Hello my fellow americans!

Kamwaamba!

First, I would like to explain the naming of my blog site. As most of you know, I do lots of impersonations and one of them is a Mexican voice and it is called Juan Carlos. So, some girls from my bible study said that I had to name my blog site juancarlosgoestoafrica and I agreed. I am holding to my word even though most will not get it or think that is hokey. I’m sure my mom is thinking that I could have named it something a little easier even though I promised.

Secondly, this blog will be much longer than I am hoping the upcoming ones will be. It was a crazy week by getting acclimated here (getting thrown in) and the Harding Academy high school kids being here. We did some of their activities with them and I’m sure it made the day busier than usual. So, I wanted to give you a full update of my first week even though it is much a blur.

I am here in Zambia after too many flights and cat naps. I was welcomed in Lusaka, the capital city, by my friends Spencer & Louisa from school after they waited over an hour after my flight had landed. I had the luck of every time they started a new line, they would start with the person directly behind me…uggh! Kind of humorous, but not really. My first day was pretty low key in the sense of that I had a 5 hour truck ride back to Kalomo where the mission is located. I had my first road side bathroom experience on my first day. We pulled over to get some bananas and so we decided to use the bathroom in the 6 foot bush all around and then buy some baskets all in the same place. We also stopped on the side of the road at a “restaurant” named Tooters and got chicken and chips (fried chicken quarters and French fries) for about 15,000 kwacha which is about $3.75 in U.S. dollars. The exchange rate varies, but it is approximately K3700:US1. We arrived safely at Namwianga Mission about 2100 and sat down with the Academy group for them to reflect.

The next couple of days were spent in getting to meet different workers (such as aunties that are care takers for the orphanage, cooks, medical staff, and so on) and going to do different errands that needed to be done. You have to understand that errands are no small task and take much longer than expected. Haven 1 (the orphanage for the babies) and Haven 2 (orphanage for the toddlers-usually 1-2 years) were visited by the Harding students and I for the first couple of days. It was nice to see all the younger adults just jump in and take care of the babies like they were their own. On Tuesday night, the Harding girls took 5 babies home with them to spend the night. I’m sure it was an experience and they were definitely tired the next day.

The biggest event happened on Wednesday when Whitney, one of the smallest FTT babies, went to heaven. Her and Paul, which I will tell you about soon, have been losing weight and no one could figure out why since neither were HIV+ and were eating. She died as we were talking to Kathy Merritt, the overall caretaker and she started Haven, about taking Whitney and Paul to Macha, who has the capability to take care of these babes. Before Whitney passed, we had gone to town to get some medicine for one of the HIV babies and took two orphans with us. It is weird to think that we just decided we were going to take the babies, put their shoes on, and left with them. Their was no sign out process, no red tape. We just took them. I just thought while we were driving with the babies that it almost takes an act of Congress to get a toddler out of Sunday school if you do not have their tag that matches your tag and it is color coded just right and so on. The kids just go with anyone at the mission as they please. They belong to no one really and so they can get love from everyone. Side note: I’m already in love with one baby named Bernard. Later, I will explain more about the orphanage and how it is run. We took Paul home with us to start IV fluids after Louisa and I went over to “pronounce” Whitney. I started my first IV in Africa on my first try after many prayers going up to the Lord for help. Paul is so small (2 kg) and we had to do something. Thanks to whoever donated the 24g IV’s in the Kenya box. The two I have left, I hope will also be helpful. I also would have paid $100 for a 6Fr or 8Fr feeding tube the other day to also start on Paul.

This is a very long story…but short and sweet….Paul stayed with us overnight (long night), Kathy took care of him the next day while we went to Victoria Falls with the Harding group, woke up at 0530 to get back here to take him to Macha, got to Macha at 1500, Paul was admitted after I got to help with the spinal tap, drove back and got home at 2100. What a couple of days….

We have had a lazy day today…just reading, writing, sending emails and such. I hope this finds you all well! I am doing well and just a little tired, but nothing that a nap couldn’t fix! I love naps! Keep in touch even though I won’t always be able to write back….

All my love….