Last Day of Clinic

Aug 7
Today was my last day of clinic.

The hardest part about going to Africa is saying good-bye.

I have been in Winnemucca for 7 years and have never been away for a full two weeks.  It is very difficult to get all my patient care responsibilities "tucked in",  all my clinic affairs tidied up and all my family issues in order.  I feel a lot of pressure to make sure that everything will be OK in all these area while I am gone.  Of course I know that will not be the case.  My regular day is dealing with all the ways that life tends to unravel around us.  Things are never OK for more than a minute.

However, it has been much easier knowing that I leave my patients in the extremely capable hands of Drs Perkinson and McIntyre.  It has been a great blessing to have these two excellent physicians to work alongside.  I also have an incredible staff to look after my clinic including:  Katherine, Lucy and Gaby.  It is a huge comfort to know that they will not drop the ball.  At the home front I have Robin, Peter and Mary keeping the fires burning(er I mean the AC on).  I couldn't ask for a more supportive family.

At dinner, little Mary shared this verse that she pasted up on the sliding glass window like a 5 year old:
"Do not be anxious about anything,but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6)

God is sovereign and He is trustworthy.

So be of good Cheer

Brad

Visit from Mark

Aug 6:

It was very encouraging to have a visit from our pastor from Winnemucca Christian Fellowship, Mark Clendenen.  We enjoyed a good time of prayer and fellowship and he blessed us with a very generous gift from WCF.  I continue to be overwhelmed by how God has used WCF to be a blessing to me and to my family.  It is especially amazing how WCF proves their commitment to global missions through sacrificial giving and responding to needs of their brothers in Christ around the world.  I am very much looking forward to conveying this gift to SIM Galmi Hospital and helping to ensure it goes directly to where it can do the most good to help alleviate the suffering of those who come for help.

Thank you WCF

To God be the Glory

Serving together with you,

Brad

Sabbath

Sunday August 5,
One of the things I am most grateful for is God commanding me to Sabbath!

I also appreciate being commanded not to worry but to experience His peace and to be joyful!

These are the kind of rules and regulations that I like to put my whole heart into:)

What is your favorite commandment?
Brad

Stepping out in Faith

Katy and I are stepping out in faith to obey God's personal call on our lives to "do something" to serve the health needs of some of the neediest people on earth, people who are our "neighbors" according to Jesus' definition as outlined in his story of the Good Samaritan.  I am especially eager to visit and serve alongside my friend and medical school classmate, Joe Starke, who is the chief surgeon at Galmi Hospital.  We will be in the capital, Niamey,  by the end of this week and are asking for prayers for our final preparations, ministry opportunities, safety and closeness to God.
Thank you,  Brad Granath