Prayer Card

Thank you, Bob! Obviously I couldn't have done it without you.

Enthusiasm and the ordinary

The root of enthusiasm is "Go in". I like that! I am so thrilled that God is taking me on this journey with Him into Sudan. In the midst of intimidating changes in my life and church and with the huge task of asking hundreds of people to partner with me, I am so grateful that God is leading this move and I rest in the knowledge that He carries me.

With great enthusiasm I look toward the move and the mountain of learning and adjustments just beginning when I board that international flight next year. But in the logistic here stateside--of writing newsletters, raising support, managing a list-serve database that completely confusing me, asking people in a troubled economy to add another section to their budget--my enthusiasm wanes. I am learning that much of ministry is not "ministry" in the classic, spiritual sense, but just work--tedious logistics, hours at the computer with little to show for it, muddling about in technical computer programs, gathering the courage to begin learning a new language...

I have new respect and understanding for missionaries, pastors, worship leaders, etc.

When intimidated by things I have not done before I become a dreadful procrastinator. This laziness/procrastination disappoints me daily and results in a much delayed first newsletter and prayer card and getting my list-serve set up. I'm finally asking for assistance with the computer components of producing and developing them--so hopefully I will have information out to everyone soon. Obviously I cannot dive into ministry in Africa until goals are met here, so I am setting my face and plodding ahead through the ordinariness of "getting to the mission field." I have so much to learn and grow in... I believe I've romanticized being a missionary and serving God on the field. I forget that Jesus plodded through the mundane in dusty sandals.

"Work is love made visible." --Kahlil Gilbran

Emotion

I have experienced a sort of emotional high since I have been en route to Africa with schooling and training. There has been a joy that has overridden my other emotions most of every day. However, I have had some significant dips in that emotional high recently. In the past week several of my friends and one of my family members have experienced very difficult circumstances and for them my heart has broken.

I'm recognizing that the joy of my life in Christ prevails over the emotional lows, but that does not prevent me from questioning why God allows so much suffering in those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Amy Carmichael, missionary to India, knew suffering. For the last 20 years of her life she was bedridden and in constant pain. Her writings indicate her unwavering trust in God and how she did not focus on her own suffering but focused on bringing encouragement to others.

"I often think how wonderful it is to have nothing to think of, no care in all the world but to do His will and finish His work. There are sorrows--there must be in a world full of sorrow--but, 'This one thing I do' can be our work. And there is joy in that. I have been reading Ephesians 3:10, 11. 'The powers in the heavenly places' are real powers. If only we by the grace of God live lives that glorify our Lord, if only we are not overcome by griefs and trials such as those we are passing through now, but look above them and go on in peace, then something of the wonderful wisdom of God will be shown in in those unseen Watchers. It is a solemn thought, for of course the opposite is true. If we are 'overcome of evil' we show nothing of His love and grace and all that is meant by His 'manifold wisdom', Oh may He help us not to lose this opportunity to glorify His name." Amy Carmichael, a letter to a friend in Candles in the Dark

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--that I many know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any mans possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:8-13

"Think of yourself as belonging first to your Lord and then to all, servant of all. In serving any one of the 'all' you are serving Him who is your Lord. Life is never lonely or empty if we keep Him where He must always be, in the first place." --Amy Carmichael

I'm going to be serving in Sudan!

A great weight has been lifted from my shoulders! Today I received my placement from my mission agency, SIM. Next year I will be serving God in a small village in South Sudan. A mixture of emotions floods my mind and body, but the pervading emotion is joy. There have been so many years, so many steps, so many prayers and so much question about WHERE God would have me share His love, grace and the gifts He has given me. I am so thrilled to have that question answered and to be moving on toward that end.

In shrinking Sheila fashion I hoped that the decision would not be left up to me, and in truth, it wasn't. On the business side of things I was offered positions in both Sudan and Malawi and had to follow the vision God gave me to have the location settled. There were many practical and social reasons for going to Malawi, but in the end I felt I had no choice but to follow the vision God has given me of serving in a small village where I know and am known by the nationals I live in community with. I cannot wait to serve these people who are in such need of physical, economic, spiritual and emotional ministry as they work to rebuild their lives following the turmoil of over two decades of civil war.

Many of you expressed concern about my safety when you knew that Sudan was one of my possible placements. Well, let me share some information to put your mind at ease. With your prayers and God's grace I will be very safe. South Sudan is currently in a tentative state of peace because of a five year peace treaty with the North. When that ends in 2011 there may be the potential for trouble, but SIM has a contingency plan and keeps a close eye on the ground to know if teams should be evacuated.

I will be sharing more details via this blog, on email and in person, but I couldn't wait to get the news out to those of you who have been eagerly awaiting to know where I would be going. Thank you for your prayers.

Myths about the mission field

Motor vehicles accidents are the leading cause of death on the mission field. Not kidnapping and murder, not during violent crime of robbery, not illness, not snake bites or lion attacks, and not political or religious uprisings. MVAs! That might point our prayers in another direction. Hmmm.


Another common misconception about missionaries is that they return home because the work was too hard, they failed to acclimate to the culture, they experienced burnout, they lacked finances or they just didn't see the fruits of their labors. The primary reason American missionaries return home from the mission field before finishing their term is because they were unable to resolve problems with their fellow missionaries on the field. Interpersonal relation problems! This sounds like a silly thing to have such an impact on the work God called them to do--but interpersonal relationships are what the enemy seems to target most when he sees that God's people are being effective.

"I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other." John 13:34, 35

Learning from Missionaries

I have been at the SIM USA headquarters in North Carolina for four days . I have been exposed to several fabulous missionary speakers and heard many stories from those who are going and those who have been there. There are 39 of us here for this pre-field training. I am one of the older ones. There are TWELVE single women headed for Africa within the next year. It has been such a blessing to be around like minded people. I do not stick out as the girl who wants to go live in Africa here but fit right in with others with a passion and calling like mine.

Most of the lectures so far have been very practical! One of today's speakers used a lot of quotables--which you probably know I love!

Hudson Taylor: "The secret to faith that is ready for emergencies is the quiet practical dependence upon God day by day, for that's what makes Him real to the believer's heart."

Bob Hay: "The secret to stayability lies in your confidence in the process God used to lead you to wherever He placed you."

"Nothing is innocuous."

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood."

"It's not wrong, it's different."--when referring to ways another culture surprises you or even appals you.

"If I roll with the interruptions (during my busy work days) I may then find myself in the place where God is working."

Here is a list of some of the scheduled lectures so you can get an idea of what I'm learning.

Modesty and Propriety, Spiritual Warfare, Traveling Cross-culturally, Sexual purity, Stress, Working with Muslims, Travel tips, Finances, Giving and Hospitality Overseas, Health on the Field, Language Learning, Bible Teaching, Contextualizing Theology, and Community and Personality

We also have the opportunity to take elective classes such as Cooking from Scratch, Car Maintenance and Learning to drive a stick shift!

I'm loving this place and these people and my God who has placed me here at such a time as this.

Intensity

My work at the hospital has been really intense lately. More than ever, as I prepare for work, I take deep breaths and pray for grace to handle the situations in which I will find myself on the hospital floor.


We have lost a couple of patients in the past month, but saved some others. I'm reminded often that God determines the number of our days. It is a privilege to be working with His children. The deaths have been difficult for me, especially because the patients were very young. In my emotional journey with death here in the states, I realize how ill equipped I currently am for the frequency with which I will face the death of my patients in Africa.

I have much growth to do, though I do not lie to myself and think that I will ever be fully grown.

Time is short!

I realized this week that I have been a nurse for nine months! Nine months of having other people's lives figuratively in my hands. Have I mentioned nursing is difficult!?! Most mornings when I leave work I've already recognized two or three things that I should have done differently! By the time I wake up from day sleep I've thought of some more. I have so much to learn!


My projected date of arrival in Africa is only 10 months away--where a whole new nursing learning will be before me--complicated by language barriers, cultural barriers, the exhaustion that missionaries typically find on the field, the likelihood of insufficient supplies, etc. However, I could not be more thrilled that that challenging time is less than a year away. God will supply the grace for the moments on this journey of His.

"If you have courage, you will influence people based on your convictions. If you lack courage, you will influence people based on your comfort zones. Courage will take you anywhere you believe God is leading you. Without courage, you will go where you are comfortable." --Wayne Schmidt

SIMCO

In just over a month I will be going to North Carolina for formal missionary training with my mission agency, Serving in Mission. It is going to be exciting and challenging. I will be out of my comfort zone. I trust that I'll return to Arkansas a less timid girl and a more mature believer and spokesperson for my Savior.

one year countdown

If things go as I plan...


In one year I'll be setting into my African mud brick hut, house or apartment and will begin work. However, there are many stops between now and then. Here are some that I can anticipate, but I'm sure the list in reality will be much longer.

Placement chosen and approved by SIM

SIM training in NC

Support raising

Strengthening of my trust in God

Visa

Tropical medicine course

Possible month long crash course in delivering babies at SIM hospital

"The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Waiting

My life has involved a lot of waiting and God has blessed me with a reasonable amount of patience. Waiting to learn of my placement in Africa is my biggest and most exciting wait in a long time. I'll share the news when I receive it. There are many factors and until these things are all resolved/determined/lined up--I wait... There is joy in knowing I will be planted where God wants me, but my heart still gets all jumpy with anticipation and wonder as I fill the days until He lets me in on the plan.

"Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within his followers except the adoption of Christ's purpose toward the world he came to redeem." - J. Campbell White

Community Development

I am never disappointed by the Perspectives speakers. There is always Biblical Truth mixed with practical information having to do with working with a different culture, adjusting to minimal living styles, advice on living with other missionaries (conflict with other missionaries is one of the primary reasons for people leaving the field before their term ends), sharing the Gospel in an effective way considering the religious climate and the learning style of the people group, etc.


Tonight the speakers talked about community development. After looking at how Jesus and the disciples met physical needs and shared the Truth, we looked at practical things relevant in underdeveloped areas today. One speaker--who I have to label an "Inventor"-- has made a few devices to provide fresh water from contaminated water, cook with sunlight, use solar power to charge cell phones and provide a source of income for the people, etc. So inspiring! There is so much to the old adage, "Don't give them a fish, but teach them to fish."


Of particular note to me was Jesus quotation of the prophet Isaiah--"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." Luke 4:18-19. Jesus was about the whole person. In nursing school they talked much about "holistic nursing" where we assess and treat not only the physical needs, but the spiritual, social and emotional needs as well. I've been witness countless times where these are tied closely together with the physical reason the person seeks medical treatment. The recovery process depends heavily on how the person deals with the issues in all of these aspects. Some on the Mercy health care team are very good at addressing all of them. I hope we get better at it. North American culture teaches us to separate all the aspects of the person. Most other cultures see all of them together as making up the whole. All too often we are hacking away at the symptoms with medications and procedures instead of targeting the underlying causes.


Here are some power packed quotes from the evening. "It is a transformed person who transforms his or her environment. Transformation comes through a relationship with Christ. Deeds give credibility to the Gospel" AC Musopole and Dr. Ed Klotz

"God's church falters from exhaustion because Christians erroneously think that God has given them a mission to perform in the world. Rather, the God of mission has given his church to the world. It is not the church of God that has a mission in the world, but the God of mission who has a church in the world. The church's involvement in mission is its privileged participation in the actions of the triune God." Tim Dearborn

Red Letters

A friend gave me a copy of Red Letters by Tom Davis. I highly recommend it. Here is an excerpt from the Introduction.

"The continent is on fire with AIDS, and unless drastic action is taken, entire countries will be wiped off the face of the planet by this disease.

Sadly, the church has been slow to act in response to this crisis. Like the priest and Levite of Jesus' parable, we have passed by the man on the side of the road, too busy or too "holy" to involve ourselves in lending a helping hand.

Africa is indeed on fire. But as we argue or fuss about how it started and who should be saved first, thousands more children are orphaned each day. Every hour, another 1000 children will die. Did you know that you are just a short plane ride away from a world where eight year old girls prostitute themselves for food?

The true state of emergency lies within the church--it lies within us. It's our problem. We can't leave Africa's children lying by the side of the road as we pass on by.

The gospel I believe in offers a cup of cold water in Jesus' name. The only gospel worth living is the one that incarnates love. The only gospel worth giving our lives for is the one that elevates the needs of others above our own. That's what the "good news" is all about.

And thankfully, there is more good news. Though the church as been slow to move, things are improving. National and local church leaders are beginning to challenge congregations to think globally when they offer that cup of cold water. Christian organizations are responding with more and more boldness. Still, we have a lot to learn and a long way to go. History will judge our generation by how we responded to those in need. History will judge the church by how it responded. We have an opportunity to show the world just what it really means to be Christ-followers. We can make a difference. We can change the world. When we lead with compassion, we can move from apology to action. And out of actions springs hope--hope and life. So, for our mistakes...I am sorry. But for our potential, for the impact you and I can have on a world in need...I am hopeful."

I realize this writing has a "YOU, get up and so something!" tone, but sometimes that is what we need. When I avoid the news, my work at the children's shelter, emails about needs both in the US and abroad, etc. and stay in my comfort zone of peace and plenty; I find myself cushioned from the reality of the desperate world of need only a few doors down from my home. I forget what I can do for others and instead focus all my attention on those in my immediate path. My passion for the poor, the suffering, the hurting, the abused and the lost weakens. I do not want to be comfortable and passionless. Jesus certainly wasn't.

Books like Red Letters and Left to Tell, movies like Hotel Rwanda, The Girl in the Cafe, We Are Together, Sometimes in April, etc. are good wake up tools for me. I highly recommend them.

Six months as an RN

I just realized it has been six months since I completed nursing school! I had heard that many nurses suddenly have an epiphany at this point-- that they really know what they are doing and are not experiencing many moments of "Oh, no, what do I do now!?!" Well, I'm a slow learner, and am certainly not there yet. In fact, I think I second guess myself more than ever these days. The past six months have taught me a great deal, but I feel like I'll never get it all. I'll always be a student--fortunately I love to learn--in a truly nerdy way.

Incarnational lifestyle

Tonight at Perspectives I was really moved by the earnest and honest testimony and inspiration of Jamie Zumwalt. She shared stories of missionaries who were among the first and second waves to 'go forth' in the 1800 and 1900's. She talked of the latest wave of missionaries who use a incarnational lifestyle--live like the people. That is my plan, if my agency and my placement allow it. An incarnational lifestyle might have me living in a mud brick hut, cooking over a three stone fire and washing my clothing beside the national women in the nearest creek. It might involve my carrying five gallon buckets of water to my house twice a day to boil for drinking and to use for bathing. It might involve walking everywhere instead of riding in a car. It might involve not having a cell phone or Internet access except when I am on holiday. It will mean a significant adjustment. However, I look forward to that life change as it brings me into the lives of those in my community and gives me more credibility with the people as I represent Jesus to them.



I confess I do have apprehension about being a victim of crime while in Africa. In many areas the people are so poor and hungry that they steal without giving it thought. In some areas the white people are resented and are all thought to be wealthy (to be fair we probably are) and a great target for theft. Law enforcement officials are sometimes corrupt when it comes to ticketing and fining the white people for minor or even fabricated crimes. While in Malawi I saw one of the missionaries ticketed for a "broken taillight" that was working perfectly. In many areas any woman or child is in danger of being wronged in the most intimate and violent of ways. When I allow my mind to dwell on these things fear does creep in--but doubt about the call on my life does not.

God will be my strong tower when I am afraid. He will be my provider when I am treated unfairly. He will be my endurance when the work is unending and my heart is overcome with the need and pain around me. He will provide the wisdom and ability to perform tasks that I'm called upon to do, but not yet qualified for. He will give me words when I stand speechless in front of a group of women waiting to learn from me. I cannot doubt any of this with the beautiful assurance He has given me in this call to Africa. It is not my life, but His. With joy I lay it down.

I love this classic song of Steven Curtis Chapman.

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die for the sake of the call

Nobody stood and applauded them
So they knew from the start
This road would not lead to fame
All they really knew for sure
Was Jesus had called to them
He said "come follow Me" and they came
With reckless abandon, they came
Empty nets lying there at the water's edge
Told a story that few could believe
And none could explain
How some crazy fisherman agreed to go where Jesus went
With no thought to what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name
And they answered...

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die for the sake of the call
The sake of the call

Drawn like the rivers are drawn to the sea
There's no turning back, for the water cannot help but flow
Once we hear the Savior's call, we'll follow wherever He leads
Because of the love He has shown
And because He has called us to go
We will answer...

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
Not for the sake of a creed or a cause
Not for a dream or a promise
Simply because it is Jesus who called
And if we believe we'll obey

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die for the sake of the call
For the sake of the call

Risk and Preparation

Tonight I read one of my required books for SIM. I found myself far more intrigued and encouraged by its contents than I expected and feel silly for having procrastinated it. I want to share a particular section with you.

"Missionaries enter into risk because they are sent into it by God. He is the ultimate sender and administrator of mission. C.S. Lewis described the Christian life as being in a violent storm. Those who lie down may not even understand the nature of the storm. Those who stand up are battered by the tempest." Ian Hay

I feel that much of my life I have been one of those for whom the majority of the storm has passed overhead. I've been safe, comfortable and even have remained naive to an extent about the tremendous need, depravity, sickness, abuse, treachery and evil in the world. However, soon I know that the storm will hit me full force. When I get off the sidelines and into the battle, when I am bringing the Truth of Jesus daily into the lives of those who do not know him, the enemy will raise his head and hit me with some blasts.


During this time of relative calm of working as a nurse in a faith based hospital, I need to be growing in my faith more. I need to be building a scriptural foundation in my heart that I will be able to draw from when the winds and waves assail me. I need to recognize every moment of the day that hope and strength, wisdom and ability are only mine because of Christ in me. My comfortable, "sunny day faith" will not be enough to sustain me on the field.


I recently had a very difficult day at the hospital which I did not manage well. I spent the last hour and a half of the shift in an emotional meltdown and ended the shift in tears, unable to speak about the patient without fresh ones running down my cheeks. In Africa I may face more difficult situations than that on a daily basis. I may even be the one to whom everyone looks for guidance and hope. I do not have it. Christ in me is my only hope.
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

What is my motivation?

Last night the Perspectives speaker spoke on what motivates us to be missionaries. While my motives are good, they may not be what is preeminent--love for Jesus and an all consuming desire for His fame to be spread among all people. I need to do some soul searching. I do desire to see all people come to know and worship Him, but I am also powerfully motivated by compassion and passion for the sick, the orphaned, the discouraged and the hungry. I am going to dissect my heart and again ask God to break my heart with what breaks His and lead me in the perfect way He has for me.

Learning and inspiration

This Spring I am auditing the Perspectives course again. As an alumni, I can indefinitely attend to hear the lectures from a plethora of missionaries and ministers. It was in Perspectives in 2005 and 2006 that I received inspiration and direction from God about serving as a nurse in Africa. This year I return to glean wisdom and fresh inspiration from the speakers and attendees.

If you have the opportunity to take the course, you won't regret it, and you will never be the same. http://www.perspectives.org/

One of the key points from tonight's lecture is that we are blessed to be a blessing. We have been given the privilege of having the gospel and it is our honor and responsibility to share it. God's plan of redemption is repeated in hundreds of ways through the old and new testament. One thing I learned for the first time that is very significant in God's redemptive work is that 2/3 of Jesus healing ministry involved people the Jewish people called Gentiles. His work was very countercultural.

Psalm 67 "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us-- that Your way may be know on earth, Your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise you: Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the people praise You! The earth has yielded its increases; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him!"

Justice a long in coming

Col. Theoneste Bagasora, the main organizer behind the 1994 slaughter of more than 500,000 people in Rwanda, was convicted of genocide 12/17/08 and sentenced to life in prison. He was found guilty of crimes against humanity. The court said he used his position as the former director of Rwanda's Ministry of Defense to direct Hutu soldiers to kill Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
His conviction was welcomed by genocide survivors, who still live uneasily among perpetrators in Rwanda's green hills nearly 15 years later. Bagosora also was found responsible for the deaths of former Rwandan Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana, a moderate Hutu, and 10 Belgian peacekeepers who tried to protect her as she was killed at the outset of the genocide. At the time of the genocide, Bagasora was the second-highest ranking official in the defense department. (Associated Press)

If the world were a village of 100 project

If we could reduce the world’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, the demographics would look something like this:

The village would have 60 Asians, 14 Africans, 12 Europeans, 8 Latin Americans, 5 from the USA and Canada, and 1 from the South Pacific
51 would be male, 49 would be female
82 would be non-white; 18 white
67 would be non-Christian; 33 would be Christian
80 would live in substandard housing (a very subjective stat)
67 would be unable to read
50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation
33 would be without access to a safe water supply
39 would lack access to improved sanitation
24 would not have any electricity (And of the 76 that do have electricity, most would only use it for light at night.)
7 people would have access to the Internet
1 would have a college education
1 would have HIV
5 would control 32% of the entire world’s wealth; all 5 would be US citizens
33 would be receiving --and attempting to live on-- only 3% of the income of “the village”

These statistics were taken from the STATE OF THE VILLAGE REPORT by Donella H. Meadows, published in 1990 as "Who lives in the Global Village?" and updated in 2005.

Statistics

Taken from www.one.org/

In 2007, HIV/AIDS killed 2.2 million people, 1.7 million people died from tuberculosis (TB) and malaria killed another 881,000 people. These global pandemics disproportionately affect the world’s poorest people and Africa is by far the hardest hit: over 8,000 people die every day in Africa from these three preventable and treatable diseases.
The human impact of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria is undeniable, but their socioeconomic impact is also severe. In Africa, AIDS threatens to wipe out an entire generation during its most productive years- businesses are losing their workers, governments are losing their civil servants and families are losing their breadwinners. These three diseases are having a measurable impact throughout developing world: 12.1 million children in Africa have already lost one or both parents to AIDS. Some estimates indicate that annual GDP growth rates in countries with high incidences of HIV/AIDS can be 2-4% lower than in countries with an absence of the disease. It is estimated that malaria-an entirely preventable and treatable disease-costs Africa $12 billion in lost economic growth each year.

Evidence for Action
The good news is that these diseases are preventable and treatable using proven, cost-effective strategies:
Antiretroviral medication to treat people living with HIV/AIDS costs as little as $140 per patient per year, down from nearly $10,000 a year less than 10 years ago.
Malaria can be all but eliminated through four highly successful interventions: insecticide-treated bed nets (which cost $6 to manufacture and distribute) and anti-malarial treatment (which costs $2 per dose), as well as indoor residual spraying and preventative treatment for pregnant women.
In many endemic countries, $16-35 will buy a full six month drug course of TB treatments.
The establishment of initiatives such as the Global Fund, PEPFAR and the President’s Malaria Initiative has helped to dramatically scale up global resources to fight these diseases: In 2002, only 50,000 HIV-positive people in Africa had access to antiretroviral medicines (only 1% of those in need). At the end of 2007, over 2 million Africans (30% of those in need) — and 2 million people globally (31% of those in need) — were receiving treatment. To protect families from malaria, the Global Fund has helped deliver 59 million bed nets since 2002. In Rwanda and Ethiopia, the dramatic scale-up of bed nets and anti-malaria treatment has reduced malaria deaths by over 50% in the past two years. Moving Forward Despite recent successes, current efforts are not on the scale necessary. Around the world, 6.7 million people who need antiretroviral treatment are still not receiving it and 7,400 people are newly infected with HIV each day. In 2005, world leaders committed to helping provide universal access to AIDS prevention, care and treatment by 2010, but there is still no plan in place for realizing this ambitious goal. Malaria is still responsible for one in every five childhood deaths in Africa. 2.5 million Africans become newly infected with TB each year and more than 500,000 of those infected people die.Much more must be done on all three of these deadly diseases and one necessary prerequisite for doing so is increased global funding. While the world spent approximately $10 billion fighting HIV/AIDS in 2007, UNAIDS estimates that funding levels will need to increase by over 50% by 2010 in order to maintain the current scale up of universal access for prevention, care and treatment. Malaria efforts will require between $1.9-3.1 billion per year and stopping TB will cost an estimated $3.1 billion from donors annually but in 2007 donors fell more than $1 billion short. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly clear that health systems must be strengthened in order to deliver these scaled up services. Already stretched doctors, nurses and pharmacists as well as the systems and facilities that support them must be reinforced not just to address AIDS, TB and malaria but to ensure that while we do so, we don't further exacerbate other basic health challenges as well. HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria can be defeated, but if the effective solutions that are currently within reach are scaled up dramatically.

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3;16-18

Aid in Sudan

Inspired by the movie The Girl in the Cafe, I have done some research on actual G8 Summits and what is going on in Africa based on the work of the Bush Administration. I found this on a government website. Unfortunately the vast needs in Africa and the tremendous obstacles to true reform of hearts, minds and power make it inadequate to completely eradicate the devastation of the past few years in Sudan and other areas in Africa where greed, corruption, ignorance, racism and power hungry people hurt others by the thousand.

In a nutshell at this year's G8 Summit discussions regarding Africa resulted in the G8 leaders announcing new measures on improving education, health, water supplies and sanitation and increasing the number of doctors and nurses in Africa. They set a five-year deadline to commit $60-billion in funding to help Africa fight disease, including pledging 100 million mosquito nets by 2010 which will prevent thousands of deaths from malaria. They also renewed a commitment made three years ago to double aid for Africa to $25-billion by 2010 and to consider pledging further assistance after 2010

The following facts were posted on a US Government website. They sound fabulous--I just confess I doubt that the full intended goals will be reached on the other side of the ocean.

Fact Sheet: Leading the Global Response to the Crisis in Darfur
President Bush Meets With Sudanese Human Rights Advocate, Pledges Continued U.S. Support To End The Violence In Darfur
"For too long, the people of Darfur have suffered at the hands of a government that is complicit in the bombing, murder, and rape of innocent civilians. My Administration has called these actions by their rightful name: genocide. The world has a responsibility to help put an end to it. ... I promise this to the people of Darfur: the United States will not avert our eyes from a crisis that challenges the conscience of the world." – President George W. Bush, 5/29/07
The United States Is Committed To Ending The Genocide In Darfur
The United States is the largest single donor to the people of Sudan, including to Darfur where more than 2.5 million are currently displaced. America leads the world in responding to the crisis there by providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, facilitating the deployment of an international peacekeeping force, and promoting a lasting political settlement. Specifically, the United States providing support through:
Humanitarian Aid and Human Rights. The United States is the leading international donor to Sudan, providing more than $5 billion in assistance to Sudan since 2005, including $3.7 billion in humanitarian and peacekeeping assistance to Darfur. In 2008, the United States provided half of the World Food Program's food aid request for more than 6 million people throughout Sudan and eastern Chad. In FY 2007, the United States gave more than $1 billion in assistance to the people of Sudan, including Darfur.
More than 30 U.S. Government partners are currently implementing programs to provide food, health, shelter, water, and other life-saving services, in the face of the many challenges caused by escalating banditry, bureaucratic impediments, and attacks on humanitarian staff. The United States also continues to promote efforts to ensure the safety and basic rights of Darfur's most vulnerable people. The United States has spearheaded a $16 million initiative to combat the widespread violence against women and girls and help communities to heal. The U.S. government supports radio programming in local languages on human rights issues and peace processes that are directed at persons displaced because of the conflict and other vulnerable populations in Darfur.

Earlier this year, the President made available $100 million in U.S. funding to augment the training and equipping of African peacekeepers pledged to deploy under UNAMID. Up to $40 million dollars of these new funds ensured that Rwanda's forces have the training and equipment they need to deploy four battalions (3,200 troops) to Darfur. Already, the United States has helped train more than 7,000 Rwandans for peacekeeping in Darfur and spent more than $40 million to ensure they are properly prepared, equipped, and on the ground.
Economic Sanctions. Since violence erupted in Darfur in 2003, the United States has imposed economic sanctions on seven Sudanese individuals responsible for violence in Darfur and on more than 160 companies owned or controlled by the Government of Sudan (GOS).
The United States supports a political solution to the ongoing Darfur conflict, including necessary security and compensation provisions as outlined in the DPA, which creates broad structures for an eventual outcome that will allow millions of Darfuris to return to their homes and rebuild their lives in peace.

Loss

Last night at the hospital I had my first experience with death. A little one was born too early and did not survive the night. I helped prepare him to spend his last moments with he parents. Their grief over the loss of this long awaited child broke my heart and I was unable to maintain my composure.
I know in Africa, death will be a common occurrence. Somehow God will help me to bear the sadness, made more frustrating and heartbreaking because death there is so often unnecessary because of malnutrition, untreated malaria, AIDS and parasites.

It’s better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness. --Confucius

Living with an attitude of Thanksgiving

Today I have countless things and people and blessings for which to be thankful. Yet I'm allowing a gloom to overshadow my normal thankful and light heart. I begin working nights tonight at the hospital. This as a big challenge. Normally my brain functions well until about 9pm, then the clarity and reason I have fall away in increasing amounts until I am not at all reasonable in the wee hours of the morning. At work, I will not only need to be alert, but observant, patient, able to compute medication calculations and catch signs that my patients are deteriorating, hemmoraging, decompensating, etc.

Deep down I know God will give me grace with this portion of my work, but my heart is doubtful at times. I am so thankful for my position at Mercy. I trust that He will help me maintain a thankful heart in the wee hours.

We have been in God’s thought from all eternity, and in His creative love, His attention never leaves us. --Micheal Quoist

Benefitting Kenyans

Today I ran the Mountain Home Half-Marathon for Kenya. It is an annual marathon, half-marathon, 5K event that benefits a village in Kenya called Katito. The race raises both funds for and awareness about the town's people. Some of the Mountain Home people who organize the race visit and volunteer each year in Katito as part of the nonprofit organization known as World Vision. This year the money will go toward digging wells for clean drinking water.

Pre-race the runners had the typical competitive air of deprecating their training runs and previous race times. Most wore expensive and colorful moisture wicking running tights and jackets. The average running shoe probably cost over $100. Many had flown to the area to run in this marathon in Arkansas as one of their "Marathon in all 50 states." There was an abundance of pre and post race food. There were free massages for all runners and prizes for the first three finishers in each category. I was struck by all the work, money and materials that were required to make this an event that American runners would enjoy and want to return to annually.

Yet on the other side of the world all the busyness and expense of this American culture event will result in fresh water for hundreds of people and perhaps prolonged life for some who would suffer from dysentery if they did not have it. We take our fresh food and water for granted here; there it is a precious commodity. It is exciting to think of how much help this event that we running Americans so enjoy will provide for people living vastly different lives.

“Isn’t it wonderful that no one need wait a moment to improve the world.” Anne Frank