NICARAGUA

As many of you know I am leaving with a group of dedicated doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and human beings for the village of Israel in the Chinandega region of Nicaragua this weekend.  We are going to meet medical, dental, veterinary, and most of all spiritual needs of the people in this region.  I am excited and frightened at the same time.

I have wanted to go on a mission trip for a number of years but I have never been in a position financially or been available from a time standpoint.  When we moved to Jackson, we were blessed with a very flexible schedule and greater financial security.  Because of this, I began to look for opportunities.  Shortly after we began attending Englewood Baptist Church, the summer mission opportunities were listed.  I also began reading the book Radical by David Platt.  This book really challenged me to look outside my comfort zone.  I soon discovered that one of my partners at the Jackson Clinic, Dr. Jenkins would be on the Nicaragua trip.  I spent some time in prayerful consideration, in discussion with my wife, Lynn, and with Dr. Jenkins.  I became convinced that the Lord was providing me an opportunity to serve on His mission field in Nicaragua. 

There have been very few times in my life when I have been so certain of what I should do.  I am very excited for the opportunity.  I am frightened, or maybe I should say concerned about a number of things.  I have never been away from Lynn and the girls this long without any communication.  I am concerned for their safety and sense of well being in my absence.  I have never been out of the United States.  It may seem odd, but I never had the opportunity to leave before.  The idea of being on foreign soil in a country where I do not speak the language is a bit unnerving, if only because it is unknown to me.  The entire process of international travel is a bit overwhelming since it is my first time.  The task before me is daunting.  We will each see about 200-250 patients a day with the aid of an interpreter.  Our supplies and medications are limited.  I have never tried to see this volume of patients even when I can communicate effectively. I hope that I can be of some aid to these people.  I have concerns about the heat and lack of air conditioning, the lack of indoor plumbing, and whether or not I will get adequate rest.  I am also concerned about picking up some tropical infection or parasite.  I have taken the malaria prophylaxis, typhoid and hepatitis A vaccines as well as Tetanus.  All of this has me filled with a bit of angst, but I am mostly excited.

I am planning to journal the experience and take as many photographs as time will allow.  I plan to post my experience on this blog when I return.  In the meantime, please keep me in your prayers.  I will be out of telephone and cellular range most of next week.  There will be no Internet access until I get home, so the updates will have to wait.  Please pray that we have safe travel.  Pray that our supplies are in order and that we can help meet the physical needs of the villagers.  Pray for those who will preach the gospel.  That is after all why we are going.  I hope that all along the way folks see the love of Christ in us.  Pray that we will remember who we are and to Whom we belong.  Pray that we make much of Jesus.  This trip will be a success if even one person accepts Christ as savior.  I am thankful that I have been given gifts that allow me to minister to folks physically, but even more thankful that those gifts open a door to allow our group to meet spiritual needs as well.  Finally pray for our health and for our families who anxiously await our return.  I will update everyone on our trip when I return next week.

As our leader, Adrian Cross, always says, Dios es tan bueno!

Summer Vacation

I can't believe that summer vacation is already halfway over.  I always hope that when school is out our pace will slow down and be more relaxed.  I think all that really happens is that our busy lives are occupied with different but not fewer activities. 

So far this summer we have been to swim meets, vacation bible school, swimming lessons, the beach, and camp.  We have also welcomed a new addition to the family, my niece Charlotte (Charley).  Throw in some trips to Memphis to visit the grandparents and new cousin and our summer has been non stop busy.  And it is only halfway through.  I am leaving Saturday for a medical mission trip to Nicaragua (more on that soon).  We also have cousins and aunt/uncle from East TN coming for a visit, and then a trip to Santa Claus, IN to go to Holiday World and Splashin' Safari.  We are finding time in the middle of all of that to have Sydney's Sunday School class over for a cookout and swim party.  I also will squeeze in a week on the night shift. 

After that we get to start school all over again...  Trying to find peace and quiet along with rest in the chaos is difficult.  It takes work and effort to relax.  That may not make much sense, but I hope to find more ways in the future to work smarter and carve out more time for relaxation.  It is worth it.  At least the things we have been busy doing are a lot of fun! (except the upcoming night shift)

Random thoughts on travel

I haven't posted anything in a while.  I guess there has not been much to say.  I have been very busy with work and I am enjoying it.  I love the randomness of the patients that I see and not being tied to a schedule.  It makes every day an adventure.  I will admit that I am tired though.  I am looking forward to some time off in March.  Lynn and I are taking a long weekend trip to New Orleans without the kids.  It will be our first trip without them since before Savannah was born. We are then proceeding to the Gatlinburg area for the rest of spring break.  It will be good for the kids to have some fun and they will get to see their cousins in East TN.

I really can't wait to go to New Orleans.  It is one of may favorite places to go.  It's funny to me that many folks go down there to party. Not me.  I am looking forward to eating at some wonderful restaurants.  I plan to go to Deanie's, Redfish Grill, Acme Oyster, Felix's and maybe the Gumbo Shop.  I want to see the Garden District in full spring bloom with the azaelas and dogwoods and other flowers.  I am looking forward to roaming through the French Market, and browsing the antique shops and art galleries of the Rue Royal.  I hope to catch some live music and just sit and feel the jazz and blues.  I may stop in to the piano bar at Pat O'Briens and listen for a while.  I might even drop a request in the glass.  I am ready for the warm spring sun and some time away with my wife.  I am probably expecting too much, but it sure sounds good on these dark winter days.

I am also looking forward  to our East TN trip.  We haven't decided what to do yet.  I hope to take the kids to Wonder Works.  We may take the drive through Cades Cove or ride the tram up the mountain to Ober Gatlinburg.  I am looking forward to the scenery and some fun with the kids.  It will be nice to get away from spelling words, vocabulary tests, popcorn words and math.  I think one of the reasons that Lynn and I have waited so long to go on a trip alone, is that we really enjoy taking the kids.  It really makes for more fun.  I hope that we can take them to Disney again this fall and maybe to Universal Studios as well.  We will drive again (Lynn hates flying) but getting there will be part of the fun. 

I really want to go out West soon too.  I have never been to the Rockies or seen the Grand Canyon.  I just can't decide where to go.  Yellowstone?  Yosemite?  Lake Tahoe?  Las Vegas?  San Francisco?  So many choices.  I think it is definitely on the agenda.  I will do what I usually do...research what there is and discuss it until everyone is sick of it, then we will finally decide where to go, and then I get to go "Griswold!"  I am really looking forward to it.

Until these times, I guess I will keep at the grindstone at the hospital, and hope like mad for spring to come soon!