And So It Begins...

*Note: This is my first attempt to post something on a dial-up connection from Malawi. I hope for success but don't guarentee anything.*

Today is my second full day at Malamulo. After looking around all day yesterday and asking many people we finally located my last bag that actually arrived first with Dr. Hart. It had been inadvertently unloaded with Dr. Fam who arrived at the same time and was peacefully sitting in Dr. Fam’s room. I am certainly thankful to have arrived with everything in tact and so far nothing has spilled or broken. Also thank you to those who donated to provide 2 LCD projectors. One is already being used at Blantyre Hospital. There was no issue with customs (not even a form to fill out).

I have met most of the key people here so far. Ryan has been here for a couple of months helping with maintenance and fixing-up around the campus. He also seems to be doing a little bit of everything else and the "everything else" will fall to me when he leaves. He has been very helpful and has introduced me to people and helped me get settled some. He will be leaving next week to go back to Colorado and finish a Phd. in Chemistry.

There is a group of 8 people from Engineers Without Boarders here doing some testing and analyzing of the water system and situation. I met them briefly last night but I think I will be talking to them more on Monday. They also leave next week. Today they are visiting a game park nearby. They said that they were enjoying their time here so that is good.

There are two nurses here with Volunteer Services Organization from the UK. I met Ali yesterday and she seems very nice. The other is Clare and she is on holiday for a week or so. They have both been here for a year already and are staying another 12 months. They are helping to teach the clinical students as well as leading out in the hospital nursing areas.

Kelvin and Sue just moved this week from the UK. Kelvin works for AHI with “Project Fix-it” and goes around to various AHI projects repairing their medical equipment. They have been in the UK for a couple of years and are now making Malamulo their home base. They have a 2 yo daughter Lily as well. I’m anxious to hear more stories about his overland trip driving a Land Cruiser from the UK to Malawi. It took him 32 days of driving – with some stops here and there!!

Dr. Fam also just arrived this week from Malaysia. He is a surgeon who has worked at various SDA hospitals in Africa and India. From what I hear he is a good surgeon and will be a great asset to the hospital here. Another of the doctors is on furlough and will return in 3 weeks and then Cristy will be back the middle of September.

It is a bit overwhelming – okay – a LOT overwhelming to come here with everyone knowing that I am the interim CEO. They are looking to me for leadership and decisions. I am taking until Monday to get settled and adjusted to the time change and to get my things put away. Then next week I will have to start with the real “work”… the first order of business is an audit of the revenue cycle (Amy Z, Eric, anyone want to help? :)).

There are many things I wish I would have brought – some I didn’t have room for and some I forgot. But I’m so thankful for Cristy’s hospitality and her furnished house that I can share. Her pantry is fully stocked and apparently the talk of the campus since everyone I’ve talked to says “oh you are living with Dr. Shank and her pantry?” She had a container full of her belongings so of course she had room to bring most anything that you could imagine… cases of fri-chick, bags of nuts, rows of spices, bottles of oil, artichoke hearts, and kalamata olives. Yes, I think I’ll be okay even though I had to leave some of my food at home. Don’t worry though – I’m not going to raid her cupboards too much. :)

Thank you to all of you for your prayers and emails. My next post I'll attempt a photo or two although I will have to take some first. :) Miss you all!