Saturday, September 26, 2009

Runnin' on Empty


This last week marked 6 weeks here in Ecuador for us. The children had a one mile "fun" run at school this week for each grade. I call it a "fun" run in quotations because there is nothing fun about running a mile at close to 10,000 feet above sea level. I can say personally that your lungs feel like they are on fire just after a 5 minute jog. Combine that with the dense smog that covers the city on any given day and you can say it is a unique form of torture for a new gringo.

This week we all had a small bout with a stomach bug, so I was especially proud of Connor and Kayleigh for running the race. Kayleigh and her friend Olivia had the two best times for the girls in her 2nd grade class, completing the mile in 9:50. Connor placed 2nd with the boys in 4th grade with a time of 9:03. I am so proud of both of them. It would have been so easy to just give up and say, "Well, I'm not really use to the altitude yet." They both plugged on and not only completed the race, but finished it strong.

During this last week we have been somewhat discouraged by recent news of cutbacks throughout the mission board that have resulted in cuts in our medical benefits, retirement, and salaries due to a sharp decline in giving through the Lottie Moon offering and Cooperative Program. This cut in funding may affect many of us with small children in the ability to stay on the field long term. For us it is like the race is not only being run at a high altitude, but now it is also going up a steep hill. It would be so easy to say, "Well, we're not really ready for this uphill climb, we haven't even gotten use to the altitude yet!" But we are told in Acts 20:24 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

This is our motivation in times of struggle and trial. In the race there are many obstacles and points when we need encouragement. One of my fellow IMB friends remarked as the children were making their way around the track, "I wonder if they would give up if we were not here cheering them on to continue." I mused on that thinking that those words were probably very true. In the face of hardships without encouragement and hope, is it not easier to just give up? But is it not the prize at the finish that motivates us more than anything? 1Corinthians 9:24 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."


We are a long way from the prize at this point, but we must continually keep it in the horizon. In those days that we receive bad news or discouragement from the obstacles that surround us, we must focus on that prize at the end. I remember the first time I ran a marathon I reached the proverbial "brick wall" at mile 21. I remember in training one of my friends who had run many races told me, "At some point towards the end of the race you will face a "brick wall". You will think that there is no way that you will be able to take another step, much less make it to the finish line. When that happens you will have to remind yourself of your motivation for running in the first place. You must envision that and keep a hold of that to drive you to the end of your race." Wise words. As I reached mile 21 I heard the shouts of my family and friends as they encouraged me to continue the race strong.

We know we have barely begun the race. I can still hear the crack of the starter gun ringing in my ears, but already the uphill climb has begun. Although the prize looms in the distance, we have to pace ourselves for the
distance we must run. With this in mind we cling to what Phil 3:12-14 says, "Not that I have become perfect yet; I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me. I can assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to come; I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upward to receive in Christ Jesus."

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Operation Walk


This last week has been a wonderful and exhausting experience for me as we had a team from the US come for a medical mission. The group of Operation Walk consisted of Orthopedic surgeons, medical doctors, anesthetists and an anesthesiologist, recovery room nurses, OR nurses and techs, floor nurses, physical therapists, medical students, PAs, translators, and volunteers. The plans for this trip have been in the works for quite a while, but I was fortunate enough to be a part of it at the last minute. I provided anesthesia for many of the 40 patients we did surgery on that week. There were knee replacements and hip replacements for people of Ecuador that could otherwise not afford the surgery. Some of these people had arthritis so bad that they had literally been bed bound for years.

One gentleman I did anesthesia on was 38 years old and had not walked for over 3 years. It was exciting to see them take their first steps after so many years of immobilization. I was privileged enough to be a part of the whole week by unpacking supplies, giving blocks, helping recover patients, and even assisting them in taking their first steps after surgery.

One man in particular touched my heart as Dr. Taughton (the physician that helped arrange for me to be part of this group) came in to pray for him. I had put in the man's spinal/epidural for his surgery and remembered how kind he had been. As we visited in the room Dr. Taughton asked me to translate a prayer he wanted to give for this kind gentleman. As Dr. Taughton finished his prayer the man had tears in his eyes and told us that he was so grateful to God for sending us to help him. He wanted us to know that he and his family would be praying for us as well.

One of our last nights the Foundation that helped plan this trip had a banquet in our honor and presented us with gifts. I especially enjoyed it as they presented all the doctors with Panama hats. A little known fact to most is that Panama hats are actually made here in Ecuador.


Our last day at the hospital we had a group picture with the patients. They had all walked to the end of the hall with walkers and crutches for the photo. While there they wanted to express their thanks to us for all the work and time we had put in that week. Some people had worked literally 14 hour days at the hospital. I was so touched as I listened to person after person say how grateful they were and how they would never forget our kindness. Many people said that they knew that they would never have been able to walk again without our help. One lady cried as she told us, "I have nothing to offer to you for the wonderful gift of healing that you have given me except my tears".


This week I saw some wonderful acts of kindness and selflessness as so many people sought to serve these wonderful Ecuadorians. I thank God for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful mission and pray that the Lord will give me many more opportunities to make a difference in the lives of these beautiful and amazing people.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Snickers



There are times in your life when you get a sinking feeling you are being taken for a ride. A couple of weeks ago I had that experience as I was following directions in my car from a Ecuadorian lady that I had been waiting on for almost an hour. I had one of our missionaries in the car with me including my 3 children. This lady was giving me instructions to a house that held the prize we sought, a little male Yorkie. As we drove further and further away from the safe part of Quito into the "hood" I was just certain that this lady had some kids waiting to carjack us or take the money I had brought to buy a puppy for the kids.

I found myself driving up a VERY steep hill in a stick shift truck (only my second day driving it by the way), praying that we would find this place soon. I could sense my friend Gail ( an MK born and raised here) was feeling a little uneasy too. We came to a small shack perched beneath the street and the lady in the car with us called the owner of the house on the phone telling her to come out with the puppy. As she came up the many stairs from her small abode I could not see any dog and was keenly aware of a group of teenagers some 50 feet behind us. When she approached the truck she lifted up her poncho and there held the cutest little puppy I have ever seen. At that moment my children fell in love and I knew that I would not be able to leave without that puppy. The children played with him in the back seat as we haggled on the price, the papers (she didn't have any with her, but said she could get them), and the shot records (didn't have those either, but once again said she would get them.

We agreed on a price and I started to drive us back down the mountain into town so she could produce the papers and a receipt for the dog. The lady and my friend Gail were having a discussion about Christ and I could tell that this lady didn't think too much of Jesus. She kept saying that Jesus didn't love dogs, whatever she meant by that.... When we got to the corner she immediately opened the door and said she needed to leave there. Of course the traffic cop waved me to go, so I had no choice. No papers, no shot record, and no receipt. But we happily went on our way with a pooch named "Snickers" by the kids.

Our first night was rough as he threw up and then passed blood in his stool. I was certain he had parvo and had Ken take him to an all-night vet clinic nearby. The vet recommended a special diet and some medicine. Within a few days we had a happy, healthy little guy with a sweet personality all his own. Snickers is now one of the family and we couldn't imagine life being nearly as fun without him.






Friday, September 4, 2009

So Fly!

Here are our photos from the trip to the rainforest to zipline in Costa Rica. The kids chose to do this instead of having traditional birthday parties. It was a blast!