Finally Settled In

As of this past Sunday, Jamie and I have been temporary residents of Mukinge for two weeks. After getting over the initial culture shock, we discussed how our time here was more comparable to going away to college for a semester than a vacation or short trip. That being said, we have adjusted quite nicely to our Zambian life with the wonderful Tompkins family.

Jamie continues to act as "mommy's sidekick", busying herself with laundry, child care, clean-up, cooking and anything else she can do to help Elissa around the house. After discovering the great "appreciation" of quality baked goods in the household, she has also made it a point to provide a new dessert on an almost daily basis, utilizing the abundance of fresh bananas in a variety of ways. She has also managed to venture her way out to the Boma (the "bustling" central marketplace of Kasempa), which she accomplished with the help of Miranda, one of the missionary nurses from the hospital. She seems to have gotten into a groove and is thoroughly enjoying her time here.

I am nearly firing on all cylinders (thank you for the prayers) with my first run-in with some lovely African microbes that likely entered my system after my partaking in some local cuisine during my first trip to the Boma. I am now back in the kitchen, trying to relieve Elissa of a meal or two a day, and my culinary skills are once again being challenged by the limited resources we have out here.

Since getting back on my feet, I have resumed shadowing Daren at the hospital, which has been a truly eye-opening experience. My exposure to medicine and healthcare in the states consisted primarily of minor ailments and most of the patients I saw were generally treated for minor symptoms (coughing, headaches, runny nose, etc.). Mukinge Hospital is an entirely different animal. At any given time, there are multiple patients in any ward that likely have TB, and HIV is so prevalent that the fact that someone is on medication for it is generally just a side note when you look at a patient's chart. In addition, because Mukinge is one of the best hospitals in the country, many people travel from hours away or walk for hours in their terrible conditions just to be treated by this handful of doctors.

One case that really has stuck with me was the father of a boy and girl in the class that Jamie and I have been helping teach. He was diagnosed with HIV a year ago and had refused treatment with ARVs(not uncommon due to certain social stigmas that I still don't understand), even though he was actually pretty well off financially. As he is in Daren's ward, I was able to see the tail end of his decline in health and he passed away several mornings ago. It is sobering to see the harsh reality of life here, and knowing his beautiful children and seeing his wife on rounds each day made really made it hit home for me.

On a positive note, thanks to some favor with some of the Hospital management I have also been cleared to observe and assist in Theater (O.R.), which I did for the first time yesterday. David, the New Zealander surgeon, is somewhat of a "bush surgery" specialist, and has had a lot of experience performing procedures without the luxuries of surgeons back home. In fact, during my previous trips to Sierra Leone, he was stationed with a medical mission group in one of the cities nearby to where I was staying. It really is great experience working with him, as he has to work with his limited surroundings. He says I am getting to see how some of these procedures were done 50 years ago in the States.

As I mentioned, both Jamie and I have begun to volunteer at the local school on alternating days, teaching children eight to twelve. The children have already taken quite a liking to us and we are very fond of them. As with the other teachers, we are affectionately addressed as "Uncle Corey" and "Auntie Jamie", and the two of us share stories about our favorite pupils when we get back home.

I had intended for this post to be a bit more insightful, but there is a lot to catch up on, and now that I see it typed out I realize we have been very busy. The experience has been incredible for both of us, in different ways and we still have almost eight weeks to go. Please continue to pray for our time here, and we will try to keep everyone caught up on any exciting occurrences.
Corey

P.S. GO PHILLIES!