o dark hundred

Day 1 July 30 Sat

Well it is 0300 which is a bit early(but only an hour earlier than I rise in Portland).  I arrived in Zimbabwe yesterday around 12:20 pm.  Safe and sound and strangely not very tired?

It took a very long time to get my visa and get through customs.  Unfortunately one duffel did not make it yet (I hope).  The director recommended we do not say we are a medical team….hence NO POKER FACE SANDY was asked to lie…the customs officer I’m sure knew that the 67 pound duffel was not all clothes…I thought I was toast…but he waived me on.

We are staying again at York Lodge, a very nice place I have already been making the rounds hugging the “help”.  Zimbabweans are so kind and gracious.

When the sun rises 4 of us will head out for a morning walk.  Return for breakfast and then head over to Harare Central Hospital to begin the MASH set up.

Arrived Safe and Sound

So I'm just saying Africa is very far away....it is not Kansas Todo..


Smooth sailing ...all flight left on time arrived on time. For some un-me reason I am wide awake...go figure.  The team separated out stuff by function..will set up tomorrow and do screening on Sunday.

Departure Day

After packing 2 heavily laden medical bags and one small personal carry-on...and checking and re-checking... I will head to the airport shortly.  Zimbabwe bound after 36 hours of traveling.  This years route brings me from Portland to San Francisco to Munich to Johannesburg and finally Harare arriving Friday @ 12:24PM.

It is such a privilege to be invited into the world of other cultures, this time Zimbabwe.  The trick on return visits is to leave yourself open to surprises.  Last year there was such a sense of wonder at seeing Africa for the first time.  The unexpected came in the form of a 7 year old boy named Tinotenda.  I fell hard in love with this little boy.  Many of you know I am hopeless when it comes to children so it was not difficult.  What will this trip bring?  What will our challenges be?  Whose path will I cross? The first 12 days will be in Harare Central Children's Hospital.  I then will visit Tinotenda for a few days in the L'Arche community he is living in.  Then it will be off to Makumbi Mission the Jesuit Mission in rural Zimbabwe.  It includes a high school, primary school and a children's home for about 110 orphans.  I will spend about 2 weeks volunteering there.  Then making the oh so long journey across the pond back to the USA.  Tune in for updates!

One of these, 200 of those......

Well the Mt Hood pile is now neatly packed into two HEAVY duffel bags...53 & 60 lbs....may Lufthanza look kindly upon me and the mission to Zimbabwe. 5 days and counting.  Thanks to Jane, Clare & Rozina for helping do the inventory and packing.

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12 days and counting....TO-DO list getting smaller...Pile of supplies the size of Mt HOOD..Will learn how to post blog on FB soon