Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

Finishing Well?

In my last posting, I talked about how it is more important to finish well than to start well.  Well, I took that thought into the weekend and had some mixed results personally as I competed in a couple of sporting events here in Kenya. 

First, after reading all the different articles about the unlikely Cardinals World Series win (I still can't believe it myself), I rushed home, changed my clothes and headed to the softball field where we played the Japanese team.  I played my usual position of shortstop and batted in my usual No. 3 spot.  The game was one of the highest scoring games in our league to date.  It was a lot of fun battling back and forth with the pesky Japanese.  I was fairly successful at the plate hitting a couple of homers and driving in 9 runs.  And, in the last inning I was able to perserve our win (24-23) by throwing out the tying run at the plate on a relay from the outfield.  This was a pretty good "finish" to the game.

Unfortunately, this didn't "finishing well" mindset didn't carry over into my marathon run the following day.  Although I was well rested (despite the softball game the day before) and well hydrated at the start of the race, I faltered badly as the day progressed.  I had made some tactical errors that led to terrible muscle cramps and dehydration.  I was able to finish, but some 35 minutes longer than my target time.  I made the following errors that I will correct in future marathons.

1. I did not check out the weather report and so wore a long sleeve running shirt.  The day turned out to be one of the hotter ones in recent weeks and so I sweat more than usual and got dehydrated.

2. I did not use sunscreen on my face and head and neck.  Seeing that I got a haircut the day before and my hair is thinning, I got a terrible sunburn in the bright sun.  This led to more problems with staying cool.

3. I did not drink enough gatorade during the race. 

4. I did not have my fan support there (my family).  This made the race longer and harder, especially after my thigh muscles started cramping at mile 18 of 26.2.  8 miles is a long distance to cover dehyrdated, cramping, and lonely!

And, so, needless to say, I was a bit discouraged by my finish.  However, I am glad that I ran the race.  Running it in Kenya made it that much more memorable.  For instance, in my previous 4 marathons I had never seen the following:

1. A group of young Maasai teenagers running the race in traditional red robes and beaded jewelry.

2. The race leaders lap me (it was an out and back course that we ran twice).

3. A little shepherd boy with his cattle grazing grass along the race course.

4. Soldiers with automatic weapons providing some of the security along parts of the course.

5. Sharing a drink with some of the elite Kenyan runners before the race.

All in all it was a great sports weekend.  I am a bit slow and sore today.  Over time, I will forget the painful memories of the race and remember only the fun parts, especially crossing the finish line.  And then I will submit my race application for yet another marathon.

The Cardinal Way

Yes, this is the Cardinals celebrating their 10th World Series Championship, and their first since 1982.  I woke up this morning early with an SMS message from a friend in Nairobi that the Cards were ahead 4-2 in the eighth inning.  30 minutes later, my dad called to let me know that they had indeed clinched the World Series.  So much for my plans to sleep in this morning!!  But what a fun way to start the weekend!

I have spent the morning reading about how this was the "worst team to ever win a World Series Championship history."  What a compliment!  What better way to underline the way the Cardinals play baseball - they never give up.  They go out, play hard ball, and by showing up day in and day out, doing the little things right when it is most important, they prove the Baseball World wrong. 

They weren't supposed to make it to the playoffs - they had two 8 game losing streaks this season.  They had a seven game losing streak the last two weeks of the season.  They almost blew an 7 game lead in the standings in September.  Even though they lost their last game of the regular season, they made the playoffs because the second place Astros lost also.  They had the worst record of the 8 playoff teams.  5 teams who didn't make the playoffs had better records than the Cardinals.  And so, with the 13th best record in baseball, they made the playoffs in spite of themselves.

And then they went to work.  They played better ball than the Padres.  And then the Mets.  And now, the Tigers.  They supposedly only had one good pitcher.  The bullpen was just a bunch of rookies who blew game after game in the regular season.  And they could barely get the important hit. 

But this is why I love baseball.  When the playoffs start, it is a new season.  It is a time of redemption.  The records are 0 wins and 0 losses.  And the team that plays the best in October gets to put the Championship ring on their fingers.  It doesn't matter how you started, it matters how you finish.

And so, in yet another way, I see how baseball, and particularly the Cardinal Way, points to lessons about life and faith.  It is the little things that matter.  It doesn't matter how bad you have been in the immediate past, there is an opportunity for redemption.  If you focus on the future and not the past, you can finish well. 

Way to Go Cardinals!!  You are the 2006 World Series Champions!

One to Go

You gotta be kidding me!  The Cardinals are one win away from winning their first World Series since 1982.  I am sooooo missing being able to watch these exciting games.  Hopefully the rain will stay away on Friday and allow the Cardinals to win at home in Game 5.  That would be so sweet.

Unfair

Today, I am in Eldoret, Kenya at the Moi University School of Medicine.  I am here meeting with senior medical students trying to recruit some of them to come to our hospital in Nairobi for their internship.  It was a very good meeting and I am glad I made the effort to travel here and meet with them.

Unfortunately, they may or may not be finished with school on time to participate in the Internship.  Here in Kenya, the professors at the 7 public universities have gone on strike.  For all the students except the medical students this is the beginning of the school year.  But for the medical students it is the end of the school year.  The professors at this medical school (in Eldoret) have decided to join the strike.  The professors at the med school in Nairobi have decided not to join the strike. 

And so, despite the hopes that the professors would allow these 33 students to sit for Final Exams over the next 3 weeks, these students are being sent home over the weekend as school and exams are postponed indefinitely.  Hopefully, there will be a quick and rational end to this strike.  But the students seemed dejected.  The professors have asked for a 600% pay raise.  The government has responded by intimidating and firing the top union bosses.  And neither the government or the professors seem to care about these 33 students.  And so, the real losers in this whole thing is the 33 senior medical students here in Eldoret, Kenya.  It is unfair.

These are just some of the challenges that the Kenyan medical student faces.  And these are some of the challenges we face in trying to encourage and bless these students.

Reality Check: Loneliness

We have been back for over a month now.  We have pretty much gotten caught up on "stuff" and have settled into a routine.  And, after having a long weekend to take stock of where we are at, we realize that we are a bit lonely.  A couple of key families have returned back to the States for the next 6-12 months, and another family is making preparations to do the same.  So, in about a month, most of local support system will be back home.  And so, having already started to feel some of this separation, we are a bit discouraged about the prospects in the coming weeks.

The local support system is important.  I am missing my prayer partner - a guy that I can complain and commiserate with - and then fall on my knees with to pray for God's intervention.  Sam is missing his best friends.  Sarah and Ben will soon be missing theirs.  And Marti will have her companions on the "other side of the world."

Unfortunately, we have not been able to find the comfort and encouragement from our local church.  It is a good church, but, we find that we will are being called on to hold the Sunday School for the children together while these other families are away.  And so, we miss out on this opportunity for encouragement. 

This of course puts strain on the whole family and our perspective of why we are here.  It is strange to be in a city of over 4 million people and yet feel isolated and lonely.  All of our relationships are "ministry" based relationships.  It makes it seem like we are "on call" all the time.  And this has the potential to lead to burn out.  So....please be praying for us.

And that is our Reality Check for now.

2 Down 2 To Go

The Cards won quite handily last night.  2 more wins and they will be World Series Champs.  Who would have thought that a month ago?

A Few Thoughts on "The Jungle"

I just finished listening to the unabridged version of the 100 year old classic The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.  I was amazed that I was so drawn to the this story given that it is an overwhelmingly sad story of an immigrant family who struggled so mightily in the Chicago packing yards in the early 1900's.  It was a powerful account of all the ups (very few) and downs (very many).  It showed the horrors of life in unchecked industry and why the Labor Unions were (initially) so important to protect workers in early American history.

Sadly, the author, who vividly captures the depravity of man, felt the answer to these woes was Socialism.  He even spoke in religious terms of how Socialism would be the "salvation" of men and cause them to "be new men".  He glowingly spoke of "converting" the working man into a Socialist.  It was clear that the vivid depictions of greed, corruption, vice, and wickedness in the first 27 chapters were to set up the need for this new religion.

Fortunately, his vision for Socialism in America did not take root.  But rather than slam the author and the book for these notions, I think it is worthwhile to point out some important truths about justice that this book raises.  Christianity needs to be more than just "knowing" the right things.  It needs to be practical and meet the needs of people who are suffering and oppressed.  It needs to be a friend to the working man, to the bum, to the prostitute, and to those living in abject poverty.  It needs to bring about just and fair working conditions.  It needs to walk it's talk.

The world will continue to struggle with the realities of "The Jungle".  The story is just as true today (at least in many parts of the world) 100 years after the author first published this book.  But the answer is not Socialism.  It is a Real Christianity with real Christians standing up for justice and mercy.

World Series Support!

Ok, regular readers of this blog are probably thinking "What is going on with Tim?  Where is he?  He hasn't mentioned anything about the Cardinals making the World Series.  And they have already played two games in Detroit (and went 1-1)?  Something must be wrong!"

Well, it just so happens that Friday morning we left town for a weekend away.  We had a great time.  And we didn't have internet connection or TV.  And yet, we were fully aware of everything going on back home.  This is because we have a baseball lifeline in place.

First, another missionary baseball maniac here in Kenya, knows that I don't have internet at the house.  So, every morning this postseason, he has sent me a text message with the scores of the previous nights game.  Second, my parents, who know the passion we have for the game, actually called Friday morning just to let me know the Cards were going to the World Series.  Third, if we did have internet connection, we would have received no less than three emails giving us score updates.

And so, in the age of cell phones and email, we are very much plugged into the events unfolding in Cardinal Nation.  And now that I am back in Nairobi, I will be able to get to work early every day this week and find out the scores and read the stories myself! 

Go Cards...from your favorite fans in Africa!!

Security?

I just finished reading a powerful little book, The Importance of Being Foolish, by Brennan Manning.  (See the review on the Books Read list on the left of the screen.) One of the lessons from the book is that Christians fail to live the life of Christ when we are pursuing "security, pleasure, or power."  Reflecting on my own life the past couple of months, I see that this pursuit is there and it is insidious. 

I realize that even though I have given up the "security" of salary, position, and comfort of the U.S., I still pursue security here.  I still want to be well liked.  I want control of my situation.  I want the security of a nice life here.  I want to be secure. 

This past Monday was a disastorous example of this.  I spent a long day dealing with one administrative task after another.  I was tired and frustrated.  I was not dealing with the issues with the desire to serve.  I wanted to be served.  I wanted things to be right so that I could do what I wanted to do.  I didn't like being the Director.  I thought about how easy it would be to go back to the comforts of home. 

And so, I was convicted of this pursuit.  I didn't desire the mind of Christ.  I didn't desire to live a selfless life.  I didn't love on those who came in my path.  So, the lesson for me was that just because I live here, doing what I do, doesn't mean that I don't need to be on the guard for pursuing "security, pleasure, and power."  I need to pursue the mind of Christ.

Help??

I met with an American doctor who just moved to Kenya the other day.  He is interested in joining our ER here at the hospital on a part time basis.  He has a very similar vision to ours here - working with Kenyan docs in medical education and discipleship.  He would be a great addition to the ER and would help relieve some of the pressures I am feeling.  Pray that this relationship will work out.  Pray the hospital will free up the funds to get him on board.  I need the help!

The Difference in Dar

I have spent the last two days doing some consulting work for a hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.  It has been a good visit and I have enjoyed my work, evaluating the current Emergency Room and staff and working with the hospital leaders on the way forward.  It was also an honor to be asked to do this task.

I have never been to Dar and wasn't quite sure what to expect.  Tanzania as a country is poorer than Kenya so I assumed the city of Dar would be as well.  But I noticed some things right away that I really liked about the place.  First, the roads are much nicer here.  And, the traffic is more organized and polite.  I really like that.  I also noticed that the Tanzanians seemed a bit more laid back - not lazy, but easy going, polite, and not out to get you.  I felt very safe here in the city, even going on two runs both evenings.  And, it doesn't hurt that the hotel (and the hospital) are located on the harbor and overlook some gorgeous water.

I look forward to a return visit...I think I will put that in my site visit report!

Encouraging Words

This past week has been frustrating for me.  I have done almost nothing but put out adminstrative fires.  I have really tried to stay committed to a schedule that allows me patient care contact - ie, clinical hours.  But one thing after another this week has eaten into that time.  And I don't really like it.  I am willing to do "admin" to make positive changes and more importantly to spend time with young teachable doctors.  But when the "admin" time crowds out this opportunity, I struggle to think I can do this long term.

Today, I was reading in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 in "The Message" version.  The words from the end of the chapter really helped put things in perspective.  The passage read as follows:

Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time - pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something.  If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you.  Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.

Truly encouraging words for me at this time.  Please pray that God will energize this work here.  Pray that as I seek to honor his name, he will honor mine.  Pray that this work will amount to something!

More on the Influence of Corruption

Every once in a while, you write something that strikes a cord with folks.  I have received three very good comments by readers on my entry on Corruption.  Andrew, a missionary in Brazil, wrote the following comment:

I have no way of comparing the relative corruption of the society where you live with that of my adopted home (Brazil). I do know, however, that it is rampant here.

My personal opinion is that corruption starts from below, and not from above. What are corrupt government officials if not normal people who take advantage of the opportunities presented to them by their political position. The everyday people who cheat on their taxes, pay to be bumped to the front of lines, and slip cash to police officers are just as corrupt--they simply do not have the opportunities that those in power have.

A Brazilian columnist recently asked why it was that newspaper dispensers (such as we have in the US, where you put in a coin and take just one paper) could never exist in Brazil. The answer is not corrupt politicians.

Rob, a physician in the U.S. was more to the point:

Dishonesty and laziness are not learned - they are base traits of our fallen race. We have to learn to be honest and hard working.

And finally, Jim, a missionary in Mexico added this insight:

Interesting quote there. There is a similar feeling in Latin America as well - the idea that "we just have bad blood" and so our situation is hopeless.

No doubt, as Rob put it, these are symptoms of a fallen race. On the other hand, this fatalistic idea that we just can't help ourselves - that we're somehow worse than other countries or races, seems to be to be equally dangerous.

It's interesting to hear a comment like that from another culture. I suspect it may not be an isolated feeling... what do you think?

I think they all hit on the issue that corruption is the state of Fallen Man.  It is a result of Original Sin.  There is no other way around it - poor, abused, neglected, suppressed men would do the same exact thing (because they are already doing it on a smaller, seemingly insignificant scale) if they were in positions of power and authority.  And that is the reason we have a need for the Redemption of the Cross.

We are all corrupt.  No one is good.  There is nothing we can do to earn God's favor - except to plead the blood of the Cross.  And that is the Good News. 

And these responses have been a poignant reminder not to shift blame back up the scale - towards the leaders.  I must first confront the corruption in my own heart.  Certainly, as per my other thoughts on the Great Commission, there is a role for us to pursue integrity, justice, and fairness, but we must never blame corruption on anyone other than ourselves.

First take the plank out of your own eyes, and then.....

The Influence of Corruption?

This past week I have been having to deal with some issues of absentiism and tardiness in the ER here.  It started insidiously and is now growing into a problem that is affecting morale among my young staff.  When I started talking to one of the guys most upset about the lack of respect and work ethic of some of his colleagues he made the following statement:

"Sometimes I think we just can't help ourselves.  There is so much corruption in our country that it seems like it just becomes part of us."

It was really sad to see the depth of discouragement he displayed in trying to explain the situation the behaviour of some of the folks in the ER.  He was genuine in his comments and not hyperbolic or bombastic.  And after a few words of encouragement I walked away wondering if he was right.  What was it that made people think that it was ok to be late or no-show to work?  What led people to be lazy?  Or what made people have an "entitlement" mentality?

I don't have any answers at this point, but I think my young friend was on to something.  Let me think on this for a while.....

The Great Commission Revisited

As part of our Bible study last night we discussed the passage in Matthew 28 known as the Great Commission.  Most Christians have heard this verse "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...."  It is almost always called the Great Commission as it is seen as Christ's summary of what His believers are to invest their lives in.  But as we pondered this verse I asked the guys the following questions.

"Which activity more closely fulfills the Great Commission?  Personal one on one evangelism or singing in the praise band or choir?  What about discipling the new convert or studying for your final exams in medical school?  Or how about protesting abortion or participating in a staff meeting to help your hospital deliver more honest, accurate, and compassionate care?"

One of the guys said, "This sounds like a trick question to me."  All of the guys laughed and concurred having grown wise to my ways of asking questions.

And I answered in the following way.  "It is a trick question.  Many Christians tend to (erroneously) think that fulfilling the Great Commission is done in only spiritual activities - namely, evangelism, missions, discipleship, and prayer.  But it seems to me that God's command to Adam to go, multiply, and subdue the earth remains part of the Great Commission.  When you think of the Great Commission only in terms of new converts, you miss one of the key words Jesus used is His commission.  We are called to make disciples of "nations."  This includes not only helping lost persons, but lost cultures, to become changed by the redemptive love of God.  If our work in fulfilling the Great Commission does not impact the culture in which we live, then we haven't fulfilled the Great Commission."

And, I really do believe this.  I have to.  Otherwise it means that only a very small handful of Christians are involved in God's plans for the world - ie, only the pastors, elders, and missionaries are doing the important work of the Great Commission.  And this is just bad theology (in my humble opinion).  Participating in the work that God has given us to do, doing it to the best of our ability, when done for His glory, is being part of the Great Commission.

So, dear reader, if you are waking up, reading this before you go off to work today - whether at the bank, the school, the hospital, the office, the roads, wherever, be encouraged that if you do these things for God's glory, you are participating in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Cultural Context

Last night I met the guys for Bible study again.  We were back into our study on Servant Leadership. It has been a good study and brought up a lot of opportunities to talk about service, leadership, the Great Commission, among other things.  Last night's lesson was on Cultural Context and how leaders need to learn the culture in which they are working.

It was kind of funny actually.  Here we were in a huge apartment complex that backs up next to the slums.  We were on the 4th floor of an apartment complex that I wouldn't consider safe in any culture (except that I was with the guys who felt safe there).  We were sitting in the bedroom of one of the guys - 2 chairs and one bed being the meeting place for the 6 of us.  And after a fruitful meeting, the host served us chai and bread and butter sandwiches.

After our meeting we made our way to the parking lot (in the dark) only to find my vehicle blocked in tightly with only minimal space to maneuver.  Rather than trying to find the owner of the car blocking me, I started getting advice from 8 different people on how to get my vehicle safely out; interestingly, only one of the eigth drives a vehicle.  And so, after much discussion and patience, I was able to get the car out of the parking lot safely.

I wondered aloud to the guys on the way back to the med school if I had been tested on my adaptability to this Kenyan cultural context.  They all laughed and said I did well.  I am not so sure but I finally did arrive home safely with an unscratched car and minimally scratched up psyche.

Whew!

Well, the Cardinals have certainly brought a lot of joy and sorrow this year for this contingent of Cardinal Nation living abroad.  We had the opportunity to see them play really well in our first visit to the New Busch Stadium this season.  We also got to see them get bombed a week later by the Chicago White Sox in Chicago.  We survived two 8 game losing streaks, enduring teasing emails from friends who were Cubs or Reds fans.  And of course we got to see them win an exciting game on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball while on vacation at the beach.

But the past 10 days have been tough.  What should have been an easy week preparing for the playoffs turned into near disaster as they went on another 7 game losing streak (which is the first time that I can remember them having three 7 game losing streaks and STILL win the division).  And then to wake up every morning wondering whether they would be remembered as the first team in 40 years to blow a lead as a division leader and miss the playoffs or barely sneak into the playoffs.

Well, they did the latter yesterday.  Although they lost, they did limp across the finish line as the winner of their division this year.  And so, I can sigh a breath of air and hold my head high that even if they stunk on their way to the playoffs, the other teams in their division (Astros, Reds, Cubs, Brewers, and Pirates) stunk even more to not catch them.

Good Week, Bad Day

Why is that sometimes after you give a "good report" things go bad?  Friday was one of those days.  Just an hour after penning the last update "Week in Review" my day went from bad to ugly.  Nothing seemed to go right.  I dealt with one administrative frustration after another.  I was glad I was only here for half a day.  It would have been even more frustrating to endure a whole day going badly.

Of course, I realize that the day went bad because of circumstances and of course my attitude.  I realize when I have days like this how very short I fall of being like Jesus.  The day started because I took "offense" at a senior administrators misguided comments (per his colleague) about what a Family Physician does.  Instead of taking the comments in stride, I let them get to me.  Then everything else that happened just annoyed me.  This is not Christ like.

I realize that in this situation, I was relying on my position and status as a doctor to define who I was.  This of course is meaningless compared to the fact that in Christ, I am a child of God.  This is where I need to find my identity - in Christ.  So, yes, I did have a bad day, and some of it was warranted, but in the final analysis, I let it become a bad day because I chose to find my identity in my position and not in my relationship.