“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass
through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you
will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2, NIV

Dear Friends,
 
Easter Greetings from Howard Hospital.
It’s been over three months since

our last bulletin.  Though our desire is to disseminate a quarterly newsletter, often we do not meet this deadline.

Change has been blowing in the tropical conversion zone over Zimbabwe.  Since December 2008, the country has witnessed the adoption of the US dollar for local currency, and the installation of the unity government of ZANU PF and MDC after months of gridlock.  For the most part the developments are promising. Forecasters are cautiously optimistic.  It may take a decade to recover from the decade of decline. As with some of our patients who have suffered from a long period of neglect before accessing treatment, there is no quick fix.  ‘Take two aspirins and call me in a few years.’  National reconstruction has been overshadowed by the global economic crisis and the donor community waiting to see real change in government before cutting a cheque.  

Health care delivery lingers in disarray. Cholera continues to scourge the country. Fortunately, at Howard we’ve seen a decline in its numbers. As the US dollar economy stabilizes operations, public hospitals are slowly reopening, charging foreign currency for essential services. What was once a model of low cost public health care in Africa has now been partly privatized. This is not supportive of the poor, but it has taken some of the heat off of Howard’s winding queues.  Middle class Zimbabweans can now access some services in their own cities and towns.   There remain too many pitfalls in the provision of health services, too many delays in treatment, too many undeserved deaths.  If time is money then too much time and too little money costs countless lives. 

Government salaries had dipped to 30 cents a month in December and we were at wits end. Our professional staff have since been energized by the provision of care packages and other expressions of encouragement from abroad.  Honourable mention goes to the Solon Foundation in the provision of food hampers for our health care workers and a Peterborough community of volunteers, churches, and schools in support of our teachers.  The promise of government salaries in US dollars to complement the prices in the shops has been slow to materialize.  Hours in bank queues have ended in disappointment. School starts this term were delayed when teachers went on strike.   Fortunately for rural folk the rains have been excellent this season. Those who could afford seed and fertilizer, and have a patch of land can expect something in April to feed their families.  

Our hospital has matured in the midst of calamity. Today, more than ever, we are recognized across the country as a beacon of hope for health and healing.  Nothing worth having comes without a struggle, but we kept our doors open through the turmoil of 2008. Our workers kept working. According to Woody Allen, ‘eighty percent of success is showing up.’ 

We have faced challenges deeply disguised as impossibilities.  We have survived, thanks to big boosts from friends abroad.  Since our last newsletter in December, we are delighted to report the arrival of a shipment of groceries from Canadian Food for Children and a 40 foot container of medicines, surgical supplies, clothing and school materials from a glowing group of friends in Toronto.  Cholera medicines and supplies came courtesy of Unicef, Rotary and World Vision, the latter supported by the Canadian government, the Zimbabwean Embassy and Health Partners International.  Thank you everyone for your active assistance.  We look forward to thanking some of you in person. Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down.

The Thistles are alive and well on planet Howard.  James is now more computer literate than his father, and he’s only midway through Grade 2!  He participated in his first track and field meet last weekend. The principal recognized Alexander in the school assembly as a well balanced child.   His parents have their doubts, especially when he’s dropping dishes at the dinner table.  Our family may soon have to eat off of banana leaves. The boys have Zimbabwean friends at Howard and international friends at school in Harare, giving them the best of both worlds.  

Pedrinah is finishing her final year of her degree in nursing education and administration. Paul and Pedrinah are both continuing their directed learning at a distance from the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg.  These academic studies, plus the 24 hour on call hospital duties, do not allow for much free time.  The whole family is looking forward to some rest when on furlough in Canada this June.

Our prayers and praise are for the following points:
......National reconciliation and reconstruction.   
......The recruitment and retention of health care workers.  More professionals would be willing to work at Howard if we had adequate accommodation and basic incentives.
......Our community programs: Home Based Care, AIDS Education, our mobile Tariro (Hope) Clinic, and Child Sponsorship.  We are launching a new support project for orphans and vulnerable children 
......Financial and logistic support for the daily operations of the hospital.  We are thankful for the gift of a satellite phone, and more recently a boosted cellular network at the hospital.  We no longer have to climb a tree to place a phone call.
….. The completion of our construction projects: staff housing, hospital and midwifery school.  We are pleased to report some new momentum in this area, but need a dedicated project manager to see it through to completion. 
......Safety on the roads as we travel with James and Alexander back and forth to Harare each week.
......That the love of Jesus Christ may be demonstrated by word and action in our lives.

We hope our friends in the northern hemisphere are enjoying the first rays of spring, warming up the prospects of employment and prosperity for many feeling the pinch of recession.  Here in Zimbabwe it is still raining and temperatures are cooling down.  Wherever we find ourselves, there remains something special about this time of year.   We believe it is Easter that has made this season special, a message of renewal and restoration arising from a backdrop of darkness and despair.  May this message be a reality in your lives every day of the year.

Happy Easter.
Paul, Pedrinah, James and Alexander

The Thistles
The Salvation Army Howard Hospital
PO Box 190
Glendale, Zimbabwe

Please note our new hospital telephone number, 263 912 125 068.

Our contact number during  furlough, June 5th to August 1st is 14167511772.     
 "Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come.
We have only today. Let us begin." Teresa