Part of me is looking forward to moving to Uganda. I think about nursing school and if nothing else, I was trained to provide education: what to eat, what not to eat, how to take medicines, how much water to drink, how to exercise, and how to manage chronic illnesses. For all of the approximately 1200 patients that were seen during the March trip to Uganda, probably two-thirds of them (this is my estimate...and hasn't been verified) mainly needed education on health (eg. how to lower blood pressure with diet and exercise changes), hygiene (eg. "if you wash yourself from time to time, you won't have itching in the nether regions and think you have syphilis"), and illness myths (eg. "my child has a cough and I think it's malaria"). Though I'm inexperienced as a nurse, I've been equipped to provide education to patients.
So all that being said, when I read blog posts like this one, I panic and the part of me that is not looking forward to Uganda wins over the part that does. I realize that not only am I inexperienced, but even with years of experience, I'd still be doing stuff out of my scope of practice. I want to provide good health care, but I know that I am way out of my league. Given textbooks, resources, and doctors like Ed and Cody who are willing to answer questions through calls and emails, I'm praying that, at the very best, I'll be able to provide care that otherwise would not be given, and at the very worst, I won't kill someone with a wrong diagnosis and treatment. The theme in my quiet times the past week or so has been dependence on the Lord. Time and time again I've been reminded that I'm not in control anyway, but it's when I know that I'm not in control and I'm at my weakest and my vulnerable state, that the Lord has the opportunity to be shine most brightly. I need to get out of the way.
Now, if I could just remember to get out of my own way of support raising and remember to trust the Lord and His abundant provision.
19 April 2010
18 April 2010
from Matt
Matt is the executive director of PMI. We wanted to share a post he wrote while our team was in Uganda in March:
05 April 2010
PIONEERS, Brazil, support raising
Just wanted to update you on the events of the last few weeks since Mandie and I returned from Uganda. We had a few days off to recover from the Uganda site visit before I started a nannying job in Charleston for three infants (not related to each other) and Mandie went to Orlando to attend the Candidate Orientation Program for PIONEERS International. After a barrage of psych tests, Bible tests and committee meetings, PI determined that Mandie is not, in fact, insane and has accepted her as an appointee. She was able to meet with her pre-field coach and the Finance Dept to start working out a plan for raising support and preparing for the field.
Last Monday we met with Matt (PMI executive director) to start coordinating logistics for living there. He and Michael and Amanda O'Neal are working with the Bishop on a place for us to live. There are a couple of options and it sounds like we will not have to do many renovations before we move in to the house. We talked about a budget for living there and gave him the budget PI had given Mandie. He is going to look over it and make adjustments. We addressed the need for continuity of care between the medical teams that come and the hospital. I think Mandie and I will go talk to the May team and explain the need for detailed and accurate follow-up reports that are given to the patients.
We are waiting for final approval from Christine, the PI area leader for Uganda, on our proposal. From there we can start raising support. It looks like we'll need to raise roughly $2200 per month per person and $7000 per person for departure expenses. Once Matt has looked over the budget we'll have a more accurate idea of the cost of living.
Mandie is in Brazil this week with her grandparents. Codependent me is worried she'll stay in Brazil and speak Portuguese and never come home, although I think the anticipation of sleeping in her own bed is pretty enticing. She returns the 13th and as of right now, has no international travel plans for the next couple months. I've had a week off from nannying and have been at home with my family. I go back to Charleston today and will be working up there till the end of May.
We'll keep you updated as we begin the process of raising prayer and financial support! :)
Last Monday we met with Matt (PMI executive director) to start coordinating logistics for living there. He and Michael and Amanda O'Neal are working with the Bishop on a place for us to live. There are a couple of options and it sounds like we will not have to do many renovations before we move in to the house. We talked about a budget for living there and gave him the budget PI had given Mandie. He is going to look over it and make adjustments. We addressed the need for continuity of care between the medical teams that come and the hospital. I think Mandie and I will go talk to the May team and explain the need for detailed and accurate follow-up reports that are given to the patients.
We are waiting for final approval from Christine, the PI area leader for Uganda, on our proposal. From there we can start raising support. It looks like we'll need to raise roughly $2200 per month per person and $7000 per person for departure expenses. Once Matt has looked over the budget we'll have a more accurate idea of the cost of living.
Mandie is in Brazil this week with her grandparents. Codependent me is worried she'll stay in Brazil and speak Portuguese and never come home, although I think the anticipation of sleeping in her own bed is pretty enticing. She returns the 13th and as of right now, has no international travel plans for the next couple months. I've had a week off from nannying and have been at home with my family. I go back to Charleston today and will be working up there till the end of May.
We'll keep you updated as we begin the process of raising prayer and financial support! :)
02 April 2010
Injustice
I am overwhelmed by the injustice done to people around the world. Videos about the thriving international sex trade, genocide by cruel dictators and armies, thousands of homeless in Haiti because of an earthquake, and orphans living naked and sleeping in their own urine all tug at my heartstrings but I shut down those feelings as quickly as possible because they are quickly followed with crushing feelings of helplessness.
I am very easily riled up these days about even the smallest of injustices directed towards someone I love. I pace around the house when my brother doesn't play a baseball game even when his stats show that he's one of the better players and an upperclassmen. I write letters in my head to people when my sister isn't accepted to be staff for a summer worldview camp. I bristle when a friend isn't given a chance to show her skills and talents; and I am resentful when someone tells me one thing to my face and then by action shows me that I am not valued. These are small injustices. Most of them will not be remembered in the grand scheme of things and the ones that are remembered become lessens in perseverance. They can't be compared to the above mentioned injustices, but I am not overpowered by them and can take action.
I went to the Good Friday service at church today. The pastor spoke about looking at the resurrection through the cross. Or....not stopping at the cross, but looking past it to the resurrection. It was good, but I spent most of the time thinking about the number of injustices done to Jesus. How did Mary and those who loved Him stand there and watch Him be abused and betrayed and condemned? If I get riled up about an unfair baseball coach, how am I not stricken with grief over the number of unfair things Christ endured before He died for me? How did the Father watch His Son go to the cross and be separated from Him? The wonder of the cross and what Christ and His Father endured for me has gripped me anew. The number of terrible injustices done around the world on a moment by moment basis cannot be compared to the injustice that Christ faced in living a sinless life and being torn from His Father's presence and enduring an incredibly painful death on my behalf.
My response is to respond with adoration and gratitude and to remember Psalm 9:1: "I will praise you O Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you, O Most High." That I can do. I also pray that God will use me to lessen worldwide injustice.
I am very easily riled up these days about even the smallest of injustices directed towards someone I love. I pace around the house when my brother doesn't play a baseball game even when his stats show that he's one of the better players and an upperclassmen. I write letters in my head to people when my sister isn't accepted to be staff for a summer worldview camp. I bristle when a friend isn't given a chance to show her skills and talents; and I am resentful when someone tells me one thing to my face and then by action shows me that I am not valued. These are small injustices. Most of them will not be remembered in the grand scheme of things and the ones that are remembered become lessens in perseverance. They can't be compared to the above mentioned injustices, but I am not overpowered by them and can take action.
I went to the Good Friday service at church today. The pastor spoke about looking at the resurrection through the cross. Or....not stopping at the cross, but looking past it to the resurrection. It was good, but I spent most of the time thinking about the number of injustices done to Jesus. How did Mary and those who loved Him stand there and watch Him be abused and betrayed and condemned? If I get riled up about an unfair baseball coach, how am I not stricken with grief over the number of unfair things Christ endured before He died for me? How did the Father watch His Son go to the cross and be separated from Him? The wonder of the cross and what Christ and His Father endured for me has gripped me anew. The number of terrible injustices done around the world on a moment by moment basis cannot be compared to the injustice that Christ faced in living a sinless life and being torn from His Father's presence and enduring an incredibly painful death on my behalf.
My response is to respond with adoration and gratitude and to remember Psalm 9:1: "I will praise you O Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you, O Most High." That I can do. I also pray that God will use me to lessen worldwide injustice.
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