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
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
11 days
Hi! My name is Katy. I'm 21 and a college student entering my senior year. Biology has been my main course of study, but I've especially enjoyed taking classes on philosophy, theology, and English as well. I'm considering a fifth year at my university, just to continue learning and taking classes because I love it so much.
I have past experience working in the medical field, although I haven't ever worked in a hospital. When I was nine, my entire family of six moved to the Dominican Republic for a year to do medical missions with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. We set up temporary clinics and distributed first aid and simple medications like ibuprofen, vitamins, antiparasitics, and antibiotics. Experiencing the developing world as a child was such a formational experience; it has directly affected my choice of schools, career, and classes, and given me a passion for service and social justice.
Since living in the DR, I've been back there once, and to Nicaragua. Both trips were medical mission trips. I also worked at my dad's clinic in rural Nevada for five years, and volunteered at a free clinic at a men's homeless shelter.
Health and the issues that influence it - affluence, water, nutrition, war, gender - are not a mystery. They are not a secret, they are not unknown, they are not even ambiguous. We know exactly what influences health and sickness, and we have cures and treatments for not only illness and disease, but we have cures and treatments for war, poverty, and discrimination. These are problems which we can solve, and while our actions must be thoughtful and meaningful, action must be taken.
We are leaving for Africa in 11 days, if you count today. It seems like our departure really snuck up on me. I thought I would have more time. To prepare, to learn about Niger, to learn French, to find support, to say goodbye to family and friends...I'm planning on coming back of course. But three weeks in Africa is a long time, and everyone wants to say goodbye. I wish everyone wanted to donate supplies to this hospital. But they have words and not supplies, and the words are good.
I have past experience working in the medical field, although I haven't ever worked in a hospital. When I was nine, my entire family of six moved to the Dominican Republic for a year to do medical missions with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. We set up temporary clinics and distributed first aid and simple medications like ibuprofen, vitamins, antiparasitics, and antibiotics. Experiencing the developing world as a child was such a formational experience; it has directly affected my choice of schools, career, and classes, and given me a passion for service and social justice.
Since living in the DR, I've been back there once, and to Nicaragua. Both trips were medical mission trips. I also worked at my dad's clinic in rural Nevada for five years, and volunteered at a free clinic at a men's homeless shelter.
Health and the issues that influence it - affluence, water, nutrition, war, gender - are not a mystery. They are not a secret, they are not unknown, they are not even ambiguous. We know exactly what influences health and sickness, and we have cures and treatments for not only illness and disease, but we have cures and treatments for war, poverty, and discrimination. These are problems which we can solve, and while our actions must be thoughtful and meaningful, action must be taken.
We are leaving for Africa in 11 days, if you count today. It seems like our departure really snuck up on me. I thought I would have more time. To prepare, to learn about Niger, to learn French, to find support, to say goodbye to family and friends...I'm planning on coming back of course. But three weeks in Africa is a long time, and everyone wants to say goodbye. I wish everyone wanted to donate supplies to this hospital. But they have words and not supplies, and the words are good.
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