Before the first flight each day the plane is given a thorough pre-flight inspection to make sure everything is ship shape. After all we just can't pull off to the side of the road if something goes amiss.
At the airstrip in Kalukembe we are met by staff from the hospital who will drive us the twenty minutes it takes to get to the hospital.
Dr. Steve(with red coat) and members of his team with a visiting doctor from Germany who is considering moving to Kalukembe. That's me hiding in the back on the left.
The mission at Kalukembe was opened in the 1880's as a rescue mission for slaves that were being taken to Brazil. The hospital itself was constructed in 1944.
So what kind of stuff do you see at a mission hospital?Well, bandages being changed for one.
This young man has lost his entire calf muscle from a gunshot wound by an AK47.
Burns, this young man has been coming for five years as Dr. Steve slowly restores his arm. The burn had welded it to his side like the wing of a bird.
Crocodile bites. That's right! This young boy was grabbed by a croc around his chest. His mother jumped into the water and jammed her arm down the crocs throat until it choked and let go. The boy managed to get out of the water and while the mom was getting out the croc bit her on the leg. She was recovering in the ladies ward at the same time.
The other thing we got to do was go into the operating room and watch a laporotomy(hope I got that right) That's right my mom came in and watched a surgery! We have some great pictures of the actual operation, but my censor said I wasn't allowed to post them. It is truly amazing to see how God uses these men and women to reach out to the people of Angola. The needs are so overwhelming that it can be so discouraging, but we know that God has a plan and that He brought us here not for our benefit, but to bring glory to His name. Thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement, they really do mean a lot. We look forward to hearing from you and keeping you posted on what is happening here.