"Miss California, get up on the bull!" Yes that's right folks, that's snow fall'n down in the big D. Miss CA shows off her newly aquired winter scarf and mittens. 
Monday, February 20, 2006
Snow Down South
"Miss California, get up on the bull!" Yes that's right folks, that's snow fall'n down in the big D. Miss CA shows off her newly aquired winter scarf and mittens.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
The Inevitable WalMart Trip
It's inevitable...you come back from overseas and have your first Walmart trip. Having lived in a big city this last year it wasn't that massive store that shocked me...it was the decisions. We have 15 choices for just about EVERYTHING. Not only do they have cottage cheese here, you have small curd, large curd, light fat, 1/% fat. My friends had to help me as I stood there almost unable to make a choice.
Over there I feel like a foreigner and here I feel out of the loop again. I know that this is a good reminder for me that this isn't HOME. My true home is in heaven and for this life I'm just passing through. It's not a bad thing. And the Lord knew what I'd need this year. (Some good TMI buddies making me laugh could help me transition back into the US.)
Over there I feel like a foreigner and here I feel out of the loop again. I know that this is a good reminder for me that this isn't HOME. My true home is in heaven and for this life I'm just passing through. It's not a bad thing. And the Lord knew what I'd need this year. (Some good TMI buddies making me laugh could help me transition back into the US.)
The first mini-TMI reunion
Catching up with old Teen Missions friends way out west (Is is supposed to be 27 degrees?!?) This is the first time I think we've seen each other so clean.
Looking into the Eyes...
From my most recent update:
When I started my training with this ministry I was moved by the realization that 40,000 children die every day from complications of malnutrition and 32,000 die of preventable diseases. I knew those numbers had faces all around the world and wanted to go myself to the area of most need.
Fast forward to 2006 - almost 3 years later. I stare down at a hospital bed containing a 15 month old whose body is burning with fever. She’s on a ventilator and her blood gases show us she’s still in respiratory acidosis. Just months early she was diagnosed with primary complex tuberculosis and the doctors say she has early signs of asthma. Her x-rays show her lungs are full of fluid from pneumonia. [We rented the ventilator from a private company since the family was sitting up having to manually ventilate…such a different world.]
I was the first one to look into her eyes when she came into the world. As her mom’s midwife I got to be the first one to hold her. Throughout her little life so far I’ve visited the family in their little squatter “house” in the damp alley crawling with worms. We’ve tried to do what we can to help the parents find work, get rice, help facilitate obtaining a floor. Still there are cycles of injustices and hardship that make things difficult.
So as I stand at the bed and the doctor reminds me this is one of the leading causes of death in kids around here I realize I’m looking into the eyes of one of those 32,000- 40,000 children. Suddenly the answers don’t seem so clear and that little question “why” tries to pop up again. Should she walk through this, what will be next? Will she be able to fight off future infections, or will this just be a cycle. Will her dad break the cycle of alcohol addiction? [Baby Cassandra was recently released from the hospital, but has recently been readmitted to the top government pediatric hospital for respiratory problems again].
When I started my training with this ministry I was moved by the realization that 40,000 children die every day from complications of malnutrition and 32,000 die of preventable diseases. I knew those numbers had faces all around the world and wanted to go myself to the area of most need.
Fast forward to 2006 - almost 3 years later. I stare down at a hospital bed containing a 15 month old whose body is burning with fever. She’s on a ventilator and her blood gases show us she’s still in respiratory acidosis. Just months early she was diagnosed with primary complex tuberculosis and the doctors say she has early signs of asthma. Her x-rays show her lungs are full of fluid from pneumonia. [We rented the ventilator from a private company since the family was sitting up having to manually ventilate…such a different world.]
I was the first one to look into her eyes when she came into the world. As her mom’s midwife I got to be the first one to hold her. Throughout her little life so far I’ve visited the family in their little squatter “house” in the damp alley crawling with worms. We’ve tried to do what we can to help the parents find work, get rice, help facilitate obtaining a floor. Still there are cycles of injustices and hardship that make things difficult.
So as I stand at the bed and the doctor reminds me this is one of the leading causes of death in kids around here I realize I’m looking into the eyes of one of those 32,000- 40,000 children. Suddenly the answers don’t seem so clear and that little question “why” tries to pop up again. Should she walk through this, what will be next? Will she be able to fight off future infections, or will this just be a cycle. Will her dad break the cycle of alcohol addiction? [Baby Cassandra was recently released from the hospital, but has recently been readmitted to the top government pediatric hospital for respiratory problems again].
A Fish Out of Water
I'm back in my native country...and it feels so weird. I can't believe how quiet it is here or how people stay in there houses (where are the masses out on the street?) My only outing so far (besides the airport) has been to Sonic for a cherry lime slush. (ah, the REAL reason I came back). I'm with very supportive friends right now and start my intensive debrief on the 27th. Please keep me in your prayers.
How Do You Say Thank You?
Some of the midwives who helped train me when I first arrived. They have been such a special part of my life. We enjoyed some time out in the southern city. It was hard to say goodbye again.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Hate Goodbyes
The clinic hosted an appreciation dinner for 3 of us who are leaving. Here G and I show off our participation in the "Country Night" theme.
Monday, February 06, 2006
"Lost?"
The view from the boat as we pulled up to a secluded island about 10 minutes away from the beach.
Not your average jeep ride...
Yes, that is a REAL tiger at the window of a jeep. (as if I didn't get enough of an adrenaline rush as a midwife). This was taken at a nature park. They wave a live chicken out the window to attract them. Jeff got blood on his arm and shirt...ewwww
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Girl Musings
There are days this country and all it's crazy public transportation drives me CRAZY. But then as I prepare to leave in about 2 weeks I think, man I'm going to miss so many little things...like the assurance that there will always be a peanut vendor on every corner...that you CAN get everywhere on foot or public transit...or that I can fly in a full run down a busy road and it's ok since I'm white, no one bats an eye. And the people...how can you replace them? So friendly and in everyone's business?
Monday, January 30, 2006
The Plunge: Walking Down the Asile
So...here he is...the doctor...yes after months and months of calculated planning the bride and groom finally got us together. (dad, he has your number...just kidding)
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