Kelly Weekend Update

Monday 20th February

• the 4 x 4 Experience every day to work on ever worsening roads; 
• the Sights of cyclists being knocked off their bikes by trucks sharing the narrow roads; 
• the Sights of women and boys carrying extremely heavy bags of coal (for cooking fires) on their heads or backs; 
• the Smell of burning plastic at little fires along the edge of the road to the Hospital  - how else can the locals get rid of their rubbish; 
• the Sound of an approaching siren (albeit, an ambulance like vehicle) – but nothing changes with the traffic – there are so many other sounds to drown it out; as we write, 
• the Sound of a child in the Hospital screaming with pain – pain killing drugs are in short supply.  
• the Sight of a patient in pain being wheeled on a trolley from the Operating Theatre, over lava rocks to another building; 
• the memory of the Taste of the cassava leaves and rice we had for dinner last night.

These are just a sample of some of the things that confront us every day. We don’t need visual reminders, to know how difficult daily life is here. It’s seen in the eyes of the Congolese, but the hope is in the hearts and the smiles are still big.

At the week end, we visited the home of one of Heather’s English students. He lives with his family, in a rented shack built on lava rock – 3 small dark rooms, so cramped, with the outer walls forming the walls of the next house. It had plastic inner walls, and a tin roof.  We felt humbled by their hospitality and generosity knowing their circumstances. (a big meal of dried fish from Lake Tanganyika, fried bananas, avocadoes and cold chips.)  As we all prayed, the four children came and gathered around us on the stone floor.

Home visit

This morning at 7 am, we were both invited to speak at the Goma Leadership Academy, begun  to empower youth to become leaders of the future.  Did we go to teach them?? They were such a delightful, inspirational group, and the meeting lasted one and a half hours. We’ve been asked to return on Saturday morning (at 7 am ! ) to continue for another session on Management training.  


One question posed was “We know there are many things that should change in Congo. If you were able, what are 5 things you would change in Australia?”  Then, an amusing moment when David was talking about our Infrastructure and told the group that in Australia, we have running water INTO our homes, and it is safe to drink directly from the tap and we also have electricity 24 hours a day to all homes. That caused quite a stir ! 

David ( with interpreter ) addressing the Leadership Conference

Today is a quiet day for Heather for teaching – there is an Emergency and her English - student Doctors are attending to that.  Another Doctor is attending a small outpost Hospital of HEAL Africa.  Soldiers have violated women in an IDP (refugee) camp and a team from HEAL Africa has gone to perform surgery and help where possible.

Last week was a very hectic week with her English students. This time, they are enjoying hearing their recorded voices. Tomorrow, Heather is visiting schools with the Leader of the Programme who works with school children and families.

And… we have met Moses, his mother and family!  The mother is so grateful to our MPC Church for their donation. Heather took a gift of hair clips for the daughter – see the photo!

Heather meets Heather - one of the Doctors' baby

Moses and Family

The Board Meeting went very well – many challenges to face in the future and David now has to write many papers before we depart, including a new planning framework, organisation chart and changes to the delegation manual. It seems we could be here until Christmas!

The new 3 story Building was opened on Friday, and Lyn Lusi was well enough to attend and deliver a speech and officially open the building. It is mainly for Women’s Health – Wards, Obs and Gyn, Emergency, Paediatrics and the top floor is dedicated to Laboratory services, provided by Sonic Healthcare, Australia as well as a lecture theatre.

Lyn and Jo Lusi at the opening of the new hospital building

Do you understand when we say “Every trip is different, and this one, is no different in being so different” ?       We have awakened learning and understanding,  a deeper appreciation of life, and a respect for the Congolese ability to get up and keep going when continually knocked down. Here, our work can only be a spot in the ocean, giving the Congolese encouragement and showing them God’s love.

Tonight for dinner, there is a special treat of “a Pig in a Pit” – a celebration at Maji as Lyn and Jo Lusi have their family staying with us.  Will tell you all about it next time.

Blessings,

David and Heather