Daniel! :-)

 It was a picture perfect day: the sun directly overhead, the water frozen in time; not a wave to be seen, the mountainous hills cresting up and above the horizon. If it had not been for the roof above our heads on the boat, acting as a sun block, we would be sweating. Kids who saw us on the shore would run along side us as best they could, waving and shouting. Their voices were filled with laughter  while they shouted their favorite word: "muzungu, muzungu!"

Today was going to be nothing super extroidinary. Just some friends and family that wanted to pretend to be typical tourists for a day and take a boat ride tour of the lake. 

I guess you're wondering why im telling you all this. Well, a few months ago, our very own church visited us here in Rwanda!! It was a time of joy and learning, and we were very sad to see them go. While they were here, they accomplished many things. But, sometimes the simple things are the ones that can mean the most. While they were painting schools, handing out food and clothes to old people, visiting poor children, and praying over people that desperatley needed it, they were also doing something that would last much, much longer. 

Forming relationships.

And one of the most rewarding, best relationships that was made in this action packed week was with sweet Daniel.

Jaycee and Daniel!!

Daniel, from what we learned, was a lively 10 year old with a machete wound on his ankle. He never changed out of his school uniform (probably because that's the only thing article of clothing he owned) and never, ever stopped laughing. His smile lit up the room. We instantly fell in love with him. He was so much fun to be around, from laughing at our failed attempts of speaking Kinyarwanda or teaching us new games. When the church group had to leave to go back to the states, there was more than a few shed tears while they said their goodbyes. Just a few short days later he left the hospital unannounced and my heart broke in two because I never got to say goodbye!
 Jaycee and I had talked about visiting him ever since he left. We only had one piece of information: he lived at Shara. Shara is a remote village, and to get there you had to 1) get a boat somehow 2) go all the way there and 3) climb up the biggest hill in the entire world (seriously... it might as well be Mt. Everest)

Fast forward to today. My dads parents being here, he really wanted to take them on a boat ride. Today we packed our bags and hiked down to the waters edge before boarding.  One of the stops along the way: Shara!

So, as our shaded, more than perfect boat sliced through the crystal blue water, Jaycee and I were bouncing up and down. We didn't think we would actually find him! We didn't really have a plan, either. 

We neared the town and all the kids in a seeing distance began to run down the hill like ants. Their smiles were huge and they were awe struck as we got out of the boat. Wow, white people!

Jaycee immediately went up to the first group of kids she saw and started asking them if they knew were Daniel was in Kinyirwanda. They just laughed! So, Jaycee and I began up mini Mt. Everest.

20 years later (okay... 5 minutes) we reached the top. We were so out of breath that we could barely even talk. There was a woman standing right next to us and we decided to ask her. Maybe she knew Daniel? 

Jaycee pulled up an old, dark photo of him on her phone and said his name, again asking where he was in kinyirwanda. It wasn't much, but it was all we had. The lady seemed doubtful and was about to hand the phone back when she goes, "OOOH!" and waved her buddy in a beanie over. They spoke in Kinyirwanda for what seemed like ages before they started saying "yego, yego." (yes, yes). Then the man in the beanie began to lead us farther up the hill. Our hearts soured with possibility! We only hoped that he wasn't going to take us a few miles down the road, and that Daniels house was instead close by. 

We followed him and our new little group of kids followed us. We were probably such a sight! We wove in between houses, corn fields, and big roads. At one point the man stopped and asked someone else something and we weren't even sure if he knew exactly where he was taking us. But, finally, he stopped in front of a small house and pointed and did the little Rwandan eyebrow raise thing which basically can mean anything, but in this case was, "we have made it. your friend is here and your long awaited search is over!" 

We looked around but didn't see Daniel anywhere. My heart fell. I should have known that he wasn't going to be there. He was probably miles off, getting water or feeding the cow or something. Just when my heart hit the bottom, someone in the front yard of what I assume is his house yelled down the road.  Jaycee and I rounded the corner and.... there he was!!!

Our Daniel! Jaycee yelled "Daniel!!!" and held out her arms. He immediately dropped the stuff he was carrying and ran into Jaycees arm and then mine, all the while with the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face. Jaycee started tearing up and I was so happy I couldn't be still. We had found him! Against all odds, we had really found him. 

some village people that came to see what was happening

The next 10-20 minutes were a blur, but I know that we somehow made it back to the main part of the village and met up with my parents there. My dad was running around pretending to chase the little kids, and my mom and mimi were shaking hands and laughing and taking it all in. Daniel was laughing and Jaycee and I were still astonished. Our hearts were overjoyed!! 

We made our way back down the hill after spending a few short minutes with him. It was too soon, but we had to go because the boat ride was paid by time. As we gave our last hugs goodbye, it was with a full heart. This time we knew we would definitely be coming back to see him again!!

Brandon and I on the boat

on the boat to Shara

they loved Jaycees phone!

Brandon and Ildephonses son, Kristoff

walking back from Daniels house after we had found him

Brandon feeling the cool water on such a hot day!

Getting on the boat

So happy, but so tired!

Daniel and I :-)

The main road in the village

I cant wait to go visit him and all the other little kids in his village again. I am so, so grateful that God brought him into our lives and that the church group took the time to form relationships during their stay!! Without them, we probably wouldn't know Daniel at all.

When Enough Isn't Enough

A few days ago we reached the 7 month mark of living and serving in Rwanda. I wish I could tell you that we've made a HUGE difference here already and that Kibogora is a much better place because of us. Instead, as I reflect back on our time here so far, I have to admit that I'm left with a feeling of insufficiency that's hard to explain... I mean, we took a huge leap of faith and gave up the life we knew to move here and make a difference. We worked hard to build what we had, but we knew in our hearts that God was calling us to serve Him and His kingdom. Having been here 7 months, I know that we are making and have made a difference in the lives of many families and individuals, and we still know this was God's calling, but I can't help but feel like I could have/should have/would have done more at this point. Is that selfish of me? Possibly. That doesn't make me any more content with what I've accomplished individually or what we have accomplished as a family.

My guess is that I'm not the only missionary to ever feel this way. In fact, whether you're a missionary serving abroad or serving Christ in your own community, I'd be willing to bet (if I were a betting man) that there are likely some of you reading this that feel the same way right now. So, what does that mean? Does it truly mean we're not doing enough?

When I attempted to answer that question for myself and tackle my feeling of inadequacy, I immediately looked at the ultimate missionary: Jesus. Jesus was the ultimate giver and life changer. During his life, Jesus made a direct impact in the lives of thousands of people. He could have easily been content with healing a few sick people. He could've stopped after raising the widows son from the dead, or healing the lepers, or calming the storm, or casting out the demons, or healing the paralytic, or giving sight to the blind, or giving hearing to the deaf, or feeding 5,000, or raising Lazarus from the dead, or after any of the other miracles he performed and people he helped. Instead, Jesus continued performing miracle after miracle and helping more and more people. He performed miracles and helped others right up to his crucifixion. Then He gave the ultimate gift when, with His dying breath, He gave life to every single person who believes in Him for eternity. Could you imagine having an impact like that?

Jesus did enough early in His ministry, but was never content with it. I think we are programmed in a similar way. Even when we give our lives to God to do His work, we were given the gift to not be content so that we can push to do more. As Christians, if we truly strive to live like Jesus, we should never be content with the number of people we help, the number of Christians we convert, or the number of good deeds we perform. Only when we stop helping others should we feel inadequate or insufficient.

So tomorrow (Thanksgiving) I'll thank God for the gift of not being content. Will you join me?

This Is Africa

A week or so after we arrived here, I received a text from another missionary that ended with ‘TIA’. “What in the world did that mean?” I thought. I must really be behind on texting lingo.  So I asked.  It turns out that it means, “This Is Africa.” Okay, so I wasn't too far behind.

“TIA” is used to explain away all the challenges, frustrations, headaches and incredibly long amounts of time it takes to accomplish what would be considered simple tasks in America.  We joke around with it.  Even the kids use it. When the power goes out in the middle of dinner, “TIA,” the kids all say.  When a package doesn't arrive that we have been waiting desperately for, all we can say is, “TIA.”  We have learned to be patient. There is no other way around it.  We can’t get mad or angry. If we did, we would all turn into bitter, resentful people.

Even though we use ‘this is Africa’ in a joking manner sometimes, there is so much more to it than that. This is Africa, with its poverty and lack of adequate health care, with dirty children and elderly that walk around with no shoes.  Where people don’t have enough food or clean clothes. Where I see twelve year old kids come into the hospital who are the size of Brandon who is eight. Where a simple bouncy ball lights up their face and their world.

Isaiah 40:28-31 says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

This is how we see the Rwandan people, extremely hard working, never giving up and never growing weary. They soar on eagles wings.

I take care of a little eight year old girl at the hospital. She arrived at the hospital almost six months ago now with her mom at her side. Her humerus (upper arm bone) was protruding out of her right arm, the bone dead. It had been this way for some time. The pain this little girl had already endured is unimaginable to me. She has had many surgeries now and continues to try and fight off the infection. Last week, after she had come in many times alone to have her dressing changed, I asked where her mom was.  I was told that she had left the hospital to care for the children she still had at home. “Who is taking care of her now?” I asked. “The hospital,” I was told. This is a place where little girls come to the hospital after who knows how long with bones protruding from their bodies, where they stay at the hospital by themselves because someone has to take care of their brothers and sisters at home. This is their reality. As a mom, how do you possibly choose who to take care of?

Yep, this is Africa.

This is a place where children, sometimes as young as 4 years old, work to provide income for their family because their parents are too poor to send them to school. Their money will help their family eat. Where those fortunate enough to get a job will walk for miles to and from work each day. Where 50 mile long trenches are still dug by hand. Where the power is unstable and goes out several times a day, but somehow there’s fiber optic internet running throughout Rwanda.

Yep, TIA.

But, there’s also a flip side. One where, despite the poverty and suffering, people are friendly and meet you with a smile. Where people will go out of their way to help you when you need it. Where spirits are bright and laughter is prevalent. Where there is awe-inspiring beauty all around us.

Yep, TIA.

It’s all the above and so much more. It’s both “I can’t believe things can be this way” and “I wish things were like this in America.” It’s both “I hope things change soon” and “wow, they really have things figured out.” It’s the place we currently call home. And we’re so happy to be here!

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. -Matthew 25:40

Nairobbery, iPhone Circle, and an Angel Named Gabriel

On Monday (Aug. 25th) we boarded a Rwandair flight from Kigali, Rwanda to Nairobi, Kenya. We would be taking Macy to RVA on that Friday, and came early to shop for some needed clothes and supplies for school and her dorm room. We had a couple of pretty tiring and uneventful traveling/shopping days on Monday and Tuesday. The uneventful part changed in an instant on Wednesday.

It was about 4:15 pm, and we had just left the Sarit Center Mall. We were all pretty tired and ready to get back to the guest house to relax. We were in a 10 passenger van, with me in the front, Stephanie in the row behind me, Macy and Brandon in the next row, and Zach in the back. Keep in mind that in Nairobi they drive on the left side of the road and the drivers seat is on the right side of the vehicle.

Our driver's name was Gabriel. He is a very kind man, likely in his upper 50's or lower 60's. He drove us to and from the Junction Mall the day before. He speaks good English, and helped teach us some basic Swahili greetings and replies. We like Gabriel, and were happy that he was the one that came to pick us up from the Sarit Center.

Being that it was 4:15, the traffic was starting to pick up. We were at a stand still waiting to merge in with traffic on an intersecting road. As we sat there, a man approached the van from the rear passenger (left) side. I didn't see him until he looked into my window. He immediately moved back to the next window, which was where Stephanie was sitting. I quickly turned around and told Steph to put her arm over the bags that were sitting in the seat next to the open window. Luckily Stephanie had seen him coming and already had her arm securely over the bags. The man asked Steph for some money before moving further back to the Macy's open window. Macy knew he was there, but is used to people coming to the vehicles because it happens all the time in Rwanda. Unfortunately, the intentions of some are different than that of others.

It only took about a second. Macy, who was loading a Pez dispenser at the time, didn't even have time to react. All she said was "I think he took something."

"I think he took the Pez dispenser," Zach said.

Macy replied, "I think he may have taken my Phone!"

I said, "What? Did he take your phone or not?"

"I'm not sure," said Macy

Steph jumped in, "Macy, check and see!"

Gabriel was even asking, "Did he take her phone?"

Finally Macy said, "Yes, he took my phone! Do something, dad!"

Yep, Macy's iPhone, which had just been sitting on her lap, was now in the hands of a thief from Nairobi.

Before we could do anything, our driver was already hopping into action. He whipped the van around in the middle of traffic and was headed back up the road toward the thief.

"Which one is he?" he asked.

"That one with the black jacket," we all replied.

The thief was about 50 yards ahead. This part happened very fast as well. I was trying to think of what I should do... should I confront him? Should I jump out and tackle him? As it turns out, I didn't have to do anything.

The thief was walking down the right side of the road, so was on Gabriel's side of the van. As we were driving toward him we passed a couple of armed men in military uniform. I asked Gabriel if we should tell them what had happened, but Gabriel said nothing. We were about 15 yards from the thief, and my adrenaline was pumping full stream. As we approached the thief, I was still thinking about what to do. We came up along side him, then, without warning, Gabriel swerved in front of him, hitting him with the front drivers side of the van. Simultaneously, as the thief was starting to stumble backwards, Gabriel grabbed him by the front of the jacket. The thief started to fall down, the look of shock written all over his face. Gabriel pulled the thief back to his feet and, saying something in Swahili, hit the thief in the face several times. As I watched the events unfold, all I could hear was Stephanie not so calmly telling the kids to look away. The thief quickly pulled the phone from his pocket and threw it back in the van. Gabriel gave the thief a few more blows to the face, saying the word "stupid" every time he hit him. The thief must have still been in shock, because he didn't fight back. He didn't try to protect his face. He didn't really say anything until after Gabriel let him go. The thief walked backward down the sidewalk, calmly saying something in Swahili. About that time, 3 security guards came out of a gate in front of us to check out what was going on. Gabriel calmly turned the van back around and headed back to the intersection where all the madness started. By this time, all the windows in the van, except for mine and Gabriel's, were closed tight.

After the incident, Gabriel said that Nairobi is often called "Nairobbery" because of incidents like this. We were also informed later that the place where this happened is often called "iPhone Circle" because this type of petty theft, particularly of iPhones, happens here so frequently.

We were warned of this very thing by a few different people, including my brother who has spent time in Nairobi. Before we came here the first time, I passed this warning on to the rest of the family. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes an incident like this for the warning to sink in. I'm actually happy that this happened. Steph and I have been worried that Macy might let her guard down and become complacent, not because she's not smart, but because she, like most kids her age, is a "nothing bad will happen" teenager. As it is, this was a very eye opening and scary ordeal for her, which I feel will help her keep her guard up in the future.

In the end, all turned out well. We got Macy's phone back and, more importantly, we weren't hurt in the process. We were sure to let the kids know that things could have ended up very different. What if the thief ran? What if he turned off the road he was on? What if he had a gun...?

So, was this a situation that God put us in to teach Macy and the rest of us a valuable lesson? Was Angel Gabriel sent to protect us and ensure that we got the phone back? We all think without a shadow of doubt that the answer is "yes".

There are a lot of bad people doing bad things to good people in this world that others can look at and say "why would God let that happen?" In Iraq, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya... even in the United States of America. But, there are a lot of good things as well that demonstrate God's love for us. We will never know how many times God protects us and others in this world without us even being aware of it.

T.D. Jakes put that so perfectly into words when he said "I have always believed that people who thank God only for delivering them from what happened are just scraping the surface of praise. The real praise comes when you start thanking Him for what could have happened but didn't because of His swift grace!"

My prayer today is to give thanks to God for protecting us that day, but I also thank Him for the constant protection He provides to all of us even when we aren't aware of it.

God is good.

Meet Irakiza

 He's a year and a half old and adorable. He's scared of us, probably because we're some of the first white people he's ever seen! He lives with his grandparents and loves toy cars. His name translates to "God Saves" in Kinyarwanda.


Who is he? He's a little boy that has wedged his way into our hearts... without any effort on his part!
We came to know him when we were visiting Esperance's house when our church group, all the way from our hometown of Kerrville, was here! The sector leader asked us if we could help a little boy who's mother and father had abandoned him. After my parents talked and prayed, they came to the conclusion that God was calling them to help baby Irakiza!


At first, we thought that meant we were going to take him into our home to live with us. My parents had meetings with the social workers and found out that the situation was a lot more complicated than that. We had to sign papers for legal guardianship, they had to visit his home, interview his relatives, etc. At that point he was living with his uncle and aunt, along with their 6 kids.


After a long time of waiting, we found out that the grandparents didn't want to give up their little grandson after all. The grandpa even got up at 4 am to walk to Kibogora (the drive from his house to the hospital is two hours, and he walked that!) just to accompany the uncle and make sure he "didn't sell his grandson to the white people."


That day, my parents met Irakiza at the hospital for the first time. They loved him!


Soon after that, we bought his family a cow and they built a shed to keep it in (the last door on the right wall pictured below). A cow provides their family with milk and one day the cow will be old enough to breed providing income for the family. 

Last Friday, we got to visit Irakiza at his home! We brought them a few essentials like food and cooking supplies, clothes, shoes, etc. But, even better than that, we gave Irakiza a couple of balls and a toy car meant for kids his age, which he loved!
You'll probably be hearing more about him in the future. Below are some pictures from our trip.

the cow and the new "shed"

walking back to the car from his house

the white house is where he lives

the grandfather holding Irakiza

Irakiza, "riding" in the back of the truck with us! haha!

the grandmother with Irakiza

Serving 3-6

3-6 months. That's what we've been told would be some of the hardest months as missionaries. They say the first 3 months are typically good, as you're excited about all the changes. Living in a new country, a different home, and among new people is fun! Seeing so many things for the first time overloads your senses. You're spending so much time adapting to a different culture, and all the other changes, to think much about missing the life you left behind.

They say that after 6 months you're settled into a routine. By then you'll have more local friends, as they stopped brushing you off as another person they don't want to get close to because they think you'll be gone in a few weeks. You know a little of the local language, so you don't feel so intimidated to go buy groceries or supplies. You feel more confident and comfortable, and barely notice everyone staring at you as you walk by. The day to day life becomes easier as the shock of the way things are done has subsided a bit. By 6 months you're "getting used" to your new life.

This 3-6 months, though, is one that many missionary families we've met would rather forget. They say that it's during this period that most the newness has worn off. You start to feel overwhelmed because you feel like you have too much to do and not enough time and/or money to do it. You feel like you're failing because you aren't doing enough. You start to come to the reality that you aren't going to reach your ambitious expectations of changing the world. Most of all, you start missing everything that you gave up to start this new life. You miss your family. You miss your friends. You miss the material possessions you sold to help fund your trip. You miss food, drinks, electronics, restaurants, driving, watching TV, going to an English-speaking church, working out at a gym, riding a bike... The list goes on and on.

So, here we are, sitting at 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days, and feeling the effects of the 3 month missionary slump. I'm in no way saying I wish we didn't come... I'm still very happy to be here (as we all are). I'm just saying it would be awesome if we could see our family & friends. I'm saying it would be great if there was an Acapulco Mexican Restaurant down the road. I'm saying that I miss many of the things we took for granted while living in the states.

So, I decided to make a list. This list was created by all members of the family, and it highlights some of the things we miss most. We will use this list as a base while praying for strength to overcome our homesickness, and we invite you to do the same!

• Family
• Friends
• Our church
• Talking to family anytime we want
• Driving where we want when we want
• Having family movie night at Rio 10
• Going out for dinner
• Privacy
• Carpet
• Our beds
• Our vehicles
• T.V.
• TLC House Hunters International
• PS3
• Netflix
• Starbucks
• Taco Casa
• Acapulco
• Mamacita's
• Twix
• Cheez-Its
• Unlimited Cellphone Data
• Ice Cream

Please don't take this post the wrong way. We are all doing great, and the good times far outweigh the bad (A "good times" blog post will be forthcoming!) Homesickness has just been popping up here and there lately, so, in a therapeutic way, it just seems like a good time to talk and write about it.

At the end of the day, we know that God has led us this far, and we know that He will carry us through any and all of the hard times that are sure to pop up. We will continue to rely on Him for strength. We will continue to seek Him during the storms. We will continue to praise Him everyday for all that He's done in our lives.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalms 18:2

Thank you all for your prayers! Thank you for you're random comments on here, Facebook, and/or email. You'll never know how much it means to us! Please keep them coming... a well timed prayer and/or comment may come at just the right time during this "3 month missionary slump!"

We have a new website! Please visit www.LandFamilyMissions.com for the latest information, news, prayer requests, and more! 

Kumbya Week & Catching Up

Wow! It is hard to believe we have been here three months.  Sometimes it feels like we have lived our whole lives here and other days it seems we just arrived.  God has been so good to us.  In the short time we've been here we have met some really awesome people.  God has been with us, watched over us and kept us safe and healthy (except for a few minor tummy aches with the kids).

Macy and Zach with the Kumbya youth group and its leaders

Last week we enjoyed spending the week at Kumbya, which is a missionary retreat center close to our home at Kibogora.  It was founded in the 1940's and is a destination for missionaries in east Africa to come every year to relax and spend time getting to know each other, but, most important, a time for revival and a quiet place where you are able to spend time with God and worship with people that speak your own language. We sang songs that we used to sing at church in Texas.  It felt wonderful.  We didn't realize how much we missed it. We loved getting to know other missionaries, hearing their stories and meeting their children. We learned so much, from how to make your own yogurt, to tips on raising your children in a third world country, to language study, to the vast difference in caring for patients in this culture.

The best part of the week was watching our kids play and hang out with other kids.  I have not seen Zach laugh as much as he did last week since we left the states.  I cannot tell you how good it made me feel. There are other kids here in our area, but not that speak much English and enjoy our same culture, so it was great for the kids to have American children to spend time with.  Each morning they had VBS and twice there was a campfire by the water where they were all able to make s'mores together.  Fun times that I am sure our children will never forget.  But more important, they were able to meet other MK's (missionary kids) and make lasting friendships.

Building smoking volcanoes by the water!

Mariana braiding Macy's hair in the sandpit!

Brandon with his new friends!

Happy boy!

Lunch time!

Zach perfecting his swan dive off the cliff jump!  My kids are so brave!

So back to work we went on Monday after a wonderful week of rest and revival!  Which reminded me that I have not shared much about the hospital where I spend most of my time here.  I thought I had prepared myself for what I thought the hospital would be like. Boy was I wrong.  I think the first two weeks of being in the hospital I was in a little bit of shock.  Things were so different and a bit scary at times. And the smell was the worst. Many, many times I thought I was not going to be able to do this.  At the end of my first day I was so ready to leave and felt the strong desire not to walk home but to run. And I did not want to go back. That afternoon I kept asking myself "why God would have us come all the way over here if I was not going to be able to volunteer at the hospital?"  I felt like such a failure.  I spent that afternoon praying, crying and trying to figure things out.  After much pray and encouragement from my loving husband and kids, I went back the next morning feeling that God was by my side.  He was not going to let me be discouraged.  He was going to help me and He did not expect me to do it on my own.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.    Ephesians 4:1-3

Since that day things have only gotten better.  Yes, there are many challenges and frustrations and there is not a day that goes by that I don't wish I could speak this language. But I love the people I work with and I love the patients and their families.  I spend my day in the minor surgery room giving sedation to patients so they will be comfortable for their procedure. This in itself is difficult.  It's hard due to a huge language barrier, the fact that most of the time children don't want to have strange people touching them, especially when they look like a ghost compared to them and they know I'm about to either give them an injection or start an IV. But this is what God has called me to do. And it seems everyday I enjoy it a little bit more!

This is the road I walk down to get to the hospital. It's very busy in the
morning with people coming and going.
I enjoy seeing all the activity.

Entrance to the hospital

Driveway leading to the emergency room right after you enter
the gate.

This is outside the women's ward, men's ward and recovery room.
The rooms are hot and stuffy, so during the day, the patients (if able) will come
and sit outside.  Patients here don't wear gowns or armbands, so at
times it can be very difficult to distinguish between patients and visitors. Finding your
next patient can be challenging!

This is Emmanuel, one of the patients I give sedation to.
 He is such a sweet boy!

My view when I return home in the evening.  Beautiful!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper your and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”   Jeremiah 29:11

Please continue to pray with us.  That God will use us for His glory and the He will give us strength and stamina to carry out each day.