I don't know how many of you are checking this blog, but I do know that we have many friends "out there" in cyberspace. I don't really know why, but today has been a very hard day for me. In the interest of being honest and availing myself of the great support that God has given us for this trip, I wanted to tell any of you who happen to read today so that maybe you can pray for me to have strength greater than what I feel right now to meet the challenges I'm facing.
I have really done remarkably well, I think, throughout this whole experience, but today I feel much more like "myself." I worry... too much... too often... about things I can't control... and today I feel overcome with it. It is a good thing that I have not been alone very much over the past week and a half because after only 3 days of it, I am already really struggling! I have yet to hear from Brad to say he is in Rwanda... and I rather thought I'd hear something sooner. My mind fills with terrible visions of awful things... and I've never been very good at fighting off bad thoughts when they're threatening to take over.
I'd be so grateful to you if you'd just pause for a moment and pray for Brad and the team- that they would be protected wherever they are right now- and for me, for peace of mind, because no matter how weak I feel- I am still the "tower of strength" to our little girl, and home and nourishment to the little one still growing inside... and right now I sort of feel like I'm crumbling down! Thank you, dear friends. I will let you know as soon as I hear something.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Back in Bukavu
I talked to Brad this morning. They are back in Bukavu for the night. They arrived early enough in the day that they should have had time for a little shopping for souvenirs to bring home. The one thing I requested before he went was that a giraffe of some sort come home with him- I hope he found one! And maybe a little something for Carolyn. :) I was very glad to talk with him. He said there were lots of goodbyes in Nyangezi and many requests for them to come back- and stay longer! I got the impression from talking to him that now that they've started the return journey, he is beginning to feel as ready to come home as I am to have him here! He said he should have email access tomorrow night from Rwanda so maybe we will all get a message straight from him! Pray for a safe, secure drive!!
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Return Trip Begins
Today was to be the team's last day in the village of Nyangezi. I haven't heard from Brad since Saturday, but he was expecting to leave sometime tomorrow to travel back to Bukavu. I am hoping to hear from him when he gets there. I would imagine that leaving the village will feel a bit like leaving a few drops in a huge bucket of need, but I am sure that the blessing that God brought to those people through the team will not quickly be forgotten and it will continue to bring forth fruit even long after those that went are home again. And I for one am ready to have my husband back again! Carolyn has been asking for him more and more the past few days. I think she really misses him, too.
Due to the mass family gathering last week in honor of my Granny, I really haven't been alone at all since Brad left- until today! I find myself missing him more and feeling a bit more on a higher anxiety level today. Pray for me, that I would find peace in knowing that the God who sent Brad out to minister to these people will be faithful to our family, and pray for Brad and the team, that they would have supernatural coverage for their entire return journey and be fully protected and safe at every moment- even the ones that scare me with pictures of overturned buses rolling down mountainsides! Every single one of their flights was late on the way out to Africa- they are on a much tighter schedule time-wise on the way home, so it will be much more important for things to be running on time- so pray for that, too!
Due to the mass family gathering last week in honor of my Granny, I really haven't been alone at all since Brad left- until today! I find myself missing him more and feeling a bit more on a higher anxiety level today. Pray for me, that I would find peace in knowing that the God who sent Brad out to minister to these people will be faithful to our family, and pray for Brad and the team, that they would have supernatural coverage for their entire return journey and be fully protected and safe at every moment- even the ones that scare me with pictures of overturned buses rolling down mountainsides! Every single one of their flights was late on the way out to Africa- they are on a much tighter schedule time-wise on the way home, so it will be much more important for things to be running on time- so pray for that, too!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Finally! Some news!
Today I talked to Brad for NINE whole minutes! It was great to catch up with him just a little- even though every time I talk to him I spend the whole rest of the day thinking of other things I want to ask him about- I can't wait til he comes home and I can REALLY hear about the trip! But he said to let everyone know that the team is doing well.
He said that he is enjoying working with the African physicians and has done some surgeries with them (I don't remember the long names he used- he can give the specifics later). He says it's a totally different world out there! But he feels like he's making a difference and that he is able to help update some outdated techniques and procedures and especially the younger doctors at the clinic are very happy for the help.
I asked him about the food and he said that overall it's been pretty good- though he is glad he brought some Cipro out there for personal use. :) I snuck a bag of Starburst into his suitcase and he said he was glad for the little taste of home.
I can't remember everything else he said right now because I am SOO tired!! But I knew that everyone else would want to know that all is well in the Congo! They will be in Nyangezi until Tuesday, then they stay again the night in Bukavu, and then on Wednesday they will get to have their Safari before catching their first flight out on Wednesday night. Then he comes home on FRIDAY!!
You know, I really would never have chosen this week for Granny to go home, but it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. She is home now with Jesus, in an infinitely better place, no longer suffering with Alzheimer's Disease, no longer confused or unable to communicate, but fully restored. And this week, I have had something so meaningful to do with this time, being part of a time for family to come together to grieve and celebrate together, and I've also had lots of help from the family so I haven't been alone. And now there's less than a week to go! Yay!
He said that he is enjoying working with the African physicians and has done some surgeries with them (I don't remember the long names he used- he can give the specifics later). He says it's a totally different world out there! But he feels like he's making a difference and that he is able to help update some outdated techniques and procedures and especially the younger doctors at the clinic are very happy for the help.
I asked him about the food and he said that overall it's been pretty good- though he is glad he brought some Cipro out there for personal use. :) I snuck a bag of Starburst into his suitcase and he said he was glad for the little taste of home.
I can't remember everything else he said right now because I am SOO tired!! But I knew that everyone else would want to know that all is well in the Congo! They will be in Nyangezi until Tuesday, then they stay again the night in Bukavu, and then on Wednesday they will get to have their Safari before catching their first flight out on Wednesday night. Then he comes home on FRIDAY!!
You know, I really would never have chosen this week for Granny to go home, but it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. She is home now with Jesus, in an infinitely better place, no longer suffering with Alzheimer's Disease, no longer confused or unable to communicate, but fully restored. And this week, I have had something so meaningful to do with this time, being part of a time for family to come together to grieve and celebrate together, and I've also had lots of help from the family so I haven't been alone. And now there's less than a week to go! Yay!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A Message!
Well, they are safe in Nyangezi. I got a voice mail today from Brad! He said that they are safely there, and the work has started- both the medical team and the counseling team feel like the ministry is successfully under way. He said that they have already started doing some operations out of the clinic! I didn't get a chance to actually speak with him since he called during Granny's memorial service (which was sad, but a beautiful celebration of a life well lived for the Lord and a dear woman well loved) and my ringer was (naturally) off. Still, I was thrilled to get his message, hear his voice, and know that they are safe and doing well- and also that the phone works! Hopefully next time he tries to call, I'll be able to answer! :)
No News
Is good news, I hope? I didn't hear from Brad yesterday- I was bummed, but figured either the phone isn't working as they'd hoped, or maybe that they have been so busy that the only downtime he had was after dark and he didn't feel like it would be a good idea to wander out to a hill outside of town to try and get a signal. I'm hoping that the phone works, but he's just being wise. :) Maybe I will hear from him today. I will let you know if I do! I really miss him and it's a bit of a stretch for me to not have contact and try not to worry when it seems to be programmed into my very nature to do the opposite! :) I know he's in good hands, though, and I have peace that the Lord will care for him- and for me. :)
We have been very busy in Austin with my extended family. This morning is the memorial service for my dear Granny, who went to be with Jesus on Sunday morning. She is in an infinitely better place, but it is hard for those of us left behind. Please pray for our family- especially my Papa, who has been her husband for 59 years, and my mom, aunt, and uncle, to whom this hits as close to home as it can get. We will all miss her.
We have been very busy in Austin with my extended family. This morning is the memorial service for my dear Granny, who went to be with Jesus on Sunday morning. She is in an infinitely better place, but it is hard for those of us left behind. Please pray for our family- especially my Papa, who has been her husband for 59 years, and my mom, aunt, and uncle, to whom this hits as close to home as it can get. We will all miss her.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
In the Congo!
I got a call from Brad today saying that they made it to Bukavu- they are officially within the borders of the Congo!! He says it's a really different place from what they saw in Kigali- in the three minutes we had to talk, he described it as "poor, and smoky." He said that the drive there was "actually really fun," but told me I wouldn't have liked it. I am not going to let my imagination roam too freely about this comment because one of my chief fears about him going on this trip was that the bus carrying them to Bukavu would roll off a mountain somewhere- my own limited experience with drivers in foreign countries leaves me with a few cold-sweat type memories! But he said he never felt unsafe and he's having a good time. I have to admit, some small party of me is a little jealous because this is a grand adventure- quite apart from doing the Lord's work out there, it has to be pretty cool to get to see this other part of the world- to expand your horizons beyond our limited experience here in the abundantly blessed USA. But for now I think I have my hands full chasing my toddler and housing a growing miracle inside me- and that, too, is the Lord's work for me right now, and a great adventure in its own right.
Brad said to tell you all that everyone on the team is in good spirits, but all are tired- keep lifting them up in prayer because tomorrow is when the trip really "starts!" They will travel a few hours (I think that's how long it's supposed to take?) to the small village of Nyengezi tomorrow where they will begin working at the clinic. Brad said that there will be a big party with a bunch of government officials and the press to celebrate the official dedication of the clinic- and no doubt so many white people arriving with all the stuff they brought for the clinic has to make some sort of a sensation as well. :) I know they are all excited to get there and begin actually DOING what they set forth to do!
I hope to speak with Brad again tomorrow night and hear about what the place looks like and see what ideas he has for how he will proceed medically. Keep him especially in your prayers as a doctor- that God would give him great wisdom to discern what CAN be done in a place where the need is likely to be so staggering that it will be difficult to know where to start. Pray for his skills, that God would guide his hands and be the Great Physician standing behind him, helping him to know what to do and how to bring healing to a hurting people. He has gone with a humble heart and skilled, willing hands- we know that God will faithfully bring forth the fruit.
Brad said to tell you all that everyone on the team is in good spirits, but all are tired- keep lifting them up in prayer because tomorrow is when the trip really "starts!" They will travel a few hours (I think that's how long it's supposed to take?) to the small village of Nyengezi tomorrow where they will begin working at the clinic. Brad said that there will be a big party with a bunch of government officials and the press to celebrate the official dedication of the clinic- and no doubt so many white people arriving with all the stuff they brought for the clinic has to make some sort of a sensation as well. :) I know they are all excited to get there and begin actually DOING what they set forth to do!
I hope to speak with Brad again tomorrow night and hear about what the place looks like and see what ideas he has for how he will proceed medically. Keep him especially in your prayers as a doctor- that God would give him great wisdom to discern what CAN be done in a place where the need is likely to be so staggering that it will be difficult to know where to start. Pray for his skills, that God would guide his hands and be the Great Physician standing behind him, helping him to know what to do and how to bring healing to a hurting people. He has gone with a humble heart and skilled, willing hands- we know that God will faithfully bring forth the fruit.
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