Container

At long last we got to use the container in CNP for the Men's Bible Study group. The container is actually 2 welded together with the middle cut out, but it provides an invaluable resource. Pray that we may continue to have free access to this resource as certain elements of the community are politicising the usage of it.

Patrick Update

Dean has just returned from the hospital where he saw Patrick and Ben.

Patrick is in so much pain after the amputation. His leg was removed just below the knee, so he will be somewhat unbalanced when he has recovered. Dean has never seen anyone literally writhing in pain before and it was quite distressing to see him in this state. Aunty Kuku has agreed to visit tomorrow so Dean will take her in the afternoon to see Patrick. Unfortunately their grandson Enslen has been dumped on her again. Enslen is seriously disable having some form of palsy and having him in the home puts a huge burden on Aunty Kuku.

Patrick Et Al

Dean went to Hospital today with our two medical electives (Jonathon & Rachel) to visit Patrick and Ben. Whilst there we also saw Annie who is being treated for severe chemical burns. She was working in the farms in Feb and was exposed to some chemicals which have left her quite badly disfigured and have burnt her throat and lungs. Dean didn't initially recognise her as she had lost so much weight.

Patrick is scheduled to have his leg removed tomorrow (12 May) and he is really upset about this. Whilst Dean was with Patrick, Paula arrived with Joel which appeared to brighten up Patrick's day.

Mountain Bike

Joel on Dad's mountain bike.

Lots Of Illness

Patrick remains in hospital but is very confused and quite upset. He really wants to see his wife (Aunty Kuku) but she doesn't want to go to the hospital and is enjoying the break from him, which she really needs!

Lorraine was taken to hospital last night as her stomach had swollen dramatically.

Ben collapsed in CNP this afternoon, Dean wasn't there but thankfully another volunteer was and he's a Dr so was able to help. The ambulance was called and Ben is now in hospital, so Dean will see him tomorrow.

Hospital Visits

Today seems to have been dominated by hospital visits for Dean as he went to see Patrick at lunchtime and again tonight. At lunchtime Patrick was still in casualty and eventually stayed there for just over 24 hours. Thankfully by the time I visited tonight he had been moved onto a ward. Patrick is very confused about his situation and also angry with his family for not coming to see him yet.

The reality for Aunty Kuku (Patrick's wife) is that she's enjoying the break from him and is reluctant to visit the hospital (although this may in part be because she is not very well herself).

Delvera

Dean on the Delvera vineyard as part of the Dirtopia mountain bike event in Stellenbosch.

Why not? we're always looking for an excuse to visit the local wineries!

Patrick

Please pray for Patrick, he's back in hospital this evening. Dean went to CNP as usual and called in to see Patrick and was alarmed to see that the blister which had appeared on Patrick's foot late last week is now the size of a tennis ball! Dean immediately arranged to take Patrick to hospital and they arrived there at 3pm this afternoon.

Patrick is in a lot of pain but doesn't want to stay in hospital - quite understandable! Please pray that Patrick will get a thorough 'MOT' and a very thorough bed bath. Unfortunately due to his amputation and stroke, Patrick finds washing and showering almost impossible. We're also left feeling that the health service here are only interested in addressing his symptoms and not the underlying problems, please pray into this.

Update

Joel is quite ill at the moment with another bout of bronchiolitis, the Dr gave him some drugs which have had a positive impact but he's coughing like mad and is really fed up with it.

We're both well and Dean is just about recovered from his bad back. He recently acquired a new mountain bike (see the piccy) and as he was getting used to the new seating position etc his back obviously stretched, no permanent damage but a bit sore for a few days.

Mesmerised

Joel mesmerised by the waves crashing onto the beach in Plett.

Boat

Joel lounging by a boat. As the lagoon was so shallow we were able to wade up to many of the small fishing boats which Joel thought was great.

Judy's House

Judy's house in Plett. This is where we stayed for 2 weeks, our bedroom was the one with the balcony. The house was stunning!

Plett Lagoon

Joel and dad at Plett lagoon. This was Joel's favourite bit of beach as there was no tide and the water was very shallow.

Beach

Walking on the beach with mum.

Seesaw

On the seesaw with mum. Not sure who enjoyed it the most!

Elephants

Joel watching the elephants at Knysna Elephant Park. Joel was able to feed the elephants and really enjoyed getting this close.

View

The view from our bedroom balcony in Plettenberg Bay

Holiday

We've been back home for a week now having spent 2 fabulous weeks in Plettenberg Bay on a family holiday. Despite traveling through one of the worst storms the Cape has seen for years (roads collapsing and parts of the country losing 10 years worth of top soil, for example!), we managed to arrive relatively unscathed with a new pair of windscreen wipers, having driven for 8 km in driving rain without any - not to be recommended!

Getting Ready

Forgive our lack of communication since our last Blog, life has been hectic and will continue to be so until Monday when we set off on a 5 -6 hour drive for two weeks by the beach. That's Monday, before then we've got so much to do.

Last weekend we had Joel's birthday party at a little indoor play centre. Joel had about 8 friends there and they all had a ball. It was great too for the parents as we could sit and chat over coffee whilst the kids ran themselves ragged in a totally safe environment. We'll be back there again!

Catch Up

Life has been pretty hectic since our return from Bloemfontein. We celebrated Joel's 2nd birthday a couple of days late (we missed it whilst we were in Bloem) but he more than made up for it. He got a kiddies tent which he loves playing in. We gave him a toy microwave with lights and stuff which he enjoys and he was given a Barney DVD which he is glued to when he's allowed to watch the tv.

Photos Of Zim Friends

Below is a selection of photographs taken over the weekend at the NFI leaders conference in Bloemfontein.

The photos are of friends from Zimbabwe whom we haven't seen since our departure in 2003. Some of these friends are still faithfully plugging away in Zimbabwe and a few have moved to Jo'burg to be a part of a new church plant there called God First.