Minga Stop Mission Hospital

"Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

On Saturday, I began to feel like I was coming down with some kind of cold/allergy junk/sinus infection...and by Wednesday I had full blown nasty infection of some sort. I was so weak and tired I couldn't cook an entire meal without having to rest. I lost my voice and was coughing all day. I knew that I needed to get to a doctor when my chest began to tighten and feel full of "crud". Then I knew I needed to call out for people to pray. I wrote an email to many people to pray before I went to bed last night. I slept all night and this morning woke up with a great amount of energy, a voice, and a minimal cough! PRAISE THE LORD! I knew that I still needed to get to a doctor in order to get an antibiotic to kill this infection, which I believe to be bronchitis! So, I ventured to a nearby town of Minga Stop this morning in the rain to the hospital there. The hospital is a Catholic Mission hospital (picture above is of the Catholic church neighboring the hospital) and Zeria's uncle is a doctor there. ANOTHER PRAISE! I got in to see the doctor, he diagnosed me with a clear chest and an infection of the pharnyx...but I don't have a sore throat...oh well. I got the medicine and began to ask the hospital staff where I pay. They told me that the services were free. I felt terrible because I wanted to pay and I wanted them to know how thankful I am that they are there. I was so happy to know that they are there to help the many people that live in villages around them. The line to see a doctor was out the door and around the corner (the norm here in Zambia), but the doctors were there when the hospital opened and were working diligently and I thanked the Lord that the hospital staff cared enough about the patients to be thorough and examine them and help them in any way that they could.

I will never forget the first time that I went to a doctor in Zambia. A Lutheran missionary friend escorted me to the doctor because she didn't want me to go at it alone my first time. Since then I have seen many clinics and hospitals, I must say that this hospital is 4 star in my book and for the people of the neighboring towns, I am thankful! Before coming to Nyimba to serve we had heard that there was no decent medical care around, but today, God reminded me that prayer is all we need and that He does take care of us! I praise the Lord for a nice hospital within 30 minutes of our house and for the prayers that were lifted up for me. God is good and his mercies are neverending!