"These are a few of my favorite things..."

“Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles with warm woolen mittens…” Does that bring back memories??

Last weekend a carload of us loaded up and headed to Cape Maclear for a three day weekend. It was a perfect time of resting, swimming, reading, and eating and getting some sun. Not sure how the mix of water, sun, and sand always brings so much refreshment! I realized that Cape Maclear is my favorite part of Lake Malawi!

me at the lake

When I got back to work Monday I was flitting about the hospital checking on everything and talking to the staff and a nurse asked me if we could get some burettes to use in Peds for smaller doses of IV solutions. After asking around in our warehouse we found something that might work until we can find them here in Malawi (and the money to buy them). I realized finding solutions to problems and making a difference in the resources available to the staff here is one of my favorite parts of my job. I just wish it could happen more.

cristy, nicole, leona, gene, & randy

Monday evening was our last evening with Gene and Leona Augustine. They had been here two months volunteering. So last minute and with not much in our cupboards I invited everyone over for soup for supper and a farewell for the Augustines. The soup was a success, Nicole brought cornbread and we had a lovely evening. Another favorite thing is having people over and feeding them with yummy food!

Tuesdays have become special because we have started a Women’s Bible Study group meeting at Cristy and my house. We meet late enough that the ones with little children can put them to bed while the husbands watch over them. We are studying a little devotional book about contentment which is so appropriate for all of us here. Good discussion, warm drinks, and a few snacks went a long way this week to help me recover from a long meeting with unhappy staff that ended 15 minutes before Bible Study. It is a blessing to have a time to be together in a spiritual setting with friends here… spiritual community is one of my favorite things.

Mrs. Kamwiyo (our head nurse) handing out buckets

Wednesday is the day we have ADCOM (departmental head meeting). This meeting is good but usually long and dealing with different challenges facing the hospital. I decided a needed a break from these meetings and got the idea of surprising everyone with the chance to give out treats to the children admitted in Peds. We had little red buckets donated from Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, some snacks, and stickers all just sitting here waiting to be distributed. So instead of ADCOM I piled everything up on the table and we put together about 70 buckets and handed them out to the kids at the hospital. After the other committee members realized I was serious and that we weren’t having a meeting they got excited and there were smiles on everyone’s faces – young and old, healthy and sick! Malawians love to laugh and smile and are so happy with little gifts like this and it is heartwarming! Surprising staff members, patients and all with a special treat and break in the monotony is definitely one of my favorite things!

a family who's baby is admitted for malnutrition (ok so candy may not be the best - but the smiles are!)