One Year Later

  One year ago, my life took a very unexpected turn. One year ago. In many ways it seems like 30 years ago. Did that really happen to me? I have been trying to reflect, to think back on those crazy few months of our lives, and what I always come back to is not what I ever thought would be my first memory. My first thought is never how bad it was (thought it definitely had bad parts) but it is the love that was extended to us, and the healing that God chose to give.
  When I really stop and think about that time, I remember the physical pain being the hardest thing. The neck and back pain were awful, and the first time I got out of bed after my surgery, I literally couldn't even walk. I also remember riding in a wheelchair to visit with my children and being jealous when I saw people walking up and down stairs and not even giving it a second thought! How dare they!! And yet a mere 360 some days later, I am buying new running shoes, because I have worn my other ones out. Real life miracles.
  I recently decided to re-read the cards that people sent me when I was in the hospital. As I carried the overflowing gift bag down the stairs, it broke because it was so full. As I read I recalled looking forward to mail time everyday, because I was so encouraged by what people had to say. I was also (and still am) humbled by HOW MANY PEOPLE were praying for me.Most people who knew me were praying, but so were MANY people and churches that I had never heard of and may never meet till Heaven. Very humbling.
What is even more humbling is that God chose to answer EVERY ONE of our prayers. We (well, not me. I was busy trying to die) prayed that I would live. He said yes. We prayed that my heart would recover from loss of function. He said yes. We prayed that I would get out of the hospital. He said yes, eventually. We prayed that my previous strength and quality of life would return. Though at the time I thought he was saying no, He did, after 4 short months, say yes. We prayed that the IV antibiotics would finally take away the abscess once and for all. He said yes. We prayed that our children would not have lasting scars from this time in their life. He said yes. (at least what we can tell thus far). We prayed that we would bring Him glory and somehow encourage others through our reaction to our pain. He allowed us to do that.We give Him glory because it was nothing we, or even my awesome, smart doctors could do. But I must be clear, that even if He did not choose to do all that we asked, He still would have been good, loving and wise. He would still have been the Blessed Controller of my life.  I am so thankful for the second chance I was given.
  God enriched relationships during that time. He showed us true sacrificial love. He showed us the importance of community and church family. We will not soon forget these things. Do I wish that my sickness had never happened? No. Though it was hard, we learned much and saw God in some very real ways.
I recently read a quote that seems very appropriate as I think back on this time. "To embrace suffering is to welcome God's work in your life, even in the most unimaginable circumstances. To embrace suffering is to enjoy God's presence in your life even when you are filled with questions for Him. To embrace suffering is to enter into a deeper relationship with God that you could not have enjoyed without experiencing penetrating pain. The suffering not only makes you crave such a relationship, it gives you the capacity to savor it. Ultimately  to embrace suffering is to allow your now broken heart to me much more easily broken by the things that break the heart of God. To embrace suffering is to become more aware of and more apt to engage with the suffering of the world around you. Don't run from suffering. Embrace it and you will find yourself enriched and renewed." (Nancy Guthrie  The One Year Book of Hope)
  So as hard as it may be, my challenge to everyone is to live each day to the fullest. Embrace whatever God gives you. You never know when your world is going to turn upside down. And if/when it does, be ready for what God is going to teach you.

Road to Kenya part IV - World Medical Mission

A little delayed, but I'm finally updating the Blog regarding our trip to Kenya.
A few quick updates on our progress and then I'll give some background on the organization that we are going through.

Praise God, the presidential elections in Kenya that took place on March 4 have gone over without a violent protest.  People around the world were worried that the country would be sent into unrest, as over 1000 people were killed during post election protest/tribal violence in 2007.  However, the election is not without drama, as the man who was elected to the presidency last week, Uhuru Kenyatta, will stand trial before the International Criminal Court next month for crimes against humanity.  Kenyatta's ethnic group was at the heart of the 2007 conflict and he is accused of inciting violence.  I'm not sure what type of president he will be, but I'm glad that as of now our departure (August) won't be delayed due to unsafe conditions.

We've been fixing up the house to sell and will have it on the market in April.  Spread the word!!  If you want some "gently used" furniture  it may even come furnished.  We had been planning on it being difficult to get rid of most of our stuff; not knowing what to store, sell, give away, or pitch.  Therefore we had been delaying it, but as I said to Erin the other day, "The time has come."  If you come over you won't leave empty handed, even if you don't want anything.

We are very near to our goal of financial support.  God has been faithful and provided through the ministry of many generous supporters; those who gave one time gifts or those who have committed to monthly support.  If anyone else is interested in supporting us prayerfully or financially, just let me know and I can send you our prayer card and support letter.  

Erin and I have the privilege of serving through World Medical Mission's (WMM) Post Residency Program (PRP).  We found out about WMM at a medical missions conference and went to Peru during residency with their help.  World Medical Mission was established in 1977 to assist general surgeons who wanted to volunteer for short-term mission trips. Today, they place volunteer Christian physicians, dentists, and other medical personnel in mission hospitals and clinics around the world.  We were very impressed with their organization and skills in logistics.  Our arrangements to and from Peru were surpurb and we developed a great respect for the organization.

While in Peru we met a missionary couple who was there for two years with WMM's PRP.  The PRP was created to give new physicians fresh out of residency a way to get to the mission field early.  This is important because most residents who are interested in medical missions don't feel like they are ready to jump into the rural "bush" and treat EVERYTHING that walks in the door.  Practicing medicine without a safety net of supervision can be daunting at first, and it is magnified when you are in a resource limited environment.  "Here, treat this advanced tropical infection you have never even seen before.  And by the way, the next patient is a woman who has been laboring for 36 hours and you need to do a C-section...even though you didn't learn this in residency."
New physicians may feel they need to get 3-4 years of experience, get their loans paid off, and then go.  However, studies show that 9 out of 10 mission minded physicians who take this career path NEVER make it to the field.  By the time their 3-4 years is up, their kids are in school, their practice is finally busy, and they have adjusted to the lifestyle of a physician in the states.  I'm not saying that this happens to all missions minded doctors, but just like everything else...the longer you delay getting started, the harder it is to make the change.

That is where the PRP comes in.  WMM's PRP has funding to sponsor around 20 dedicated Christian physicians each year and place them at a mission hospital immediately following their residency.  They place the physicians and their families so they can learn and serve within their specialty alongside career medical missionaries.

Erin and I were selected to be sponsored, and through this awesome program I will be learning my specialty of third world surgery.  At the same time, my family will jump into missionary life with both feet and learn how to live and minister on the field.  To me, it is like a fellowship in medical missions.  Some of my friends who graduated residency with me are doing their fellowships at various institutions across the country; learning how to use the latest and greatest technology and be sub-specialists in cardiothoracic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, plastic surgery etc.  For me, I too will be training under some of the worlds best surgeons, except I'll be learning to function with the mantra of "Tell me what equipment you need to do this surgery, and I'll show you how you can do without it."

Video about the Post Residency Program
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4B7PphAYB10

Video about World Medical Mission
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=VLp3DAHV2-w

We feel very blessed to be able to serve with WMM, and they have been extremely helpful thus far.  They are a great organization and I encourage those interested in medical missions to visit their website.  http://www.samaritanspurse.org/medical/post-residency-program/
There are two great videos on this page that I encourage you to watch.  It really captures the heart of the ministry and gives you a glimpse into what we will be doing for the next 2 years and beyond.
God bless.

Kelly's in Kenya

When we interviewed with World Medical Missions a year and a half ago, we found ourselves in the company of some pretty amazing people.  We met about 10 other couples and singles who wanted to dedicate their lives to medical missions, and it was encouraging to meet many other people with so much in common.

One couple we met was Aaron and Stephanie Kelly.  When we found out that both of our families were going to be at Tenwek together for two years we were excited that we could all embark on the journey together.  Their three oldest children were boys the same ages as our and both of us would have a 1 year old upon arrival.  The Kelly's arrived in Kenya last month, 6 months ahead of us.  Erin has been chatting with Stephanie frequently as she graciously shares with us how to prepare, what to bring, and what to leave home.

As many of you know, the Kelly's world has been turned upside down this past week, as their baby girl Hannah died in Kenya a few days ago of a brain tumor.  The events surrounding her death are beautifully described by her dad Aaron on their blog. www.aaroninkenya.com

Our hearts ache for them, but we are so encouraged with the faith they possess.  As I ask God, "Why would you allow this to happen to a family that loves you and is willing to sacrifice so much to follow your calling to Kenya," Aaron and Stephanie are far from that level of faith.  Yes, I know the answer to this question and can rest in knowledge that Gods ways are higher than mine, but when a tragedy such as this happens it amazes me how the Kelly's have not once questioned God's plan and purpose for the life and death of little Hannah.  Through their broken hearts they continue to look toward heaven for guidance, grace, peace, and comfort. 

Please pray for Aaron and Stephanie, and learn from them as they share what they learn from God.  They are having a tremendous ministry through their blog to tens of thousands of people around the world.  God has big plans for Hannah's life, even though she is with Him now. Perhaps God will draw many people to Him through this story, making it obvious that His ways are far higher than mans.
When we are weak, He is strong.