Lori's Babblings

Me and my bright ideas...

2011-05-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Camp starts in 9 weeks... YIPPEE!!!! The fact that both of the camps are on a huge hill... yucky, yuck, yuck, YUCK!

The locations are beautiful, but I spend most of my days running up and down the hill pulling out splinters, stopping bloody noses, handing out my ever present 'sting stick' for the bazillions of mozzie bites and persuading the thousandth kid of the day complaining of stomach pains and headache to DRINK THEIR WATER! I have gotten REALLY good at finding stopping points to catch my breath - um, I mean to 'urge' the kids on to where they need to go, but this year it will be different.

There is a HUGE hill behind the hospital and I decided that I am going to start climbing it! Friday morning at 4:45 am (yup... o' dark thirty), Mai Munemo and I made our maiden trek. The sun wasn't even up yet so with torches in hand we headed past the staff housing and started our climb. Mai Munemo led the way and after passing the mission's water storage tanks (which I had never seen before), had a snake scare, mistook stars for lights, and me doing a lot of huffing and puffing, we made it to the top! After waking up the Chinese workmen, losing our path back down, holding on to every tree branch we could find to keep from sliding down the hill on our behinds, being very mindful that it was tree we were grabbing on to and not a boomslang (snake), we made it back down just as the sun was rising. Next time I am bringing Maputi with me, he could use the trek to help get all his wiggles out and I will feel better that he's on snake alarm duty! :o)

We have a schedule worked out and hopefully, when I get to camp, I won't need all those rest stops!

Elvis is alive and well in Zimbabwe!

2011-02-19T12:06:00.000-08:00

Visitors always get a kick out of the 'English' names our patients have. I have kept a list over the years and here is a small sample...

We have names that show how many kids they would like:
No More, Anymore, Last, Getmore, Givemore, Trymore, Start and Finish

We have emotions:
Shame, Jealous, Love, Joy, Wonder

...and descriptions:
Atrocious, Blessing, Gift, Tedious, Special, Smart, Mistake, Innocent, Prosper, Clever, Fortunate, Super, Grace, Beauty, Courage, Problem, Privilege, Danger and Mercy

Historical Figures:
Lazarus, Cleopatra, Washington, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Romeo and Juliet, Livingstone, Samson, Kennedy... and yes, Elvis is alive and well in Zimbabwe!

Military:
Private and our very own Major...

Walking and talking calendars:
January, Wednesday, Tuesday and Millennium

Numbers:
Two, Hundred, Thousand, Million, and Billion

Places:
Compton, Pretoria, Joberg, New Zealand

Some parents are obsessed with the US:
Western, Texas and Cowboy... and we even have our own Obama

Some people are named after things:
Coffee, Dollars, Stainbox, Skillet, Freezer, Mattress, Violet and her twin Toilet, Shelter, Stone, Evidence, Table

And some, well you just can't really classify them:
Act, Goodmore, Forget, Moisture, English, Choice, Supply, Witness, Takemore, Definition, Example, Anywhere, Nomatter, Godknows, Green, Never, Lovemore, Nothing-to-do, and Wasting-time

Thankfully, every person has a Shona and an English name... I like the Shona ones better. (for you Shona speakers... please excuse any spelling errors, ndiri kudzisa chiShona):

Rumbidzai -praise
Tatenda/Tendai -we thank you
Vimbai -having hope
Tariro -hope
Kudakwashe -God’s will
Tsitsi -mercy
Chipo -gift
Tawananyashe -found with grace
Nyashe -grace
Ngoninyashe -mercy and grace
Tapiwanashe -given by God

and
Tadiwanashe -God loves us!

Keeping on the Sunny Side...

2011-01-19T10:34:00.000-08:00

I knew that the ZESA fix was too good to last with all the crazy electrical storms going on but I was hoping that it would have at least given us a week to catch up...I still have mounds of laundry to do! Anyway... instead of moping about it, I decided to think of ways that having no electricity can be a blessing and here's the (short) list:

Can't bake so there are less calories in the house.
Earlier bedtime... more sleep.
Wake up earlier and without the alarm clock.
Less noise... the township doesn't play their music all night long.
Get to fall asleep to all the bugs, bats and night birds chirping.
I don't have to do x-rays when Edwell is gone.
The guessing of when the power is going off or coming on is taken away since we all know when and how long the generator is going to run.
Less TB starts since we can't take x-rays. (They are a lot of paperwork)
Time to get odd projects and house keeping done.
Quickly learn who's freezer is the coolest and get to play musical meat.
More time to read.
More time to relax.
More time to take walks.
When the generator comes on in the middle of the night you know that there is an emergency at the hospital before the guard comes to wake you up.
Less use bandwidth since can't spend as much time on the internet.
Get to eat all the goodies in the freezer that you were saving for a rainy day 'cause you don't want them to go bad.
Time for home 'spa' treatments.
No electrical band at church - I think we are going to start pulling the plug every Sunday (Shhhhh... don't tell anyone. Can handle the rock and roll... just not all the amp feedback!).
Get to wear those clothes that are stuck in the way back of the closet.
More time to 'be still' - God is SO good!

You can add 'ambulance driver' to my resume now!

2011-01-06T11:29:00.000-08:00

An older gentleman comes to the office door just as we are closing up and speaks with Major about getting an ambulance to pick up his wife. She had just given birth at home but had a retained placenta and for those of you who aren’t in the know... that can be bad news since the mom can end up losing a lot of blood and /or end up with a nasty infection. We were told that they lived just after Bashungwe, about 12 kms away and stated that she was already in an ox driven cart on her way and that we should meet up with her on the main road.

Mr. Gunguvu, our nurse midwife and I volunteered to go so we gathered what we thought we would need and were off! Our ambulance isn’t a fun one like in the States. It is just a single cab little Izusu pick up with a canopy on it. No sirens or lights but I did convince Mr. Gunguvu to make a siren noise for a while! So, off we went.... and went... and went...and turned onto a foot path and went....and went....and went. ‘Just after Bashungwe’- NOT! Let’s just say that having to drive in 1st gear is NOT fun! After about 2 kms on the trail the gentleman points to the top of a mountain and says that that is his village and ‘there she is’! So, Mr Gunguvu heads up the mountain while I try and find a way to turn the car around on the trail. After much back and forth-ing... I accomplish my task and head up the mountain to see what I can do to help. Mom is in the kitchen on the floor with no ox driven cart in sight mind you... didn’t even SEE oxen!. Baby girl, number 6, is doing fine and mom is talking but had definitely lost a lot of blood. Can’t see in the dark hut so we carry her outside where we get an IV started, that is accomplished and I become an IV pole while we wait for the family to gather their things so that they can accompany her to the hospital. Things gathered... patient wrapped in heavy blanket which is also used as a stretcher and 8 of us grab hold and carry her down the mountain... I’m still the IV pole. Into the truck she goes, with 3 women, the baby, her husband, 3 LARGE bags of things, 2 bags of maize.... and a partridge in a pear tree! I can’t drive and be an IV pole and the same time so we need to tie the IV bag up but we didn’t have any rope. Good thing this is Zimbabwe and we are a resourceful bunch and that there were lots of this certain plant that makes good rope just growing on the side of the road! Takes them just a couple of minutes, but rope from plant is made and IV is hung and off we go! Stop along the way to drop one of the women off near her village. Stop again at the township to pick up more maize that the gentleman left there in exchange for a bicycle he could borrow to get help faster. Cross a bridge with a bunch of naked men and boys bathing in the river... in their defense, it was dark and I don’t think they thought there would be much traffic with head lights. Get to the hospital, ZESA off – of course! Generator turned on, doctor called and patient whisked off to theater. Me, I go for home.

Mom and baby are fine, resting comfortably and I passed the Chidamoyo ambulance test for our drivers... I backed into the maternity ward / theater bay without hitting anything!

Thankful...

2010-11-25T10:27:00.000-08:00

We actually celebrated Thanksgiving a couple of weekends ago since that was the only time we could all get together on a day off. Today was one whopper of a day, everyone is either on leave, at a funeral or at the men's conference and that means my multi-tasking goes into overdrive! Anyway... before I go to bed, I want to focus on what I am thankful for... Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for my Savior. Enough said.
Letters from home.
My sweet puppy, Maputi!
Worship.
The smell of 'clean'... rare treat around here!
That I am in Zim and not in the States for the holidays. Miss my family and friends but not all the commercial chaos.
Audible.com.... I can still get books to 'read' and I don't have to fight with bugs from lights at night.
The blessing of being able to stay connected with friends through internet.
The pool...
Rain spider season on its way out!
ZESA - it isn't on all the time but really enjoy it when it is!
My battery back-up to keep me sane when ZESA is off.
Floor fans to help keep cool.
Opportunities to serve.
Tough days to remind me that God is still in control.
My wonderful support team that helps make it possible for me to work in Zim.
For all those that hold me in prayer.
Care packages from home.
God not giving up on my obnoxious personality flaws... He keeps plugging away and hasn't given up on me yet.
My church families... I am super-duper blessed!
Chocolate!
Getting to go and steal a hug from a kid in peds when I need one.
My precious 'favorite' patients...
My parents.
Seeing God heal bodies and hearts... every day!

Favorites

2010-10-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

I know that I really should not play favorites... but sometimes it is just too hard not to! This little guy's name is Wiston and he is 11 months old... and just TOO CUTE! He came in for very severe malnutrition / dehydration... and AIDS... so we got him started on ART, fluids and Plumpy-Nut and while he's not out of the woods yet and has a long way to go... he is doing great!

He is quite the snuggle bug and if you put your face within his reach, he will caress it for hours. The funniest is when you sing, he shakes he head back and forth... kind of looks like a bobble-head doll!

How do we stay cool, let me count the ways....

2010-10-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

Take a cold shower, well, actually, 'warm' since the pipes are so shallow that the water warms up pretty quickly!
Walk around with a frozen water bottle... trick is to drink it before it melts.
~~Steal~~ borrow an ice pack from vaccine stores and place it on various parts of your body... or sit on it.
Take another ~~cold~~ warm shower.
Wear as little as you can modestly get away with.
Try to find a reason to hang out in theater (surgery) with the AC on...and to not be scrubbed in (VERY key point)
Take another shower...
Jump in the pool... stay until you are completely shrivelled up and teeth are chattering... this is especially effective just before going to bed
Run wrists under ~~cold~~ warm water
Make a home-made rice bag.... freeze and wear around neck
Use all of your battery back-up up by sitting, soaking wet, in front of the fan
Try to find somewhere to drive to so you can have the car AC... only works if you get Kathy's car or the green truck... if they offer the white truck or the Land Rover, politely decline. (FYI - the front passenger seat of the LR is above the battery and if the windows are open, add a bazillion degrees!)
Don't move... don't bat an eyelash... nothing!
Look at pictures of snow / ice on-line
Listen to Christmas music
BEG, plead, grovel at people's feet to get them to send you cooler weather
Open the freezer and stick your head in.... only works for 20 seconds then it defrosts the freezer
Take another ~~cold~~ warm shower
Try to pant like a dog and see if it will work for humans
If ZESA is on and you are not a scaredy cat.. you can hang out in the refridgerated morgue. (birng nose plugs)

Things the mission books don't tell you.... Zim Edition

2010-08-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

You will develop an incredible 6th sense of detecting when ZESA (electricity) goes on and off... and will be able to tell when it comes back on before the lights even start flickering!
Because of #1, you will also develop a condition known as ZESA anxiety and will constantly be worrying about when it will go off and when it is off... when it will come on...
You will start to wear outfits that don't exactly match... 'these reds are close enough, right?'
GI distress is considered a normal event...
No one here cares if your roots are showing, your hair is greasy or if you haven't shaved your legs in a while... which is a good thing when the water system is having hissy fits again :o)
Even if you hate camping, you will soon learn that you need many of those skills that are necessary to campers...such as being able to take a full bath AND wash/condition your (long) hair with just a bucket of cold water!
You will buy pirated movies (GASP!!!!) since they are the ONLY movies sold here... and they are legal... have their own stores, brands, and even their own 'anti-pirating the pirate' warnings
You will learn all the ins and outs of getting things ~~around~~ through customs... in more than one country
You will have recipes for every 'convenience' food, sauce, and mix... and even your favorite restaurant knock offs from the States since you won't be able to get it here
You will need to have a food substitution list for your substitution list since many common items are not available here... itouch has a GREAT application!
You will learn (Shhh! Don't tell anyone!) how turn your power back on right after they come to turn it off, because they were reading the bill from the LAST tenant... AND it had been off for 8 DAYS due to a fault that they didn't have a truck/diesel/ladder/men to go fix... just need a screwdriver and a flick of your wrist!
You will know exactly how to get the cow/turkey/chicken/goat/donkey/stray dog out of your yard and you won't be afraid to use force... bull, smull, with great big horns - get out of my way!
You will learn how to 'Macgeyver' just about everything and if you can't, you know someone who can
Your house will be a plumber's and an electrician's nightmare but it will make total sense to you, but....
You need to leave an 11 page, single-spaced, typewritten list of 'helpful hints' for whomever is staying in your house due to all the 'quirks'
You will get used to marriage proposals from strangers and/or AIDS pts with 3 dead wives -'no offense sir, but NO!'... or as they say here 'I am off the shelf'
You will learn to enjoy the added protein bugs bring to your meal - YUMMY!
You will learn to discern if that tail you saw sliding under the couch was a lizard... or a snake...
You will keep a 'count down to rain spider season' calendar to let you know how much longer you have until the season of sheer and utter terror is here... I have 78 days, 6 hours, 35 min and 52 seconds until the beasts arrive...or at least I hope I have that long!
You will learn that God's love is MUCH, MUCH, MUCH greater than you ever previously imagined!

Risk...

2010-08-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

I don't want you to freak out, PLEASE don't freak out ...Mom, I'm talking to you.... DON'T FREAK OUT!!!! But... it's been 6 months and it was time for me to get my HIV test.

Now... before you freak out... even though I told you not to (Mom)... it is JUST for my knowledge and for a baseline.

I am sharing this with you because this is part of my life and I want to share the whole truth of my life with you... so there it is, I get 'THE' test every 6 months. I can assure you, I have not done anything risky as in get an African (or any other) boyfriend, nor have I decided to start using IV drugs... and as far as I can remember, I haven't gotten a needle stick or had any other bad encounter with a surgical 'sharp' - but... and in this case, it is a very, teeny, tiny 'but'... I do come into contact with infected blood/fluids periodically... and while I am VERY comfortable knowing that the chances of getting the disease is basically a 0.00000000001 % chance and that I am in no real danger, it is just good practice to do this... like getting my TB test every year.

It is a really simple test... put a drop of blood at one end of the stick, add the buffer and wait 2 min.... and ding, ding, ding... you have your answer. From what I understand, we use the same test as they do in the States, which for the life of me does not explain WHY it took a week to get results back at the County Zoo with a View... but that is the US for ya!

The side benefit of doing this is that it helps me to get a teeny, tiny, microscopic glimpse into what my patients might be feeling as they are waiting for their results, or even the reluctance to get the test in the first place. I mean, I am not a wife who can be beaten for asking her husband to use protection whenever we 'meet', nor refuse him because I know that he has several girlfriends on the side...nor, did I 'meet' with several men last year when things were REALLY bad in the hopes of earning a bar of soap or food for my one and only meal of the day... or grow up as an orphan wondering if my parents passed the disease on to me at birth, and now planning to marry. Nope, I can't identify with that... but, even though I KNOW I am not infected, it is STILL nerve wracking waiting to see if this little stick with a drop of my blood on it is going to forever change my life... and that, I can identify with.

People ask me all the time if I am worried about contracting the disease and my answer has always been 'no.' I take realistic precautions and leave the rest to God, putting my faith in Proverbs 3:5-6 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths'

BTW... it was negative and here's the proof!

Out of my comfort zone...

2010-07-17T04:17:00.000-07:00

I like working Sat mornings - well, after I get done disciplining the 5 or 6 pts that decide to show up on a sat morning because they think we won't notice that they have defaulted their meds but never mind that there are no queues because OPD is closed! - as it is, for the most part, calm. I can catch up on all the stuff that I needed to do all week, listen to some tunes and relax since I won't be interrupted like, a bazillion times in 2.54 minutes!

And... since the docs and Kathy aren't here today, there are no discharges to do so I am just sitting here waiting for Mr. Gunguvu to re-assess a maternity pt to see if I need to transfer them or not... I thought I would FINALLY update this thing!

There are SO many things that, living in their culture, smack me in the face with my own selfishness, ugliness, and sin when I am not looking. One of the biggest peeves smacks right now is the lack of 'body bubble' space. I LOVE me a HUGE body bubble... which... unfortunately.... SERIOUSLY clashes with the people here WHO HAVE NO BODY BUBBLE!

If I am sitting at the end of the pew, leaving an 8 inch space to avoid the bird poop... and there are a gazillion open seats... there will ALWAYS be someone who decides that they HAVE to have THAT seat and push me over, or instead of going around to the other aisle where the gazillion open seats are they will instead CRAWL over everyone in the pew to get to that said open seat.... or just squeeze in at the end and have everyone play a game of scoot over. And don't even get me started on strangers putting their arms around you... never mind that deodorant here is REALLY expensive and doesn't work worth a darn anyway... which is why if it is crowded I will sit where there are more men because manners would dictate they HAVE to keep a proper amount of space.

The funny, or REALLY cool, part of this is that for the most part, they don't treat me like they would to the average person here without knees (the first name they gave whites many, many, many moons ago)... I mean - I can be out and about, in town, and all the others of pale complexion have a HUGE space around them and here I am being absorbed to nothing-ness in a crowd of beautiful, dark skin and gorgeous smiles.

I LOVE these people... I really, really do... but I find myself loving my comfort even more, GASP! Ok... I said it...I love my own comfort even more... which becomes a REALLY big problem... a HUGE, GARGANTUAN one!

Oh man! The baby still isn't born and there are problems... I and I know NOTHING about birthing no babies so the driver I called and off to Chinhoyi she goes!

Ok...so I recognize the problem... always the first step isn't it... and of course the phrase 'dying to self' keeps coming up and DING, DING, DING... I start to realize that this is one of those things that God is trying to teach me of how to be MORE loving, MORE gracious, MORE forgiving, MORE LIKE HIM. And.... I know 'The Message' has its critics but I LOVE how Romans 6:6-11 is put:

Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did.

Lori's Zim Driving Tips....

2010-04-03T02:26:00.000-07:00

Been doing a lot of driving this week and thought that I would share with you some helpful pointers!

Bush Driving:

If you think the bump is going to be a bad one, it won't. If you think it will be no big deal... then you better grab on and protect your head 'cause it is going to be a doozy!
Cows WILL NOT move off the road for you.... you can hoot your horn as much as you like but they will just look at you with indifference, so make sure you stop for them. They will, however, decide to move if you pick up a stick or a small rock - then they will move fast.
Goats will wait until the last minute... and if they are all on one side of the road they will decide at the last minute that they want to be on the other side... beware of stragglers.
Chickens have no idea what they are doing or what they want.... they will run back and forth several times before getting out of the way. If it is a particularly dumb chicken it will try to outrun you.
Kids.... see number 4
If you need to stop and ask for directions add on at least 10k's / 1 hour to whatever distance/time frame they gave you for travel.
Be very aware of the local wild fruit trees (and daisy bushes) so you can stop to pick some!
Many will try to hitch a ride... be assured that for every 1 person with one bag on the side of the road there will be 20 people with 200 bags waiting in the bushes!
If there is a group of people walking down the road... they will split in half to let you pass. If you hit both groups it's 1000 points!
Rivers.... even if you JUST passed it, don't trust that the water is at the same level. Many a bus have been washed off the bridge.

Tar (city) Driving:

If you have to slow down or stop for any reason.... you should have a GIANT neon bubble surrounding you and the car with a sign letting others know. Flashers will work in a pinch.
Bright lights should be used at all times... and if you dim them for incoming traffic make sure you put your brights back on just as you are passing the car.
Beware of cars with NO lights and NO reflectors!
Most drivers on the road have no license... or are drunk.... or both.
Speed limit postings are for your enjoyment only. You can go as fast.... or as slow as you want. It only matters at a speed trap but it is pretty easy to talk yourself out of a ticket. (Cops don't have a car to chase you either... but they do have a gun!)
Turn signals aren't used to signal turning... you use the left turn signal to let someone know they can pass you... the right is to let you know that it is not safe to pass. The right is also used at night to let you know where the front corner of the car is so you don't get hit (hopefully!) since that headlight is usually burnt out.
All the traffic signals at the intersection may or may not be working.... Frogger comes to mind!
Traffic lanes are for landscaping purposes only.... you can drive anywhere and however you want... go ahead... make up your own lane or drive on the sidewalk. No one will mind.
After you pass a big truck use your flashers to say 'thank you'
Quadruple check your behind when turning right or passing someone, then quadruple check again 'cause there is always someone who tries to whip by at the last minute...WAY scary!

2010-03-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

BUTTERNUT HEAVEN!!!

We are coming to the end of our rainy season and winter is just around the corner so that means that we are enjoying lots of butternut squash - YUMMY!!! I just found this wonderful recipe and thought I would share it with you!

Pumpkin Cobbler

Filling:

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup cream

3 cups cooked, mashed (or canned) pumpkin or butternut squash

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

Crust:

1 stick butter (1/2 cup)

1 cup flour

3/4 cup white sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping:

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons white sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). In a large bowl combine eggs, milk and pumpkin; add the rest of the filling ingredients, mix well and set aside.

Prepare the crust by melting the stick of butter in a 9 x 13 baking pan. Mix the other crust ingredients until just combined and pour into pan on top of the melted butter. Spoon or slowly pour the filling evenly over the crust batter in the pan. Do not stir. Dot the top with the remaining tablespoon of butter and sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Bake 1 hour.

(Does freeze well... so you can make it an enjoy it at a later date!)

Things That Make Me Happy – Saturday, slept in and woke to a sunshiny day edition!

2010-02-27T02:23:00.000-08:00

Buddy coming to visit me up at the hospital and then reminding me that it is time to come home... pet therapy is a good thing

Kathy being in town all week for a conference but going grocery shopping for me so I can have fresh fruits and vegetables

Blessed to have friends and family surrounding me that are way more concerned with God's gospel of grace, love, mercy and salvation than legalistically following man-made 'doctrine'

Junior bringing me pictures she colored so that I can hang it on my wall in the office

Getting cyber 'hugs' just when I needed them the most

Seeing wild daisies growing all over the place and having Tapson pick some for me... just because

God picking me up when I fall for the millionth time this week.... and not giving up on pushing me to be who He wants me to be

Having the power come on at 9am and stay on after 5pm so that I don't have to cook dinner by candlelight... and then stay on through the night and next day so I can get caught up on my 'to do' list

Crawling under my mosquito net at night and listening to them cry because they can't get to me

Coming home to a squeaky clean house and yard... because Carol and Tongi are AWESOME

Having a nice warm rain without the electrical storm so I can swim in the rain.... very soothing!

Having some bandwidth left over at the end of the month so I can download new music and books

Pediatric ART patients that can't wait for their turn to see me just so they can run in and give me a huge hug

Seeing a once non-ambulatory patient who was VERY, VERY, VERY sick and started on ART several months back, come walking in the door....and the smile on their face

Again... where is the love?

2009-12-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

I had to delete another facebook ‘friend’. They weren't someone I really knew, but we have a lot of mutual friends and they asked to be my friend so I added them. It is not something I wanted to do, but reading their posts and comments was causing me to go into a hypertensive crisis… I shouldn’t let it, but it does! This person is the third one I have had to delete, and was actually deleted for the same reasons as the first. The second was someone who was making inappropriate comments and is going through a divorce… didn’t want to touch that with a 10 foot pole, but that is another story.

So… this is the problem. I don’t understand why people have to BEAT others over the head with the Gospel or be so MEAN about differences in opinions. Not everyone knows Christ and may come from completely different backgrounds but I don’t think trying to cram the Truth down their throats and then posting their name in their status, calling them names and berating them for walking away is a way to show love… I know I don’t want to listen to someone else’s side of the story if that is how they present it. Yes, there are some major social problems out there… but there has to be a heart change before someone is going to understand the sin involved. I had some great co-workers in the States who happen to be homosexual and over the years we had some great conversations, but the greatest thing I got out of our talks was, why should they listen to what we Christians have to say when we are constantly showing hate? Yes, God calls us to stand up for truth…. but to also LOVE and I think we really fall short.

And while I am at it… not all Christians have the same political ideas, does that make it OK to call them names, and even go so far as to say that they can’t be a true believer in Christ if they think differently or (gasp!) don’t belong to the republican party? (BTW – many missionaries and missionary kids who have lived overseas for most of their lives totally don’t get Christians in America and their ‘ownership’ of the republican party).

And… since WHEN is it ok use disrespectful nicknames for our political leaders? You don’ have to like them, you don’t have to agree with what they are doing and you are totally within your right to voice those opinions, share facts and get the truth out, which you SHOULD do, but why do you have to cross the line and become disrespectful? You have kids as ‘friends’ – what kind of example are you setting?

Again… where is the love?

(OK… I am off my soapbox now)

We are being invaded!

2009-11-21T12:36:00.000-08:00

It happens every year once the rains come and only lasts for a couple of nights... and Alfred Hitchock himself couldn't come out with anything creepier!

They are called ishwa (eesh-wa) and they are flying ants. Once the ground gets saturated enough, the ants invade the sky at dusk, mate, lay their eggs and then die.... and there are MILLIONS of them! The Africans LOVE to eat them and there are bowls of roasted ishwa at every bedside in the hospital. I have been told that they kind of taste like popcorn, but lucky me, Major refused a dare which resulted in me never having to try eating insects while I am here... don't even get me started on the mopane worms!

A Day in My Life...

2009-10-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

06:45 Wake up to the sounds of goats, chickens and children… but not the sound of the fan which means the power is off… :o(

06:53 Hit snooze button

06:59 Finally get up and read today’s verses and journal in “Transformation Journal: A Daily Walk in the Word”

0730 Walk to the hospital…get there just in time for morning devotions, which are supposed to start at 7:30 but usually start at 7:40… gotta love Africa time!

0755 Check e-mail / facebook while getting organized for the day and waiting for my patients to show up

0810 Restore Major’s computer so we can use it for the day and he can make business calls on
SKYPE…can’t find the Windows disk to really fix the thing so just doing the ‘quick’ fix every day, even though it is anything but quick….UGH!

0815 Start making medication packets for our outreaches next week while being a resource for Alven who is seeing my patients… he’s being trained to do TB/CTX/ART reviews.

9:07 Power came back on! Yippee!

10:11 Help Kathy rearrange Major’s office while he is away by crawling on the floor to reconnect all the power, printer, internet and computer cords… in a white dress mind you!

10:23 Brush off all the dusty cobwebs after being on the floor… ICK

10:30 Go back to working on getting medication packets ready for our ART outreaches

10:37 Say morning greetings to Patrick through the window since he is staring at me and talking really loudly to no one in particular (‘resident’ psych patient)

10: 41 Listen for the hundredth time today to excuses on why someone defaulted on their medications/didn’t follow instructions and are now upset because we won’t start them on ART yet or have been taken off (non-adherence to the meds results in them not working and they might as well be drinking water…very expensive water)

11:30 Go to tea… and listen to the daily ‘soap’ life of our doctor – General Hospital is better!

11:57 Haggle with lady who came to sell some great baskets she made… got 2 for $20!

12:30 Finally finish the discharges and walk the charts to the clerks

13:30 LUNCH!!!! Walk down to the house and enjoy what Mr. Tsomeka made for us… today it was deviled eggs, carrot sticks and cole slaw

14:36 Arrive at the hospital and find out I need to scrub in to assist in an emergency c-section

15:30 Lights go out just as we are closing the patient… both mom and baby are fine

15:55 Crawl back on the floor to get the chicken that has decided to run and hide underneath the back desk… way in the corner… against the wall… and DOES not want to be touched by a human...and I am not anything close to being someone who wants to hold a chicken, let alone try and capture an angry one – YIKES!

16:38 Finish seeing my patients

17:02 Take the cotton from the all the pill bottles emptied from making the medication packs to the sterilizing room to be sterilized and reused… take the information papers from the pill bottles to the patients to be used as toilet paper… and take the empty pill bottles to the pharmacy so they can fill them with liquid medications for kids and wounds

17:07 Make a staff log-in form so they can get paid by the ‘donors’

17:36 Make new ‘Administrator Plan’ for Major’s office which has his day alternating between drinking coke and coffee… with ½ hour of work in the afternoon…. He LOVES coke and coffee!

17:42 Run home and jump in the pool to cool off… enjoying the setting sun on my walk

17:51 Start heating up the dinner that Mr. Tsomeka made for us and doing last minute preparations… tonight its pizza! (Had to crawl on the floor yet AGAIN to get the pilot light lit since there is still no power)

18:11 Help set up the DVD and projector to get ready for movie night…

18:32 Dark is setting in, time for the rain spiders to come out so now I am keenly aware of anything moving on the ground and torch (flashlight) is always available… and feet are always up!

18:37 Wolf down dinner since we have to get ready for prayers

18:57 Storm just rolled in and its raining… run to put all the movie stuff away - OOPS!

19:15 Prayers… great way to end the week! Supposed to start at 1900, but we waited since people stay home when it rains…but Monica, Mai Munemo, Kathy and I were there… wimpy men!

20:00 Prayers over… and us gals watched “Amazing Grace” while waiting for Major and the 2 visitors to arrive… and ate popcorn – YUM! (I am also trying to catch up on e-mails… always multi-tasking!)

20:35 Major and visitors arrive… meet and greet them… they brought Lindt chocolate… BONUS!

21:07 Totally falling asleep at the movie…. exhausted from the week

21:08 Monica kills a centipede… they have a nasty bite

21:15 Take cold shower to cool off before bed especially since the power is STILL out… cool thing is right now I am staying in Kathy’s guest rondaval and there is an awesome outdoor shower that has plumeria blossoms hanging over it… heaven!

21:32 Liberally apply bug spray since mosquito net is not yet hooked up

21:34 Read… just starting re-reading Francine River’s Mark of the Lion trilogy

22:08 Lights out….

Tomorrow… rinse and repeat!

Choices

2009-10-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

I started counseling patients to be started on ART (anti-retroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS) this week and it is an interesting, time consuming process. One of my patients was a young 16 year old girl who was born with the disease, given to her by her mother at birth. As I was counseling her I was thinking about all the things she should give up to protect her health, especially having children. In the Shona culture, this is VERY important in being seen as a woman… I am, at 40, still considered a girl because I have not married or have had any kids. There are a lot of don’ts on the program… don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol, don’t get pregnant, don’t ‘meet’ with anyone and if you do make sure you use condoms, and don’t be late for your reviews… all of these don’ts are designed to help the person stay healthier longer, both by having healthy habits and by helping the medications to work better. It is a HUGE commitment to be on the program but it can save her life. She has some huge decisions to make and I wonder what path she is going to follow. Will she be strong, or will she succumb to peer pressure and get married, have children and put her husband, her children and even her own life at risk. I pray that she can see other options and that she can remain strong against societal rules and that she knows that she doesn’t have to do this alone… that God and we, as a mission community are there for her.

Yup.... I'm Back in Africa!

2009-09-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

So here is the rest of the story....

South African Police (SAP): License please… where are you going?
Lori: I’m on my way to Polokwane to meet friends then we are headed to Zimbabwe
SAP: Can I have your phone number, I would like to call you.
Lori: Don’t have a phone… I live in the bush
SAP: But how can I get a hold of you?
Lori: Sorry... we don't have a phone
SAP: When are you coming back through this way? Will you visit me? I live near here.
Lori: Ummm… have no idea
SAP: Can I come with you?
Lori: No…. I don’t even know you
SAP: But how else can we get to know each other? Please… I want to know you... I think we were meant for each other!
Lori: Um…. I’m not looking for a relationship
SAP: See… I told you we are meant for each other! I felt the same way before I saw you! Please, can I have your phone number?
Lori: (looking for badge number) Was there a reason I got pulled over? Did I do anything wrong? I need to get going… I have people waiting for me.
SAP: Ahhhhh.....
Lori: Do I need to contact your superior? What is your badge number?
SAP: You may go….

Empty Me

2009-09-05T21:11:00.000-07:00

I am a spaz! I am bursting with excitement that I get to move to a third world country that is on the brink of having a complete meltdown; live in the bush with sporadic electricity; water shortages, food shortages of everything EXCEPT pork chops (gag); AND live in terror that the rain spiders will once again grace my presence … but… I come completely unglued when faced with the possibility of not getting to have my cute dishes come with me. Why is it so easy to surrender to the ‘big’ things, but not the little? Does having a pretty set of dishes really matter? Is it going to have an impact on my ministry? No… but boy did I have a total hissy fit… just ask the Madewells! I am nervously wondering what else God is going to ask me to surrender because it has been a summer of surrender. Surrendering my fears, my dreams, my need to be in control, my need for consistency and stability… even re-surrendering things that I thought had been surrendered! He’s working on me… and there’s a lot that needs working on, a lot of ‘me’ needs to be burned away and it hurts…a lot. Going through the refining fire always does but where else do you get to exchange fear for His peace, dreams for His perfect will, inconsistency and instability for an adventurous life with the Rock… it’s quite the exchange plan!

“All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

50 Odds -n- Ends From My Trip

2009-05-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

1. Taught the ‘Chicken Dance’ to the ladies at the well baby clinics

2. Thought it was really funny that there was a deposit box for all the chickens being brought in for payment.

3. Kids came to say ‘Hi’ to me everyday… maybe the candy had something to do with it?

4. Got to learn new diagnosis’s like ‘beaten by a snake,’ ‘assaulted by a stone,’ ‘vomiting yellow staff’ or ‘bitten by a tree.’ Also that ‘femur fracture vs. syphilis’ can be a differential diagnosis…

5. I have joy in knowing that rain spiders will only be around for about 2 months of the year.

6. Got to see my dinner running around live in the hospital courtyard at lunch.

7. Enjoyed all-night worship parties with the church ladies.

8. The line from ‘How Great Thou Art’ about rolling thunder takes on a whole new meaning with the incredible electrical storms I witnessed.

9. YUMMY!!!! Got to eat fresh mangoes, bananas and indigenous fruits off the tree…

10. Was wonderfully stretched and blessed by leading the Esther study with the gals.

11. Saw my first wild lion ever… that was cool!

12. I thought it was funny that nothing scared me in Zim (not even the road blocks with the UZIs), but the Homeland Security dudes at immigration when I landed in Minneapolis freaked me out – honestly… do they really NEED 6 of them in the skyway bridge alone?

13. I got really good at knowing all the currency exchange rates… what would you like to know… US, Zim, pounds, rand, pula, chickens?

14. Ate lots and lots of pork chops… kept hoping there would be a pork shortages in Zim, and why not, there were shortages of everything else… but didn’t happen :O(

15. I LOVE squash… and got to eat lots of it… especially gem and butternut – yummy!

16. Never saw a live snake.

17. I had 2 pet chameleons for about 2 weeks before they moved on… Oscar and Felix.

18. Kathy’s black lab, Buddy, walked me home each night to search my house for snakes.

19. Was REALLY blessed that we finally have internet at the mission…. I will have it in my house when I get back – gotta love SKYPE!

20. Chongololos have got to be the coolest bugs ever!

21. A major shopping trip doesn’t mean going to the nearest Costco… it means driving 12 hours to another country!

22. Pizza and a movie every Fri night.

23. Had a person die on the table while I was taking his x-ray… wasn’t anything I did… he was just really sick and it was that time.

24. My power inverter is my bestest friend ever…. gives me 4 nights of fan/lights/computer/internet when the power is out before it needs to be charged :O)

25. I wore flip-flops EVERYWHERE for the 6 months… even in surgery (don’t worry – had the paper booties on)

26. Dealing with dangerous nurses who don’t care – UGH! Living in a very unstable country – ugh. Getting a fresh look at how Jesus IS my rock…. Priceless!

27. I had to be rescued from rain spiders twice… how embarrassing!

28. Cooking dinner takes a whole algorithm… much more than “what sounds good?”

29. We brought a KFC bucket of chicken back from South Africa and ate it 3 days later… was never kept cold… didn’t get sick – it tasted good - I know- GROSS!

30. Free time…. What free time?

31. Getting to worship at the rural churches – incredible!

32. Struggled with not starting/stopping people on ARVs… knew the rationale, understood the rationale, agreed with the rationale… but it was still hard.

33. Seeing God work across cultures and languages… awesome!

34. Learned to not listen to Major when he tells you ‘it never rains at Batanai – you don’t need the rain tarp’

35. Many nights I fell asleep to people worshipping at the church… nice to hear the drums being beat for Christ instead of spirits

36. Major learning that not only is Kathy always right… so is Sr. B! ;O)

37. I flew on a plane with VERY bald tires and lived to tell about it… twice!

38. I got 3 really sweet marriage proposals… and 1 creepy one

39. Took lots and lots of late night swims right before bed…. the best was when it was a new moon and the power was out… the stars are incredible!

40. I missed many a Sunday night service due to emergency c-sections

41. Communion consists of cracker crumbs and grape kool-aid, no sugar

42. I can do ANYTHING in a dress and be modest… that includes climbing ladders

43. Learned that you do not fill the ant holes with dirt while you are sitting on the ground…. It starts an invasion… not good.

44. Saw God provide over and over again… seeing His miracles daily is an awesome thing!

45. Absolutely and totally fell in love with an orphan with AIDS being taken care of by her grandma… Annah. She had serious respiratory issues and we were finally able to discharge her but not sure if she is still alive… she never came back for her check up.

46. Victoria Falls never gets boring no matter how many times one sees them

47. Found out that I really liked Tyler Perry movies and that they have a great Christian message… especially for the African culture – and some are REALLY funny!

48. Wished that I took more pictures…

49. I was the tech support for the hospital… pretty scary!

50. As hard as this trip was… I am still utterly amazed and humbled that this is God’s will for my life… I couldn’t ask for anything better!

Who Knew??? ;O)

2009-01-31T06:29:00.000-08:00

From the Times Newspaper, December 27, 2008

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God

Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem - the crushing passivity of the people's mindset

Matthew Parris

Lazy Weekend....

2009-01-25T00:58:00.000-08:00

Oh what a joy! I am enjoying a wonderfully lazy weekend... the first time in weeks! Because the rains have come, there are less and less pts coming to the hospital which has helped with the overall work-load. Yesterday I got to leave an hour earlier (instead of the usual 1-2 hours later) than the 'set' time and got to spend the afternoon catching up on reports and other things that I have needed to do but haven't had the time or energy to do. This morning, the work was so little that Kathy and I came back down to the house to hang out and relax until church starts. It is supposed to start at 10.... but it is now 11 and it STILL hasn't started! Gotta love 'Africa' time!

After church, I will lead a women's study then lunch.... then hopefully a nap! It is a blissful 80 degrees here with a nice breeze.... maybe I'll jump in the pool before the nap... :O)

Thanks God for the day of rest... what a treat!

I Could Have Had a V8!!!!

2009-01-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

It has been a really, really, really rough week with issues back home and feeling completely drained (I am soooo taking a week off to do absolutely NOTHING when I get home.... wishful thinking - I know!)... so I was/am blessed that this weekend God smacked me in the face and is helping me to see the bigger picture!

I started a women's bible study with what I thought were going to be some of the local gals.... it was supposed to be in English since I don't know enough Shona yet but some other ladies heard about it and wanted to come... what I thought was going to be a small group of 5-6 of us turned out to be 30!

Then... today at church one of the youth came forward to accept Christ as his savior and was baptized this afternoon...

It is sooo easy to get sucked into my own personal mud hole and miss God's wonderful blessings.... I need the reminders sometimes!

2008-12-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

Sorry for the delay in posting... been a little bit busy!

I have been amazed at how much people here don't know about their own selves. We ask about birthdays and get 1-1-xxxx, 2-2-xxxx, 3-3-xxxx etc, also 30-Feb, 31-Nov... even had one VERY elderly man swear upside down and backwards that he was born in 1996... ummmmm, just a hunch, but I don't think so!

We have many pts come in because their stomach is making noises... a totally natural function - especially here when many people are hungry. We often have to do some very basic health teaching while providing health care. This little girl was totally enraptured with hearing the sounds her body makes... she listened to her heart, lungs and stomach and totally jumped when she heard her stomach growl with the stethescope... too fun!

These Women Know How to Party!

2008-11-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

Mai Munemo playing the drum

About once a month, the women at church get together to have an all-night praise/prayer/lesson party - think junior high slumber party! It is held in different locations so that all the women get the opportunity to attend one. This month it was at my friend's village. Mai Kwatch (actually Kwatchenera but we all call her Mai Kwatch) is my 'sawira' - which means that she is closer than a friend... and more like family.

Her village is about 24 kms from the mission and most of the women 'footed' the distance. Kathy let me use one of the trucks and we loaded up after work and headed on out.

Worship in song and dance

Once you get to the village, you are fed and given something to drink and most of the women just sit around and talk until the time gets late and then the fun begins! They start with worship by singing and dancing and there is usually someone playing a drum then there is a lesson with more worship intermixed and this goes on all night!

The morning of the event I was asked if I would give the lesson.... this is NOT considered short notice here - even with the knowledge that I had a VERY full day at the hospital and barely even made it for lunch! I cheated a little and pulled out a Sunday School lesson that I had in my bible from Darrell (THANK YOU!!!!!) and tweaked it a little to make it more applicable to here and went with it - the women really enjoyed the lesson and several got up after I spoke to share a testimony of how the lesson applied to their lives and said that they were greatly encouraged -double 'thank you' to Darrell and PRAISE GOD!

Monica giving a testimony

These women work VERY hard to take care of their families, homes and crops so it is nice to see them getting the chance to relax, fellowship and have some fun.... can't wait 'till next month!

The gals from Chidamoyo - Mai Kwatch is on the far right

Surgery in the Bush!

2008-11-04T10:09:00.000-08:00

We had a scheduled c-section to perform this morning and any surgery here is anything but dull! The mother and baby - a girl - are healthy and happily resting right now, having no idea what it took to provide this for her.

The electricity at the mission is sporadic at best, and because of the deep power surges and dips we are constantly having power issues (my refrigerator is currently on the fritz)... so the air conditioning isn't working in the OR, and if we plug the fan in, we can't use the suction or the OR light... both are a necessity. You can't open the windows because we don't want flies or other bugs coming in. Many times we have had the power go off completely in the middle of the surgery and we have to wait for someone to be called to start the generator, in the mean time someone has to stand with a flashlight so we can continue.

It has been really hot and it has started to get humid as we get ready for the rainy season to start and the OR became our sauna today. When you 'scrub' in for OR, you end up wearing several layers... and the last acts as a fluid barrier. So I had on scrubs, my OR gown, rubber boots, 2 layers of rubber gloves, a hat, and a mask with goggles.

I was so happy that the surgery was only a c-section as they go pretty fast! The doc and I both were dripping sweat which caused my face to itch like nothing else and I can't scratch or wipe my face since I was 'scrubbed in'. By the time I was done, my hands were swimming in my gloves, my feet were swimming in my boots and when I took my scrubs off you could wring them out and the doc looked worse than I did!

It is a trial, but I am blessed that I could be there to help this woman and provide a safe place for her to have surgery. I have no idea how He does it, but God is gracious and always gets us through all the interesting situations that seem to cross our path!

Kick the Kouch!

2008-10-25T06:04:00.000-07:00

My church back home has been studying about being healthy (both spiritually and physically) during Sunday School and today was the day that they were going to get together to do a 3k walk and I decided that I would do it here. It has been 117 degrees during the day so Kathy and I set out at 5:30 am to beat the heat! It was a nice walk... went up behind the hospital, through the shelters for the pregnant ladies waiting to deliver, across the dam wall and then down through the secondary school where we met up with Mai Munemo where she was busy watering her garden. Mai Munemo is a nurse aid that works in our out patient department and is very active in the church here.

Walking across the dam wall

Mai Munemo and I... outside of her garden (I am actually getting quite the tan but you can't tell here!)

Icky Spiders!

2008-10-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

I HATE spiders or anything that resembles a spider! This beast is called a rain 'spider' but isn't truly a spider even though it acts like one. He was waiting for me on the wall behind my bed when I got home last night and I thought I would get a couple of pictures to share with you before he met my shoe but he ran down the wall and next to my chair (the leg is 4 inches wide) where I promptly jumped on my bed to get away and to get a good shot! Unfortunately I missed him and he started running around crazy -mind you it is dark, there is no electricity, only candle light and my flashlight is a wind up one that goes out every minute...

These stinkers run VERY fast and they run AT you, not AWAY from you! He finally settled under my desk so I jumped to my chair (nothing touching the floor) to finish the deed but every time I swung at him he started running crazy... and they do run up furniture....

So... there I am in my pj's, standing on a chair, screaming at it, trying to find/follow it in the dark, with a faulty torch in one hand and a shoe in another so I can kill it as it keeps circling the chair when I hear my neighbor, Edwell and the night guard knocking on my bedroom window wondering if I was ok and to let them in. There was NO way I was getting off the chair! Linda kindly let them in and they tried to find him as I am screaming his location...he finally went back under the desk where I then jumped back onto my bed (not touching the floor) so they had better access and he finally met his maker. Edwell said that he was dead but I saw his legs still moving so he got another whak and then outside he went.

I got lots of laughs at church this morning but I don't care... they guys came to save the day (night!) and I got a good nights sleep knowing that the beast was dead!

Modern Technology!

2008-10-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the blurry picture... but this guy is my bestest friend right now! His name is Mafiyos and he is the reason I can can post pictures, emails and talk with you all! It seems like such a simple thing to have internet but it is a lifeline to the outside world! Before this we had no phone, no internet and all e-mails had to be very small files, and post took over a month to get here... It has been so wonderful to speak with loved ones and friends! My computer has a built in webcam and I downloaded Skype and been having fun! What a wonderful blessing God has given us!

New Church at Marare

2008-10-11T04:15:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I had the joy of attending a church in Marare that is a new church plant. This one is located about 2 1/2 hours south of us and in an area where they do a lot of gold panning. They were so overjoyed when we drove up that the women circled the car, dancing and singing! Major preached and several of the members of the new church shared and did special music - one Sekuru (uncle) really got into it with dancing!

There was a cute little girl playing at my feet with her shoes, pretending they were dolls so I gave her my flip flops to play with... I know my feet are big but I couldn't believe it when she immediately put them to good use pretending that they were boats to carry her 'dolls' across the pretend river!

One thing that I really enjoy is the dancing that the women do and it is a lot of fun! When the service was over the women got together to do a short women's meeting and so I got to get more practice in... I am working on getting my African groove on but it is so worth hearing all the women laugh! I am getting better and they taught me some new steps... just need to find more opportunities to practice!

The absolute coolest part was 2 women came forward at the end of the service! It was exciting to see them make that step of turning their lives over to Christ and I pray that there are some strong women to help disciple them - there seemed to be a couple of women there who could be good mentors... so please keep these women and the new church in prayer!

Sister B

Pictures!!!

2008-10-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

We are now online! You can e-mail me at lori@chidamoyo.com

Since everyone was asking about what it was like to live here... here are some pictures! I will be posting more pics once the wireless gets hooked up and I can get into my Picasa account.

Dining room

Kitchen

Kitchen and front door

Walk from my house to Kathy's

Walk from my house to the hospital

My room

Notice all the different types of power- we have to be really creative!

The living room

The living room looking in the opposite direction to the varanda

I'm in Zim!!!!

2008-09-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

****Please do not reply to this address.... you can reply to the 4guests@bushmail.net (don't forget all the rules!) :O) Also... I apologize for the rambling... the brain cells aren't awake yet!

Hi... just wanted to let you all know that I made it safe and sound to Harare. The flight to Jo-burg was empty and I had a 3 seat row to myself so I actually got to lay down... that was a treat! The power was off at the airport and they forgot to bring the stairs so we had to wait on the hot plane until they arrived...luckily the power came on so they could move the sky bridge over... then it went out again. All the street lights are out and the water is out too... I was soooo looking forward to that nice long HOT shower after traveling so far - oh well... got my baby wipes and there is always the pool tomorrow! :O) We are already being initiated into life here. There is NOTHING in town.... we went to a farmer's market to try and get some fruits and veggies and what we found was beets and broccoli! Major's welcome to me when I got off the plane was "Welcome to the land of plenty!..... Of nothing!" - how sad it that! There aren't many people on the streets and those you do see look pretty lethargic. Everything looks much more run down and there is a lot more trash- Please pray that the 'talks' get worked out soon so that some healing can begin...

I guess we are planning on heading to South Africa sooner rather than later to get supplies and food, combining a trip to Bulawayo to drop Major's wife off at school (she's learning to be a lab tech... a HUGE need at the mission!).

There were so many answers to prayers getting here! I got all my luggage on... I think each bag weighed 69.9 pounds, with 70 being the absolute max you can have... and there were no problems with security, immigration, tickets, "special" hand carried cargo, Praise God!

The only problem was my neoprene laptop sleeve got stolen RIGHT underneath my nose at the Jo-burg airport. UGH - I looked forever for that thing... the 17" ones are hard to find! So if anyone thinks about it and runs across one please pick it up and send it - I'll pay you back. I really liked the one I had but can't remember where I got it... it was brown/gray with blue zipper and trim but will take anything that will hold a 17" HP. They are a lifesend around here due to the dirt that gets into EVERYTHING!

I started work already... hadn't even been off the plane for 90 min! We stopped to drop stuff off at the blood bank and one of the workers there has a mother who is being treated at Chidamoyo. She was having problems with her legs and had a script from an outside clinic that needs to be filled and Major had me talk with him to try and problem solve... I was a little brain dead but it was really nice to get started! We arrive at the mission tomorrow afternoon and thurs I have my first clinic. Hopefully the hospital will be a little bit quiet so I can get my bearings!! (Like that is ever going to happen!)

It is so nice to be 'home'! We drove up to the flat and Kathy's caretaker , Isaac was here to greet us and help us get everything up the flight of stairs and locked up. He has been such a welcome face over the years and it was good to see him healthy and strong. Major and I are catching up... of course there is a lot of that to be done! I told him we needed to shampoo the cows at the mission and he just busted up laughing remembering them doing that at the fair and how 'weird' that was - "Sister Lori - are they REALLY shampooing the cows? WHY!!!???? I HAVE to get a picture of this, they will NEVER believe me back home!." Now if I could just convince him that Cow Chip Cookies are really good!

Please feel free to pass this on as I don't have everyone's e-mails in the computer yet. I'll write more later!

Love and Prayers!

Lori

Top ten ways you know that you are living in Zimbabwe....

2008-09-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

From Kathy and Major - they spent some time thinking about how crazy
life is in Zimbabwe during these desperate times and came up with
some funny ways that they live our life here that you might see some
humor in too.  Humor is what keeps us going because we live in such
bizarre times if we don't see how funny things are we would cry!

Top Ten ways to know you live in Zimbabwe:

10.  When you open a bottle of medicine you take out the cotton
and save it to use for cotton swabs for giving injections/starting IVs
at the hospital.  We actually open our ART medicine and take the
cotton out before dispensing to the patient! Even though we are a
country that used to export quality cotton, it is now all exported to
China to pay for the cheap things they send here airplanes, tractors,
buses) and so there is no cotton available here.  So we find ways to
get our own!

9.  Patients are so happy when you read their X-ray and say they
have TB-they actually clap and ululate!  They now know they will get
admitted, have 3 meals of good food and 1 tea a day-more than they
can ever think of getting at home.  Over 85% of Zimbabweans do
not have enough food supplies to feed themselves adequately each
day.  I assume the 15% who do have are government ministers now
in power.

8.  When we see a teacher at the hospital we stand and give them
a standing ovation and offer them to be seen first in the queue because
they are now an endangered species. We have also decided to offer
free treatment to all teachers and their family.  With 70,000 teachers
not reporting for work this term that started last week, most schools
are grossly understaffed.  Some of our schools have 1 teacher present
out of 25.  What kind of education children will receive is of grave
concern by all parents. A teacher makes $3000/month and bus fare
from Chidamoyo to get that salary from their bank in Karoi is $2800
one round trip.  What do they live on for the month?  We remember
when teaching was a proud profession that people looked up to with
respect-now they look at you like you are stupid to be working for so little.

7.  The doctor, Major and I have a running bet each day to see how
 many scotch carts can fit into our scotch-cart parking area at the hospital. 
Scotch carts are ox or donkey drawn 2 wheel carts that are now coming 2-3
days walk to the hospital with patients since there is limited bus service
and the cost of buses is so prohibitive!  A bus from Karoi to Chidamoyo is
now $1400 one way.  That is $3 US one way-more than Mr. Mereki made
last month in salary.

6.  In order to buy anything in Zimbabwe-you must go to a bank,
wait in a queue most of the day and the top amount that you can
withdraw is $500 Zim/day ($1 US) which can buy you 1 egg, or ½ a loaf of
bread (if they have flour to make that day), 1/8th of a liter of petrol (if
there was any place selling it) and not much else.  So you need to sleep
on the street and buy nothing for 3 days to eat in order to get enough
money to get a bus back to Chidamoyo from Karoi.  Teachers are walking
the 102 kms (60 miles) in order to save money and get back home with
some money after going to Karoi to get their salaries each month!

5. This week they gave out a Bakosa gift from the government to
all households to bribe (I mean encourage) them as a gift from the
government.  Each household got 2 kg flour, 2 kg rice, 1 bar of soap,
1 bar of laundry soap, 1 small Vaseline and toothpaste and 750 ml of oil. 
The week before they came to see who qualified and said single people
were not a household, if you have a kid without a husband or divorced
you wouldn't get.  Then after much disappointment they reversed and
all households got the Bakosa.  We paid $11 (less than 1/50 of a dollar)
for this one time gift.  I may have been the only white person in the
country who benefited-but I got mine because it was for all rural people!

4.  Every night we wait anxiously for news in the progress of the unity
talks. We turn on the radio and listed to the jammed and banned
VOA newscasts for the true news.  I recently tried to buy 2 independent
newspapers when I was in town and they were $400 of my $500 I was able
to get out of the bank in the 1 day I was in town, so decided not to buy
them, but pretend to buy while reading what I could!  We hear only bits
and pieces and know that each side is not agreeing too much.  We have a
whole country on hold while we all collectively hold our breath for an
outcome!

3.  We all have ZESA anxiety.  ZESA stands for our electricity company
(Zimbabwe Electricity Sometimes Available).  When it comes on and when
it will go off we are never sure.  Should we start to bake a loaf of bread
in our bread maker or will it go off before the 3 hours needed? Should I
cook beans, can I do a load of laundry before the electricity goes out. 
Maybe we can do X-rays sometime this week without starting our generator. 
And then once it goes out when will it come back on?  We are thankful
that we do get it sometime each day-even if it is during the night.

2.  Every day you have to spend time deciding: what am I going to
eat that will use up the least amount of food I have and do I have gas
to cook it if there is no electricity.  If there is no electricity and I have
gas I don't  want to use a lot of it-so I wouldn't cook beans with
gas-only things that need a short amount of time.  We are coming
up with "meals in 1 minute" to save on gas and get it done before the
electricity may go off.  I try to save my meat or canned food for when I
have electricity and eat eggs in 101 different ways to save gas and food! 
It is always a challenge each day to plan so that I don't have to cook
outside with wood!

1.  The number one stranger than fiction thing in Zimbabwe this week. 
I attended a conference where they are talking about paying security
guards $100 US a month to keep up with the 200 million% inflation here. 
When I raised the point that doctors got paid $11 US a month last salary
and nurses $6 a month so where can we sign up to be security guards-they
gave me application forms!  So stay tuned and maybe I will soon be a
security guard with our doctor!

Pretty!

2008-09-12T16:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday night after work I went to a friend's house to make jewelry with the ladies at church. It took me a little while to switch from work to play and come up with something creative but it finally surfaced and this was the result! The greens and purples are actually much more subtle and not as bright as what is in the picture... too cute if I don't say so myself! :O)

Zim house

2008-09-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

This is the house I will be living in when I move to Zim... This is the back door side of the house... but it is the main entrance. The windows in order from L to R are my bedroom, the bathroom, pantry (back door), kitchen and dining room. The large corrugated steel container is actually a donkey boiler. It is filled with water and heated by fire. Since they have electricity now (well, sometimes) we can use an electric geyser (water heater) which you can see piggy backed onto the donkey boiler.

Here is a picture of my large thatched porch,.. it can easily sit 25 people and has an area to place a BBQ grill. The bushes are overgrown, but most of them are bougainvilleas and I will probably get rid of them and plant gerbera daisies - they are my favorite flower and are indigenous to South Africa. Just behind the porch is a screened-in veranda and then the house - living room with my bedroom on the right and the office to the left.

Bonfire at the Beach

2008-08-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

I had such a great day yesterday... Deb and I went into LA to pick up Lucy who had a 5 hour layover at LAX and we went to lunch and did a little bit of shopping. It was great seeing her again... we were roommates for about 3 months when I first moved to LA and have kept in touch over the years.

Then Last night we went to Huntington Beach to enjoy the sunset and have a bonfire. It was great to be by the water... the kids roasted 'marshpillows' and the guys kept trying to get the fire bigger and bigger... WHAT is it with men and fire!??

Leilah and I went down to the water and put our feet in... the water was really warm and it was fun watching her jump the waves. :O)

Club Mud!!!!

2008-08-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

Oh.... my....gosh! What an absolutely WONDERFUL day!!! Deb and I spent the day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa and that place is now on my 'favorite places to go' list! They have warm pools, cool pools, lounging pools, mineral pools and saline pools... not to mention a lap pool.... then there are the spas, saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms and hot rooms. The best was getting in the mud bath. It is actually a clay and makes a great exfoliator... LOTS of fun to play in and get it everywhere! Once we were done we went down to the Grotto where you get covered in this aloe vera/sea kelp concoction that is neon green and oh, so silky... I couldn't stop playing with it. Once you are 'painted' you sit in a steam room for about 15 min then shower off and relax in the 'tranquility room' that had a waterfall and cool mist, refreshing lime water and green apples to snack on.... the result of this is super soft skin, just like a baby's bottom... heavenly! We then relaxed at the lounge pool for a while before getting ready to head home... I may have to squeeze another trip in before I head north. It was THAT good! :O)

I am human again!!!!

2008-08-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

After a VERY emotional month getting ready, 2 weeks of camp, blown tire on I-5 and a serious lack of sleep I am FINALLY starting to feel human again! I am now in Hanford Ca, enjoying my visit with Andy and JoAnne Abbas and other friends at Lakeside Community Church. I spent the day getting my hair done - it was long overdue and the gal that did it was lots of fun. It was nice to just relax, sleep in, and take a LONG hot shower... it even had water pressure!

Clear Lake camp was wonderful again this year, though I think I got way more out of it than I put in. The theme was "Putting Feet to Your Faith" and it was really encouraging, and just what I needed! I also had the chance to sit with Darrell and put some sense into all that has been going on and to work out some of the frustrations I have been feeling. It was HUGE blessing...he is always full of encouragement and wisdom... and encouragement :O) WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

The next week I spent at Camp Victory in Central Ca. This was a MUCH smaller group - only about 18 high school students... 34 of us total. It was wonderful getting to meet new friends and share about missions. Lots of goofballs in the group so I spent most of the week laughing which the old soul really needed!

I should still be in Hanford for the rest of the week and then will be heading down to Southern Cal to spend time with my best friend and her family, along with lots of visits of family and friends... looking forward to it!

God Bless!
Lori

Squaty-potty Lifesaver!

2008-07-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

My last day at work was Tuesday and one of my going away gifts is the next best thing to sliced bread and I am soooo excited about it!

For a little background. At the mission, we are blessed to have flush toilets, just like the ones here in America... but when we are away from the mission and further out in the bush, which I am several times a week... for hours on end... there are only blair toilets. I don't know about you, but squatting just doesn't work for me.

As a nurse, I am used to having to having to wait for hours on end before I get the chance to use the facilities. I always laugh and say that although I may have abs of flab, I have a bladder of steel! This helps when I am gone all day at well baby clinics but it is NOT the best thing for my kidneys.

Well, my wonderful co-workers came to the rescue and I need to get stock in this company! It is called the P-Mate and for the sake of modesty I won't go into any more detail except that you don't have to squat! Yippee!!! For those of you who are brave, you can check out their site at www.pmateusa.com

Don't I work with a wonderful group? I have been really blessed with my years at Harborview and I am going to miss them greatly... but thanks to their thoughtful gift, I will remember them fondly every time I take the walk to use the blair toilets! Thanks guys! :O)

I hit like a girl....

2008-06-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

Oh man! I hurt!!!!

Since Zim isn't exactly the safest place on earth right now, I have been doing a lot of research on how to stay safe while on the mission field, and found Missions Hotline... this is a ministry ran by Peter Pollock and he has a heart to help missionaries keep safe. We have e-mailed back and forth quite a bit and one of the things he suggested is that I take a Filipino martial arts class.

Can I tell you how out of my comfort zone this is!!!! I have got to be the most un-athletic person there is out there... I can't throw, catch or even see a ball half the time, I get hit with the darn thing more than anything. I came home from high school with more black eyes from PE and poor Nathan Walters was mortified more than once for hittimg me in the chest with the soccer ball - you would think that I would have learned to get out of the way but my mind just doesn't work that way. UGH!

I actually freak when anything is coming at me.... so here I am at a class and they are waving sticks by my face, VERY fast mind you. I winced so much my face even hurts! After learning several drills and working on some technique, I got to put padding on and put some of what I learned into practice. It took me a bit to actually be on the offensive instead of just defense, but I did get some good hits in.... of course I lost.... to a 12 year old boy...

Overall it was a great learning experience. I have a couple of more classes and private lessons to fit in before I leave for camp and California and while I know that I will just be scratching the surface, I am excited about getting some useful skills under my belt.

Lori's Packing Up....

2008-06-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

So... the packing begins! My mom and I have been spending a lot of time in the garage, going through all the donations and my stuff, trying to get it all organzed to ship. It is an overwhelming task but seems to be going pretty quickly. The hardest part is trying to figure out which pile the items should go into....

Going with me

Being shipped by boat (donations, more immediate need)

Being shipped when the "Big Move" takes place

Goodwill / donations / various 'borrowers'

Items to remain in the States

All of it has to be consolidated, prices removed and often taken out of the bulky packaging. My mother has been a blessing doing all the nit-picky stuff like taking the pills out of the blister packs and adding them to the bottles, or hunting down any group of a particular item to make sure it is all together. She LOVES going through it all, especially since she get's first dibs out of anything in the donations box!

Interesting Thought...

2008-04-29T15:28:00.001-07:00

Taken from the book "The Road to Hell; The Ravaging Effects of Foreign Aid and International Charity" by Michael Maren.

"It was easy to presume that people needed our help. For us, Africa was more than a place on the map, it was a location in our collective psyche. Our idea of Africa had been shaped by years of advertisements and news coverage that portrayed the continent as poor and helpless. Growing up in an affluent Western society we were invested with a stake in the image of helpless Africa, starving Africa. In public affairs discussions the term "starving Africans" rolls off the tongue as easily as "blue sky." "Americans leave enough food on their plates to feed a million starving Africans." Charities raise money for starving Africans. What do Africans do? They starve. But mostly they starve in our imaginations. The starving African is a Western cultural archetype like the greedy Jew or the unctuous Arab. The difference is that we've learned that trafficking in these last two archetypes is wrong or, at least, reflects badly upon us. Bit the image of the bloated helpless child adorns advertisements for Save the Children an World Vision. The image of the starving African is said to edify us, sensitize us, mobilize our good will and awaken us from our apathy.
The starving African exists as a point in space from which we measure our own wealth, success, and prosperity, a darkness against which we can view our won cultural triumphs. And he serves as a handy object of our charity. He is evidence that we have been blessed, and we have an obligations to spread that blessing. The belief that we can help is an affirmation of our own worth in the gran scheme of things. The starving African transcends the dull reality of whether or not anyone is actually starving in Africa. Starvation clearly delineates us from them.
Sometimes it appears that the only time Africans are portrayed with dignity is when they're helpless and brave at the same time. A person about to starve to death develops a stoic strength. Journalists write about the quiet dignity of the hopelessly dying. If the Africans were merely hungry and poor, begging or conning coins on the streets of Nairobi or Addis Ababa, we might become annoyed and brush them aside- and most aid workers have done that at one time. When they steal tape decks from our Land Cruisers we feel anger and disgust. It is only in their weakness, when their death is inevitable, that we are touched. And it is in their helplessness that they have become a marketable commodity."

Stars!!!

2008-01-29T05:22:00.000-08:00

Turn your lights off to get the best view...

I just came across these pictures from someone who was at the mission last summer.... this is what we mean when we talk about the night sky and yes... that is the milky way!!!!!!

The first picture was taken from the sleeping platform between the guesthouse and Kathy's house.

Just seeing the pics brings back the incredible feelings I have while walking around Chidamoyo at night.... the Awesomeness of God the Creator!

Where I've Been

2008-01-26T12:17:00.000-08:00

Global Missions Health Conference

2007-11-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

I just finished up with the GMHC and it was amazing - again! This is my 4th year of attending and each year it just seems to get better and better. Steve Saint brought an indian from Brazil to share and I was really humbled with what he said and how much we as American's have really dropped the ball in passing the torch in discipling those we have worked with. There has been alot of buzz about empowering national Chrisitians and the GMNC was on the bandwagon too. I picked up at great book- "When Charity Destroys Dignity; Overcoming Unhealthy Dependency in the Christian Movement" by Glenn Schwartz. I just started it and so far so good.

It was great to visit with Denny and Ellen Vogel... Denny has been to Zim several times leading small teams at Mashoko. I have some friends that I only see at this conference and met a couple of new ones from the Seattle area... so that was cool. I attended workshops on neonatal care, AIDS and also a great one on using the internet to share with others... and found an AWESOME program for keeping tabs on all the paperwork that goes along with missions. Maybe I can now get organized! Ha Ha!

I head off to the National Missionary Convention on Thurs... going to attend a meeting with FAME re: the CHE program... they want their partners to all be involved in it and they were happy to hear that I had already taken the class and have spoken to Kathy about starting it at Chidamoyo so I was invited. It is a great program and you can learn more about it at http://www.lifewind.org

In Him...
Lori

Shamwari

2007-09-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

Major was here!

I cannot believe that he has already come and gone! I have been anticipating this trip for what seems like forever and its over. It has been a very emotional last couple of days as I really miss him and have become incredibly 'homesick' for Zim. I still haven't heard anything from the Zim government but Major is still optimistic that the work permit is going to go through.

I got to meet several new Chidamoyo alumni and it was wonderful to be able to share with others who 'got' it.... not to mention getting caught up on all my friends at the mission and hearing all the funny stories!

Tuesday we went to the fair. He had never been and was amazed at how 'fat' all the animals were and that they shampooed the cows! He got to try corn dogs, scones and raspberry lemonade. Was a little reluctant to try the Cow Chip cookies at first but now they are on his list of favorite American foods.

Wednesday was the big BBQ - we filled the church and many people were touched by Major's message. He was really encouraged and was blessed... couldn't stop talking about it!

Someone is lending him a cell phone for while he is in the States and I taught him how to text message so it has been fun relaying messaged back and forth. He has a couple more weeks of traveling in the US then will be in Israel and the UK before heading home. Please keep him in prayer as he travels and his wife as she is running the house, village and kids without him.

In Christ,
Lori

Code Brown

2007-08-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

Ok... this is not for the sqeemish! Just warning you...

My day started out so well. Had a pedicure, my mom and I went and got our hair done and then we all went out to my absolute favorite restaurant in the whole wide world for a VERY yummy dinner at the Mediterranean Kitchen in Bellevue....I was SO "in my happy place" as Angela would say. Anyway, get home, ready to relax, went to my room to open the door to let Mindy out and recieved quite the surprise!

My room resembled something from the lock-down psych ward! Mindy had an upset stomach for breakfast and didn't eat, and I guess there was more brewing as she ended up having a MAJOR blowout. The poor thing can't see well and has trouble walking when she first gets up so my carpet resembled polka dots! Her coat and feet were covered from walking/falling in it and we immediately put her in the tub, got her clean then I tackled the carpet. I was laughing 'cause all I could think of was the praise song that goes "step by step we're moving forward, little by little we're gaining ground..." At least I can say that praise was coming from my lips and not other things!

You hear about "code blue's" in the hospital...well now you know what we mean when we call a "code brown"! :O)

Transitions...

2007-08-16T00:48:00.000-07:00

The good news... I am now working days!!!! Yipee!!!

The bad news... My body is still on nights! It has been interesting. As tired as I am, I have been waking up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. It's 12:50am right now I have to be up at 5 for work. Thank heavens it is for only one day and I slept in a bit this morning and then I have 5 days off to continue working on resetting my internal clock. A friend said it took a couple of months for her to finally feel like she is no longer living in a fog - please let it pass quickly!

While I Am Waiting

2007-07-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

From John Waller's new album "The Blessing"

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You, Lord
So it is painful...but patiently I wait

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though its not easy. No, but faithfully I will wait
Yes I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I am waiting I will serve You
While I am waiting I will worship
While I am waiting I will not faint
I will be running the race even while I wait

I will serve You while I am waiting
I will worship while I am waiting

Waiting on You, Lord

Happy Valentine's Day!

2007-02-14T13:04:00.000-08:00

I would like you to meet Otis, I met him at the local Fred Meyers and he promised to always listen, to never smell, to not watch too much TV, or be late.... and all I had to do was water him.

He was too good to be true!

Ok... so he was a sponge man that when water was applied his red 'skin' started peeling off so he looked more like some alien with deep burns to 100% of his body... and his right hand fell off, the other hand was atrophied and he looked like he desperately needed some vitamin C for his bad case of scurvy. I laughed for days at my 'perfect' boyfriend... watching him morph into the 'man of my dreams' but we had to break up due to a severe case of dehydration... not to mention he was taking up too much room on the kitchen counter. I felt kind of bad as he had sent me a very nice
e-card for Valentine's day.

But... I have something WAY better going on...I get to spend the day with someone is is always available to listen, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and who showers me everyday with wonderful blessings! But these aren't the greatest gifts He has given me... the greatest is that He laid down His own life so that I might live... now THAT is a great Valentine!

Spirituality and Spiders

2007-02-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine was preparing a series of lessons on meditation and one of the lessons was to use something in God's creation as a springboard... to see where God would take us in our quiet time. As we were talking, I thought it might be kind of fun to see what God would show me with one of my least favorites of His creation...spiders.

It was a great experience and I came away with 2 things that I felt God wanted to remind me of.... and here is the super-duper-condensed version...

God's path is much less sticky than the world's... Just like the spider who spins special strands into his web so that he can get around without getting stuck, God's path is safe, straight, righteous and un-sticky. Favorite verses: All of Psalm 119; Prov 3:5-6, 4:14,18; 15:19,24; 21:16, 23:19; Isaiah 26:19 and 2 Cor 6:3
God's mercies are new every morning... I was thinking about how spiders live on the blood of other insects... OK - I know, not a pretty picture - but if you think about it, the insects give up their lives so that the spider could live. This instantly brought to mind how Jesus willingly sacrificed His blood so that I might live... and how important it is that I come to the cross daily to 'feed' on His gift... to be cleaned, renewed and refreshed.

It was soooo cool to see how God used nasty, icky spiders to calm my restless spirit. I have been really struggling with waiting patiently and here He was, reminding me of what really mattered - His immense love for me and to trust in Him as He guides me down His path...

God Bless...

Lori

Becoming High Tech

2006-12-01T23:20:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe how high tech everything is becoming... it is amazing to think that even just 5 years ago communication was so different. I have spent a better part of the day putting together my newsletter, prayer calendar, photo album and updating my webpage and blog.

It does help with keeping everyone in the loop - just hope that I will be able to continue when I make the big move. The internet in Zim is horrible so I am probably going to have to send CD's home with visitors and Brad and Gayle are going to have to do the rest. They are more than happy to do it but it would be so great if I had great access in Zim... still praying that satellite internet will come to the mission!

UGH!!!

2006-06-13T03:21:00.000-07:00

Warning... vent!

What is it with people who think they know more about your situation/circumstances than you do. I had someone come up to me last week all concerned about the "Zim Situation" and stating "I don't think you really understand what is going on over there. You may think that you are safe in your little 'bubble' out in the bush but the government is up to some really bad stuff..." "things are getting really bad over there..." "people are starving..." "people are getting fed up..."

Really - I wasn't aware - please fill me in!

PUH-LEEZE! Most of what makes the major newspapers here has been "common knowledge" for at LEAST a couple of weeks, if not months, for those who follow the happenings.

Granted - I still have a lot to learn about the culture/politics/people etc - but I also have a pretty good idea of what is going on. I keep up on the current happening through a newsgroup, speak with Kathy on a consistent basis, but most importantly.... I KNOW WHO HAS MY BACK!

I know that this person is just worried about me - but it really came across as condescending... almost mocking. I think that for some it is a really foreign idea to put your total trust in something not seen, not to mention that one would put their life down because of that trust, but I think NOT following Christ is much more dangerous than anything Zim can throw at me!

Ok... I am done - thanks!

Kathy Made the Cover!!!

2006-06-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

There is a lady in Santa Rosa California who has made it her mission to see Kathy recognized for all the work she has done... I can't believe that she has been there over 25 years!

Anyway... Nurseweek did a cover story on her and it's great! I was interviewed for the article and my picture is in there - the whole process was lots of fun! Just click the title of this entry to be linked to the article...

I am really happy for Kathy -she sooooo deserves this! Hopefully we'll see her on Oprah's Angel Network soon - wouldn't that be cool! (not to mention the mulah!)

-Lori

Drip drip drop little April shower...

2006-04-04T00:31:00.000-07:00

I am ready to start building an ark! All this rain better stop soon - or we are going to all float away!

Just got back from my class on Community Health Evangelism - or CHE as it is affectionately called. The class was really good and thier whole focus - besides sharing Christ - is to teach people to problem solve for themselves. The example they gave was the fish analogy... you give a man a fish and he eats for the day, teach a man to fish and he can feed his family... the problem with that is that is what happens when the river runs dry or becomes poisoned? So this program works on giving the nationals tools to work on problems in their community - allowing them to take ownership. The whole process allows them to be come independent, no longer dependant on others. There is A LOT more involved but I am really excited about it.... and having "over 1500 health lessons that all have a spiritual lesson entwined" at my fingertips doesn't hurt!

Packing List

2006-03-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking lately about what exactly it is that I need to bring with me. I have been making lists, checking them twice, and have asked other missionaries for thier advice on what they wished they would have brought with them vs what they should have just left at home. I came across this list and it really hit me.... While I need to prepare re: material things - I REALLY need to focus on having God prepare my heart...

Packing List:

Faith: Deep-down conviction on every circumstance that my Father is in control
Love: To love fully, and with gentleness
Availability: Not placing restrictions on my time.... my time is His
Humility: to always have a servant's heart
Abiding: to be completely dependant, sold out and content in Christ

My weekend with the Diva

2005-06-16T00:44:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful weekend! I got to spend it with my best friend, Deb and her family. Ashley graduated from high school... I can't believe that she is all grown up! I am so proud of her... I remember when she was 5 - time sure flies! Savannah is a little cutie and very cuddly. She is 22 months now, and the last I saw her she was only 6 weeks so it was very fun to get to know her. Leilah - the Diva - is hilarious and lots of fun! She stayed with me in my room and we made bookmarks out of beads and I taught her how to play MadLibs. It was wonderful to spend time catching up with Deb and her family... can't wait to visit them this fall in CA!

Got my grades... I did ok. My heart just wasn't into this last qtr and I took too many credits on top of this being the most difficult qtr anyway. I came out with a 3.6 - which is still good, but I blew my average. Oh well - I am still graduating with honors so I am happy. I only have this summer left and then I am DONE!!!! YIPEE!!!!

Where the Heart is Satisfied

2005-05-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post an excerpt from one of my papers from school. We were to write a story about women, culture and healing and I found the whole process to be very therapeutic and was even able to finally answer that question that I get asked so often and until now haven't been able to put into words...

People always ask me what it is about Zimbabwe that I love so much. I would like to say something altruistic like it is the imprint left, a calling to show compassion on those that are hurting and hungry, to show them that others have not forgotten those living in a county wracked by the diseases of power, greed and AIDS. Of course that definitely plays a part, a big part -but to be honest, the simple truth is, I see God there.

His creation is incredible and while I will never tire of watching elephants mosey along, looking for water or watching the geckos scuttle up and down the walls, it is the faces that I have so come to love. These faces astound me and each one tells a story that touches the deepest part of me. Many of these stories are about what you would expect hear, about births, deaths, weddings; those milestones common to us all, but there are also the stories like the three year old girl with the big brown eyes, who will sing “Jesu Unondida!” with a smile while enduring painful dressing changes for her burns each day… or a mother’s story about having to live with advanced AIDS, her family having abandoned her, and yet is still able to trust in a God who she knows loves her and is able to still find joy in living.

I stand in total amazement at the lives these Shona women have shared with me, of their courage and hope. They have accepted me into their Sisterhood and I am both honored and humbled, worried that I will never be able to live up to the living examples of God’s love and grace that they so lovingly model around me. I am overwhelmed with how much these women have touched my life. I have always admired these women, those who have opened their hearts to share with me about God’s truths. Truths about His infinite capacity to forgive and the perfect love He so lavishly pours out to us, urging us to share it with others. Truths about trusting in Him alone, and about what faith and hope really mean and the endurance to hold fast to that faith when all else is stripped away.

The mission was named Chidamoyo and it means “where the heart is satisfied.” I think that just like me, many others also find peace there.

What a Week!

2005-05-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

We finally bought our tickets for the Zim trip! I am really getting excited now! There are 5 of us going and it is a good group - we all like to laugh and have fun so hopefully that will get us through the 15+ hour flight without killing each other! I really wish we were going to be able to be there longer, but am glad that I get to go at all again before the big move. It will be wonderful to see Kathy and all my Shona family again!

I finally figured out why I was so tired... I knew that with school I was burning the candle at both ends but didn't realize by how much! Every other week I have a class on fri from 10-2, right in the middle of my 3 day work stretch which means I get up at 5pm on thurs and don't get to sleep until sat morning at 8! I can get a 2 hour nap on fri but in reality that isn't going to do much and it means that I am up for a 40 hour stretch! Can you say CRAZY!!!! Thank goodness I have only one more week of that nonsense!

School is almost done! I have only one week after this one and 6 papers due! Four are major papers but two have the rough drafts already turned in and corrected so just need to make some adjustments. The others are all 1 page essays about how I contributed in class (so I can get my participation points) and one 4 page essay about what I learned in the program for my senior portfolio - so it shouldn't be too bad.

I am trying to work on my web page. I am pretty good at figuring things out but MS Frontpage has me going a little crazy - ordered 2 books on Amazon so hopefully that will help!

Love ya!
Lori

Alzheimer's - Early Onset

2005-05-06T23:53:00.000-07:00

What is it about nursing school and gas stations? I managed to get thoroughly embarrassed again this week. I pulled up to the pump, went to pay by the automated machine in the middle of the island and preceded to try and pump my gas. I pushed all the right buttons, tried to reset things a couple of times with no avail. After several trips to the attendant and many tries - I realize that I was at pump #1, not #7! This hasn't been the only thing I have misread this week... maybe I just have a late onset of dyslexia - who knows! YIKES!

Called by name

2005-05-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

It has been an interesting week. I have been REALLY unmotivated in school this quarter - even though my hard work has been rewarded, I can't seem to get motivated to write those papers. Of course, taking over 23 credits and this being the hardest quarter of the program MIGHT have something to do with it - you think?

It always seems like when I am at what I think is my lowest (seriously contemplating what would happen if I dropped out now) is when God gently reminds me what this is all about. It started a week ago Sunday night when Darrell's message was about preparation, and how God prepares the way for us. He then told me not to forget my 'story.' OK... so that got me thinking and praying and helped to get me to start even contemplating this mountain before me... but then at the Seattle Youth Rally the speaker was talking about how God calls us by name... not "Hey you, over there... I want you to ____" but "Lori, you are going to Africa" -which is what started this whole Zim thing... How COOL is THAT! The One who holds the universe in His hands KNOWS my name and makes sure that I don't forget it! I just love how God orchestrates a bunch of little things to get a message across!

Now, I don't run... and no desire to start, but a friend was telling me that the biggest mistake runners make in a race is to slow down when they see the finish line instead of pushing forward. So... I am getting off my behind and as Scotty would say "givin' it all I got" (insert scottish accent)

Thanks!

2005-05-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

Ok - I look like a dork - Brad and Gayle got this picture as a congrats gift... it is several sketches of the Puget Sound area - something to make me homesick when I am in Zim! They got it at Pike Place - and I LOVE the art work there!

Being awarded

2005-05-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

I had just gotten my certificate for STT and was now being congratulated by the deans of the local nursing schools

Corral

2005-05-02T19:26:00.001-07:00

This is me with Corral - she is in my Women, Culture and Healing class

Classmates

2005-05-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

Classmates - I have sat with Lynda (right) through the whole program... she is a lot of fun. Mary Barone (bottom row far right) is the program director.

Sigma Theta Tau

2005-05-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the night that I was inducted into the nursing honor society! The ceremony was nice as far as ceremonies go and I am still amazed at the whole thing! I realized this weekend that not only was I being recognized for my scholarship - but also for being a nurse leader. A friend who is a nursing instructor at the UW said that my international experience helped in the decision to be nominated - so in essence they were also honoring my call to serve those in Zim - how cool is that! I sat through the ceremony feeling as if God Himself was cheering me on! Of course the idea of being a leader is a bit nerve wracking... but if that is the role God is placing before me then BRING IT ON! If there is one thing I have learned through this whole process of being called into nursing/missions is that His hand is in all the preparation. I probably won't even realize all that He has done until I see Him face to face.... just the little I know blows me away - so how awesome will that be!

My parents weren't able to make it back from Georgia - I understand, but still missed them being there. Brad and Gayle did a wonderful job of filling in - Brad likes to take LOTS of pictures and had to reign in some of that enthusiasm! They bought me a wonderful picture of Puget Sound scenes to take to Zim with me and we went to dinner at Bahama Breeze - YUMMY! It was definately one of those "a princess for the day" kind of days! :)

Zim house 2

2005-04-17T02:37:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of my large thatched porch. The bushes are overgrown, but most of them are bougainvillas. Just behind the porch is a screened-in veranda and then the house - living room with the main bedroom on the right and the office to the left.

Hi

2005-04-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Isn't technology fun!

I have less than a year to go before I leave for Zim and I would really like to journal this time of preparation... Hopefully when the website is up I can link the two so that I can journal from Zim too!

I am sure that this is a MAJOR understatement - but this next year is going to be really exciting! I am really looking forward to what God has planned! I know that these upcoming months are going have days that run the gamut from the great, to the good - right down to the ugly - but they will all be part of the roller coaster ride, ok - I'll be serious, journey that God has prepared for me and I am welcoming you to come along....

Love You!

In Christ -
Lori