Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

Sam Is Five

Sam is Five

Sam hit the big "five" this weekend. He is walking around quite proud of this fact. I guess I am too.

I left work early on Friday to begin his birthday celebrations early. I came up and we set up "camp" in the front yard. We pitched the two-man tent, set up the chairs, and prepared the firewood. Then, before the big camp-out, we fired up the barbeque grill to fix some cheeseburgers.
He invited Grandma and Grandpa and we ate the burgers, chips, potato salad, and homemade cake before we opened his presents. As the sun was setting, Grandma and Grandpa left and we went to our campsite. We made a nice little campfire and sat around it roasting some marshmellows before going off to bed.

Saturday, we continued the celebration by going to Java House for breakfast. This was followed by haircuts. Then we met some friends at the waterpark for a "friends birthday party." The water was warmer than it was three weeks ago at Ben's birthday bash. All the kids really enjoyed themselves. It was fun to see Sam having such a ball.

It is amazing that he is already five. Time goes fast. It is all the more sobering realizing that his early childhood is definitely different than what Sarah and Ben experienced. He still remembers America, but only in a "abstract" way. He has just as many memories here as he does there. And this will shape his worldview much differently than the older kids.

Disaster Zone

Disaster Zone

My past few posts have been about the building collapse in Nairobi last Monday. It was a sobering reminder of how fragile life is. This information made world news, but the world may not realize that Kenya is suffering a severe drought in the northern part of the country and that around 3.5 million people are starving. The government has declared it a national disaster (and some of the government's response has been just that - a disaster).

These two events are a stark reminder that we live in a disaster zone.
Life is fragile here. Life is short. If it isn't malaria, it is HIV/AIDS. If it isn't buildings collapsing, it is drought. And, in neighboring Ethopia, Sudan, and Somalia there are armed conflicts and militias causing man-made disasters. Throw in the natural disasters of earthquakes and tsunamis in the region and you have a bonafide disaster area.

All of which, is overwhelming. But then, it is one of the reasons we are here. To respond to disasters. To equip and enable the Kenyans to respond to these disasters. To give help and hope to suffering people.
To share the good news in the midst of bad news.

I never feel like I am in personal danger. However, I know that we are on the front lines and that danger is lurking. Pray that we will show courage and boldness. Pray that God will be glorified in the depths of this disaster zone.

Disaster Support

I am a bit recovered from our work in the disaster management of the building collapse in city centre. We ended up treating 12 patients, 5 were admitted, 2 critical and one has since died. It is sad.

I was reflecting yesterday in the aftermath of activity here how many people it takes to manage a disaster like this, even when there is a small number of casualties treated here. It takes dozens of people doing there jobs, and doing them well, to make a difference.

One group that made a difference was my family. When it became obvious that I was not only going to be staying late, but all night, I called Marti and let her know. Her response was wonderful, "what do you need for the night?" Then, she put together an overnight bag full of toiletries, clean clothes, a sack lunch, and notes from her and the kids. Then her parents drove the bag over. It was only a small effort, but nonetheless, without it I could not have been here to do what I am trained and called to do.

Great job family! Way to provide important disaster support. Love you, Daddy.

Special Edition: Building Collapses in Nairobi, Several Die

This afternoon tragedy struck Nairobi.  A building under construction collapsed in City Centre.  So far seven have died (surprisingly this news is on the frontpage of Foxnews.com).  Many of the injured were taken to Kenyatta National Hospital, but when they became overburdened, patients were diverted to A.K. University Hospital.  So far we have treated eleven patients, two critical, two in stable condition but needing admission, and the rest discharged with fractures and abrasions.  One of the critical patients had a fractured pelvis and almost bled to death from this injury, the other had a basilar skull fracture.

It has been a long day.  Because of the lack of a central communications and emergency activation system, it took four hours before we saw our first victim.  It was frustrating watching the events and chaos on TV without being able to provide the emergency care they desperately needed.  But fortunately our hospital had a disaster plan and once patients started arriving we were able to promptly evaluate and treat patients.  I was so proud of how well the young docs in my department carried out their duties.

I will be tired in the morning.  I am to present a lecture to my staff at 7:30am on the following topic, and I am not kidding or making this up, The Initial Assessment and Management of Trauma.  I think the experience of today will make the lecture much more interesting.

Pray for the victims of this tragedy.  Even as I write this there are still about 5 people trapped who are talking to rescuers.  There will be many more who will be found dead.

Tourney Champs

Yesterday, under cloudy skies and light showers, the Rhinos won a double-header to win the "Winter" Softball Tournament. In the first game the Rhinos beat the Japanese 27-13 despite giving up 7 runs in the first inning. In the second game, the Rhinos played the U.S. Embassy and beat them 19-10. This game was tied 3-3 until the top of 5th when the Rhino's bats came alive for 10 runs. They added a few more in the next couple of innings. The game should have been closer except for some incredible defensive plays.

The Rhinos went from worst to first in 2005-2006. The Spring Season of 2005 saw the Rhinos win only 3 games, but in the Winter Season they went 9-2 with the double header sweep yesterday. The Spring 2006 Season should start in March.

My First Lecture

I presented my first lecture yesterday as the new faculty guy (at least my first one in a large forum - about 60 participants). It was a bit intimidating doing it with the Chairs of the different departments and the Dean of the University there. But, praise God, it went well, after I settled down the first couple of minutes. In fact, it went better than I had hoped.

I look forward to my next lecture.

Redne...uh, Good Ole Boys in Nairobi

The other night, I took Marti for dinner at Java House. Near the end of the meal, a large group of people came and started looking for tables.
They found enough empty tables near ours.

As they came walking up, we noticed that many were overweight, white males. As we listened and watched them, I noticed one guy with a St. Louis Cardinals cap. We continued to observe that they had a slight Southern accent. They were speaking loud. They looked tired. And, we noticed that in the group of 20, only one was a woman.

Marti and I started to talk. "I bet they are from Southern Missouri," I said. Marti returned, "I bet they have been on a church construction team." I countered, "I bet they are from a Baptist church."

After they got settled and ordered drinks, a couple of the guys got up and started for the bathrooms. I caught one of them. "Are y'all from Southern Missouri?" I inquired.

The guy looked at me in amazement. "Yes we are!"

"Did you just complete a construction project?" I continued.

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Are you guys Baptist?"

"No, we are Assemblies of God."

The guy was stunned. I explained that I was from the St. Louis area and recognized the accent (and the Cardinals hat). And with an obvious group of Good Ole Boys (I won't use Rednecks) we reckoned correctly on the construction crew. We had a good laugh with the guys. It warmed our hearts to chat with them.

Two out three ain't bad. We'll do better next time!

Purpose

God Has Made Me for a Purpose

As I continue to transition into my new role as Clinical Director, I find myself doing some very ordinary and mundane things - I attend meetings, I work on staffing issues, I write schedules (and rewrite them, and rewrite once again), and so on. And so some days I don't feel like I am "being" much of a missionary - I am just being, well, a Clinical Director. And then I dig a bit deeper and realize that I am struggling with the issue of "what will people think of me?"

Funny thing this "pleasing people." On this side of the earth, I want people (especially the Faculty and Administration at the hospital) to think that I am an efficient Director and an excellent instructor. On the other side of the earth, I want people to think that I am a wonderful missionary. And in reality I am none of the above.

But at the end of the day, none of that matters. What matters is that I use my abilities to glorify God. I am to remember that I am to do my work as unto the Lord. I am to do my best to be the best doctor, the best director, the best instructor, the best discipler, and the best family man that I can. The results are up to God. My job is to do these things not for my glory, but His.

The other night, we watched Chariots of Fire with the kids because they have been studying China and read a biography about Eric Liddell. The movie meant so much more knowing the story within the story. For those not familiar with either story let me recap both quickly. Eric Liddell grew up in China in the early 1900s as a missionary kid. He returned to Scotland as a boy for schooling and excelled in sports. As a young man, he became the fastest runner in Great Britain. The movie of Chariots of Fire was about him and another runner in their pursuit of Olympic glory in the 1924 Olympics.

In the middle of the movie, Eric's sister thinks he is spending too much time running and not enough time doing important work for God. In the movie, Eric responds with this memorable line:

"God has made me for a purpose...in China. But He has also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."

This really resonated with me. God has made me for a purpose. And He has made me a doctor and a teacher. And when I do these things I feel His pleasure. This realization has made me enjoy the work at the University even more rewarding. And this is because I know that God has made me for this purpose, for this time, for this place.

And so, if you read me complaining about the hum-drum routine of staff issues, meetings, budgets, etc, remind of this truth: God has made me for a purpose. And remember this as well. When you find yourself complaining about the same things, remember that God has made you for a purpose as well.

Book Review on the Case for a Creator

Book Review: The Case for a Creator

The first book I read for 2006 was The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel written in 2004. It was a fascinating read on the amount of scientific evidence that points towards a creator. I was amazed at the overwhelming argument that the author makes.

In the past a lot of the debate of creation versus evolution was based on the Biblical arguments. Most scientists would dismiss Creationsim out of hand if argued on beliefs based on the Bible. But as technology has improved over the last 50 years, the scientific proof of a Creator is becoming undeniable. For instance, the amount of "fine tuning" (that is, the precise settings of the universe such as gravity, distance from the sun, the effect of the moon, the angle of the tilt of the earth, the speed of the Earth's rotation, etc) is now recognized as impossible to have occurred by chance.

The author, looks at a lot of different aspects of life (cosmology, physics, biochemistry, consciousness to name a few) and examines the evidence. He does this through extensive interviews with prominent researchers in these various scientific fields. The interviews are fun to read and shed incredible light on this topic.

My only criticism of the book is that the author spends too much time trying to make the case that he is a skeptic of creationism (he once was as a journalist, but has since become a pastor and author). I found this aspect of the book annoying as it was clear from other parts of the book (and the many advertisements for his other books within the text and at the end of the book) that he is a believer. Nonetheless, this does not diminish the impact of the evidence presented in the book.

I heartily recommend this book. It is readable and understandable for those not accustomed to reading science oriented books. And it has enough detail for the more science minded reader.

I have never doubted a Creator, but this book helps me to appreciate and marvel all the more at the outrageous creativity of our Creator.

Plumbing Wonders

Wonders never cease to amaze me. And Kenya provides more than a fair share opportunity to look at things and just "wonder".

Last night, Ben was taking a shower in our bathroom. He started complaining that the water was too hot and that the cold water wasn't coming out. I figured he just hadn't added enough cold water to the mix.

But then, at the same time, the toilet was leaking. As I lifted the lid to look in the tank, the water was filling to fast. I tried to correct this and noticed that the water was warm. Then, when I finished and washed my hands, hot water was coming out of the cold tap.

I was amazed. I have never heard of hot water coming out of the cold tap (except in new construction when the plumbers mix up the pipes). I am still not sure how this has happened. I am actually worried about telling the landlord - he may send the same plumber out to "fix" the problem that has caused so many problems in the first place.

Wonders never cease.

Lessons from Little House

Last night we watched our weekly Little House on the Prairie. It is a Wednesday evening routine now; even Marti's parents come over to watch.
Last night's show was very interesting.

Nasty little Nellie Oleson had an accident while riding her new horse, Bunny (which occurred because she was beating the horse). She had a concussion. However, when she woke up from her fall, she saw the Ingalls and pretended to be paralyzed. Laura felt terribly guilty and was willing to do anything to make up for it. The rest of the show focused on how Nellie manipulated Laura. In the end, Laura discovers the truth and "helps" Nellie walk again by pushing her wheelchair into the water.

Afterwards we talked about how awful manipulation and deception can be.
Our kids were appalled at the behavior of Nellie. But then I realized that the story also revealed how God's grace works in our lives. When we feel guilty about something, no matter how hard we try to do nice things to make up for it, we can never shake the guilt. It lingers.
This show was a reminder that only God's grace can bring forgiveness and freedom from this bondage of guilt.

I love it when I watch a show and God reveals truth about Himself through that show. I can't wait to see what other lessons He has in store next Wednesday night!

My Special Pass

I received my temporary Special Pass which allows me to get more involved in teaching and patient care at the hospital. This is such a relief as it allows me to get out from behind the desk and involved front line with what I love doing - seeing patients and teaching residents. Already I feel more energized and excited. Praise God for this answer to prayer.

Ben Is Ten

My first born son, Ben, is now officially ten. His birthday was on Sunday but we started celebrating with friends on Saturday. We took him and his buddies to the local waterpark, Splash (yes they actually have a decent little waterpark here, reasonably priced at $3 per person entry fee). Afterwards they spent the night.

On Sunday, after church we went to Grandma and Grandpa's where his Grandpa made homemade apple pie in lieu of a cake. It was delicious.
He opened his presents and generally had a good time.

Unfortunately, he must have also been given a bug for his birthday as he was sick yesterday with a fever and headaches. Poor guy. But, anyway, I am proud to say that Ben is Ten!

Mission Safari Update for January 2006

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Dear Friends,

A year ago today, I was making final preparations to travel to Sri Lanka to participate in the disaster relief. I didn't know what to expect. But it was a life-changing experience for me. I saw first hand the hope the Gospel offers in the midst of total devastation.

Obviously, I didn't "plan" to participate in the relief effort to Sri Lanka. In fact the it occurred I had made much different plans for the first couple of months in 2005. But God directed my steps. This trip "set the tone" for the rest of the year; I made plans, but God directed my steps.

And, so as I look forward to what 2006 has in store, I wonder with anticipation (and some fear) to see what God has in store for me and my family. I have made some definite plans for the year. But I realize that God will, in His providence, direct my steps. Pray that I will be ready to move at His command and not get caught flat-footed!

For now, I look forward to getting more involved in my new role as Clinical Director of Emergency and Family Medicine Services at A.K.University Hospital. I look forward to meeting again regularly with the medical students in our mentoring group. I look forward to the Healthcare Leadership Conference that we have planned for February. I look forward to visiting U.S. medical students in February and March. We all look forward to coming home for a short HMA in the summer. And we all look forward to finalizing our adoption of a little girl from China.

Please pray for all these events coming up. And as you do, praise God for the following answered prayers.

Praises:

1. Some of you were aware that when I joined the Faculty at AKU,N I had to re-apply for a new work permit. I was told it would take 2-3 months. However, we have been able to secure a "special pass" that will cover me during this waiting period. We praise God for this!

2. We received approval from the U.S. Embassy to move forward with the adoption. We have mailed our last bit of documentation to our attorney. In a few weeks, the completed paperwork will be submitted to our adoption agency. We are relieved. One major hurdle is cleared. Now the hard part starts - waiting. In fact, as a special prayer request, please pray that this process moves forward quickly. When we first started the paperwork, we were told that once all our paperwork was submitted to the adoption agency, it would be a wait of 4-6 months. We just received a letter last week that the current wait time is now 10-12 months.

3. God is opening up relationships at the A.K.University with a couple of the faculty who are Muslim. Pray that God will open their hearts to the Gospel.

Looking forward to His Direction,

Tim

Broken

Broken.

Things just seem to be broken around here. In the past 48 hours, we had the following things break - a shock absorber (the third in our 15 months here), a Christmas coffee mug, Sam's new bicycle (not his fault), and the water heater. As a result of all this, my wallet is now broken! And, this leads to a broken confidence at times. Sometimes life just seems so broken here that you get overwhelmed.

But then, when I am caught up in self-pity, I hear this faint whisper, "This is my body, which is BROKEN for YOU!"

Out of Our Hands

We finished off that last bit of paperwork that we can do for the adoption. We collected the U.S. Embassy Approval letter and other minor stuff and forwarded it to our attorney today. She will receive it send it on to get wonderful stamps and seals of approval. And then it will go to the adoption agency. And then the hard part starts - the waiting.

But we are relieved to know that there does not appear to be any more paperwork for us to collect on this side. It is truly out of our hands now. Now we just need to do some knee work - getting down and praying for this process to move along at God's pace.