This will be a blog with many pictures. More than a week ago, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of LAMB. It was a BIG feast that lasted 1,5 days. We invited the entire staff, and hundreds of other official relationships.

For me, the feast started with a ride to the airport. The Director Hospitals from the Ministry of Health came for a visit, and protocol demanded that I, the medical director, should greet him at the airport. With, of course, a bouquet of flowers to hand him in this greeting (of which I don't have any pictures :-)).

Thursday afternoon, we had a meeting with speeches. In the picture, you see me giving a speech, and afterwards we had a chance to share memories. Also, a number of co-workers, who had already worked for the project for more than 35 years, were decorated.

DThursday morning began with a short march around the hospital compound, with every wearing hats….

The party continued in the large party tent that had been erected for the occasion. All you can see is bamboo and cloths.

There were a lot of speeches by various officials, and it was quite complicated to watch over the right sequence of speakers. The least important people had to speak first, gradually building towards the most important ones at the end. It is not acceptable if a less important person would get up to speak after an more important person….

Because our security situation remains fragile, we had police protection during the festivities. Fortunately, there were no incidents. Actually, it all seems rather quiet, so we worry less and less about our security in this land.

Besides the official ceremonies with speeches, there were all kinds of stands at which various parts of the project could present their work. As you can see, people really outdid themselves in these presentations.

The festivities ended with a cultural program of song and dance. Here is a group of small girls waiting their turn….

All throughout, there was a feeling gratitude. We believe that God had His hand in the beginning of the project and that He helped us throughout all these years. We are grateful for the many lives that have been touched all these years.

The day after: the stands are taken down…

And now, it is back to normal life. It is less cold than in January, more patients come to the hospital and rice is being planted in fields that are being pumped full with water. Soon, I'll write more.