Day 6
August 31, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

Our day started with team devotions led by Sr. Gertrude.  After
breakfast the medical team members stayed to work in clinic, while the
others left to work on the clinic remodeling project.

Arriving at the work site the Malawian construction workers welcomed
us (Brian, Connie, Gertrude and Chelsey) with handshakes and Chichewa
greetings. The work started in the interior, the team had to break
down a small room made of bricks and mortar. Sister Gertrude got tired
of using a hammer and chisel, and decided to kick down the wall! Saved
time and impressed the workers. Brian (a.k.a. Pharaoh) worked
alongside Daniel, the Malawian foremen, to complete an entire window
made of breezeblocks. Brian worked hard and worked the rest of team
just as hard too! The hole was dug for the latrines and bricks started
to be laid along the bottom.

The village chief, Kazati, arrived and worked along side of the team.
He had a meeting with the village men and women at the work site and
decided to honor our work with a festive meal.  A goat was chosen and
prepared on site, cut into bite-size pieces, along with all the
intestines, and put it into a pot. None of the members of the team had
ever seen goat and nsema made from scratch. It was an adventure! Brian
was given a large portion of the intestines, and quite enjoyed it.

Chelsey met an older Malawian worker named Kenneth. Informing him that
this was the name of her father, he proclaimed her his daughter.
Affectionately known as ‘Kenny,’ he announced to the chief that he had
adopted her as his fourth daughter and to call her by her new Chichewa
name, “Gysomo”. Kenny also gave the rest of the team Chichewa names,
Connie was given the name “Chisisi” (‘memory’ in English), Brian was
given the name “Chikondi” (‘love’ in English), and Gertrude was given
the name “Nyachisale” (‘Grandma in English.’)

Chisisi, Nyachisale and Gysomo followed the women to the community
pump to fill the buckets of water for mixing the mortar. Gertrude
decided it would an experience to help the woman carry the water back
to the work site – the traditional way. The women laughed as Gertrude
and Chelsey carried buckets of water on top of their heads (getting
thoroughly soaked in the process.)

The medical team also had a very diverse and busy day. The morning
began at the medical centre with staff devotions. It was a very
touching experience to be included in this and Victoria shared some
scripture and spiritual thoughts. The word she shared really helped us
to get off to a wonderful start. We split up and went to our
“assigned” areas, meeting back at the guest house for lunch and some
debriefing.

Marilyn spent the morning in the maternity. The woman (Florence) who
delivered yesterday was on her way home with her new baby by nine am.
She packed up her bag, wrapped up baby and basically began the walk
home. No need to think about car seat safety.

Sarah worked in the dressing room with Smart and Victoria spent the
morning with Nelson learning about HIV/AIDS testing and treatment.
She was able to connect at an emotional and spiritual level with a
woman who tested positive through a hug and prayer.  The afternoon was
spent in the clinic seeing dozens of patients, lots of malaria,
pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and quite a variety of other ailments.

Supper was rice and beef stew, and just as we sat down the lights went
out again (thanks for the team that installed solar powered LED
lighting system).