SBU DPT in Zambia Week #1

Blog #1: June 29 - July 1

Bolivar, MO -> Kansas City, MO -> London, UK -> Johannesburg, South Africa, -> Livingston, Zambia-Africa -> Macha, Zambia-Africa... 57 hours of travel time later, we reached our final destination. Have you ever seen Planes, Trains, and Automobiles? Well this is it’s sequel. One thing is for certain, I have a new appreciation for the word “exhaustion” because I think our group reached the point of maximum exhaustion throughout our travel journey. Two overnight flights, with a 10 hour layover in London in between, definitely makes for an interesting experience. We were running on little to no sleep. We were also very hungry and likely dehydrated. The struggle was real. The overnight flights were rough. Between the changing of time-zones and the uncomfortable flight seats, most of us didn’t get much sleep. Well except Dami, he can turn sleep on and off like a light switch. He also has sleep apnea, so he was featured in his neighbors Snapchat quite a few times because of his unbelievably loud snoring. I know because I caught her. Once we got to London, we were excited to get out and explore. Unfortunately, we took a wrong turn and spent around three hours trying to figure out how to leave the airport. We eventually figured it out and finally made it to the underground train station at Heathrow airport and rode all the way to West Minster station. The entire train ride lasted around an hour. We fought sleep the whole way. There were lots of locals commuting and no a/c, so the temperature on the train was stifling. That did not help that fact that were were going on more than a day without a shower. Nevertheless, we made it into the city and it was quite the sight. Immediately exiting the station we saw Big Ben, under construction unfortunately, and then we headed to the bridge to see the London Eye. After that we ventured over to the castle looking place that 007-Spectre was filmed (pretty sure that was West Minster Palace), which was beautiful. Our final stop was Buckingham Palace for tea with the queen... Just kidding about the tea. But we think the queen was present that day because the flag was flying high and proud on the roof. After our adventure around London, we headed back to the airport.

We were only halfway there... the second overnight flight was around 11 hours, which means I watched quite a few movies. Everyone else slept on and off. Somehow we survived the flight and we were one flight closer to Zambia. Our flight to Livingston was short and sweet, especially for me because I was passed out the whole time. Once we arrived in Livingston, we were greeted by George, our ride to Macha, Zambia. His Toyota truck just barely fit us and our luggage. The next three and a half hours consisted of all of us sitting cramped in the back speeding down the rural highways of Zambia. The last 30 minutes or so of the drive took us on the bumpiest road we have ever been on. We were thrown all over the back of that truck. We are lucky to have not gotten injured. Overall, it was a funny experience.

It was Sunday night once we arrived at the guest house. We had finally made it. It actually happened. We unloaded the truck, found our rooms, ate some lasagna, cleaned up, and then went to bed.

Stay tuned for more updates as we begin our work in the Macha hospital!

Ethan


Blog #2: First 2 days in Zambia

After a semi restful first night in Zambia, we headed out to see the hospital and start our work in the Physio Department. When we arrived at the clinic we found out it was a holiday, and the Physio department was closed for the day. So that our trip wasn’t a total waste, a nurse gave us a tour of the hospital. That was an unbelievably humbling experience. I had an idea of what to expect and I didn’t anticipate to see any modern medicine like we have in the states, but I was not fully prepared for what I saw, and I don’t know that I ever could have been. The hospital is a series of smaller buildings connected with concrete paths. The buildings all have concrete floors, minimal equipment, and open windows for fresh air (even in the surgical theatre). We also saw a TB ward, a Leprocy ward and an HIV ward. It was very humbling to see the environment and the apparent presence of diseases we don’t see much in the states. I walk into the different clinics and feel uncomfortable and apprehensive to touch equipment, and at the same time the locals come there for care and feelings of comfort. My perspective of medicine is based on my current experiences, which are drastically different than what people experience here in Zambia. I hope in my time here God can work on my heart, and give me more humility and more love for the people of Zambia.

On our second day in Zambia, we walked over to the PT clinic to start our work, in no huge hurry because we have all come to accept “African Time.” Scheduling seems to be very relaxed and go with the flow here, so we weren’t expecting to see anyone at the clinic at any specific time. When we did arrive at the Physio Department we were informed that this day is also a holiday and the clinic is closed, again. We met with the hospitals medical director and were then able to get in touch with the physiotherapist we were supposed to be working with. He was out of town, and unable to meet with us. At this point, I was ready to get started in the clinic and learn what the PT’s role is in Zambia, so learning we had another empty day was disappointing. However this did give us a chance to rest, play games and do some team bonding, and view some aspects of the local culture. We were able to watch an inter-village championship soccer match, and witness some amazing talent and athleticism from some of the local Macha men. It also gave us a chance to socialize and meet an amazingly talented man. TIza was born and raised in Macha, and went to local University for economics. He grew up in a home that supported reading, and he believes “a good writer is a good reader.” He just had his first book published and is already working on book number two. Tiza approached me thinking I was someone else from the hospital, and we got to learn all about him from this simple mishap. I can see God working in his life, in his work and in the way we were able to meet him. He needs more support with his book to fund further publications and we would like to help support him. The book is called “Misconceptions of Healing, Blessings and Miracles in the Church” written by Tiza Joseph Nyirenda. The book can be bought on Amazon, and we would appreciate your help in supporting this amazingly talented young man.

So far, Zambia has not disappointed when it comes to surprises, and day two was no exception. The past two nights I had been waking up to loud crashing and hissing noises in the attic above my bed, which had made for a slightly less than restful nights sleep. Not that no one believed me, but I wanted to give them proof, so I called the entire team in to listen the next time the disturbing sounds started. Little did I know, this would lead to a trapping expedition in the attic. After a long, and loud scramble in the attic that ended with one of the Zambian men falling through the ceiling of my old room, we met the four noisemakers. I still don’t understand how four baby owls made so many terrifyingly loud sounds, but we don’t have to worry about them anymore. A local who helped us catch the birds was given the owls. Even with the language barrier, his plan for that nights dinner were pretty clear. It was not my intention to make a family of owls someone’s dinner, but at least someone has a fully belly tonight, and I can sleep peacefully. That is, if mama owl doesn’t come for revenge and find the fresh hole in the ceiling.
-Devon


Blog #3:
We completed our first week in the clinic! It was a huge blessing to begin serving in the Physio department at Macha Mission Hospital. We met three Zambian therapists to work alongside this week: Arthur, Joyce, and Betty. There are six total therapists at this hospital... we will meet Simon and Enock next week. We had the opportunity to assist them and get hands-on treating patients in the clinic. In Zambia, the patients arrive with a booklet (their system of taking medical history and documentation) and wait outside the clinic for their turn. We were excited to bring therapy equipment to give to the clinic: walkers, crutches, braces, yoga mats, balls, thera-band, ace wraps, and other tools to use. A lot of this equipment has already been put to use. An exciting opportunity with this trip to Zambia is to share and discuss our physical therapy experiences with the Zambian therapists. Likewise, we are excited to learn from them! While we are only here a few weeks, our hope is to leave the Zambian therapists feeling even more equipped to provide treatment for their patients.

We have seen various cases in the clinic and provided treatment for neurological disorders, pediatrics, and many orthopedic conditions. Our team has been an incredibly unified group and definitely hard at work! An interesting thing in Zambia is that the Physio department handles all bone fractures, radiographs, and casting. Several members of our team had opportunities to cast bone fractures and also remove casts.

While some of us stay in the clinic, others go on rounds of the different hospital wards to provide inpatient treatment. The hospital has a male ward, female ward, pediatric ward, surgical ward, outpatient department, and several other specialized areas for treating patients. The wards are large rooms with beds (see the pictures attached). We treated one man who suffered a stroke at the age of 83. He had been discharged but returned with severe arm and leg pain. He cried out in pain during our assessment, and I wanted badly to take his pain away. After a long treatment session, he thanked us with so much gratitude for caring for him. I was moved by the fact that he was grateful for a treatment that seemingly caused him so much pain. Compassion is an important element to physical therapy, and I can see God’s hand at work in moving our hearts towards caring for His people here.

On Friday, all six members of our team went to assist in the operating theater. This was one of the more eye-opening and emotional experiences of the trip. We changed into clean scrubs, put on masks, caps, and gloved up. In Zambia, PT’s set joint dislocations and perform bone reductions in the OR. The anesthesia here only lasts for 5-10 minutes and patients can become conscious during the procedure. One patient with a dislocated shoulder was placed on the ground with a sheet underneath him. The anesthesia did not work and we watched as the therapists pulled his arm to put his shoulder back into place. This lasted about 20 minutes and he endured the pain. The second patient had a fracture of the tibia and fibula bones. After he was under anesthesia, the therapists tried reducing the fracture by pulling on his leg and manually grinding the bones into place. This one lasted about 30 minutes and the patient woke up during the process. The procedure was unsuccessful and he was sent to a nearby city for surgery and advanced care. Personally, I was left in shock following these procedures. The operating theater is where all patients in this area go to have surgery. The surgeons are general doctors who also administer the anesthesia. Patients would come in from outside and directly into the operating room for their surgery, and there did not seem to be the level of sterilization you would expect in preparing for surgery. Due to the lack of resources, many things are reused that would typically be discarded in the U.S. However, these doctors are working with what they have and doing so much good for people in this area. It’s hard for me to adjust my lens as I am here from the U.S., but for the Zambian people, this is all they know. I mention this because there is a need for specialized doctors here to assist with surgery. On top of that, there is a huge need for resources. I am praying that God will provide more medical resources to this hospital and specialized doctors to treat the Zambian people here.

Back to the PT clinic, there is one patient in particular we ask for your prayers. She is a 22-year old girl who has tested HIV positive. She came in with the diagnosis of generalized weakness. Due to the work done by the Macha Research Trust, the incidence of HIV has become much lower due to access to treatment, however, it is still prevalent in the area. Our team had the opportunity to assess her condition and give her a home exercise program. She traveled by two different buses to come to the Physio department for help and said she will come back to see us next week. Our team prayed with her and we ask you to pray for her as we hope to see her again next week in the clinic!

Please continue praying for the Zambian people and our team to show the love of Christ as we treat patients! I am loving my experience here and learning so much. We have been immensely blessed to use our practice as a tool to share the Gospel with the people of Zambia. My prayer is that the Lord would use our team as a vessel to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him.

“Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

-Jacob


Blog #4
This morning (Saturday), we headed to New Day Orphanage for most of the weekend! It's about an hour drive from Macha, where we've been staying the past week. One of our team members, Kailyn, spent 6 months at the orphanage in 2016. After we arrived at New Day, we dropped our bags off at the guesthouse and took a tour of the orphanage grounds and met the children. There are 38 children total, not including the staff kids. The New Day guesthouse, which is called The Ark, seems like a resort compared to the guesthouse at Macha. This past week, we've had to take bucket baths at night because running water is only available two times a day for a short period of time. We have a supply of boiled water that we can mix with cool water to make it the right temperature. We've had to flush the toilet with a bucket of water and use hand sanitizer at an almost constant rate. To many back home, our living conditions would be considered "roughing it." But the guesthouse at New Day has been a nice break.

We have access to running water that is safe to drink, hot showers, flushing toilets, and Wi-Fi! It's been nice! We've taken turns doing laundry and catching up with friends and family back home! This afternoon, village kids from the surrounding area came for Kids Club, which happens every Saturday afternoon here at the orphanage. Outside village kids come to play, listen to a Bible story, and eat dinner (which consists of cabbage, beans, and nshima - which is a local staple made from ground corn that is like a mix between mashed potatoes and grits. It expands in the stomach to keep people feeling full longer). This might be the only meal some of the children were able to eat today. We had a good time playing with the kids and helping clean up after the meal. Each week, the staff guesses how many kids came and they find out by counting all the plates that were washed and dried. Today it was 245 kids, which Jacob guessed - spot on! After kids club, we climbed the water tower and watched the sunset. It was beautiful!

This evening, we're just enjoying some down time and taking advantage of feeling spoiled! We had really good homemade pizza for dinner and brownie cookies for dessert! Tomorrow morning, we'll go to church right outside of New Day's property, where everyone at New Day goes to church. Typical services last around 3 hours, with Sunday school and the main sermon. We'll eat lunch and pack up to head back to Macha in the early afternoon. On our way there, we'll be stopping at a village where Kailyn lived for a few weeks during her semester abroad. We'll meet her host family and get a better sense of village life. Tomorrow evening we'll be back at the Macha guesthouse and ready for our final three days at the PT clinic!

Kailyn