• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Coming home

burnt

Well-known member
Our daughter is on her way, coming home from Zambia. She spent almost 7 weeks in a hospital as a student nurse, perhaps learning more about nursing life in that time than she has in months of school here at home.

She is a very torn girl right now. In her words - "I felt much like I was being tossed in the ocean somewhere between Zambia and Canada, feeling a strong pull in each direction . . ."

She made fast friends with some of the locals, both resident missionaries and fellow nurses. Such as are made in the most intense of situations.

The Zambian medical system is financially strapped, apparently due to rampant government corruption and falling foreign support due to the economic downturn.

In many cases, aspirin and ibuprofen are the main medications handed out and those can be in short supply. Simple supplies like syringes and bandages may or may not be available.

They could help a lot of people with what we throw out.

She probably got more hands-on experience over there in her 6 weeks of floor work than she would get here in a year. It was fast-paced and demanding, just the type of situation where she is at her best.

She delivered 3 babies one night, the first one with supervision and the next two on her own. One of the two was a pre-determined stillborn, but still a sad case.

She said she saw some people get better and go home to their families and others die alone. One floor nurse for 40 patients can not be with each one for very long . . . .

So she is coming home from that scenario to a system where she will in all likelihood spend almost as much time recording her activities on a computer as she spends doing practical nursing. A bit of trepidation for her for that reason.

I suspect that her re-integration into our spoiled and selfish North American lifestyle could be a greater culture shock than what she experienced going the other way. There could well be some trying times for her in the next few weeks.

I can hardly wait to hug her again . . . .

If you would care to when you pray, please ask for much grace for her in the coming days. Just mention to Him "the little torn girl coming home from Zambia . . ." and He will know who you mean!
 

Big Muddy rancher

Well-known member
It will be done.

My Dad has a Dr cousin that spent alot of time in Africa. I think they have a clinic named after him. The Rotary club still support it. The need is great but it seems everybody that come home misses it and wants to go back. It must take a very special person.
 

per

Well-known member
Sure will. My niece and here husband just got back from Africa. He worked for Food for the Hungry for 4 years and she taught school in Addis.
 

larryshoat

Active member
burnt said:
Our daughter is on her way, coming home from Zambia. She spent almost 7 weeks in a hospital as a student nurse, perhaps learning more about nursing life in that time than she has in months of school here at home.

She is a very torn girl right now. In her words - "I felt much like I was being tossed in the ocean somewhere between Zambia and Canada, feeling a strong pull in each direction . . ."

She made fast friends with some of the locals, both resident missionaries and fellow nurses. Such as are made in the most intense of situations.

The Zambian medical system is financially strapped, apparently due to rampant government corruption and falling foreign support due to the economic downturn.

In many cases, aspirin and ibuprofen are the main medications handed out and those can be in short supply. Simple supplies like syringes and bandages may or may not be available.

They could help a lot of people with what we throw out.

She probably got more hands-on experience over there in her 6 weeks of floor work than she would get here in a year. It was fast-paced and demanding, just the type of situation where she is at her best.

She delivered 3 babies one night, the first one with supervision and the next two on her own. One of the two was a pre-determined stillborn, but still a sad case.

She said she saw some people get better and go home to their families and others die alone. One floor nurse for 40 patients can not be with each one for very long . . . .

So she is coming home from that scenario to a system where she will in all likelihood spend almost as much time recording her activities on a computer as she spends doing practical nursing. A bit of trepidation for her for that reason.

I suspect that her re-integration into our spoiled and selfish North American lifestyle could be a greater culture shock than what she experienced going the other way. There could well be some trying times for her in the next few weeks.

I can hardly wait to hug her again . . . .

If you would care to when you pray, please ask for much grace for her in the coming days. Just mention to Him "the little torn girl coming home from Zambia . . ." and He will know who you mean!

Consider it done.

Larry
 

leanin' H

Well-known member
Note to self: Put Burnt near the top of the list of folks whose hand i need to shake and meet in person.

That was such a heartfelt and tender paragraph. No wonder your daughter has been serving the people of Zambia with a parent like you! I hope Im half the parent you are to my own kids. Hope she gets home safe and I know the hug will be pretty awesome. Bless you and your sweet daughter! WOW! :D
 

Cal

Well-known member
Great Post! What an experience! And you know, if she sent you any pictures....you know how we all like pictures on here. :wink:
 

MsSage

Well-known member
For sure adding yall to my prayers.....
You know if she is feeling that strong of a pull she will be going back....Love her and encourage her to do what is Gods will. What a greater calling can there be?
 

hopalong

Well-known member
Your daughter is a special person, she needs a hug from you, another special person for your support.
You both will be in our prayers.
 

katrina

Well-known member
Done deal.....We have the privledge of having an iraq vet working for us till he goes to school.. Hopefully he will come back next summer as we love him...But it takes awhile for them to adjust.. And we just go with the flow....
 

TexasBred

Well-known member
burnt...ain't nothing like a trip to a third world country doing something so needed to bring a person down to earth and make you feel so blessed. Quite a few years ago I was blessed to go on several overseas mission trips with our church and it really brought me down to earth. I still correspond with people I meet in those countries.

"Unto whom much is given...much is expected".

Prayers for your "new" daughter :wink:
 

Workinonit

Well-known member
burnt said:
If you would care to when you pray, please ask for much grace for her in the coming days. Just mention to Him "the little torn girl coming home from Zambia . . ." and He will know who you mean!

I'll add her to my prayers. She sounds like a very special young lady.

K
 

burnt

Well-known member
Thank you, everyone for your kind words and wishes. After an 18 hr. layover in London, she just left Heathrow airport on the last leg of her almost 3 day journey home from Zambia.

It seems like a long travel time but Livingstone would have been proud!

We will be leaving about mid-morning to pick her up in Toronto. WooHoo!

leanin' H, after getting to know you and your family a bit here on Rancher's, I don't think my hand is big enough for you to shake. But I do hope we get to meet sometime anyway!!
 
Top