Life

I apologize for my absence from the blog world, but I had to give my eyes some time to heal and then life got suddenly busy with the holidays approaching. I came home from the mission conference in Kentucky and a few days later traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma for LASIK eye surgery. What a blessing Dr. Brister and his staff are to provide services to missionaries so we can see even more clearly as we serve overseas. I remember picking out my first pair of pink-rim glasses in Kindergarten. It will take time to get used to not having glasses anymore after 22 years! I look forward to traveling to Guatemala in just a few weeks and seeing for the first time the village of Sarstun. I will not having to tape my glasses on my head so they don't slide down or fog up as I assist in surgeries for the week. Thank you Dr. Brister and your staff- for not only blessing me, but people all over the world as we serve God together. I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving- my new sight, old & new friends reunions, unlimited mexican food, my crazy loving family, and most of all the unfailing love of Jesus Christ.

Da Jesus Book

This passage was shared at the missions conference from da Jesus Book. Translation: The Bible in Hawaiian Pidgin. This is the great commission, Matthew 28:18- 20, in where Christ commands us to go out and make disciples as he promises us he will stick with us until the very end of the earth... or it until it goes pow.

"Den Jesus go near dem an say, “God wen give me all da power, so now I in charge a everyting all ova da world an inside da sky. So you guys, go all ova da world an teach all da diffren peopos, so dey can learn bout me an come my guys. Baptize dem, an dey goin come tight wit my Fadda, an me his Boy, an God's Good an Spesho Spirit. Teach um how fo do everyting dat I wen tell you guys fo do. An you know wat? I goin stick wit you guys all da way, till da world goin pau.” Matthew 28:18-20

Push-pin

Along with doctors, physical therapists, dentists and other nurses, I had the privilege of attending a medical missions conference in Louisville, Kentucky. It was so encouraging to meet healthcare professionals that serve or hope to be one day in the mission field. Speakers came from all backgrounds and mission fields to share their wisdom to us inspiring to use our medical skills for the kingdom of God. One hero of the faith, Steve Saint, founder of i-tec Ministries, shared with us the stories from the mission field. I soaked up like a sponge- wisdom from doctors that set up ante-natal clinics in the Sudan to a community health clinic in the ghettos of Memphis. It was so encouraging to be around people with like-mind, but more than anything like-heart for Christ and those in need of healthcare access. I reunited with friends from the ship as they explored other possibilities to serve overseas in the future with ministries like Hopeforce, TEAM, and Samaritan's Purse. There were thousands of conference participates willing and ready to go. All it took, was for them to place a push-pin on a map and commit to "go to the ends of the earth". The two places on my heart, Guatemala and Sierra Leone, were barely visible with so many push-pins already placed. Then there are countries that are bare on this map and my prayer are for the workers to rise up for the harvest is plenty. I learn (and say) it time and time again that the mission field may be in our backyard, the office, the grocery store, or it may take a plane for us to get there. Be willing and be intentional to show love.

Where are you willing to place your push-pin for Christ?

One Request

I received a call late Sunday night with a request from Refuge International founder, Deb Bell, who oversees the Guatemala trips. A boy named Edgar was being checked-in to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Dallas. His father, Hector, had been by his side ever since they had flown on their first airplane from Guatemala to Texas the week before. Edgar is a sweet boy, just about to turn nine in a couple weeks, but his big brown eyes and contagious smile cannot hide the fact that he is about the size of a five year-old. Hector is by Edgar's side because he needs support as he walks on his ankles and the side of his feet. Edgar was born with bilateral club feet, his feet are turned on their side and he has hip displacement as well. He and his family have live in a small village outside of San Raymundo, where I just came from a medical mission.

So my job on Monday was to be with Hector and Edgar on the day of surgery. In Guatemala, when you go to Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City, the likely chance of you surviving surgery is slim. As an operating room nurse I see people when they are nervous before surgery, but in Guatemala, it is always a tearful good-bye. At our village hospital, the family is always so anxious until the surgeon reports that surgery is finished and the patient is recovering well. So anytime, Edgar’s father, was asked if he had any questions- his only request, was “To take care of my son.” He was told nine years ago, when Edgar was born, to bring him back to the hospital, but he never did until now with the help of many people. Dr. Birch and his team performed a five-hour operation to straighten Edgar’s feet. It will take numerous castings and at least one more surgery until Edgar can walk on his feet again. What a joy it was to be there to blow bubbles with Edgar and then to feed him ice chips in the afternoon when he woke up from surgery. With my limited Spanish I helped Hector find his way around the hospital in elevators (new to him and scared Edgar his first ride!). I was there to support Hector so he can support his son as he has a long road of recovery ahead of him. Edgar came back to the room and I could see relief in his father’s face as he looked at his son’s blue casts. Relief that he may be able to play like a normal boy and not be teased anymore and grow up to be a young man and able to provide for his family one day. Relief that we fulfilled his one request- "to take care of his son."

Glimpses of Guatemala

It's not Wordless Wednesday, but Glimpses of Guatemala! Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the week I spent in San Raymundo, Guatemala working in a small hospital. My feet were tired from the long days, but my heart so happy to return to my roots in medical missions. May the Lord be glorified in what we did and our patients know the true Healer.