We've had a busy few weeks in the run up to Christmas submitting essays, visiting friends and family, applying for visas, booking flights etc. We had a fab time with Tess and Phil who will be joining us at Kalene in August. It was great to meet Colin Breeze who has been visiting Kalene and Zambia for over 20 years with Brass Tacks. He gave us an insight into life at Kalene and even offered to send us a key for the hospital as he said they were short and getting one cut over there would be tricky! You know you're going for real when someone is giving you a key to the place! Thanks to Phil's parents who have very kindly purchased our supply of anti-malarials. They came in 16 tubs but I have managed to cram them into 4 pots so there will be room in my luggage for real essentials such as my new game called Bananagrams (hours of fun!) and my next cross stitch project!
On Boxing Day, we shared about our work in Zambia at Newtown Evangelical Church and were very much encouraged by the fellowship there. There are many faithful in prayer there and we know that we wouldn't be able to do this without this support. We have also received some financial gifts from people wishing to help and we are truly thankful for such generosity.
The red tape and paperwork is both confusing and time consuming. It has involved preparing documents, obtaining signatures certifying that we are who we say we are! We are currently trying to sort paperwork for registering as doctor and nurse/midwife in Zambia. They even want our GCSE certificates - several degrees and professional qualifications between us are not adequate proof of our education by Zambian standards apparently! This would be fine except Chris can't find his anywhere! I, of course, could put my hand on mine straightaway! This has all been delayed due to Christmas and solicitors not operating from Christmas Eve till this Tuesday so please pray that we can send the documents on Wednesday morning and that they will arrive safely.
I did my last shift at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd on Friday and delivered my 40th baby! It was a great way to finish up. I have been blessed with a great bunch of people to work with during my training. The staff there really have been so supportive and interested in what we are going to do. I am also most grateful for their enthusiasm in sharing their skills and knowledge and I hope I will do them proud as I put all I've learnt into practice.
We have booked our flight and depart London on 16th February. We will be staying at the CMML guesthouse in Lusaka for about a week, allowing us to have our respective interviews for registering as doctor/midwife. We are hoping to get a flight with CMML on 23rd Feb but are awaiting confirmation of this.
We wish you all a peaceful and blessed New Year.
Love from Emma and Christopher xxx
