Christmas in April

This last month and half has been another whirlwind of activity. 

1.  Our container arrived!  After 8 long months of waiting, our long-expected container finally reached Zambia.  The brown rice was full of bugs, and some of the foodstuffs had expired, but we were thrilled nonetheless to get our own bed, our furniture, and a taste of home!  It’s like Christmas in April!

 2.  My parents came to visit!  They spent 2 weeks with us.  During that time, they helped us move into our new house, unpack our container, orient our new maid on how to cook Korean food, etc.  Satipha is a wonderful helper, and she is a great gardener as well.

3.  We also got to visit Livingstone.  Some of the highlights included:  seeing Victoria Falls in all its majesty at the end of a rainy season, 

petting the lions (non-sedated!), 

and riding the elephants.  

It was a wonderful little get-away.  The David Livingstone Safari Lodge was especially nice, with a riverview from our veranda and dining areas.  

4.  Adventist Health International, Zambia, had their annual board meeting in Lusaka.  Dr. Dick Hart (President and CEO of Loma Linda University, but also President of AHI) and his team came out to join us for this important set of meetings.  Several key decisions were made at this meeting, which I believe is a step forward for Lusaka Eye Hospital and Lusaka Adventist Dental Services.  

5.  My friend, Heather, came to visit, with her friend, Brian!  We got to spend last weekend in Kafue National Park.  It was a nice weekend, although too short of a time.  We did manage to squeeze in a morning safari on a full moon.   

One can never experience too many safaris!  =)  

Heather is officially my first friend from the U.S. to come all the way to Zambia to visit me (apart from my parents).  Anyone else who is interested in visiting…you’re more than welcome to stay at our house!  =)  

6.  I’m happy to announce that we got our Pediatric Ophthalmic Surgery service up and running again.  We received a donation of an intraoperative monitoring device, which is a wonderful addition to our general anesthesia services.  I’m just so thankful that we were able to revamp our Pediatric surgery department with new preop clearance forms, new safety mechanisms, new emergency carts, and other enhanced protocols, and we are well on our way to helping many children with their eye problems once again.