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.

So, how's life with 4 kids??

People often ask me, "how's life with four kids?". Honestly, it depends on the day. Some days, I feel like "I've Got This!", everyone is fed, dressed (that may mean pajamas- people, don't expect too much) and all pee has found its way into the potty. However, sometimes there are weeks like this one, where I feel like I am drowning in children. I felt a true connection with the man that wrote this: "I’m sorry.  I had no idea we had so many freaking kids. Really.  Having four kids is not having four individual children.  That sort of “simple math” does not apply to children.  1+1+1+1 does NOT equal 4.  Adding up children is like another form of Eastern math that none of us understand.  1+1+1+1 clearly equals 64.  You have 64 children.  That’s the only thing that could explain why my bedroom sounded like an overcrowded daycare in the hood from 7-7:30am and 3:45-8:00pm.  The correct (eastern) math is 1x4x4x4.  And that equals 64.  You have 64 children.  And I had no idea.  I’m sorry." after suffering in his bed with the flu for a week.  (Aaron Ivey) 

This week, four kids feels like 64. I'm tired from staying up late all weekend with awesome friends (don't regret), Eric's working till 8:00+ each night, I am potting training (YES-STILL!), I started cloth diapering again (I know, glutton for punishment here), I've had appointments, a crawling inquisitive baby, kids who want 3 meals a day (how demanding they are!) and my house is a dirty pit. 

The crazy part? We want more kids! (right, Eric? Right?) As much as I wish our little girl(s) was here with us, as much as I ache for her to be here with her forever family, I know that God's timing is perfect. Let's be honest, she might get lost in the hot mess that we are this week. As I write this, the natives are probably flooding the bathroom or trying to feed their baby brother whole hot dogs, peanuts and other equally dangerous non-baby foods.....I better go..... Lord, thank you for your perfect timing. And for not always going with my "really good, super specific, perfect plan". 

Surgery Board Exam

New Orleans is the site of this years Super Bowl. After preseason practices, a 16 game regular season and playoff games, there are two teams left to participate in the culmination event of the 2013 NFL season. The hard work put in by the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens got them a trip to "The Big Easy" to play in this years championship game.
I too traveled to New Orleans during Super Bowl week. Unfortunately for me, it was not to relax and enjoy the festivities surrounding the big game. 

I had a different big event to attend. After four years of college, the MCAT, four years of medical school, my medical licensing exam (three separate tests), five years of general surgery residency including five ABSITE tests (our yearly in-service exam) and a written qualifying board exam, I made the trip for the "Big Uneasy" Super Bowl of surgery tests...the oral board certifying exam. 

A little background for all of those unfamiliar with this unique test. Surgeons who have completed their training and have passed their written boards are allowed to sit for the orals. If you pass, you have completed your training and are now a board certified general surgeon. The exam is compromised of three thirty minute sessions of case scenarios given by the leaders in the surgical world. (You know, the guys who run the big famous hospitals, write the textbooks, advise the president on healthcare policy. Little everyday stuff. Having already mastered clinical surgery and gotten bored with the things I've been studying the past 5 years, they have moved up the food chain and can't wait to eat us alive.) 

All general surgery residents get a sick feeling in their stomach whenever you mention that they will eventually have to take oral boards. The ones that don't get sick are the ones who know they are changing to an emergency medicine residency at the end of the year. Many horror stories are passed down from generation to generation about the oral board. My favorite story of surgical lore is when one of my colleagues was waiting outside his examination room to be invited in when the door opened and out walked a girl who immediately burst into tears. The examiners politely invited him in by saying "so you're next?" There is even an episode of Grey's Anatomy about it. (Which I haven't seen yet.). To their credit, The American board of surgery has made changes to the exam throughout the years, providing more structure and standardization to eliminate any hazing or snipe hunts. None the less, it is still extremely stressful to be seated in front of two surgical giants who present you with clinical scenarios that encompass the breadth and depth of surgical knowledge. Worse case scenario...you fail and get to look forward to retaking it. Or, you get so nervous that you mess yourself... and then fail.  

With this context set, I landed in New Orleans on Tuesday afternoon, seated next to a guy who would be working behind the scenes of the NFL awards show Saturday night. I knew I wasn't in Grand Rapids any longer when my Rastafarian cab driver with sweet dreads was talking on the phone in Creole and listening to some Caribbean music that made me want to work on my tan at the beach. 
Thankfully, I had made my hotel reservations back in November and was able to get a hotel room at the same place where the test was held. My plan was to do some last minute review for the afternoon, then head out for a nerdy dinner alone and  wander over to the ESPN set to catch a glimpse of some famous people.  

           My hotel room, exactly the same as the rooms the exam was given in.  

The concierge at the hotel gave me some recommendations for local creole and Cajun style food, but as I was walking to the restaurant I had second thoughts. "What if I got food poisoning tonight? What if I have developed a shellfish allergy and shrimp will make me suck down albuterol in the ED all night? What if the spices give me a perforated ulcer and I become one of the oral board scenarios? " I opted for a hamburger and fries. 

After dinner I pretended to be down in N.O. for the Super Bowl. I watched sports center being taped live, saw a few sports celebs (Archie Manning, Teddie Brueski, Chris Carter, Steve Levy, Jerry Rice.), had coffee and a beignet at Cafe du Monde (thanks Bailey for the recommendation), and enjoyed a stroll through the tame parts of the French Corridor. 

By 7 I had made it back safely to the hotel. I didn't want to stay out late for fear that I might start drinking and wake up in a back ally behind Bourbon St with all sorts of beads around my neck. :)
Lights out 10pm. 

                                                              ESPN Sportscenter

                                                     Archie Manning (Payton and Eli's Dad)

                                                                   Jerry Rice

CBS NFL show

6 am Wednesday January 30. Super Bowl Wednesday. I put on my suit, which by the way is the same suit I wore to my med school interviews back in 2002. That statement tells you three things about me...I'm cheap, ten years out of style, and have maintained my girlish figure. 

After a brief orientation alongside 60 other nervous clones in an eighty degree conference room I was given my room assignments. First room: 426. I made my way up, and realized that I still had about 15 minutes to kill. What do you do for 15 minutes while waiting in the hallway of a hotel? Look at the wallpaper and pray...for clarity of thought, peace, and that I don't have a stroke right there outside my first exam room. 

I struck up a conversation with the guy next to me, a pediatric surgery fellow in Miami named John Fitzwater, only to learn that he went to Tenwek hospital for three months during his residency and did research on esophageal cancer. It was totally a God thing that we were able to encourage each other and even pray together right outside our exam rooms. 

Before I knew it, my three rooms were completed. Room one went smooth. A lady with breast cancer, an alcoholic with colon cancer and liver mets, an elderly lady with all her stomach stuck in her chest, and an obese lady with a complication from bariatric surgery. Pretty run of the mill general surgery with a little sauce to make me think.
Room two was more of the same. I was feeling ok. No tears yet. And then, room three. Oh room three. Lets just say that the examiners in this room were experts in gentle manipulation to frustrate the crap out of you. I had a feeling this was coming, as I had recognized one of the names as a past president of the American College of Surgeons. He has had years of examination experience and I could tell he had perfected the ability to tease out what you know and what you don't.  God gave me that third room for a reason...to keep me humble.  

I left the exam with a sense of accomplishment, and a curious wonder of if I would be back next year.  In order to pass, you have to get thumbs up from the examiners in two of the three rooms.  I was fairly confident about room one, fairly distraught about room three, leaving it all up to room two.  I wouldn't find out until I got home...which proved to be a story all by itself.

My flight out of New Orleans was delayed due to weather in Chicago, forcing me to miss my connection to Grand Rapids.  Instead of getting home Wednesday night, I spent the night curled up on a bench in O'Hare airport too cheap to get a hotel room for 5 hours.  My rescheduled flight for 7:30 am was on time until the pilot abruptly aborted the takeoff and we coasted back to gate...mechanical problems...more delays.  I'm just glad the plane broke before we took off.  

As we were sitting on the runway I met two nice strangers and we decided to rent a car and just drive back to G.R.  I felt like the mom on Home Alone..."I have to get back to my son(s)!"  After a 3 hour drive with two new friends I finally arrived home...checked the ABS website...and found that I had PASSED!!!  No more tests!

When I was at Cedarville and was trying to decide whether to go to medical school, I told God that He would have to be with me through it all, because I knew I couldn't do it alone.  He led me through the MCAT, allowed me to get into Med school, and by His grace Erin, I and the boys have made it all the way to the end.  He is always faithful, and Solo Deo Gloria!

New Years Resolutions

I am not big on New Year's Resolutions. Usually they are things that people aim for but barely follow through on. However, I love the newness of a new year, a chance to start over, wipe clean and this year I am joining the ranks of those who aim to change in the new year. When I told Eric my resolutions, his first thought was, "well, those are kind of hard to measure". While they are, I think I will know intrinsically if I am meeting my own goals. 

One of my pet peeves are blogs that only show the "good side" of the family. The things they do well, the beautiful pictures, their creative moments, their funny stories. Though I like reading all those things, they make me feel like I, nor my little family, could never measure up to that, could never be that creative, fun, obedient, organized, beautiful or carefree. I mess up, get impatient, have ugly days, get cabin fever, long for it to be bedtime, and fail God. So my goal of this blog is to be real, to share how we are trying to grow and learn and be good parents/spouses and prepare to be (gasp!) missionaries. 

Okay, back to my resolutions....

Goal #1= To be a better mom

The people that I have mentioned this to so far have responded with, "Oh, you are such a good mom!". Now while I appreciate that, I also know my own weaknesses, faults, shortcomings and areas of selfishness. I am not looking for a pat on the back, just trying to be real. Being a mom is my "job" right now, and lately I have felt like I am not doing stellar work. Not all the reasons behind that are my fault. But some are. So here are the areas that I am going to try to improve. 

1) Help my boys learn to play together.   

Ever since Cole went to full day school this year, Cooper and Alex have struggled with how to play together. Most of the time they are begging me to play with them, or when I refuse because of something I actually need to get done around here, they lay on the floor waiting (im)patiently for me to be done and rescue them from each other. Cooper is not a leader, and AJ is too young to know how lead in play. I am going to look for ways (cause Heaven knows I haven't figured it out yet!) to teach them to be friends and playmates. 

2) Learn each child's love language and use that to show them love. 

They say you can't really tell a child's love language till they are 5, but I am going to try to figure it out. I plan to read Love Languages for Children. (I can't find my copy- did I lend it to YOU?) My kids are all very different, so hopefully this will help them feel special in the way they best receive love. 

3)Learn how to balance giving them what they need from me, with SOME time for myself

I really struggle with this because having 4 small children means they need help with EVERYTHING! I have no idea what I do all day, but somehow I am always doing something for someone. They are all small, but not all at the same level. So trying to "play" with them at the same time sometimes works and sometimes does not. So I meet basic needs (which takes up 70% of my time), then I try to play with them, but when the little ones are sleeping, I would LOVE to just have time to do what I want/need to do. However, I still have one (on school days, 2 on weekends) little person that could REALLY use one-on-one time and thrives from one-on-one time. But on the days Eric works, this is the only time I potentially have to myself till 8/8:30 at night. So I need to find balance. 

4) Have more dedicated "family time"

I like the idea of "family nights". Now while one could say that every night is family night while they are little, I think scheduling "family nights" and getting in the habit now will get them excited. This will lead to what I am looking for in the future, which is children and parents that enjoy being together. One of my biggest goals for my family is for us to always enjoy/want to be together.

5) Pray like crazy for these 4 precious boys and any other children we may adopt in the future.

I have a few more goals in this area, but I will keep them to myself, in order to protect the privacy of my kiddos. 

Goal #2= Contentment

Ah yes, that illusive goal. Contentment-  An internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances. (Holman Bible Dictionary) or 

"Contentment is essentially a matter of accepting from God's hand what He sends because we know that He is good and therefore it is good" (J.I. Packer) or "A quiet heart is content with what God gives" (Elisabeth Elliott)

There are things that I would change about my circumstances if I could. Most of us would. But this year, I am seeking to be inwardly satisfied by what Christ has given me and done for me. They say that comparison is the thief of joy. I have found that to be SO true. When I start looking around and seeing what others have that I want, my joy is extinguished and I become resentful and dissatisfied. These are the five ways I am going to strive to accomplish this.

From Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow (page 13)

1. Never allow yourself to complain about anything, even the weather

2. Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else

3. Never compare your lot with another's

4. Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise

5. Never dwell on tomorrow- remember that tomorrow is God's, not ours

So there you have it. My goals. Feel free to ask me how they are going or give encouraging words. Know that I struggle just like you do and yet am striving to be the woman God wants me to be. Do YOU have any goals for the new year?

Christmas 2012

We had a bit of a different Christmas this year, as Eric had to work for the first time ever. I didn't think the boys would really realize it, since we are usually not in our own home anyway, and we would be celebrating with our families a different day, but Cole almost started crying when I told him. Thankfully, we ended up having a really great month of December, thanks to some of our own traditions, family and some really great friends.

We started out December with our Advent calendar. This is our 4th year doing it, and the boys have come to really enjoy it. Each day I put a paper in the slot that tells us what we are going to do that day. It can range from really fun and exciting things, like go to a Griffins hockey game or go play at a friends house, to simple things, like make a countdown paper chain, play with our nativity set or color Christmas pictures, to others-focused activities, like caroling with our church friends, or delivering cookies to our neighbors. My wonderful sister-in-law Katelynn sewed my calendar for me and I love it. I am hoping to take it to Africa with us. 

Our advent calendar!

Advent activity-Meijer Gardens with the Greens!

Advent activity- playing with the nativity set

Eric had to work the 5 days leading up to and through Christmas, but we managed to sneak some fun in there. He got off in time to go to our friend Brandi's birthday party on Saturday. My friend Paula invited the boys and I over Sunday evening to hang out with them and her extended family. Though it was not a big deal, it meant so much to be able to just be with others and not be stuck at home again all day. 

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve the boys and I headed to Eric's parents (about an hour away)  for the day to hang out with his parents and his sister (and her family). It was a really nice day, even though there were 7 very excited little people running around. We all missed Eric! 

The boys and I headed back to Grand Rapids that snowy night and woke up in our house for the very first time on Christmas morning. We were invited over to my dear friend Brandi's house for Christmas brunch and had a lovely time with her and her family. The boys were really excited to play with her kiddos and we had a super yummy brunch! 

Coloring with the Alexanders!

Cole and Micah playing 20 questions-so fun!

We then headed home for naps and after that were able to head over to the hospital to visit Eric around 4:00. We had "Christmas dinner" at Butterworth cafeteria. Quite the dinner, we got the kids a pathetic looking mini-pizza, 2 chicken strips and 2 bags of chips to split :) Eric and I passed on this fine cuisine, but the boys were thrilled. Tucker managed to both puke and pee on Eric while he was holding him. 

Christmas Dinner 2012

Family Christmas picture- Butterworth Hospital :)

After we exhausted all of their good behavior, we said goodbye and headed over to hang out with my friend Jenn's extended family. It was  beautiful madhouse of people, so we were able to blend right in and enjoy being with a lovely, welcoming family instead of just us at home. Eric was even able to join us at the end! 

Pictionary with the Miedema's!

The day after Christmas we headed out to Ohio to celebrate with my family. It hadn't snowed all winter, but we had terrible weather to travel to Ashland! We made it though, and had a fun few days with my parents, my brothers, their wives, 5 little boys, 1 baby girl and 3 dogs! It was a bit of a madhouse at times but a lot of fun. The boys had a great time.

Breakfast with cousin Kael!

Cousin time!

Mousetrap with the uncles

Out to play in the snow

 We then headed to PA to celebrate with my extended family. It is always fun to be with my cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents. I miss them all so much when I don't get to see them! 

My grandparents with their first Great-granddaughter, Annabelle

So thankful for all our family and friends that helped to make our holiday memorable, our last stateside Christmas for a while! Stay tuned to for our first African Christmas!

Can't Relate

So all my little life I wished for a sister and begged my parents to have another child in hopes that it would be that sister I wanted so desperately (I never thought through the fact that we would be a minimum of 10 years apart, but that's beside the point). So when that never happened I decided that I would have two daughters (and some sons thrown in there) to be the sisters that I never had. Somehow God thought my plan had some flaws in in and to date (though I haven't given up on the hope of having two daughters someday) I have FOUR BOYS. Yes. Four boys. Boys are something. These are just a few ways I CANNOT RELATE.

*Boys love wrestling. They adore getting tackled to the ground, having others jump on your head, knee you in the stomach, pull your hair, tickle you, etc. What about this sounds fun? 

*Boys eat VAST amounts of food. It is not uncommon for Cole to eat 2 bowls of cereal, applesauce, an English muffin, a banana and a left-over turkey leg for breakfast. And he's SIX. I am planning on getting a job in about 10 years to supplement my husband's surgeon's salary, just to pay our grocery bill. 

*Holes in pants. I have owned a lot of pants in my life.  I don't think I have ever gotten a hole in the knee of a single one. And yet, another pair of pants bites the dust around here on a daily basis. I try to tell them that they are still going to wear them, that they are actually in style that way, but they aren't buying it. The alternative I fear, is that I am going to be forced to open a sweatshop in my basement, using child labor and make my own pants. No matter how much I try to convince them not to dive on the ground, it is to no avail. I think it all comes back to #1. 

*Boys love the word TOOT. Or any bathroom humor, which I abhor. Enough said.

*Boys hate all things pink and glittery. How do they know at age 2 that pink is a girl color? I guess I should clarify that they do indeed like glitter, especially all over my kitchen floor, just not PINK and glittery, which I for one, think is very pretty.

And yet, God in his mercy has given me boys that DO like some of the same things I do. Cole reads like it is going out of style, taking after his mother. We can share our passion for the written word and someday race to finish the same book. They all love baking and cooking with me. (a little too much at times as they fight over who gets to pour the flour into the bowl......oh, there goes the flour all over the floor). Cooper loves to shop. He especially loves to be my grocery shopping buddy (maybe it has something to do with #2?) So while the boys beg for daddy to come home and play with them (which I love) they still will give old mom the time of day every once in a while ;) And maybe someday I will get that little lady (or ladies) to cover in pink glitter.