Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

Another Adoption Update

Slowly but surely we are getting paperwork submitted to complete our adoption. Last week we filed paperwork at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi to get pre-approval from the Department of Homeland Security to adopt a child internationally. Hopefully they have received the FBI Fingerprinting reports that we submitted two weeks ago. And hopefully they received our notarized Home Study that was to have arrived at their office on Friday of last week. If these are in our file, then it will be another 2-4 weeks before we hear anything from the Embassy.

In the meantime, our attorney in South Carolina is mailing our other documents to the different states where the docuements originated (Marriage Certificate - Illinois, Birth Certificates - Illinois and New York, and so on and so forth) and getting them Certified by the Secretary of State for that state. Then, once those documents are certified they have to be forwarded to the U.S. based Chinese Consulates to be Authenticated. Once all that is collected they will be another round of making sure that every last required document is in place and properly signed and sealed. THEN we will submit the whole package to the Chinese Authorities.

It is a complicated process. But so is conception, pregnancy, and delivery. It is just that THIS process takes place outside the womb for us this time.

Update on Relief Effort

As I write this we should have been about half way to our destination. But as I reported in the last update, our trip was cancelled in the eleventh hour. As disappointed as we were Monday night to receive this news, we are at peace with it today.

One of the reasons our agency sends in an Advance Assessment Team in these situations is to assess the situation and report on the real needs, not just the perceived needs. With the news reports and WHO reports our perception was that there was a tremendous need for doctors. This was only partly right. Right now, because of a large response by the international community, the real need is for female physicians and specialists. Our team did not fit that need. And so, rather than send us in anyway against the request of both the contacts on the ground AND the Army that was organizing the relief response, our Assessment Team cancelled our trip. In some ways this was a bold decision. They could have ignored the communicated need and arrogantly sent in our team.

This has been a good lesson for me. Sometimes too much help is no help at all. Our Assessment Team believes that the local nationals are professional, competent, and compassionate in their organization of the relief. Sending in a few more male doctors is like sending prom dresses to Sri Lanka to meet the clothing needs of the people who survived the tsunami. I also learned that it is extremely important to submit to our authorities in these situations. As much as "I" want to go and help, I am under the authority of several people in my agency who are charged with making these decisions. I am not a lone ranger. And so, dispite my initial disappointment, I am confident that my leaders made the right decision.

That being said, the need in this area is great. The situation is still fluid. The medical problems are severe. The doctors on the ground there will need relief at some point. They need female doctors. They need people who can come and stay longer than 2 weeks. This will be a long term problem. Pray for these things. But more importantly pray for the people of that area to experience the love of God and turn to Him.

Trip Preparations

Marti and I are finalizing our preparations as we depart in the next 36 hours for the relief effort to South Asia. As team leader, I have been communicating with people from all over the globe (literally) to get the logistics in place to do a good job once we arrive. It is amazing how we can coordinate such an effort over the internet and by cell phone. I will be picking up our meds, packing, getting team money, and so on today.

Marti has been busy getting ready as well. In addition to packing her personal gear, she has been writing her own list of things "To Do" once we arrive. As the Aid De Camp, she will be in charge of day to day camp life. She has also been busy writing out the kids school plans for the next two weeks. She has their syllabus written and the books and supplies gathered. She has also written each kid a note of encouragement for each day and put together a "goodie bag" for each day. The kids will know that we love them thanks to her hard work.

Today is a big day in getting all the last minute stuff pulled together. But, we both feel good about our organization to this point and today is just a day to execute the planning.

I Finally Agree with the New York Times

I am not a fan of the New York Times. In fact, I can hardly stand their bias. But, to keep abreast of American culture, I get a daily email summary of the articles in the NYTimes. Most of the time I don't even bother. But this weekend, I found an OP-Ed piece I agree with.

In the October 22nd edition, John Thorn writes a piece "Baseball's Silly Season" (the link is http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/22/opinion/22thorn.html?th&emc=th but you will have to "sign up" for free to read it). It is a great piece on the Wild Card team in the playoffs. I know it sounds like sour grapes from me to gripe about the Wild Card team since the Astros beat the Cards to go to the World Series, but really, why should a team that finished second in their division over 162 games be able to compete in the World Series. It is ridiculous. It makes the Season somewhat worthless.

I understand that the Wild Card introduces some drama into baseball. But so did division races - the winner of the division played to go to the World Series. That made the 162 game season mean something. The Wild Card is nothing more than a high paid "March Madness" - whoever gets hot (and lucky) at the right time wins. I could go on with the dismerits of the Wild Card concept, but I will save time for now.

Although I haven't been asked by MLB for these recommendations, I would either penalize the Wild Card team by not allowing them any home games during the playoffs. This would give the division winners an advantage or reward for being the best in their division over the course of a season. It would also put a lot emphasis on winning the division.

Or, if that is not "fair", then go to 4 divisions in each league and have the division leaders slug it out in the playoffs.

Either way, let's get rid of the Wild Card. Baseball is about winning pennants, not coming in second place and then getting hot for the playoffs.

The Rhino's Bats Come Alive

The Rhino's did not have to rely on last inning heroics to win today. They scored early and often and beat the Japanese 15 to 7 to improve their record to 5-0. The Rhinos piled up the runs with good opposite field hitting. They also had two out rallies in the second and fourth innings. Good defense also kept the Japanese from mounting any serious threats. They swept the season series over the Japanese 3-0. They play the Canadians next week.

Tip of the Hat to the Cardinals

Well, the Cardinals season is over. They fell short in the NLCS again. We are sad to see the season over. I even think we are in denial. Yesterday and today, we both wore some Cardinal shirt that we had. I guess it is some kind of tribut to our favorite team, even in defeat we will be faithful.

Ben and I have had such fun getting up every morning to check the scores and recap of the Cardinals this year. We will soon be missing this morning routine. And it is so hard to believe that they actually did not make it to the World Series. Well, that is life.

Even though they did not make it to the World Series, their dramatic comeback and win in Game 5 will be remembered. It was a great object lesson for Ben. He had counted the Cardinals out when they lost Games 3 and 4. But I told him not to give up. And the Cardinals didn't - even when they were one strike from losing. To get a basehit, a walk, and then a home run was a great show of character. My hats off also to the Astros who came back in Game 6 and simply outplayed the Redbirds.

Baseball is a great sport. It has such lessons to teach that apply to our journey in life. You may not always win, but you play hard even when the odds are against you. There are more lessons, but my eyes are tired and I will retire now. Rounding third and headed for home....

Getting It

More evidence that some of the students I am working with are "getting it" -

Last Saturday I got a phone call from one of the students. He was excited about a meeting he had at church that day. We arranged to meet on Wednesday. He told me at the meeting that he was really convicted that men needed to show more leadership in the church. He said the mentoring group was really helping him. He then informed me that the incoming first year med students were arriving soon. He proposed that each guy in our small group (5 guys) should look for an underclassmen and start to mentor him.

I was excited. I had been wondering how we could become more active in reaching out. This student answered that question. I will continue to meet with the small group and encourage them in their walks but I would also empower them to mentor others. We would also meet together as a larger group (of 10) monthly for Bible Study.

I am so excited that this idea was student generated. It will increase the "buy in." It will be key in seeing this take off.

God is at work here!

Heartache for Earthquake Victims

The number of victims of the recent South Asia earthquake continues to climb. My heart breaks for these people. The situation sounds bad as rough terrain and bad weather have hampered relief efforts. Unfortunately, the number will escalate as the number of people with moderate injuries will die a slow painful death from exposure and late medical care.

I have been asked to lead a medical team there. We are working on these details and hope to leave next week. We will be gone from home almost two weeks. It will be painful to watch the reports of suffering as our team works out all the details, but we will trust in God's timing for our arrival, our work, and our departure.

Weekly Update

This past week has been pretty busy for all of us. Sarah has been working hard to finish her preparations for her ballet exams on October 19th. I think she will do well as she has put in the hard work necessary to do a good job. Ben continues practicing his violin. His violin teacher has been on holiday the past three weeks and so instead of his usual violin books he has pulled out some of my praise song books and has been sight reading to play songs like "As a Deer" and "God is So Good". He is really making some wonderful progress on the violin.

Marti is finally recovering from her fever and cough that she had at the beginning of the month - I think she may have had malaria and bronchitis/pneumonia. She has spent some time this week with some visitors and some of the missionary ladies that she meets with for Bible Study. Also, it looks like she will be joining me later this month when I lead a medical team on a disaster relief trip to South East Asia where a recent earthquake has caused untold damage and at least 40,000 deaths. I look forward to leading the team, but I am more excited about the possibility of Marti joining me in this work.

Finally, I participated in a few strategic meetings this week that may further our ministry here. We are looking at partnering with another hospital here in Nairobi that has been able to establish some training programs. It would be an exciting partnership as it would give us opportunity to work with more Kenyan doctors in training than what we are currently able to reach. I will give more details as this develops.

Walk Off Home Run Improves Rhinos to 4-0

After a three week lay off because of scheduling woes, the West Nairobi Rhinos came back to beat the U.S. Embassy Team 11-10 with a three run walk off home run by Tim Hutchison. The Rhinos took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first but the Embassy came back with a huge rally in the second, scoring 8 runs on timely hitting capitalizing on three errors by the Rhinos. Making some defensive adjustments, the Rhinos played stellar defense the rest of the way.

Battling back the Rhinos added a run in the third and two in the fourth, closing the gap to 8-5. In the fifth inning with two on and two out, Nicky Kamelason hit a double to drive in two runs to make the score 8-7. The Embassy scored two runs in the sixth to make the score 10-7. Unable to generate any runs in the sixth, the Rhinos entered the seventh down three runs.

The lead off hitter in the bottom of the seventh, Kevin Yoder, hit a home run to bring the score to 10-8. The Rhinos then battled to put two men on while also making two outs. Taking an inside pitch for a strike, Tim Hutchison drove the next pitch to deep right center field and rounded the bases without a play at the plate to win the game for the Rhinos 11-10.

The Rhinos, who finished in last place last year, savored the victory that brought them to 4-0 and kept them in first place. They place Japan next Saturday who have greatly upgraded their team since the first weekend of the season when the Rhinos swept a double header from them.

Communication Woes

The communication and electricity problems in Kenya still surprise me at times. Several normal days and weeks may go by and then "wham" there seems to be a flurry of problems that don't make sense. And all you can do is laugh to keep from crying.

Wednesday I was able to connect to the internet without difficulty. Wednesday night I could not. Maybe the server is down. Thursday morning, the same problem. Oh, well, I will check later this afternoon. Nope, still not working. I will go to the cybercafe down the street. As I arrive, they are closing. Why? The server is down. Hmmm, I know, I will go to a friends house. Hey, no problem, c'mon in. Let me fire up the computer and put in my 21 digit prepaid code for access. Blink! Oh, the power just went out. Well, no problem I will go home.

I call the internet/phone company. Oh, your service has been disconnected. Why, I paid the bill in full two weeks ago? Sorry, call back in the morning.

Hey, my phone and internet don't work why? We are switching the username and passwords. Why didn't anyone call or notify me of this big piece of news. I don't know, call this number.

Hello, my internet doesn't work. Use this password and username, click!

Well, at least I am connected again. Oh, wait, it is connected but it isn't sending and receiving data. I will go to that cybercafe again. Sign on. BLINK - the power goes out!

And such are the woes. It seems I should be used to this comedy by now. But somehow, I don't think I will ever get used to this sort of thing.

What a Difference a Year Makes

I have pulled out my old journals from last year. Although it has only been one year, I have forgotten the details. I have been curious to see what we experiencing and dealing with emotionally. I found this passage from October 3rd, 2004.

"I am struggling a bit. I feel overwhelmed - not by the sights, sounds, smells, poverty or traffic, but of all the details related to setting up life here. We are starting all over. I don't have an address. I don't have a reliable means of outside communication - no phone or email. I don't have a way to get around - I must rely on the unpublished rates of taxis (I got ripped off yesterday). Right now there seems to be a whole long list of things to do just to start life here."

Other entries from October 8th, 2004 included the following.

"We spent time waiting at the Archodiocese of Nairobi to apply for my work permit."

"I also spent a lot of time waiting in banks trying to pay my rent. I figured out that my bank in the US put a hold on my check card. This was no small inconvience."

And, so, how much difference has a year really made? Well, Friday, I spent time working with one of the clinical officers at the hospital doing bedside teaching. I had another meeting to discuss my involvement in residency training here. I met with a group of twenty medical students for a journal club meeting. I took my wife out for dinner at a nice local resturant while the kids enjoyed the evening at their grandma and grandpas house.

On, Saturday, Marti, Ben, and I took a visiting US doctor and a Kenyan medical student into Kibera and held a medical clinic there. We saw 47 patients during that time - two more ladies with HIV were indentified and encouraged to come to the HIV Support Group at the church; many of the ladies that have joined this group have eventually given their lives to the Lord. After we spent the morning doing this, we enjoyed the afternoon. Marti went to her parent's home while Ben and I went to my softball practice. After practice Ben played ball with some of the other boys who came with their dads. For dinner, we went to Java House. And to finish off the evening, Sam and I slept out on the veranda in our sleeping bags.

It was amazing to see what a "normal" weekend we had. The insecurity and frustrations of just a year ago are still there. It is just being balanced out by good hard work and good fun times. I wonder what life will be like a year from now.

One Year in the Bag

Well, we are no longer Missionary Rookies or Missionary Freshman. We are in our second year. Hopefully it won't be a Sophomore Jinx!

We celebrated our one year anniversary by going camping over the weekend. It was fun. It was a tribute to the "camping" we did last year for two months in our house while we were waiting on our container to arrive.

As I think about the way our week is going it is amazing what a difference a year makes. For instance, Monday, I spent the morning in Kibera with another Kenyan doctor seeing some kids in a clinic. I felt comfortable leading the way to the school. I wasn't overwhelmed by the sights and smells.

Later that night, I realized that the internet wasn't working right. The hot water heater broke. The oven quit working. The dryer was acting weird. I didn't panic. I just called the "fundi" who would come to make the repairs. I had to wait another day for him to show up. It was no big deal.

Tuesday, I got up early and rode the matatu to St. Mary's Hospital. I saw patients from 9am to 7pm. I admitted patients with HIV. I talked to three patients and gave the bad news that they had HIV. I saw a variety of medical conditions including malaria. I understood a lot of the conversations in Swahili. I could give simple directions in Swahili. I felt fairly comfortable doing so.

And so, I guess, we are adjusting. We still have our frustrations, disappointments, questions, failures, and so on. But we realize that we are where God wants us to be right now. We see things and understand them better. We don't panic.

So we look forward to seeing what God has in store for this year.

Watching the Cards

It's postseason time. It is exciting. I thought my post-season would be confined to reading about the Cardinals games the morning after. However, last night, I actually got to watch the Cardinals play live on satellite TV. It was awesome.

I worked twelve hours last yesterday. I got home at 8pm. I was tired and looking forward to going to bed early. Five minutes after arriving home, I got a phone call from a fellow missionary and baseball fan (Braves, but hey, baseball is baseball!). He said, "How spontaneous are you?"

"Not very tonight, why?" I replied.

"Do you want to watch the Cards play tonight?"

"Yes, but I just got home. Let me think."

I thought for about 5 minutes. I secured Marti's permission. I invited Ben and we drove 30 minutes across town to watch the game at a stranger's house (stranger to me, not my friend).

It was awesome watching the game, seeing the Cards at home, and listening to Jon Miller and Joe Morgan call the game. And we were rewarded for our late night. The Cards won 8-5.

Go Redbirds. 1 down and 10 games to win to be World Champions once again!