Every day is much the same out here. Wake up early for devotions, breakfast, walk to the school, see 70-80 kids, walk back to Project Mercy, eat lunch, walk back to the school, see 70-80 more kids, walk back to PM, eat dinner, team meeting, hope to get on computer, maybe read a few pages, then fall into bed exhausted! I am learning the difference between mental exhaustion and physical exhaustion. I realize now that while my children may tire me out during the day, it is nothing like this! I am getting a taste of what Michael (and many of you, my friends!) does all day, and it's very enlightening:-)
Saturday and Sunday have been our only breaks in routine. Saturday, I helped Michael, Sarah (Jones), and 2 new friends/team members, Bill and Isabella (OB/GYN and L&D nurse) run a Basic Life Support in Obstetrics (BLSO) and Helping Babies Breathe course. What an AMAZING day, for many reasons! I loved getting to see Michael in teaching mode. He is so passionate about maternal and child health, and he is a gifted teacher (as are the other 3). In Ethiopia, 1 in 9 women die in childbirth. The average number of women have 6 children (that doesn't include miscarriages or stillbirths), so considering most women deliver at home, those statistics aren't very surprising. Most women are just attended by local women in the village with no formal birthing training. Hence the need for this course, which has never before been taught in Ethiopia. Letters were sent out to the 7 local zones around here (total population of about 70,000) to invite a few members from each community. We were expecting about 20, but as of 10:00 (2 hours after the course was supposed to start) we only had 5. Apparently this is how things happen in Africa:-) Gradually as the day went on, more and more men and women came to the class. By the end of the day, we had 34. I can't even explain how wonderful it was to watch these local birth assistants/nurses absorb this information. They were so intent throughout the whole day, particularly in the workshops, where the participants were able to practice what they had just learned. Ugh. My words are not adequate. The feeling of how important this information was to them, and how much impact it was going to have in their communities was palpable. Words just don't convey their desire to absorb this information and improve the lives of their women. One local assistant told a story of how, just the night before, she had watched a woman bleed to death in childbirth. This is going to save lives, and it was so amazing to be a part of.
Sunday began with a gorgeous hike through the countryside. I took the short hike, Michael took the long one, which I opted against since it required getting up at 5:30:-) Everything here is so gorgeous. Their homes are called tukals, round buildings with cone-shaped roofs, made out of mud and/or sticks. They are beautiful and look so exotic. They blend so well with the landscape/nature that it is easy to miss them. They are surrounded by such gorgeous vegetation. In some ways I feel like trying to westernize them would ruin them. There is such beauty in their simplicity. If only there was a way to greatly improve their medical care, poverty, and education without having to industrialize them. After the hike, we attended a local church. I couldn't understand the Amharic words/songs, but the spirit of Jesus was unmistakeable. Their passion is so inspiring. Especially considering this region of Ethiopia is 95% muslim, and it is an uneasy peace (and at times violent) between the 2 peoples. After church, we rested the rest of the day--how glorious! We read, napped, and explored the compound.
Today began groundhog day all over again, this time at a different school. The 2 schools are only maybe a mile apart, but this one is far poorer school with much sicker children. We had one little boy today of about 5 stand in line for an hour or so, with his 1 year old sister tied onto his back (no parents in sight). When he finally saw a doctor, he insisted the doctor tend to his sister's needs before his own. Just 1 of the 100 or so kids that I wish I could sneak home in my suitcase. I don't have time or space for all their stories, but each one is as touching and heartbreaking. As always, my words fail me.
I could write for days and not be able to express my thoughts or emotions. I am in love with this place and these people. In a way, I almost dread returning to the States and my pampered American life. How can I possibly live with such excess, tolerate mine and other's narrow-minded self-centeredness?? How do I balance these 2 worlds I inhabit? I pray my experiences here don't lose their raw emotional quality, but I fear they will. I guess I'll just have to keep coming back:-) In the meantime, I am counting down the days to seeing the boys again! Apparently they are all doing very well in our absence, what a blessing! Noah's football team won their first game in football playoffs. I pray they win next weekend, so I can see a game when we get back:-) Ahhh, my life is so blessed. To him who has been given much, much is expected. Paying it forward has never felt more wonderful. As we say here in Ethiopia, Dena-hunu. Exibir yir barkachu. Good night and God bless you.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wait, what day is it again??
Yay! I found internet in rural Ethiopia, although pictures will have to wait:-) While I got over my jet lag very quickly, and have been sleeping incredibly well here, I am more tired than I thought possible! Long, busy days, lots of walking. It's a wonderful feeling, but I truly lose track of days! It feels like we've been here weeks, but it's only been 3 days! We arrived smoothly and safely on Monday. Can I just say that Ethiopia is nothing like I imagined. It is green, it is cool, it is gorgeous. It is definitely as poor as I would have imagined, although the kids don't seem to be quite as dangerously malnourished as I expected. The poverty in Addis (the capital) surprised me. Surely one of the richest cities in the country, and it is still dominated by corrugated tin houses and leaning shanties. Everywhere, buildings stood half-built, having run out of money. The scaffolding on these buildings is literally tree branches, lashed together with some sort of string or rope. It is a bustling city with livestock roaming everywhere and cars driving in crazy fashion all over the road. There was lots of eye-closing and praying on that bus trip!
Project Mercy has turned out to be even more amazing than I expected. The founders, Marta and Demi, are honestly like the "Mother Theresa of Ethiopia". Their love for this community is overwhelming. Marta was actually a senator and friend of Haile Selassie. Through their connections, they have built a school, which educates and feeds 1500 students every day. 80 kids live full-time on the compound as orphans. They built a hospital and piped water down from the mountain so the locals could have safe, fresh water. Any child in the community that is determined to be undernourished is provided Atmit, a healthy supplemental substance, free of charge. In their 70's, they are still very active with every aspect of the compound and out in the community. I don't think I've ever seen them sitting still for more than 10 minutes! Being in their presence is truly a holy experience.
Our team has been amazing, although I don't see about half of them much, as they are up at the hospital for 12 hours every day. As for our team, we walk a mile to a local school of about 500 kids, and do health assessments all day long. Every day we change things around a bit, find a more efficient way to do things, and thus our patient volume has increased every day! Today we saw about 120 kids, and good thing too, because we have another school to visit. These kids simultaneously delight me and break my heart. Many have such joy and light in them, while others already look like life has already sucked the desire to live out of them. But they are wonderful and beautiful. Before the kids see one of the doctors, they come to me in groups of 8-15 so I can do health education for them (I have an Amharic nurse translator). We talk about the most basic stuff, like handwashing, oral health, how to make their water clean and safe, the importance of keeping flies away (seeing lots of Trachoma), AIDS (with the older ones). I love getting to see each and every child:-) Some are so shy, others eager to interact with us. I end every talk reminding them they are special and they are loved. I wonder, has anyone ever told them that? I hope so. I also remind them that they are smart, and I challenge them to go out and teach their community to be more healthy. I am tempted to get discouraged, as I feel like it is such a giant, impossible job that we attempt to do out here. We had one girl whose feet were rotting away from being crammed in moist, dirty shoes made out of plastic (her feet were unable to breathe). I had the extraordinary experience of washing her feet (Jesus moment), then we put medicine and gauze on her feet. We were even able to procure for her a pair of clean shoes that a missionary had brought to Ethiopia, "just knowing that God had a plan for those shoes". Her smile when we gave her the shoes still takes my breath away as I think about it. But then I realize that all the girls probably have the same problem, and even if we help it now, won't it just keep coming back? Ugh. But have you heard of the old man and the starfish story? As they walk along the beach littered with starfish, he asks his grandson why he bothers throwing the starfish back in the ocean, he can't possibly make a difference. The grandson picks one up, throws it in the ocean and says, "to that one I did". So I pray that to these children we are making a difference. And I also realize that public health education has gotten into my blood:-) Hmmm, maybe an MPH is in my future....
Life is beautiful right now. I miss the boys so much, but am not worried about them:-) I know they are in amazing hands. Every sweet smile here just reminds me so much of them. Another prayer and expectation/goal for this trip was that I would come to appreciate my children more. Mission accomplished:-) I wish you all peace, love, and joy!
Project Mercy has turned out to be even more amazing than I expected. The founders, Marta and Demi, are honestly like the "Mother Theresa of Ethiopia". Their love for this community is overwhelming. Marta was actually a senator and friend of Haile Selassie. Through their connections, they have built a school, which educates and feeds 1500 students every day. 80 kids live full-time on the compound as orphans. They built a hospital and piped water down from the mountain so the locals could have safe, fresh water. Any child in the community that is determined to be undernourished is provided Atmit, a healthy supplemental substance, free of charge. In their 70's, they are still very active with every aspect of the compound and out in the community. I don't think I've ever seen them sitting still for more than 10 minutes! Being in their presence is truly a holy experience.
Our team has been amazing, although I don't see about half of them much, as they are up at the hospital for 12 hours every day. As for our team, we walk a mile to a local school of about 500 kids, and do health assessments all day long. Every day we change things around a bit, find a more efficient way to do things, and thus our patient volume has increased every day! Today we saw about 120 kids, and good thing too, because we have another school to visit. These kids simultaneously delight me and break my heart. Many have such joy and light in them, while others already look like life has already sucked the desire to live out of them. But they are wonderful and beautiful. Before the kids see one of the doctors, they come to me in groups of 8-15 so I can do health education for them (I have an Amharic nurse translator). We talk about the most basic stuff, like handwashing, oral health, how to make their water clean and safe, the importance of keeping flies away (seeing lots of Trachoma), AIDS (with the older ones). I love getting to see each and every child:-) Some are so shy, others eager to interact with us. I end every talk reminding them they are special and they are loved. I wonder, has anyone ever told them that? I hope so. I also remind them that they are smart, and I challenge them to go out and teach their community to be more healthy. I am tempted to get discouraged, as I feel like it is such a giant, impossible job that we attempt to do out here. We had one girl whose feet were rotting away from being crammed in moist, dirty shoes made out of plastic (her feet were unable to breathe). I had the extraordinary experience of washing her feet (Jesus moment), then we put medicine and gauze on her feet. We were even able to procure for her a pair of clean shoes that a missionary had brought to Ethiopia, "just knowing that God had a plan for those shoes". Her smile when we gave her the shoes still takes my breath away as I think about it. But then I realize that all the girls probably have the same problem, and even if we help it now, won't it just keep coming back? Ugh. But have you heard of the old man and the starfish story? As they walk along the beach littered with starfish, he asks his grandson why he bothers throwing the starfish back in the ocean, he can't possibly make a difference. The grandson picks one up, throws it in the ocean and says, "to that one I did". So I pray that to these children we are making a difference. And I also realize that public health education has gotten into my blood:-) Hmmm, maybe an MPH is in my future....
Life is beautiful right now. I miss the boys so much, but am not worried about them:-) I know they are in amazing hands. Every sweet smile here just reminds me so much of them. Another prayer and expectation/goal for this trip was that I would come to appreciate my children more. Mission accomplished:-) I wish you all peace, love, and joy!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Michael's Musings
We put our feet in the Persian Gulf today. Quite remarkable for me at least giving all the time I spent in the Middle East and only being off base in a helicopter or in a bazar. Seeing the opulence in Dubai helps me put into perspective American opulence - it's not just us. My deployments have sensitized me to the fact that so many people in the world are hurting and we (America) could do so much to end it. It was healing for me to see that we (the world) is responsible and not just Americans. Dubai is so much like Las Vegas except multiply by 100! A rediculous fake town in the desert totally based on entertainment. And the hypocracy of a world view that says one thing and acts differently. Realy, it was eye opening to me.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Change of Heart
So, I almost feel as if the journey that has led me to today, before I've even set foot in Africa, has been the whole point. I feel an excitement and a passion as if I've already been there. I already feel like I've been touched by the experience, which of course, I haven't even had yet. It's been weird to say the least. Eye-opening, heart-changing, and faith-strengthening for sure. My cousin just posted a quote by Susan B. Anthony that said, "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." Pshh. Not in my case. Casting my family into upheaval to go on a medical mission trip to Africa didn't even vaguely register on my list of desires. Yet here I am, details worked out, more excited for this than just about anything I've ever done, and with an amazing sense of peace. As I said last time, that's how I do "know so well what God wants [me] to do". Because it sure as heck wasn't my idea.
It was originally Michael's idea, maybe 6 months ago. A pediatrician friend of ours had gone on this same trip 2 years ago, and little did I know that when he showed us his pictures and talked about it at church that seeds were being planted in Michael's brain (or mine, for that matter). I found out in a round-about way (Michael is such a big-picture guy, not always a details guy, like discussing such things with me...). I can't remember how, but it was something like seeing it on a calendar, or him off-handedly mentioning a planning meeting as if we had discussed this a dozen times already. "Wait...what? Go on a mission trip? To Africa? In the middle of school/football (Noah's, not the NFL's)/holiday season? When you are already overcommitted at church and other volunteer medical clinics and the Crisis Pregnancy Center and work? When you are the acting clinic commander for the next 6 months? When the boys don't see you enough as it is already and I'm a bit stressed out myself? Are. You. Crazy?" I don't think I'm being too dramatic--or maybe I was, but that's pretty much word for word what came out of my mouth. Rarely do I put my foot down in our marriage, but I did that night. I was so against it. Michael listened patiently...and then asked me if I wanted to go too. "Um, no. That's an even worse idea." Again, direct quote. I remember for a couple weeks I felt such stress about this issue. I didn't want to be responsible for him not doing something he felt compelled to do, yet I truly didn't think I could do the single parent thing for 2 weeks at that point.
Then one night Michael came to me and said that, after much prayer, he had decided that we would either go together or not at all. He proposed that we just do a bit of investigating to see if we could even realistically/logistically make it work. His theory was that if doors opened easily, it would be a sign, as it would also be a sign if doors were shut firmly. And he never put any pressure on me. I actually felt very released from my stress. Honestly, I loved his solution, because I thought for sure doors were going to be slammed shut, brick walls were going to be run into, and I was going to be proven right. I was practically dusting my hands off as if it was a fait accompli. I also had the very uncooperative thought that if he wanted this to happen, he was going to have to be the one to make it happen. I stubbornly refused to search out any solutions (I know, I'm not proud). I think I hoped that he would just run out of time or lose interest. So strong was my desire not to go.
When I would feel little tugs on my heart, like maybe it would be great for all of us, I firmly pushed those aside. The control freak in me thought, "this will throw my kids' worlds into an uproar--it will be disastrous for them." I am sometimes a worst-case-scenario envisioner, and all I could imagine were meltdowns and fights and poor grades and detentions (yes, I realize I am absurd). But then this niggling thought kept coming back that maybe instead of this being terrible for them, what if it was precisely what they needed? What I needed. I kept thinking the stress of NOT being in control of my kids' every moment would be too great for me (I mean, who else but me in the whole wide world can avert disaster or manage their chaos? Yes, God's been having a little chat with me about my pride and control issues.). I tend to have such a tight hold on the reins of my boys' lives, and I realized that my life-focus had become so narrow. I was missing the whole point. Yes, I was involved in other things, both of the fun and worthy variety, but the things that kept me up at night and consumed my every thought were about my kids and my worry for their futures. I couldn't even see that I was drowning myself in my need to ensure a good upbringing and successful future for each of them. I felt like if I let go for even a second they would fall off the path I had marked out for them. Again, I needed to be reminded that I am not in the driver's seat of their lives. I am neither the designer nor the maintainer of the paths they are on. I needed to be reminded that I am not really as in control as I think I am.
In the midst of this battering of my pride and control, logistical doors started to open. I mean fly open. More people than I could imagine stepping up actively to offer practical ways they could help. Get permissive TDY so you don't have to use your vacation time? Done. Keep a kid or 2 for you? You bet. Mow your lawn, check your mail? Sure. Cover your work/teaching/church responsibilities? No problem. Be a back-up carpooler/babysitter/doctor-on-call? Yes yes yes. People are amazing. We are surrounded by the greatest network of friends. In small ways I also felt like Ethiopia was everywhere I looked. Books that I just happened to be reading, new people I would meet, stories I would hear, an old friend who had been stationed in Ethiopia who just happened to know a local Orthopedic surgeon that was going to be at the Mercy clinic the exact same time we were and is looking to partner with teaching facilities to bring doctors out to Yetebon. Some might say I was looking for the signs. Reading too much into it, and coincidence, and all that. But trust me, at that point, I was still looking for a way to make it fall through. Even still, I couldn't get the possibility of this trip out of my head.
There's no clear timeline for all this. It retrospect, it doesn't even feel linear. Just this crazy swirl of emotions, and then finally, I stopped struggling. It wasn't a lightning bolt moment, I just gradually gave in to what I had been feeling in my heart nearly all along. I started trusting. I accepted I'm NOT in control. God is. And as that happened, the most exquisite peace gently moved in and dwelled where there had once been fear and doubt. Rarely before have I felt so tangibly that I was doing precisely what I was meant to do.
So here I sit, getting ready to board. My kids are safely delivered to their temporary families, and I am so ready to be in Ethiopia, I can nearly taste it. Thank you all for your prayers, well-wishes, assistance, and encouragement.
It was originally Michael's idea, maybe 6 months ago. A pediatrician friend of ours had gone on this same trip 2 years ago, and little did I know that when he showed us his pictures and talked about it at church that seeds were being planted in Michael's brain (or mine, for that matter). I found out in a round-about way (Michael is such a big-picture guy, not always a details guy, like discussing such things with me...). I can't remember how, but it was something like seeing it on a calendar, or him off-handedly mentioning a planning meeting as if we had discussed this a dozen times already. "Wait...what? Go on a mission trip? To Africa? In the middle of school/football (Noah's, not the NFL's)/holiday season? When you are already overcommitted at church and other volunteer medical clinics and the Crisis Pregnancy Center and work? When you are the acting clinic commander for the next 6 months? When the boys don't see you enough as it is already and I'm a bit stressed out myself? Are. You. Crazy?" I don't think I'm being too dramatic--or maybe I was, but that's pretty much word for word what came out of my mouth. Rarely do I put my foot down in our marriage, but I did that night. I was so against it. Michael listened patiently...and then asked me if I wanted to go too. "Um, no. That's an even worse idea." Again, direct quote. I remember for a couple weeks I felt such stress about this issue. I didn't want to be responsible for him not doing something he felt compelled to do, yet I truly didn't think I could do the single parent thing for 2 weeks at that point.
Then one night Michael came to me and said that, after much prayer, he had decided that we would either go together or not at all. He proposed that we just do a bit of investigating to see if we could even realistically/logistically make it work. His theory was that if doors opened easily, it would be a sign, as it would also be a sign if doors were shut firmly. And he never put any pressure on me. I actually felt very released from my stress. Honestly, I loved his solution, because I thought for sure doors were going to be slammed shut, brick walls were going to be run into, and I was going to be proven right. I was practically dusting my hands off as if it was a fait accompli. I also had the very uncooperative thought that if he wanted this to happen, he was going to have to be the one to make it happen. I stubbornly refused to search out any solutions (I know, I'm not proud). I think I hoped that he would just run out of time or lose interest. So strong was my desire not to go.
When I would feel little tugs on my heart, like maybe it would be great for all of us, I firmly pushed those aside. The control freak in me thought, "this will throw my kids' worlds into an uproar--it will be disastrous for them." I am sometimes a worst-case-scenario envisioner, and all I could imagine were meltdowns and fights and poor grades and detentions (yes, I realize I am absurd). But then this niggling thought kept coming back that maybe instead of this being terrible for them, what if it was precisely what they needed? What I needed. I kept thinking the stress of NOT being in control of my kids' every moment would be too great for me (I mean, who else but me in the whole wide world can avert disaster or manage their chaos? Yes, God's been having a little chat with me about my pride and control issues.). I tend to have such a tight hold on the reins of my boys' lives, and I realized that my life-focus had become so narrow. I was missing the whole point. Yes, I was involved in other things, both of the fun and worthy variety, but the things that kept me up at night and consumed my every thought were about my kids and my worry for their futures. I couldn't even see that I was drowning myself in my need to ensure a good upbringing and successful future for each of them. I felt like if I let go for even a second they would fall off the path I had marked out for them. Again, I needed to be reminded that I am not in the driver's seat of their lives. I am neither the designer nor the maintainer of the paths they are on. I needed to be reminded that I am not really as in control as I think I am.
In the midst of this battering of my pride and control, logistical doors started to open. I mean fly open. More people than I could imagine stepping up actively to offer practical ways they could help. Get permissive TDY so you don't have to use your vacation time? Done. Keep a kid or 2 for you? You bet. Mow your lawn, check your mail? Sure. Cover your work/teaching/church responsibilities? No problem. Be a back-up carpooler/babysitter/doctor-on-call? Yes yes yes. People are amazing. We are surrounded by the greatest network of friends. In small ways I also felt like Ethiopia was everywhere I looked. Books that I just happened to be reading, new people I would meet, stories I would hear, an old friend who had been stationed in Ethiopia who just happened to know a local Orthopedic surgeon that was going to be at the Mercy clinic the exact same time we were and is looking to partner with teaching facilities to bring doctors out to Yetebon. Some might say I was looking for the signs. Reading too much into it, and coincidence, and all that. But trust me, at that point, I was still looking for a way to make it fall through. Even still, I couldn't get the possibility of this trip out of my head.
There's no clear timeline for all this. It retrospect, it doesn't even feel linear. Just this crazy swirl of emotions, and then finally, I stopped struggling. It wasn't a lightning bolt moment, I just gradually gave in to what I had been feeling in my heart nearly all along. I started trusting. I accepted I'm NOT in control. God is. And as that happened, the most exquisite peace gently moved in and dwelled where there had once been fear and doubt. Rarely before have I felt so tangibly that I was doing precisely what I was meant to do.
So here I sit, getting ready to board. My kids are safely delivered to their temporary families, and I am so ready to be in Ethiopia, I can nearly taste it. Thank you all for your prayers, well-wishes, assistance, and encouragement.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Ethiopia t-minus 6 days!
Well, here we are at day 1 of my life as a blogger, something I swore I'd never be! But being the super-E extrovert that I am, I wanted a way for my friends and family to stay connected with us while we are in Ethiopia. The road that led me to this point has been amazing and unexpected and filled with lessons and growth and tremendous blessings. It certainly deserves its own post, and will soon get one.
But fast forward to today, 6 days away from sending my precious boys out to stay with 4 different families while Michael and I travel to surely one of the poorest nations on Earth. We will travel with a group of 23 people, mostly doctors and nurses, all Christians. We will carry 46 50-lb duffel bags filled mostly with medical equipment and supplies. Over the course of 2 weeks we will attempt to touch, treat, heal, educate and bless as many men, women, and children as possible. We are going to Project Mercy in Yetebon, 90 miles southwest of Addis Ababa, and over a mile high in altitude. PM is an International Emergency Relief and Community Development Ministry that has been operational since 1977. In the midst of a poor farming population of about 70,000, PM operates a simple hospital where patients will be seen, surgeries performed, and babies delivered. Groups of us will travel out on foot every day to schools to offer health assessments, health education, immunizations, and who knows what else. Several doctors are bringing along curriculum to teach the local population courses in Basic Life Support in Obstetrics, and Helping Babies Breathe (newborn resuscitation). As I understand it, the name of the game is flexibility and adaptability. The unexpected always happens, and we have been warned that it's not uncommon to be asked to perform a duty which is completely foreign, uncomfortable, and out of the scope of one's knowledge and experience. When I joked that I wanted to help deliver a baby, I was told that was a very real possibility. Even though I may not know the details of my specific job, I know my plan is to be willing and open, flexible and cooperative. Oh yes, and to sing with kids and teach them, hold them and love them. To encourage mothers and hold hands and pray and cry and laugh with them. To spread joy and smiles. To bless and be blessed. And hopefully to assist in a delivery:-)
Oh, the excitement and fear of being called to do something that I am unprepared, unskilled, and untrained for. And who in their right mind would leave their 4 kids for 2 weeks in the middle of chaotic school-sports-music-therapy schedules?? This is how I know God is the driver of this crazy and impossible train. No one but He could have laid this joy in my heart, and this peace in my soul, even among my doubts and stress. My rational brain tells me this trip is craziness, but my soul testifies to its rightness. I am excited to share this journey (actual and emotional) with you. Now I just have to hope I can figure out how to do this blogging thing from a 3rd world country ha!
In the meantime, you can check out Project Mercy's website at www.projectmercy.org. There is also an official group blog at www.ethiopiapm2011@blogspot.com. Wishing you peace, love, and joy!
But fast forward to today, 6 days away from sending my precious boys out to stay with 4 different families while Michael and I travel to surely one of the poorest nations on Earth. We will travel with a group of 23 people, mostly doctors and nurses, all Christians. We will carry 46 50-lb duffel bags filled mostly with medical equipment and supplies. Over the course of 2 weeks we will attempt to touch, treat, heal, educate and bless as many men, women, and children as possible. We are going to Project Mercy in Yetebon, 90 miles southwest of Addis Ababa, and over a mile high in altitude. PM is an International Emergency Relief and Community Development Ministry that has been operational since 1977. In the midst of a poor farming population of about 70,000, PM operates a simple hospital where patients will be seen, surgeries performed, and babies delivered. Groups of us will travel out on foot every day to schools to offer health assessments, health education, immunizations, and who knows what else. Several doctors are bringing along curriculum to teach the local population courses in Basic Life Support in Obstetrics, and Helping Babies Breathe (newborn resuscitation). As I understand it, the name of the game is flexibility and adaptability. The unexpected always happens, and we have been warned that it's not uncommon to be asked to perform a duty which is completely foreign, uncomfortable, and out of the scope of one's knowledge and experience. When I joked that I wanted to help deliver a baby, I was told that was a very real possibility. Even though I may not know the details of my specific job, I know my plan is to be willing and open, flexible and cooperative. Oh yes, and to sing with kids and teach them, hold them and love them. To encourage mothers and hold hands and pray and cry and laugh with them. To spread joy and smiles. To bless and be blessed. And hopefully to assist in a delivery:-)
Oh, the excitement and fear of being called to do something that I am unprepared, unskilled, and untrained for. And who in their right mind would leave their 4 kids for 2 weeks in the middle of chaotic school-sports-music-therapy schedules?? This is how I know God is the driver of this crazy and impossible train. No one but He could have laid this joy in my heart, and this peace in my soul, even among my doubts and stress. My rational brain tells me this trip is craziness, but my soul testifies to its rightness. I am excited to share this journey (actual and emotional) with you. Now I just have to hope I can figure out how to do this blogging thing from a 3rd world country ha!
In the meantime, you can check out Project Mercy's website at www.projectmercy.org. There is also an official group blog at www.ethiopiapm2011@blogspot.com. Wishing you peace, love, and joy!
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