The Dream Team goes to the Three Hills!



The kids came to visit me at work..something else must be more exciting!





The last week has been alot of fun because we were joined by some familiar faces from Kansas. Dr Todd Stephens, Dr Richard Leu, Dr Whitney Vinzant, and Dr Todd's daughter Sara have all joined us for the last week here at Karanda Hospital. Their combined wisdom, life experience, and medical knowledge have been a wonderful addition over the last week. I often say its like working with "The Dream Team" of medicine. The best family medicine doctor, general surgeon, and tropical medicine mind that I know all on rounds together make for an awesome educational experience. They made huge contributions from the beginning, and they've jumped in as if they had been there for years. In fact, they got here on a Tuesday night at 10pm, and 3 hours later Dr Vinzant and Dr Todd were both scrubbed in fixing an incarcerated hernia on a young man. I think Dr Vinzant has mastered VP shunts, and ready to start in on Orthopedics. Dr Leu has already read and probably memorized everything there is to know about HIV and TB in Zimbabwe. Dr Todd, who spent 6 years working in Africa, always seems right at home and is a wealth of knowledge about the nuances of tropical medicine.  His spiritual leadership always encourages my soul and challenges my walk with the Lord.



Drs Todd and Vinzant with Shea and the kids before we left.


This weekend we were able to take Dr Vinzant, Dr Todd, and Sara to one of our favorite spots near Karanda. The area is called Three Hills. It is simply 3 large granite formations over looking scores of miles of beautiful Zimbabwe countryside. The hike is slightly unorthodox, as I don't know that we've ever been the same way twice. I know several times the group wondered if we actually knew where we were going. This time of year the path we take is usually quite overgrown with long grass plenty of mud, and several small streams. There is a concern for snakes since we can't always see our feet, but so far we haven't come across any of the venomous vipers.




Beau hiking through the bush.....he insisted he could do it himself!




Shea and I prefer bringing the stroller, just so Gracie and occasionally Beau have a place to travel. Although pushing the large stroller through the thick grass and over the big rocks, becomes quite a challenge, so it was nice to have Dr Vinzant and Dr Todd around to lend a helping hand. Dr Vinzant actually pushed Gracie in the stroller most of the way up the rock. I'm sure he wondered why we brought this stroller that we had to carry so much of the time, but I think he was to nice to say anything.




Drs Todd and Vinzant helping carry the stroller down the hill.

 The hike to the hills is quite picturesque, and filled with beautiful trees, and thatched roof huts scattered across the country side. At the top, you can see for miles. We were there just before sunset and the sky was lit ups with a multitude of colors. We stopped for a quick snack and some water at the top. There's a family that lives right below the three hills, and they have several small children. They always seemed thrilled to have company way up in their backyard. Although they probably think its a little strange that we would climb that big rock with a stroller...for fun! Luckily there were no great stories of daring rescues or strange injuries, everyone did well and enjoyed getting to see one of the more beautiful spots in Zimbabwe.



Shea and the kids hanging out at the top....Dr Todd's waving to the kids.

 The rest of the time with our "Kansas Crew" has been great. We've enjoyed some great meals together, swapped plenty of stories, some interesting medical cases, and I even go to watch the super bowl again thanks to a copy they brought. We also narrowly escaped the wrath of a driverless, runaway land cruiser as it bobbed and weaved through the compound just missing the guest house. Thanks to the scream of "Oh my stars" by Dr Todd we were all ready for the close encounter of the rumbling vehicle. Thats actually a great story I'll have to share at another time.





Were so glad they came. Our time with them went so fast. It reminds us of how quickly our time here is going. We have several more weeks, so its  good for us to remember for us to make the most of our valuable time here!

We pray for there safe travels in Zimbabwe and safe flight back to the US!