Flexibility

You never expect international trips to be without their glitches, but I had high hopes that I would leave the country first...oh well.

After spending some wonderful days with my family in California I was scheduled to leave today to fly to Milwaukee. I was going to spend a day there tying up loose ends and unpacking/repacking for Africa. The weather this morning had other ideas. All of the flights to Milwaukee going out of the 4 major airports within 200 miles of my home were cancelled. Hmm...time for plan number 2.

I quickly got on the phone with Southwest and talked to a really wonderful agent who waved all of the standard fees and applied my now cancelled fares to a new one - hopefully leaving tomorrow. God is so good to work that out without raising the prices. On the plus side, I now get to spend one more day with my family! The challenging thing is going to be to get me the things I need for Africa before I leave.

The flights to Milwaukee tomorrow are booked so this is now becoming plan number 3. I no longer am going to be unpacking/repacking myself. Thankfully, I had brought the important paper documents needed for the trip with me on my interviews and to California. However, I didn't pack all of the clothes, my stethescope and a few other things I will need. I have a truly wonderful, dedicated friend in Milwaukee, that with the help of a spare set of keys to my apartment, is going to pack my things for me and ship them to meet up with me at orientation on the east coast. (thank you so much for all of your help!) This is not exactly the way I had wanted to start out a trip overseas, but once again I am learning to just trust that God will make all things happen according to His will. God is glorified. Now I am just praying that my things are able to make it without any hang ups and that I am able to actually leave California. Normally when flying in winter I am worried about getting IN TO Milwaukee, not getting OUT OF San Diego. Some things you just can't plan for.

Food

The other day I was browsing the new updated website for Kapsowar Hospital and I came across a grocery list of things that are available in Kapsowar itself. While in Kenya I will be responsible for making my own meals. Though not a complete stranger to the kitchen I do think I might end up losing some weight on this trip. Below is a list of things available in town. The next bigger town (and more food variety) is 2 hours away. Just one more thing to add to the adventure! I pray that God will bring someone to me while I am over there to show me how to use these items to make something delicious. Learning how to cook "Kenyan style" would be fantastic! In the mean time though, if you have any good ideas of things I could make given the following ingredients let me know! I am definitely up for some creative thoughts.

Variety of fresh vegetables and fruit
Various types of sliced bread
Flour
Rice
Mutton
Sugar
Fat and/or cooking oil
Margarine
Cordial
Bottled water
Chewy Sweets
Tomato Paste
Eggs
Baking powder
Tea
Hot Chocolate / Instant coffee
UHT Milk

God Is Good All The Time

One story I must share of God's greatness occured only this last weekend. I had finished up my residency interview in the south and was waiting at the airport for my flight home to see my family. All of the flights around me as I waited were overbooked and people were being bumped to other flights. As I sat there I prayed that God would allow me to be bumped from my flight as well so that I might recieve a free ticket. I would use this ticket to fly to the East Coast where my pre-departure orientation for Kenya would take place. This would definitely help defray some of the cost of the overall trip. About an hour later I heard the announcement overhead. My flight was overbooked. I was first in line to give up my seat! Thank you Lord! The truly amazing thing was that not only was I able to get a free ticket I was also able to get on a direct flight home and I arrived only minutes after my original flight was supposed to land. I didn't have to miss out on any time with my family. God good all the time.

Surrounded With Prayer

For those reading this blog, you understand that this mission trip to Kenya has been a work in progress for a long time. God is faithful! After much prayer and rallying fellow believers to pray as well He has opened the doors in many, many ways. Over the years I have come to realize that the power of prayer and the power of others praying for you is not to be underestimated. Indeed it is part of the armor of God. God has placed us together as a body of believers that we might support and encourage one another...one of the greatest ways being going to our Father on the behalf of another. The Godly group of believers that has surrounded me in prayer in regards to going to Kenya is one such testimony of this and no trivial thing. Thank you to all that have prayed and will continue to pray for me as I step through the doors of another country halfway around the world.

Pending internet access in Kenya I hope to continue this blog while I am over there updating you all as often as possible. Thank you so much for your prayers and support.