Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

The Last King of Scotland: Different Perspectives

The Last King of Scotland has been one of the more popular movies to hit the screens in Nairobi in quite a while.  A lot of the shows are packed.  And it is drawing people of all colors and stripes.  It has been interesting to discuss the movie with folks here.  I recently had a conversation with a very bright Kenyan lady about the movie.  The most striking aspect of the movie was how we intrepreted certain key scenes in the movie.

Before I get into the differences in our perspectives, let me assure you that we agreed on the following.  First, we both agreed that Forest Whitaker totally deserved his Academy Award for his portrayal of Idi Amin.  He was totally "African" in his mannerisms, his speech, his accent, and his swagger.  My friend commented, "If I hadn't known he was American, I would have thought he was Ugandan."  Second, we both agreed that Idi Amin was a totally disturbed person and that his reign of terror was a disaster.  Thrid, we both agreed that the "mzungu" (white person) doctor in the movie was a complete idiot (but for different reasons).

What we saw differently occurred in two important scenes.  First, in the critical first meeting of Idi Amin and Dr. Garrigan, the dictator has a mildly hurt hand after his car hit a cow.  As the doctor tends to Amin, the cow is grunting and snorting in pain.  It is distracting.  The soldiers are raising even more noise because they are trying to talk to the owner of the cow.  Frustrated by the continued noise the agonizing cow is making, Garrigan grabs Amin's gun (which is on the roof of the car), boldly walks over to the cow, and puts it out of his misery.

As the scene developed, I saw this coming.  I could tell that the Scottish doctor was actually more concerned with the agonizing cow than he was with the small hand injury Amin had.  And so I wasn't surprised by his "brazen" actions to euthanize the cow.  But my Kenyan friend was totally shocked and annoyed that he would so callously and boldly shoot the cow in the presence of the farmer and the soldiers.  She was so upset that he presumed to do that without talking to the farmer.  And so that was difference number one.

The second difference came a few scenes later when Amin offered Dr. Garrigan the opportunity to become his personal physician.  After initially denying the offer, Dr. Garrigan decides to accept; not because he is fearful of upsetting Amin, but because of the "perks" that he sees can be his.  While my Kenyan friend and I both agreed he should have rejected the offer, we differed as to why.  I felt he should have walked away to avoid the temptations and snares that he would find himself.  My Kenyan friend thought he should have rejected the offer because he was an outsider; what did he know about Africans and the way Africans work and think?  Nothing.  Reject the job because he doesn't know what he is doing. Period.

And so our differences ran.  We actually agreed about most things, but our reasons were different.  And that was a surprising revelation to me.  Even after living here for more than two years, I realize that I still don't understand the mindset of my Kenyan friends.  And that is what the movie clearly showed - the mzungu REALLY didn't have a clue what he was getting himself into.  And that is why I like this movie.  It shows how important it is to get to know our friends from different lands and cultures.  The little things to us may be big things to them. 

If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it (even though there are a few scenes that are a little over the top on sensuality).  And when you watch it, don't just focus on the plot...watch the sub-plots and the sub-text of what is going on.  It will surprise you.  And teach you a lesson about folks different than us. 

A Different Perspective on the Iraq War

Yesterday I was talking to one of my young docs in the ER here.  He is a devout Muslim of Indian origin.  He just returned from two weeks of vacation.  "Where did you go, Mombasa?" I asked.  "Nope, I just returned from Iraq, and I had a great time" was his totally sincere but unexpected reply.  Seems he and a few of his Muslim buddies, who are Shiite Muslims, decided to travel to Iraq to tour the several Shiite Holy Places there in the country. 

My interest was obviously piqued.  He started telling me about his impressions of Basra and other sites they visited.  He loved meeting the people and enjoyed the food and sites.  And most surprisingly, he was very critical of the media.  He said from his experience and what the Iraqi's were telling him, they are all very much better off than they were 4 years ago.  Every Iraqi he met was glad that Saddam was gone.  He talked about the good infrastructure that was in place there, admitting that there were some problems.  And most interestingly he talked about how the Iraqi Shiites in the areas he visited did not "HATE" the Sunni Muslims there.  He said that was another media distortion.

I found his whole report very interesting.  Here was a young devout Muslim who has shown no interest in learning about America (like a lot of other Kenyans I have worked with), talking positively about his experiences in Iraq.  He talked about how grateful the Iraqis were to have freedom from Saddam.  He acknowledged difficulties (including the fact that he did not travel to the more dangerous Baghdad) but felt hopeful for the people there.  And, apparently, he was not anti-America.

And for that I am grateful.  I was glad to hear a different, more objective report of what the Iraqis were going through.  And I felt a bit proud of the role that America has played there.  Certainly there have been mistakes, but I felt more positive about the potential for peace there.

Reading List

I have been busy reading another eclectic mix of books so far this year.  It has been a combination of biography, history fictional, political thrillers, and ancient history.  I am currently working on both How the Irish Saved Civilization and The City of God to continue on the ancient history theme.  I am trying to make the most of my time before we head home; on our way back to the U.S. we will spend 17 days touring Europe, including a stop in Rome.  We really look forward to this.  It will be a nice way to finish our time on the mission field.

Deep Community

Over the past couple of months I have been listening to a sermon series by Dr. Timothy Keller of Redeemer PCA in New York City.  The series has been on Hebrews and entitled, "Christ: Our Treasury."  It has been an incredibly timely sermon series for me.  In particular this past sermon I heard really spoke to me.  It was about Community.  Dr. Keller essentially says that to live in today's world, we need to be engaged in a "deep, vibrant community."  He is so right.

I realize that some of most difficult times here in Kenya have been because we have NOT had deep community.  We have not had teammates.  We have not been part of a deep and vibrant church (mostly it feels like church has been "work" or "ministry" and so we have not been able to really grow or rest there).  And although we have developed some rich friendships with the students here, we have not had peer relationships to match (or those that we have made, the folks are not here presently).  Although we did not recognize at first, we have suffered because of this lack.

And that is ok in the sense that it has really impressed on me the need for deep community.  This is the way that God has made us.  We are not meant to be alone.  Just as Adam was lonely, a family can be lonely.  And the best source of community for Christians is the church.  And in today's post-modern world it makes me sad to hear many young people in the U.S. talk about being a Christian, but not needing church.  I believe what they are saying is they don't need "church politics and pettiness".  What they do need is the church "community."  I know this from experience...the past four years we have not really had community.

And so we really look forward to that.  That is our biggest need right now.  Community.  Deep, vibrant community.

On Further Reflection

I need to issue an apology.  After reflecting on my last entry, I realize that I was wrong in my insinuation that doing something "normal" was something less than what God calls us to do.  This is totally against everything I believe and what I have both taught and written about.  I have somehow managed to communicate that doing something "normal" was less spiritual.

God calls us to do the best in whatever situation He has placed us.  We are to serve Him with all our works...we are to strive for excellence in whatever job He gives us.  It doesn't matter whether it is as a Naval Fighter Pilot, a stay-at-home mom, a newspaper editor, a businessman, a secretary, or an ER doctor.  We are to do our best for His glory. 

And yet, by worrying about doing the "normal" I have slighted many people.  I have betrayed my own beliefs.  But I have also revealed my own sinful nature...even though I really do believe that we are all called to bring glory to God, I still think, deep down, that there are certain callings that are more important than others...and that is rubbish.

With a renewed perspective, I really do look forward to being an ER doc in small-town U.S.A.  That is where God is calling for now.  And I can make a difference...I can meet people's needs, I can encourage them, I can comfort them, and exhort them, and show the Love of Jesus.  May God use me to bring Glory to Him in my new calling.

Amen?  Amen!

A Little Uncertainty

As we continue to make plans to return home to the States later this spring, I find myself having some occassions where I am a little uncertain.  This of course is "natural" but it is a bit odd.  And although I am very glad to be offered a contract to work in an ER in Virginia (which I have accepted), it feels weird to be looking forward to a "normal" job. 

That's because this is the first job I have taken where I am not doing something "new."  When I joined the practice in Newberry, it was a new practice and we were building a practice from day one.  And then of course, when I came to Kenya, we were doing something new here.  And so there are days when I wonder if I will like doing something "normal."  And likewise, there are many days when I totally look forward to doing the normal and not having the pressures of doing the "new" the "right way."

And that is a small glimpse at some of the various challenges I am personally facing as I transition to a different location and job.  I know God is totally in charge of the process and I clearly (well most of the time) see His hand leading me to do something "normal and boring!"  Of course, ER work is hardly boring but those are the silly thoughts that I have from time to time!

Another Marathon Weekend

As I sit at the computer this morning, my quadriceps are screaming and balking that I have been unkind and unfair to put them through another marathon.  But my heart and brain are telling them to chill...it was so worth it. This wasn't just "another marathon" - it was an incredible 26.2 mile journey at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro....and it was a great family weekend together as we shared the experience.

Last Friday morning we loaded the van with the whole family and headed towards Amboseli National Park where we spent the night camping.  The game drive Friday afternoon and Saturday morning were incredible.  We saw Mt. Kilimanjaro from the Kenyan side.  The snow capped peak was incredible.  And the wildlife was even more spectacular.  The "main attraction" at Amboseli is the elephants - hundreds of them.  We were closer to them than we have ever been.  The kids loved it.  And so did Marti and I.  And of course, sleeping in a camp on the edge of the park was awesome....you could hear the zebra and the elephants going by. 

After the incredible morning drive Saturday, we endured the roads to the border and crossed over into Tanzania.  Amazingly, the roads in Tanzania, generally considered less advanced than Kenya, were incredibly smooth.  And the drivers were polite.  We instantly fell in love with the country...but I digress.  Needless to say, it was a smooth and pleasant drive into Moshi, at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  After checking into the race and the hotel, we had a pasta dinner and went to bed.

The race (the Kilimanjaro Marathon) started at 6:30am on Sunday.  The weather was clear and cool.  The sun was out.  "Kili" was imposing but awesome to see.  The course ran through the relatively flat town of Moshi for the first 13 miles and then headed up the base of Kilimanjaro for a long and grueling uphill pull for 6 miles.  Finally, at mile 18 we got to run down hill to the finish line.  But it was so worth it.  The course was well planned, well-organized, and ran through some incredible scenery.  And, it was great because Marti and the kids kept going from one spot to the next to cheer me on.  That made it all the better.  Best of all, despite the long 6 mile hill (MOUNTAIN), I ran this race 30 minutes faster than I ran the Nairobi Marathon 6 months ago!  That was truly awesome.

And so, despite the sore legs, I am so glad we did the marathon this weekend.  The kids got to camp in a National Park and see some incredible game, the saw the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro, and they helped their old man run another marathon!! These are definitely some wonderful memories that we will take back home with us.

Any Surprise?

We were so excited to learn last month that our adoption application has been approved by the Chinese Adoption officials.  Even though we are still in a long waiting period it was a significant step forward.  It was especially encouraging as we have so longed to "grow" our family for the past several years. 

A year after Sam was born we really felt we weren't "done" growing yet.  Around that time we also felt called to Kenya.  Through the transition, move, and settling into Kenya we suffered two miscarriages and then the inability for Marti to get pregnant.  And so, taking this as God's hand in our lives we moved forward with the adoption.  And we are so glad we have.

But, as readers of this blog know, we have felt called back to America.  And soon after making this decision, we received news of our approval by the Chinese officials.  And then, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, Marti found out she was pregnant!  Go figure...

She is about 12 weeks pregnant.  An ultrasound a few weeks ago looked good.  She definitely feels pregnant (fatigue, nausea, the works).  She has seen the OB doctor already.  She is on some hormones to help maintain the pregnancy.  And we are praying.  Of the four miscarriages, one went 12 weeks and one went 16 weeks.  We are not out of the woods yet.  But we believe God is able to meet our needs, whatever the result.

And so now, there is a bit more clarity on our call back home.  We knew God was calling us to be a bit more focused on family.  But we didn't know that it would include not only an adopted daughter but a newborn as well by late 2007. 

Life is full of twists and turns.  Any surprise with that?  God wasn't surprised by this development so we aren't really either!