Full House

We have many people coming and going here so I wanted to talk about the volunteers in this blog – I’ll share a little bit. I was trying to come up with pictures of all of them but I don’t have them so – I’ll just tell you about them…

Chris Greenly is a student missionary from Andrews University and is a Physics major as well as a computer expert. He has been here since August and will stay until May. While here he is working on our computer network – both the internet and the internal network. He has also set up a small computer lab and started basic computer literacy classes for the hospital staff.

Jacquie with Ryan (my nephew)

Jacquie Cunningham is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from Tennessee. She was able to come between jobs and spend about six months here to help during the busy malaria season. She loves kids and enjoys her time here. She’s become a favorite of the missionary kids too. She’ll be here until the end of March.

Diane (pronounced “Gi-anee”) Lemos is a Physical Therapist from Brazil. She came in November and plans to stay one year. We have not had PT services here so she has had to build up her patient base. Many people come who have had strokes or other problems and she is able to help many people. She is enjoying the patients.

Megan Morton is a student missionary from Walla Walla University. She just joined us on New Year’s Day. She was in Namibia teaching at a mission and it had to be closed down. After Randy had contacted WWU about the possibility of them sending a student missionary here it worked out for her to come here to finish her SM year. She is teaching about 10 students in a room at the church and Nathan and Ryan are going to that school and enjoying her teaching. She is a natural born teacher and does a wonderful job with very few resources.

Gene & Leona Augustine are from Tillamook, Oregon here for two months. He is a retired contractor and she a retired nurse. Funny enough they lived in Tillamook when I was little and remember my family. Gene is working on various maintenance and construction projects and Leona is helping organize the supply closets and warehouses at the hospital. They seem to have endless energy and are a real help to us here.

Both Jacquie and Diane have spent time staying in our house. Our housing for volunteers is limited so Cristy and I cleaned out our “middle” bedroom and put a bed there so we can have space for a guest to stay. It is more like an office since there is no closet but both girls seemed to do ok. The challenge was three girls trying to get ready for work in one bathroom in the mornings. They have both moved out to different places so we have space for Cristy's parents to stay with us. We have also been working on adding two more rooms to the guest house so we have more space for short and long term volunteers. The first room is finished and is self-contained with a small fridge and hot plate and Diane has moved there.

As you can see we have many people coming and going. Housing is a challenge as well. Some of the volunteers are staying in the house where Wes and Chrislyn Lutz lived except until about 10 days ago when the sewer blocked up (some were relocated to the guest house – others are staying there but using the neighbor’s bathroom). We are trying to get the sewer finished so that a group of 25 high school students from Laurelwood Academy can stay there for the month of March while they build One Day Churches in the area. They will not be doing much on our campus but needed a place to stay out here. They will be working with Maranatha people and helping with their projects.

There is never a dull moment around here. Over the past few weeks many people have been sick with some Malawian virus. The Hayton family was all sick for about a week, Randy was sick for a few days, and I felt bad for about a day. I’m not sure what it was but it had us all knocked down. It is the malaria season too so that is always a concern too. We seem to have avoided that so far. I’m thankful that I haven’t gotten anything serious and the little care that we need is available at the hospital. Unfortunately Ryan Hayton injured his knee in January and had to fly to South Africa for orthopedic surgery. Thankfully he is better and off his crutches without any pain now.

Cristy’s parents are here visiting for about 3 weeks. It is nice to have them here and we enjoy having a full house. Most days when we come home it is full of friends – whether our Peace Corps neighbors stopping by to use internet or take a hot shower, others coming by to drop something off or ask a question, or people staying for a meal – our house is always busy.

Although there are times when I wish for some peace and quiet, there are many blessings to having a welcoming house. I enjoy preparing food and a comfortable place for people to come and find rest. I’m thankful that people feel comfortable here and that we can share our home and food with others.

So you are always welcome! We still have an empty futon in the front room that is very comfortable.