Day 13: Monday April 28: Trip to Zimba eye clinic and Livingstone

Monday morning we set off for Livingstone with a stop at an eye clinic in Zimba on the way. We had the remaining prosthetic work finished and ready for the final fittings on Tuesday when we returned. This trip to Livingstone, which is about 2 1/2 hours from New Day, gave us a chance to make contacts with the eye clinic in Zimba and the hospital in Livingstone for potentially more patients for future trips. 

Our first stop was Zimba eye clinic to let them know about John coming to make prosthetic eyes.

Blu and John talked with someone at the eye clinic while Chris, Jason and I looked around the clinic a bit. There is an eye doctor from California who does mission trips to this hospital, and John was able to get his contact information. Hopefully John can coordinate with him on potential patients for prosthetic eyes. After talking with them at the Zimba clinic, we were on our way again to Livingstone.

When we got to Livingstone, we checked in to the place we would stay Monday night. 

The awnings had "Mind Your Head" signs, which I found really amusing.

Here is mine and Jason's room...complete with mosquito nets. 

We then had lunch and went to the Livingstone hospital to speak with them about our services for prosthetics. 

Here is Blu and Chris walking into the Livingstone hospital, which is a very nice hospital in Zambia. Once inside, we again felt like we stepped back in time to a hospital many years ago.

This is the fire alarm in the front area when you walk in the hospital. I hope that thing is loud if it's ever needed.

Some very interesting wheelchairs. There was a label on them telling where they came from. Free Wheelchair Mission (http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/)

Jason took our picture standing outside the secretary's office. She gave Blu the doctor's cell phone number, and Blu texted him right away that we were there. The doctor was in a meeting with the Minister of Health that was visiting the hospital that day, but he gave Blu a call later in the day to find out about Prosthetic Promises and our plan for a yearly trip there to provide prosthetic services. Blu said that the doctor seemed very interested that we would be doing yearly trips. He and Blu exchanged information and will coordinate for any potential patients we can see next year. 

In the afternoon, we were able to go see Victoria Falls and to a market for a little souvenir shopping (with our personal money of course.) Last trip, Chris and John did not have time to go to Victoria Falls but we had the time this trip to go into Livingstone. It worked out so well that we could make contacts at other hospitals and see Victoria Falls. 

The falls were absolutely stunning! I can't even describe the awesomeness, and the pictures can't capture it either. The roar of the water thundering over the falls...the huge cloud of mist that billows out from the falls and completely soaks a person...the shear size of the falls. God's awesomeness was everywhere.

We got to wear these fun raincoats, which was good because the bottom of our pants, shoes and socks were drenched by the time we left. 

There was a small bridge to cross over the river by the falls(the wettest part), and there was a complete rainbow. By complete...I mean a complete circle around the bridge. We walked through the middle of a rainbow. :)

The bridge you see in the distance is the Victoria Falls bridge connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was built in 1905 and carries pedestrian, vehicle and railway traffic. (This picture caption makes me sound like a tour guide.)

A picture standing on the Victoria Falls bridge...looking straight down. 

The only African wildlife we saw on our trip...monkeys! They weren't afraid of people and were just wondering around at the entrance to Victoria Falls.

Blu cautioned us to not put our hands in our pockets, because the monkeys may think we have food. The other larger wildlife that you would generally think of in Africa like elephants and hippos are mostly in wildlife reserves. There are African safaris to go on in the Livingstone area but we did not have time to do that.

It was so amazing to see Victoria Falls, and we were all thankful there was time for us to do this.

After Victoria Falls, the market and dinner, we headed back to the lodge we stayed at in Livingstone for the night. We left out early Tuesday morning to head back to New Day to see the remaining prosthetic patients for fittings.

*Next post is Day 14: Last prosthetic fittings 

Day 14, Tuesday April 29: Last prosthetic fittings

We left Livingstone first thing on Tuesday morning to head back to New Day. Once we got back to New Day, we were super busy finishing up all the prosthetic fittings and packing up. 

Our little workshop getting all packed away. We had started a little of the packing up before we left for Livingstone and continued cleaning between prosthetic fittings Tuesday afternoon.

Here is Luyando with her prosthesis! She didn't seem afraid to get right up to walk with the prosthesis, but she continued using a crutch for balance. It may take a few weeks for her to get the balance part down, and she'll be soon walking as good as Alnold I'm sure.

Here's how Luyando and her father traveled to New Day. Three people on a motorcycle isn't unusual since this transportation is much better than a bicycle or walking. 

Here is Alnold that came with his father for the minor adjustment we needed to make to his prosthesis but didn't have the material when we were at his village. That was a quick fix, and he was ready to go. 

Chris got a hug from Alnold. She also gave him a big sack of clothes she had brought that her grandsons had outgrown. 

And John finally got Alnold to smile after giving him a hat. John had brought a bunch of ball caps he didn't use to give to people...which was a big hit with everyone. :)

Here is Jessica back for fitting. Jessica was a bit difficult, because she had used her very old prosthesis for so long and had gotten used to it. She walks hunched over with crutches and likely cannot stand up straight since she's walked that way for so long. 

We see in people in the states that if they have used a certain type of prosthesis or design of suspension (how the prosthesis stays on) for a long time, they are VERY hesitant to change. I suppose it's just part of our human nature...resistance to change. Anyhow, we had MANY differences in Jessica's new prosthesis so we hope she allows herself time to adjust to the differences and benefits from this new prosthesis since it fits so much better, is lighter weight and has a much better suspension method. She commented several times on how much lighter weight the new prosthesis is compared to her old one.

We packed up all of our supplies and equipment in the plastic trunks we brought everything in plus trunks that were stored at New Day from last trip. Everything was put in the attic of the guest house, except for the two workbenches and some chemicals that are heat sensitive. These things will be stored at a different house until next year's trip. Now that we have two nice workbenches and all the major equipment that is at New Day, sending supplies for future trips shouldn't be as large of a shipment (or as costly). 

Tuesday evening was family dinner night at the dining hall again. This was our last time with everyone together before we left Wednesday morning. 

All the kids want a hug from Papa Wes. :)

Everyone visiting before we eat.

Look at that cute face! The New Day kids are always so happy and full of smiles...much different than the surrounding village kids.

Doing dishes and clean-up.

Apparently Geoff had something really cool on his phone.

This is Kelitah. The first day we got to New Day, she came and gave me a big hug and asked "What is your name?" I told her my name and asked what her name was. Every time she saw me during our stay at New Day, she came and gave me a big hug and asked "What is your name again?" So..this last night we saw the kids I went up to her to get a hug and I asked her "What is my name?" She grinned and pondered a little before saying "It's Katie!"

Such sweet smiles from these kids. :)

John and I made our last trip up the water tower for pictures and to sign the water tower.

I documented how far Jason got this time...almost 2/3 the way up. 

John and I signed our names, and he signed it for Prosthetic Promises. 

Oh how I loved the sunsets from the water tower.

Blu went to pick up Charlie to come for fitting after we got back to The Ark after dinner. Charlie is the one who Chris had fit last trip, but he kept falling and stopped using the prosthesis.

He was very happy with the locking knee that wouldn't bend while he was standing. 

We taught him how to use the lever to unlock the knee to sit down, and he was familiar with how to put the prosthesis on and take it off since he had one before. 

After Charlie, all of the prostheses had been fit except for Joel, who never came back for fitting. The only way of contact for Joel was announcing over the radio for him to come back to New Day for fitting. We didn't know what village he had came from when he came for casting, and he didn't have a phone number for contact. We taught Wes and Blu how to fit the prosthesis for Joel, so when he does come back they can fit him. Joel's amputation is below the knee, so it's a more simple style prosthesis than above the knee which will make it easier for Blu and Wes to fit him. Hopefully he will go back to New Day soon for fitting. 

We made sure all of our supplies and equipment were packed away and stored in the attic. We also had packed up our personal bags before bed. Wednesday morning we would leave New Day. 

*Next post is Day 15: Leaving New Day for Lusaka

Day 15, Wednesday April 30: Leaving New Day for Lusaka

Wednesday morning we left for Lusaka. It's a 6 hour drive to Lusaka, and you want to be there before it gets dark. Traveling at night is not a good idea....this was noted by the fact our trunk was stolen at night while Steady drove back to New Day from Lusaka.

Bus Number New Day was packed with people and luggage! Those flying out of Lusaka included the 4 of us--team Prosthetic Promises, Geoff (who left on our flight), Haley, Kailey and Jenna. Then, there were the 5 Tidwells, Carolyn and Mandy...who would all return to New Day. Plus, there was all the luggage stacked in the back of the bus. Before we left New Day, we got to say goodbye to the kids and staff.

After our goodbyes, we set off for Lusaka. 6 hours of driving...but at least there was good company and conversation.

Here's Kailey on the right, Chris and Carolyn peeking out from behind the seat on the left.

Jason and Geoff...having a conversation with our driver, Blu.

Here's a video clip of driving in a construction area. There is only the main paved road with no service roads on the side like we have in the states. So...when they do construction, you're routed off the paved portion to a dirt road. 

Along the way, we stopped at a place with a nice restroom for a bathroom break. The fee for use of this restroom was 2 kwacha, and there was a lady outside of the restroom collecting your money. I believe they charged for use of this restroom because it was so nice. This was, by far, the nicest public restroom we had encountered in Zambia. 

We also stopped in a town that had a pizza restaurant, Debonair's Pizza, to get lunch. Everyone ordered what pizza they wanted and we ate on the road. Debonair's is a chain restaurant in Zambia. Funniest thing...I googled it and they have a Facebook page. This pizza place is an example of the vast difference you see between a town, especially Lusaka or Livingstone, and out in the bush. The difference in quality of life between those who live in towns and those who live in the bush is just unbelievable. 

We made it to Lusaka without mishap...thank goodness for no breakdown or flat tire. We arrived at the Baptist Mission and got settled in to our rooms where we would stay Wednesday night. We had to leave Wednesday from New Day because Haley and Kailey's flight was for early Thursday morning. 

Wednesday evening we all went to an outlet mall that had restaurant options and a movie theater. Again...so completely different than where we had been at New Day in the bush. Jason and I kept talking with each other about how the people at the mall seemed like middle class people just like us, and all those we saw while staying at New Day were so much more poor than the poor in America. That being said, there are also areas in Lusaka that are very poor areas.

Some men sleeping on the side of the road in Lusaka. 

I realize this post is pretty uneventful...even uninteresting, compared to previous posts. But, I wanted to show the socioeconomic differences that are seen in Zambia. 

*Next post is Day16-17: A day in Lusaka and traveling home

Day 16-17, May 1st-2nd: Traveling home...+plans for next year's trip

Thursday in Lusaka involved Blu taking several trips to the airport to take Haley and Kailey early in the morning, Jenna early afternoon and then the 4 of us plus Geoff at night. We had brunch at a place called Mugg & Bean, which had really good coffee. This place was in a mall, which again felt like somewhere in the states in comparison with our time spent at New Day in the African bush. In the afternoon, we were able to go to a market to buy some souvenirs. I did not like the negotiating price thing, but Jason took care of that part so I just looked around to find things I liked. 

Here's Chris walking up to the market area. 

There were tons of paintings, carvings, baskets, jewelry, purses, and more. Some of the people were working on crafting things like pottery and baskets while we were there. Others get these things from people in the surrounding villages to sell.

Each hut place had different people selling items. It was a little overwhelming with so many people trying to get you to buy their stuff. 

We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant, and then we went back to the Baptist Mission so that we could all take showers before heading to the airport for our two 10 hour flights to get home. When we got to the airport, Blu helped us load all of our bags (which was at least now only 2 bags each) onto the carts and get into the airport. When we got in line to start the security check-in, Geoff realized he didn't have his passport. So..he had to sprint across the airport parking lot to catch Blu before he left the airport parking to get his passport that had fallen out in the bus. Thankfully, Blu happened to turn the bus around to go out a different exit and saw Geoff running towards him. Whew! 

After successfully getting through security and check-in, we embarked on flight #1 to Amsterdam. This was a red-eye flight so we had all planned on trying to sleep as much as possible....so difficult with at least four toddlers/babies that I counted on the flight. At Amsterdam, we said our goodbyes to Geoff, who was going to Atlanta, and our layover was just long enough for a restroom break (and I grabbed an extremely quick cup of coffee) before catching flight #2 to DFW. We landed at DFW airport around 2:00 pm. Home sweet home! 

Another successful trip for Prosthetic Promises completed! And we pray for many more in the future! 

We are SO grateful for everyone who has made our trip this year possible through prayers, donations and support. Chris and John had this desire to serve the people in Zambia and have carried out two successful trips. We talked often while on our trip about how God is making provisions for this to be a lasting mission with our contacts with surrounding hospitals to be able to reach out further to help those in need by making them prosthetic limbs and eyes. I am so grateful that God has called me to be a part of this mission with Chris and John. 

Prosthetic Promises' next trip---Zambia, May 2015

Plans have already begun on the next trip back to New Day Orphanage in Zambia. The team so far will consist of John Brinkley, Chris Reiff, and myself (Katie Brinkley). We have another prosthetist interested in joining the team for next year, and we will know more in the coming months whether she will be able to go for sure. 

In the coming months, we will be gathering donated parts and purchasing supplies in preparation to ship another crate in November. I hope to make contacts with more practitioners for donated used prosthetic parts to decrease the costs in purchasing. 

We also will be looking for donations of crutches, shoes in good condition, and eyeglasses (prescriptions or readers). If you are interested in donating, you can email me at katie.b.brinkley@gmail.com or visit the Prosthetic Promises website.

Any more posts?---I'll be updating on preparations for next trip. :)

Tomorrow is GO time

John's wife, Robin, has been leading a prayer team email update as the days get closer to our trip. Today is the day before we leave!! So, I wanted to share her prayer team email. Thank you Robin for these emails each day! 

Tomorrow is travel Day. 

I am sure the team is very nervous and excited about everything.  They are thinking, “Did I pack everything?”, “Do I need …..?”.  They have lots going on in their personal lives, well as their work, and this trip.  Through your prayers, the team will be able to endure all their anxious moments.  Continue to pray for the one item you chose.  Remember, praying is the not the least you can do, but the most you can do.  James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

God knows our hearts and our words and will listen to our request.  God says in Matthew: 18:20 - For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.   God will hear our prayers and will bless the Prosthetic Promises Team.    God is Almighty   I will keep you updated as I get information.  Thank you everyone for your dedication in praying for this list.  God will bless them as well as you for your prayers.

 

PRAYER LIST: 

1.     Safe / smooth travel - Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go

2.     Safey for Blu to arrive at the airport and then for everyone to travel from the capital to NDO. John 17:15 NIV - My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

3.     Good health / free of illness - 3 John 1:2-Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

4.     Selection of patients - 1 Thessalonians 3:13  May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

5.     Strength for endurance People are receptive to God’s word through the team’s words and actions - John 17:20 “My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.”

6.     Production/supplies for legs and eyes  Hebrews 6:10 – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

7.     Families at home – Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. 

8.     Good weather – Psalms 74:16-17 – Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have prepared the light and the sun.  You have established all the boundaries of the earth: You have made summer and winter.

9.     Safe return of the team Psalms 91:14 - Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

10.   The continued growth for those who are new in Christ – Colossian 2:6-7 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.