A Time of Waiting

As I write the sun is shining from a clear blue sky and although at the moment it is a pleasant 24 degrees by lunch time it will be in the high 30s and too hot to work outside. It is hard to believe that there is ice and snow in England and shops full of Christmas decorations. Advent is however here and we wait the coming of Jesus again and consider which of the many ways of celebrating Christmas we are used to we will have here .It somehow seems inappropriate to fill the house with more things when so many around have so little but we do need to celebrate this great event.

For Mark just back from England after an urgent visit for medical tests we are glad to say that the time of waiting was short and the outcome good. Keep taking the tablets is the answer now and he is well. Marks unexpected visit to the UK delayed things by 2 weeks and has caused the official inauguration to be postponed the to the New Year

Tomorrow the waiting for the hospital starts to be over. The nurses and midwives laboratory and pharmacy staff begin their induction training. There are about 20 of them. It is exciting, after all we have been here since April, but also slightly daunting. Despite the delays, there are still things to be done, sterilisation building to finish-nearly there but our mason that knows how to tile has just had to go off to his village for a visit -so more waiting. Toilets and triage room and entrance walkway also to finish.

In addition contracts, paperwork and ministry visits need to be organised soon now Mark is back

Finally equipment and drugs that have been ordered for a few weeks need to arrive by air from Europe- It is unclear why they have not yet been dispatched. More waiting and praying that it arrives soon before our opening date of the 9th of December.
We need patience, we need enthusiasm, we need energy and we need wisdom we need as we wait on God to fulfil all our needs Psalm 138 v “The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever- do not abandon the works of your hands.”

Pitures showing the changes in the

operating theatre/maternity

Moving ahead

I wonder what wakes you up in the morning? Maybe it’s the same as us, the steady rumble of heavy lorries outside the window ; hopefully it’s not quite as early as it is here, about 4.45am. They are searching for sand and gravel to build the new road and parade ground in front of the presidential palace. It has to be finished by January to celebrate 50 years of Independence. It is unclear whether this was delayed from the actual date in August because at that time of year it was likely to rain or because of the building works, perhaps a bit of both. The early start is to make sure its ready on time even working Sundays which is a day off for most.
We too are working to a deadline for the official opening the hospital in 3 1/2 weeks . There seems to be plenty to do before this can happen but invitations are being sent and mats and chairs ordered and menus decided on, we may be glad we are being woken at 5 am and kept awake by the call to prayer and sunrise which follows.
Through all of this we have been aware of Gods hand on us we have been able to find nurses and other staff who have a good level of training for us to work with and who are keen to show the love of God in their work. We have had good contacts with local authorities and seen His guidance as we place our orders and make plans as to how the hospital will function. Finally we suddenly received the money we needed just as the bank account was empty and we were considering whether we could really open on time.
So now there are just a few things left to do

1)Finish the sterilisation buildings-windows and doors / mosquito nets/concrete shelves and tiles /paint inside and out

2)Other small building works/ a triage room and new pedestrian gate for the out patients / toilets for the outside carers area /waste disposal area and incinerator.

3)Wait for two consignments of essential equipment and drugs to arrive from Europe by air and clear customs to complete what we have.

4)Run induction courses for the nurses, midwives, pharmacy and lab staff.
Wait for tables and chairs and drip stands to be made locally and buy some other local equipment.

5)Have a final review of the infrastructure and equipment by the Ministry of Development and renew our agreement and contract with the Ministry of Health

It all seems a lot to do so …….we took a break and had a weekend away at the end of half term staying beside the river in a small hotel with swimming pool and visiting some more volcanic rocks this time weirdly eroded into the form of a family of elephants- great fun having a boat ride up stream, now we are fully charged and ready to move with God working together to meet our deadline.