencing -29 degree windchills...no complaining from me, whatsoever!
Luv ya,
Rachel

Lusaka at last!

My journey began Tuesday evening in Ottawa, as I borded my first flight at 1800 to Toronto. It ended 29 hours later, at the Guest house in Lusaka. Technically the trip is not over yet, as I am not flying up to Kalene Hospital until after I get my papers in order for my nursing licence and work permit. I slept 45 min on my flight to Heathrow, followed by a 2 hour nap on a bench in Heathrow and 15 min sleep on the following flight....to say that I was exhausted, would be a cruel understatement. How I got through immigration and customs without forgetting my name is a mystery!
I began today with crashing for a nice 5 hour sleep at the guest house, then it was off to the races...or slow meanderings that take place in  Zambian goverment offices. Alongside a seasoned nurse from Kalene, and a couple of other short-termers, we headed to the Zambian Nursing Council on public transit to begin the process of becoming registered nurses in Zambia. We have been promised an interview with the nursing council tomorrow, necessary for acquiring the licence, but most likely it won't happen until next week. I'll be in Lusaka until I get this licence.., and then off to Kalene!
Meanwhile, I have begun to enjoy the modern city of Lusaka. We had a lovely lunch at a cafe and supper at an Indian restaurant...embracing the culture, one butter chicken at a time!
That's all for now...