Friday, January 13, 2012

Wednesday, Jan 11

After a routine morning at that hospital, a group of us walked out to the craft shop and purchased some souvenirs and gifts. We enjoyed sitting and drinking a cold Fanta or Coke before walking back. We passed the Fires. Have I mentioned those before? This is a place where family of hospital patients “camp out” while their loved ones are being treated. There’s some shade there, and you can see small groups of women cooking, children playing, men watching and waiting. The days must get long for these folks, most of who live too far away to go home and come back each day as we would in the States. Some of them stare as we walk by. Others smile shyly. Some wave, and some call out to us. Today we saw a woman plucking a chicken- a bird that was so scrawny we would hardly think it enough for a meal for two. There is not much we can say to bring any comfort, but they appreciate smiles, handshakes, attention given to their babies. We had purchased eggs and tomatoes at the market, and a young girl approached Wanda. We thought she was going to shake Wanda’s hand, but it turned out she was asking for an egg. There was no way to say no.

After supper, the team met for class on leadership and delegation. It is interesting to hear the discussion which relates both to our US culture and that of rural Zambia.

After class , we sat together for a long time, talking, giving one another back rubs for achy shoulders, and laughing. We have a fun group that laughs easily, even after some long, tiring days. I am blessed to get to know them better every day.

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