The Adventure continues....

There is much to blog about and sometimes I have little idea where to start! However, I think the most important thing to share about is our work in Uganda, so I will start there. Our time in Uganda was amazing. We were accepted by the family we stayed with - Robert and Esther and their 13 children - as part of the family. Esther has only given birth to two children, Jemima and Karen, and they adopted Grace when she was a brand new infant after she was rescued from a well - where she had been dumped. The rest of their 'children' are all ages and they have taken them in and had them join their family due to their varying needs - just as they did us. Our time with them built a foundation of relationship, that is now cherished and will likely support the underpinnings of Impact Nations' future longterm medical work in Mityana, Uganda. It is not a stretch for me to imagine moving here one day to continue this work....

Enjoying the rain with the kids on the trampoline The kids teach us how to do the washing! Love your machine people - love your machine! Esther, Karen and Jemimah

Saul

Grace Karen Robert Sarah Jemimah

Fun in the Rain

There is much to blog about and sometimes I have little idea where to start! However, I think the most important thing to share about is our work in Uganda, so I will start there. Our time in Uganda was amazing. We were accepted by the family we stayed with - Robert and Esther and their 13 children - as part of the family. Esther has only given birth to two children, Jemima and Karen, and they adopted Grace when she was a brand new infant after she was rescued from a well - where she had been dumped. The rest of their 'children' are all ages and they have taken them in and had them join their family due to their varying needs - just as they did us. Our time with them built a foundation of relationship, that is now cherished and will likely support the underpinnings of Impact Nations' future longterm medical work in Mityana, Uganda. It is not a stretch for me to imagine moving here one day to continue this work....

Our hero - Juliette - RN

Listening to our health teaching

Juliette's son Benjamin - we LOVE him!

Shopping for props for our health teaching on nutrition

Kids Playing at the school Kate - always a kid magnet This is what they call rainy season! We had some significant 'professional' experiences while in Mityana, that really impacted us personally and our professional understanding. My initial blog talked of the working conditions and lack of healthcare resources. Well we experienced this in a way that none of us ever imagined. We were sitting down to have a meeting about a business plan/model to fund our medical plans and ideas, when we heard screaming from outside. In general, Uganda (like the rest of Africa) is not a quiet place. People commune in the streets (laneways) and houses are anything but soundproof. Africans by nature are fairly loud and expressive, so none of us really thought much of the screaming (especially because we understand very little of the language). Pastor Robert said to us as we were sitting down - it sounds like they have lost someone, I will go see what is happening. Again we didn't think much of this, as there are children roaming freely on a regular basis - and none of us got up. It wasn't until one of the children came in and said "a child has died" that any of us did anything. Robert quickly followed and said he was taking the mother and child to the hospital - we asked if we could do something - he said maybe one of you come - we quickly decided that Heather being the ICU nurse should go.... the rest of the story is found on her blog here.

Another significant professional experience that the three of us shared was our daily care for Florence. She is a beautiful vibrant woman, and the wife of Pastor Hannington. The community they pastor has been a village where Impact Nations has been starting different projects, such as farming, provision of electricity to the local school and food provision for the students, as they partner towards village transformation. Florence and Hannington came to see us early in our time in Uganda with an Xray and the report that she had just had surgery to drain an abscess. She had a very significant osteomyelitis (infection in the bone) in her hip. They were asking for our help, as she had a large wound, was unable to walk and was in significant pain. We put our resources and supplies together and were able to give her 5 days of IV antibiotics, changed her dressing and prayed for her twice a day. There were moments where we were quite concerned about the level of infection she had, and when we felt like she really needed more surgery. However, when we left her, she was healing well, walking again and abundantly grateful. We received a message from them both after we had left Uganda telling us that they had been to see the surgeon, who was amazed at her progress, and who told them in no uncertain terms - that if she had not had the strong antibiotics and care we gave her, she may have lost her ability to walk. We are thankful for the healing she has received, and ask that you would keep her in your prayers as we wait and believe for complete healing.

Florence before she was walking.... and now she walks!

Outside Florence and Hanngington's house

Caring for Florence The final report on what we will propose longterm medically in Mityana is in the final stages and will be posted soon. But a summary of it is - we would like to partner with the healthcare professionals in the town as they work to care for people in the outlying villages. Initially, our support will look like troubleshooting, sharing resources and lending an ear to those working in difficult circumstances. The details of the longterm plan will be coming - stay tuned! We have now completed a week of rest prior to starting our second leg of medical voluntary work in Burundi. We have learned the hard way how imperative it is to take time out to recharge while we are travelling in this nature. It is especially important as we will all resume our full-time jobs when we return to Canada. We have had an amazing rest - lots of laughs and moments where we were astounded and brought to tears by God's beauty and majesty. I have even read TWO 700 page novels (only some of you will know the significance of this!). It has been almost a year since we lost our Papa Bob. Kate and I met Bob and Sylvia in Kenya five and a half years ago. We had significant experiences together here and I find my thoughts pondering the pearls of wisdom that he imparted to us in our time together as we travel. We miss him. We went sailing this week and smiled as we remembered the fantastic captain he was and high standards he set on his boat (not quite the case here!). I was proud that we took time out to rest, as he was always impressing on us the importance of living a life of balance and taking time to rest and just be God's kids. We are blessed! We are excited about the time in Burundi and will post again soon.

The Sisterhood

We arrived in Uganda just after midnight, to a fluorescent sign at the Entebbe airport that stated “2/3 Musketeers”. Unfortunately the heavy exhaustion and lack of ability to read the pink had us glance over the whole thing. Luckily we were some of the only Muzungus (white people) in the place and so the warm smile owned by the man holding the sign walked towards us and sheepishly said “is this you?”. We both broke out into laughter, as he had been given this message by our third musketeer - Heather! After some much needed sleep, we set out on our journey through Kampala and out onto the red road surrounded by the green beauty of Uganda. After an hour and a half long bumpy milkshake like drive we arrived to a gate that opened with a white arm and our friend’s beautiful face, the sisterhood and three musketeers had been reunited! We haven’t all three worked together for 2 1/2 years. Shortly after many smiling welcoming faces rolled out of the house and we were greeted by the family we will be living with for the next two weeks, Robert and Esther and their family. Instantly, it felt right... comfortable, full of purpose and promise... we are in the right place at the right time. After much prayer and faith to get here, it was refreshing to feel, not just know, the faithfulness of God. We set out to explore the town, but were stopped in the middle of the street by an instantaneous downpour - wowzers - tons of rain, soaked to the core!!! Instead we went to the school called the Kings Kids School - where young Ugandans who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford school fees, are being educated. We even stopped in to a class for a game of “Heads Up 7 Up”!! We concluded our evening by meeting with our new friends Julia and Pastor Moses (and their beautiful son, Ben). Julia is a nurse here and we began our work of developing a longterm primary healthcare plan for this community by meeting with her, and it was the perfect place to start. As our time together went on, her stories broke my heart. It was not her stories of how there are many healthcare needs that continue to not be met - I expected those. It was not the story of how there are few supplies and many patients - I expected those. What absolutely rocked me to the core, were the stories of nurses working beyond their capacity - to utter exhaustion, day in and day out, in brutal conditions, frequently facing impossible choices, and then being blamed for the shortcomings of the healthcare system. Let me expand.... nurses on duty at the local hospital receive a patient in labour, after delivering the first of two twins in the far off village, but are unable to assist her to deliver the second twin, due to the presentation of the baby. The physician (of which there are very very few) was called as the woman needed surgical intervention, but by the time the doctor arrived, the patient had died. The nurse was sued for malpractice, her named smeared through the media, she is no longer working, and is hated in town. Or a known HIV positive woman presents in labour, there is not a glove in the hospital, the nurse chooses to keep her hands off as much as possible as otherwise she would put herself at great risk, but then the baby is delivering with the cord around the neck. Her choice - assist the baby to deliver and put herself at great risk or do nothing (as she lacks the equipment to protect herself) and face a lawsuit for negligence AND watch a baby possibly die. Or a young boy presents with complicated malaria, the nurse knows what treatment is required and even has the IV medication to treat him, but lacks the IV fluid and supplies to adequately establish an IV and actually treat him. Daily the nurses here must make difficult decisions due to lack of physical and human resources, despite having the knowledge to provide good care, and are held responsible by both the government and community for the gaps in care. There were elements of Julia’s stories to which I could relate. Over the course of my career I have encountered difficult scenarios and had to make difficult decisions, but every time I did so, I knew I was supported by my profession, union, colleagues and friends around me, and was appreciated for doing what I could by patients I cared for. In situations that are less than ideal, there is even insurance to protect my livelihood and license. I do not risk my life or my family’s wellbeing everyday to save the life of another. These nurses do. Tonight I had a revelation. While we are here to help develop a plan to bring sustainable healthcare to the poor, and the forgotten ones, we are also here to develop a plan of care for the caregivers, to join our voices with theirs. I am so excited to come along beside these amazingly brilliant, talented and dedicated members of my profession, and to show them in words and in action that they are not alone. Long after we have gone, they will continue the work of providing care for those in need, for them to feel supported in doing so is essential - even if that support comes from non-nurses or nurses far away. It has been said before - put a few nurses in a room no matter where they are from and they will find much to talk about. Tonight was no exception. The brainstorming has happened, the passion is rising, the creativity is beginning to take shape. I am here because God brought me here, I am a nurse because it is my calling, I am part of a sisterhood - and I am proud to be a NURSE! See pictures here

Starting with Rest....

Forgive me everyone, but my normal website and blog are down - and I am not able to fix them from here. I figure the name of this blog still fits so I will continue to blog to this site while I am away. So the African adventure has begun with three much needed days of rest. After an intensive Master’s program, a large move, starting new jobs and a trans-atlantic 24+ hr flight... it was exactly what we needed. Kate and I first visited Capetown five years ago on our first trip to Africa together. We loved it then, and those feelings haven’t changed. As much as we wanted to revisit all of the great tourist attractions, we chose to take a more mellow approach. A dear friend I met last year while in South Africa and her husband, Erika and Dup, live in Capetown. They were so gracious and amazing - they lent us their car so we could get around, took us out for dinner to one of their favourite places in the city to view the sunset over table mountain and eat real South African cuisine, invited to a gathering of their friends (Happy Birthday Erika!) and welcomed us into their home. The hospitality of South Africans never ceases to amaze me, and this was no exception. It was such a great combination of touring and exploring the beauty of the city, while spending time with locals - where the depth of a city is found. The passion for Jesus amongst this couple and their friends was fantastic. During the party, one person recounted the story of David with passion as if he had just read an epic story - which in fact he had! It was the kind of passion you hear people talking with who have just watched a great movie! I was inspired. I am often challenged by the feelings of “what do I have to give” when I come to Africa. Many people I have encountered here have faith with a substance that inspires me.... I often learn so much from them. This is the greatness of the kingdom of God. We all bring our gifts together, learn from one another, and are each blessed differently in the end. As I write this we are sitting in the Nairobi airport, on our way to Uganda to begin working on the Primary Healthcare Initiative. We are excited to meet those who have asked us to come, as well as our dear friend, Heather, who we will be working with. I feel as though I am the boy in the bible, bringing my loaves and fishes - some experience, some medical knowledge, a desire to walk in the calling I am created for, with a God I long to know deeper. It is my prayer that as we humbly offer our time and skills that God has gifted us with, He will use them and multiply them for His glory. In the meantime, He continues to meet all of our needs and bless us through those we meet. See pictures here

Breathtaking Capetown! Diving and all the excitement

Hello everyone,

 

So it has been a while since we have written an update.  I am sitting in the Jo’berg airport and have 15 minutes before our plane leaves to head back to Canada.  Feel like I need to write one last update before we leave this wonderful continent!  So what has happened in the last 2 ½ weeks?  Well – we have flown all over South Africa (much cheaper than taking the bus).  We started our holiday with a wonderful visit to Kruger Park – where we became hippo experts and saw some giraffe (my favorites!) and many other animals.  We really wanted to see cats, but apparently they didn’t want to see them – however as we were leaving God told Kate don’t worry you will see lions – which she didn’t really understand – more on that later.  Following that we flew into Capetown and packed our three days there full of amazing experiences.  We went on a tour of Robben Island – the prision Nelson Mandela was in for many years (which was lead by old prisoners!).  We have had a very eye opening and interesting experience speaking with many people about politics, apartheid and the current state of affairs in South Africa!  It has been very eye opening and heartbreaking all at the same time.  Today we heard that 33% of the deaths in this country are related to AIDS – the largest cause of death in the country!  While we were in Capetown we went to the top of Table Mountain and at one point thought we were going to be repelling down (kind of got lost right before the thing closed at sunset!  Was a titch scary but we trusted the Lord and he guided our steps literally one at a time!).  We also went to Cape point and the Cape of Good Hope see pictures!  It was an absolutely beautiful place and we stayed at this lovely heritage home that overlooked the city – BREATHTAKING!  Did I mention that I drove the day we rented the car and it was by the grace of God that I didn’t kill us and we didn’t kill each other! (Yikes wrong side of the road!).  We then flew on to Durban where we stayed in this little town on the South Coast.  During this time I did my open water PADI course and Kate dove and relaxed.  It was exciting.  We heard dolphins in the water with us and actually swam within 1 ½ meters of ragged tooth sharks YIKES!  It was breathtaking!  Not so good news apparently I have a horrible problem with sea sickness and can’t remember the last time I vomited so much!  But hey I am now qualified to dive all over the world and I made through the qualifications amidst the chucking!  Back to the Cat story!  So the last 24 hours Kate and I have been with a dear friend and sister of one of our friends from work.  Today we went to the Lion Park AND Kate actually got to pet the Lion Cubs nevermind that we saw them up close and personal!  YAY GOD!!! So now we are about to board our 24 hours of flying that shall return us safe and sound to our home CANADA! We are both excited!  Thank you to all of you for our prayers – I’m sure I will post some more pictures and reflections upon our return!

 

Much Love,

Heidi

Onward From Mozambique

Hello Friends,

 

I must apologize as our updates have been few this trip – we have just been so busy doing all that the Lord has called us to (not to mention virtually unable to get to email for the last week and a half!).  So what have we been up to?  So MUCH!  Actually God has been up to AMAZING THINGS – we have just been obedient to do what he has asked us to do.  We finished our time in South Africa, having preached at church, 2 village outreaches and a cell group! (God was stretching us big time!)  During that time we saw a huge number of healings of old and young alike.  I think one of our favorites was when this man with a very sore and swollen knee hobbled in to the women’s cell group to ask for prayer for his leg (quite a severe limp).  We had been told about him the night before at an outreach and had been praying for him.  We joined with the women from the cell group to pray for him and after praying once asked him if he had pain.  He said there was still a little, so we thanked God and prayed again.  After the second time he reported no pain -  and so we told him to try walking so he did and was limping.  We then again checked that there was no pain and when he said yes Kate said to him “You need to thank Jesus and walk strong!”  And he started walking so strong and marched right out of the meeting so happy on his way home!  So that was South Africa!  And by far we were the dirtiest we have been in our lives – no showers!  And we both learned that we are not gifted in the painting world! – we painted a room African style – no straight lines and weird designs!  We are no longer perfectionists!

The last week we have spent at the Iris center in Mozambique.  It has been so good to be back and rebuild relationships with the kids and to see how much they have all changed.  It has been hard to only be here for such a short time, but again the Lord has had some divine appointments with other visitors – so I know why it was important to come.  Kate is also falling in love with the place and now loves the children as much as I do!  We have done outreaches and loved the children – tomorrow we leave to begin the last leg of our trip.

As for the last leg the next two weeks we will spend debriefing, reflecting, being renewed and seeking the Lord for the next stage of our lives.  We will be going to Krueger Park and then flying to Capetown.  From there we are not sure what we will be doing but I assure you we are going to be in a great land for a holiday.  Please pray for our safety; as much as we would like to think we are experienced travelers now, we are aware of the dangers of being single white females in South Africa!  We plan to keep in touch so feel free to email us and we will get back to you.

 

Blessings to you all,

 

Heidi and Kate

Hanging in Nelspruit

Hello everybody,

 

Kate and I arrived safely in South Africa – Dayoung would have been proud – we managed to wake up at 4 am and our bus driver said to us “you girls from a foreign country you get your food and eat on the coach, everyone else you have fifteen minutes”!  It took a little to readjust to just being the two of us again – always having bags and trying to figure out the next step.  Aaron and Brenda picked us up from the bus in Nelspruit on Saturday night and promptly asked us to preach in their church on Sunday morning.  I was a little concerned when church rolled around the next day because the Lord had only given me a short word about a having mustard seed of faith! Well apparently it was for me as well!  We only needed a short word, because when we called out the words of knowledge the Lord had given us and called for people who needed healings, we were approached by a mob of people.  Kate and I looked at each other and said, “Well I guess we should just start praying!”  After much prayer we had over 38 recorded healings and some more that never got recorded!  The Lord used our mustard seed of faith and multiplied it!  We have spent the last few days sharing and spending time at the Iris base here.  We will be painting one of the bible school rooms tomorrow, going on an outreach tonight and participating in a feeding program.  We leave to go to Mozambique on Friday.  We are having an amazing time and the Lord continues to draw us deeper and speak to us.  We miss our team that left us in Nairobi, but are adjusting to being on our own again.  Please continue to pray for the Lord to accomplish all that he wants to do in us and through us while we journey through Africa.  We are missing and loving you all.

Visiting the Rhinos!

A Wacky Meal of Ostrich, Camel, Lamb, Chicken and Beef - sorry our vegetarian friends!

The beauty of God's creation!

Worshipping after the best meal we have eaten all trip!! Thank you Yong Ju!

buddies atop the Great Rift Valley

Kate the model in search of an African getup!

Outside our door at the cottage - feels like a million years ago!!

The sunrise at our beach cottage in Mombasa

gathering the meds in Nairobi

Nutrition at its finest! - Pineapple popsicles!

The Masses ot the Open Air Meeting (Where's Kate?!?)

Our fearless american leader - turned Canadian! (He loved his hat Mom)

The nurses at our first outreach in Rya - 130 vaccinated and 180 sick cared for!!!

Marcy giving her testimony at an open air meeting - the first girl Kate received a word of knowledge for who was HEALED - PRAISE THE LORD!

Barnabas, Heidi and Lucy - a family that touched us deeply

The face of the one

Kate caring for the masses at the outreach clinic

Church in South Africa

BACK FROM GARISSA ON TO JO'BERG

Hi Everyone!

 

Kate and I are sorry that it has been so long since we have written... we were in the land of desert and donkeys!  We have had such a full two weeks it is hard to know where to start!  Unfortunately this will be a short update because i have such a small amount of time - but we will write a bigger and better update soon.  So the brief details are we had an amazing time with the Somalis in Garissa - did two outreach clinics... vaccinated over 150 children and treated over 230 sick people!  It was an amazing time, which we will write more about.  We spent the evenings in open air meetings where we saw and participated in the healing of deaf, mute and blind!  So many stories of healings it is hard to remember them all!  Went on a safari with our team yesterday and saw many beautiful animals.  We said goodbye to our team hours ago and both found ourselves so very sad.  The Lord bonded us together so strongly and many of us feel that this is just the beginning to many new and wonderful things the Lord has instore for us.  So we will be leaving Nairobi early tomorrow morning and beginning the next leg of our journey!  Please know that we miss all of you.  HAPPY BIRTHDAYS go out to Darla, Aneliese, Camille and Crystal!  We love all of you and hope to be able to write more stories soon. 

The View from our beach cottage!

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