Manheru!

Manheru!

I just wanted to share a few photos with you all from this incredibly special place called Karanda.















So here are my parents and Katie out by the big sign. My parents just returned to the States a few days ago, and they're being missed here in Karanda bigtime! My dad helped out with all kinds of odds and ends while he was here....putting up lights in the guest house, fixing doors, painting the school house, and all kinds of other things. He filled a definite need during his short time here. My mom also helped out quite a bit here on the station. She helped teach at the school, painted at the school, and best of all.....made bierocks, cinnamon rolls, bread, banana cream pie, apple pie, and the like! We didn't really feel like we were out in the bush with her cookin.' My parents also helped out with the AWANAS program while they were here and with all kinds other projects as well. The best thing was seeing how joyful they were to help and how they were blessed in return. Everyone has been asking about them and asking when they are coming back. So, Mom....Dad.....when are you headin' back?















The little one on the left was in our Peds ward for about a week or so. She had a burn to her left ankle that we initially tried to skin graft. The graft didn't take, so we just watched it real close and changed her dressing daily. The daily dressing change thing on a healing burn isn't the most fun thing for these little ones to experience. I always thought she would never forgive me for being the mean guy to pull her dressing off everyday, but she never failed to shake my hand after the torture of the dressing change. She is now at home and doing well.




















This little gal is one of many sad situations. Her mother is HIV positive, and she likely is too. To see these little ones struggle through this merciless disease just tears at your heart. They are so innocent yet they are victims of the most relentless of diseases. Of all the unthinkable things we see here, this has got to be the most difficult to bear witness to. Please be praying for her and all of those who are battling the same circumstances.















Here's a pic of my dad learning the do,s and don'ts of Zimbabwean etiquette. It's a hands-on affair complete with sadza, greens, and all kinds of tasty sides. Sadza is the staple food here in Zim. It's basically ground corn cooked with water, but it's much more complicated than that when you watch one of the ambuyas (grandmothers) cook it up.



















Here's Katie learning how to be a Zimbabwean mama. What do ya think Debbie (my mother-in-law).....looks like a natural 'ey? This is how all the mothers transport their children here. It's acutally a quite efficient setup. They simply bundle them up in some sort of cloth and secure 'em in front with a few tucks of the material. They then have their hands free to go about the day's work. Genius!















This is Tatenda and his parents. He's the little boy I asked you to pray for. This is the first day I saw him sit up in bed. He was still quite weak, but I was so excited to see him sitting up I had to grab a pic of the occasion. He left the hospital a few days later thanks to your prayers and God's healing hand.

This last one is an all too common site. Every morning we see the men, women, and children head down to the nearest "bore hole" to pump out and collect water in jugs for the day's need. It really makes you think a bit of the luxury of running water.

Well, I think that's all for now.

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

In HIM>

kevin.