Day 13

Today we went to the clinic and were able to start painting! We were quite messy at the end, but great to be at this point. We went out for dinner tonight for mexican which was quite interesting. Tomorrow we will be heading back to the clinic for the last time to continue with painting.....

Day 12

Today we purchased more supplies and then went to the clinic.  We assisted with the things that needed to be done in hopes of starting painting tomorrow.  Teresa was sad that the chicken "Little T" was gone. Our excitement of the day included getting locked out of the house! This evening we went on the Queen Victoria Sunset Cruise.  We had a wonderful time and alcohol was included in the price of the cruise = we had a lot of fun...what happens in Africa stays in Africa! Tomorrow we will head to the clinic again and hopefully get to start painting!

Day 11

Today we went out to the clinic.  We started by bringing supplies and one of the triage beds to the existing Kazungula clinic.  We used to think pushing the triage beds through the halls was rough until we had to push it down a dirt road!  We spent the rest of the day cleaning the clinic.  Let's just say we scraped a lot of chicken poop and have never been so grateful for showers! We also spent a good portion of the say attempting to keep one particular chicken out of the clinic.  This particular chicken took a fond liking to Teresa and we have named her "Little T".  Pictures to come.  Each day has it's own excitement.  Today when it was time to leave the clinic for home, we had a dead battery on our van.  Thankfully it did not take long to get a jump and we had a nice dinner at home.  Tomorrow we will be returning to the clinic and then will go on a river cruise in the evening.  Alcoholic beverages included in the fee: watch out!!!

Triage bed in existing clinic

"Little T"

Victoria Falls

Day 10

Today Christi and Debra took a taxi out to Kazungula while the others stayed in Livingstone and purchased the rest of the supplied for the clinic.  In Kazungula we dropped off some supplies and were able to help with the antenatal clinic (first appointments), assist with those coming for HIV testing, and triaging and treating patients.  We gave the existing clinic one of the fetal dopplers we brought from the US (they only have a fetoscope) and were able to show them how to use it.  A woman having her 4th baby was able to hear her baby's heart beat for the first time =) Debra and I had a great time.
The others had a very productive day and finished with the purchasing of the supplies.  We had a nice dinner together and have a game of spoons planned this evening....
Tomorrow we are off to the new clinic to clean and prep for painting on Wednesday!

Day 9

Today we slept in and then went to Victoria Falls.  The "mist" of the falls is surely an understatement!  We would have gotten completely drenched if it were not for our $0.88 rain ponchos from Walmart! (Thanks Naomi!) The falls were absolutely beautiful and we had a great time hiking around.  For lunch we made our way into town to "King Pie" and then Kris and Jeff went on a helicopter ride over the falls and Sheryl went on a micro flight over the falls.  We then spent the rest of out light hours at the little shops.  We made our way back to Prana House where we had left over night and then Jeff made us amazing pan popped popcorn.  Yummy! Plans for tomorrow include a bus trip out to Kazungula for Christi and Debra to help and the existing Kazungula clinic and start organizing the contents of the container at the new clinic.  For the rest the day will include shopping for supplies and another visit to the orphanage.

Day 8

Day 8...today Naomi ordered supplies from the clinic and the rest of us went to the orphanage.  After we went out for pizza at "Olga's" (yummm) and then went grocery shopping.  We had at quiet night back at Prana house and made burgers and fries for dinner.  Yesterday the food was all African and today was all American!  Tomorrow we plan on sleeping in and going to see beautiful Victoria Fall.  Should have some nice pictures to post.....

The container has arrived!!!

Chobe

Chobe

Chobe

Day 7

Today was an awesome day.  We went to Botswana for the Chobe Day Safari.  It was 3 hours on boat and three hours on land and the whole thing was spectacular.  We saw so many animals.  It was such an awesome experience.  Will be many pictures to post!
The other wonderful thing that happened today was that out container we sent in March arrived at the clinic! (7 days early!).  Now we really do have our work cut out for us.  When we got to the clinic the locals had already unpacked the crate!

For dinner we had a traditional Zambian meal made by Peter the Prana cook.  We were brave and even tried the caterpillars!  Kris and Teresa liked them, stated "It tastes like chicken!", while us others did not feel the same!
Tomorrow we head to the orphanage and will have some time in the afternoon for some more sight seeing......

Chobe

Chobe

Day 6

Today we went to a clinic north of Livingstone.  Today they were doing immunizations which some of us were able to assist with.  Such beautiful babies! The excitement for the day was getting a flat tire on our van on the way to the clinic.  So glad Jeff is here to help us out!  Thanks again Jeff, you rock!!! Stopped by Wonder Bake on the way home and everyone now taking some time to themselves.  Tomorrow we are off bright and early to Chobe, Botswana for the Safari.....Internet here is too slow to upload videos and pictures....will post upon return.....

Day 5:

Today we spent the day at the clinic getting a plan set in motion.  On the way we almost hit a cow! After we came back to the house and had a nice dinner of grilled  "village"chicken, baked potatoes, and carrots.  This would be the first time ever cooking on a braii (a wood grill)(Inches away)....see facebook for more pictures.....tomorrow we are visiting a clinic up north....

Day 2, 3, and 4

Well, WiFi is working tonight but forgot my camera back at the house so pictures will have to wait.  All the flights went well, long but well.  I was the only one who slept well on the 15 hour flight due to the help of ambien CR and sonata.  Besides waving and blowing kisses to everyone, I pretty much behaved myself!  Once we arrived to Livingstone, we made the trip out to the Prana House where we are staying.  The 4 kilometers down an extremely bumpy dirt road takes us about 20-25 minutes.  On our first trip we saw 2 elephants!  A little less exciting when we found out they were owned by locals who were with them, but still exciting. Driving on the left side of the road fells quite different (poor Jeff, our brave driver!) The Prana House is very nice and large.  It is serving us well with the exception of the VERY LARGE spiders....(we have a few great videos of our spider killings!),  We also have a gecko we have name Gary who resides on the wall by the dining room table and a frog who makes his way around the house.  Our first experience at the grocery store was interesting but we have managed.
Today we woke and ate breakfast at Wonder Bake (Yum, real coffee and beef pie, much better then the raw chicken we has last evening at Hungry Lion).  After we met with the Department of Health about the clinic, toured at orphanage we will be volunteering at on Saturday, and went to Kazungula to see the clinic for the first time.  On the way we stopped at the current Kazungula clinic within minutes after a woman delivered.  Naomi and I were able to go in at see the repair, clean up and care after the delivery.  From there we walked to the Shomeka clinic.  Thing are not quite as far along as we hoped; we have our work cut out for us while we are here and before the container arrives!  We are heading back in the morning for the day......Thanks for all of you who are thinking and praying for us!  We appreciate all your support!  Till tomorrow....

Mission Zambia update:

Internet is less than ideal at the Mission Zambia house.  Last communication was from a nearby tent and it was not much better than what one would expect from dial-up.  Talk about being in a developing area.  All is well with the group as they head out today to an orphanage and to see the clinic for the first time.  Pictures and video may have to wait till the group gets back stateside unless connection improves.

We made it!! We are safe. Terrible internet connection...

Off to Johannesburg!

We are off! Will update in 15 hours!

Atlanta

We made it to Atlanta!!! Highlight of trip was Kris batting her eyes at the male flight attendant and getting 10 extra packets of delta cookies! Afraid to nap with these naughty girls around! (Refer to the movie 10 Things I Hate About You)

Day 1

Ready to leave MSP!!!!

T-15.5 hours....

Bags packed, house cleaned, laundry done, kids spoiled, malarone and trial sonata taken. Good night!

T-3 days...

Last night of work for 3 weeks!!! =)

Picked up at least 6 prescriptions and have 2 more to go.

5/6/12...packing party...T-6 days....

Today we met at Shepler's to cram a few suitcases with additional supplies and to go over trip details (Kris-MSP 11:30 am Saturday May 12th, 2012!!!!). The Sheplers win the prize for the most conservative packing and Debra gets the first pick of rooms in the house!

Cram The Container Day.....

3/19/12 After months of gathering and storing supplies and a hectic day "cramming the container", the packed crate was off for Kazungula. (Only about 35 minutes late!) Praying we see the container again on Zambian soil!