We’re heading to the airport now after weeks of service and travel. 20 hours later we should be arriving in D.C. to go our separate ways. It has been another successful mission that has touched the lives of thousands around Ndola.

We’ll have many stories to share in the coming weeks… some sad… others filled with hope and healing. Until then–

Chisapa is one of our favorite clinics. It is the farthest that we go into the bush, and the site is so fun. It takes about two hours to get to the site from the lodge from Ndola. The first hour is on the hard-top road and the last on dirt. The dirt road was in better shape this year because the rain has been less. Still, it is pretty rough, bouncing over rocks, and the width is made for oxen carts and perhaps small cars, but the clearance for our bus is just inches.

We pass wide swaths of true African savanna punctuated with mature Acadia trees. Some thirty years ago, this savanna was populated by herds of elephants, but they have been poached and moved on to safer places.

We arrive at Chisapa, which consists of two large block structures and two block toilettes. To one side is a magnificent fig tree. I think the circumference of its accordion pleated trunk and roots is more than three of four people could wrap their arms around. It is really breath taking. This towering tree is the central core of our setup at this site. We circle its trunk with our duffels and tables.

Immediately after arriving in the walk around to plan our setup, we find a woman near the tree lying on the ground. Doctor Macki and Doctor Capella evaluate her and find her lethargic with an elevated heart rate of 160 and systems of an acute abdomen. That diagnosis is beyond our scope to address in the field, so Doctor Macki transports her back to Ndola General Hospital for further evaluation. This brings us down to two docs for the rest of the day. It is such a strong and integrated team that we can still function despite this hole in our ranks.

So much happens in the busy kaleidoscope of a clinic that it is impossible to process everything that occurs. I can only tell you my perspective and experiences. I saw a lot of legs and feet like always. Some were “boo-boos” and others were axe wounds. I am proud of the aseptic technique we are able to provide under these primitive conditions, as well as the professionalism and compassion that is shown to all of our patients.

Some significant patients that I saw:

Finetta with snake bite. I treated her last year. The wound still has not healed, but it is not infected.

Home visit, or hut visit, to Sikangezile (sp?) a thirteen-year old with lower extremity paralysis due to a spinal tumor. Doctor Lantz treated her last year and OMNI obtained a hand-propelled wheelchair for her. She has significant decubitus ulcers of perhaps two and half to three inches on both trochanters as well as her saccrum. Her mom says that the ulcers heal until they run out of supplies. Then, the irritation of her lying on wet plastic and urine breaks down the skin again. We cleaned and dressed the child’s wounds and left as much supplies as we could. The seat of her wheelchair was essentially a board so I also managed to cover it with a pad contrived of an elbow sling. Her family is interested in education for this young girl. Elijah says that a boarding facility for handicapped children exists nearby. Must follow up on this.

Daniel Douky. A seventy-year old with a large open wound on his right ankle. My hand span could not cover the wound. He has also had significant weight loss in the last month. We suspect he has hiv/aids. He was treated and remained on the sidelines of our clinic for transportation back to Ndola hospital. He was so very grateful to be cared for. We left rice and salt with his wife who clapped and curtseyed to receive such largess.

Two babies were transported back to town. I didn’t see those patients to know their stories, but Karen and our docs have rounded on them at Children’s Hospital every morning. Was just told that one of them has died.

We are doing much good and saving lives here. In the process we are changing and transforming ourselves, and that may indeed be the savings of us.

Thank all of you at home that sacrifice to make it possible. We love and miss you all. 241 Gil

As anyone who has been to Zambia, or heard anyone talk about Zambia knows – nothing goes as planned!  This trip is no exception with custom delays, nursing licensure difficulties, loss of power at the lodge where the team is staying – and the list goes on until we reach Plan F which is still in question.  But each day the team gathers in good spirits, good health, remembering it’s God’s plan, and eager to serve Him.

Today we went to Kasongo.  We treated approximately 350 patients. We could see that the general health of the community is improving, but there were still many with serious conditions who were treated.  We saw a lot of malaria and HIV+ patients.  Three people were very ill and transported to the hospital.

We met Annie today.  She is a small child that is deaf. Pastor Osward, OMNI’s social worker and spiritual director, is taking her to a special school soon.  But we are in desparate need of a sponsor for her special needs and education.

We also met with Grace, who is a young woman who was burned and needs a hip replacement. She made the long journey to Lusaka for treatment, but because she could not pay for the surgery, she was turned away.  So, we need a sponsor for her too.

We thank you for your prayers.  Please continue, and please pray for the needs of all the people we have seen and are working to help.

God be with you,         Jon

Our First Patient

Would you believe that the OMNI team cared for our first patient before we even landed?

While on the airplane headed to Johannesburg, a young man collapsed to the ground in the middle of the airplane. He was on the way to the lavatory, pushed through the line, and passed out before he could reach the door.

A few of the OMNI team quickly flew up from their seats and helped the man. Gil, Nicole, and Karen stayed with him until the flight crew finally arrived. Then quite strangely, the flight attendants asked if we had a knife onboard the plane to use to open the medical kit which was bound closed. Maybe it was just test or maybe they just weren’t thinking…

In the end, the flight attendants got the kit open, and the young man came to. Apparently he was sick with a stomach issues, but thankful none-the-less for the help.

The OMNI team about to leave D.C. The 33 duffel bags with medicine, equipment, and supplies.