Kenya Photos 2010

First Birth

Last Saturday, I was woken at 11pm for a birth. Maggie (the other Nurse-midwife) knocked loudly on my door and startled me awake. I got dressed quickly in the dark, searching clumsily for my flashlight.

When I arrived at the clinic, I met Awein and her husband. She was definitely in labor with contractions coming every 5 minutes or less. But when I did an IE she was only 5 cm along. Yet, this was her fourth baby and I knew she wouldn’t be long.

Maggie went back to bed with instructions to wake her when things were farther along. Awein told me she wanted to deliver on the floor, but it’s so dirty we settled on delivering on the bed in a squatting position. She was bright eyed and seemed at ease. When the contractions got stronger, she made faces instead of noise.

It wasn’t a half an hour later when she arched her back and started pushing. I tried to get her to stop thinking she wouldn’t be fully but… well… she wasn’t listening. And everything I said, had to go through Victor my translator (who I later learned had never seen a birth before!). She pushed strong and mighty and I realized we’d have a baby soon.

I sent Victor to get Maggie back at the compound and Awien kept pushing. A precious little boy was born a few short minutes later along with a wave of amniotic fluid and blood. I should have worn gum boots as each step made a splash. Such is birth when you have no linens.

They named him CHOK and he weighed a whopping 2500 grams.

June Newsletter~ Midwifery Times

Just click on this link to download the newsletter. It's a pdf document. Hope you like it.

First Impressions...

Much of my day is spent trying to remember simple things - like to breathe. Today happens to be one day when breathing comes naturally. It helps that I've had a day off from the clinic.

I've only been in Tonj for 5 days and yet it feels like longer. The things I've seen so far... the smells... the sounds. It feels both familiar and foreign.

Each morning I'm greeted in my new Dinka name... Kuac. I hear, 'Chibek, Kuac' and am saluted. I respond with a hand shake and smile. 'Chibek?' means 'How are you?' I'm told that my new name means 'White cow with black spots all over.' :- ) Yes, I'm named after a cow!

But I'm digressing... Let's back up a bit.

Tuesday, I arrived with the rest of the team on a small plane. It only seats 10 - including the pilot. But such small planes afford extraordinary views. We flew just above the cloud line and from my small window, I marveled at the patchwork below.

As we left Nairobi, it seemed like each inch of land was parceled out in neat little farms and quartered off in fences. But as each hour passed,  and we traded the deep luscious farms for grasslands, a new part of Africa was revealed - An Africa with rolling hills and towering peaks. An Africa with deed mountains that rival the Alps in every way but color. An Africa with rivers so deep they empty out 2000 miles away in the Mediterranean. Yes. the White Nile wiggled below us in all its muddy splendor. But by the time we landed, the ground was spotted in round mud huts set quietly among grassy fields and scraggly trees. The diversity was breath taking.


My first impressions of Tonj are too confusing to draw any conclusions. The town seems brimming with activity... but I've only seen it once. The roads are dirt and dusty. And the landing strip had a wrecked airplane at its end... someone forgot to apply the brakes! I wanted to take pictures but didn't. There were armed guards in military fatigues helping us unload our things... or where they just watching? I can't recall. All I remember is they were right in the middle of everything.

Hugs and great excitement greeted us by the staff and has remained the same. I'm impressed with the team here at the clinic and the Kuj family is lovely. I look forward to knowing them better. We only had a day with some of the team as a handful left the next morning for a little R&R. Our pilot over-nighted with us and flew out early the next morning before the rain descended.

When the rain came... it came with power and force. Many of my patients opted to wait it out for hours. I'm told, when it rains, no one comes to the clinic and now I understand why. Streets become rivers and rivers become lakes. I love it... but only because I had no where I needed to go.

It's winter here now with days of 80 degrees and cool evenings and rain. It is muggy and warm. I worry to think it will get hotter. But such is life for them... why not for me too. :- )

Dance to the LORD!

Last Sunday, I had a truly African worship experience.  My teammate Tyler was invited by a church in town to speak. He was to teach in the morning in an area of town called Pipeline, then once again that afternoon at another church’s youth group.

We were excited to see what God had planned but weren’t sure what to expect. None of us had met Tony (our Kenyan contact) before. As we arrived to our destination, Tony met us and directed us to the church. It was a humble property that looked two steps above a root cellar. The walls were simple mud bricks with a few strategic ones missing for ventilation. Compacted dirt made up our floor and scavenged wood, our roof. But this mattered little to those who gathered to worship.

Worship seems too tame a word to describe it. Each song was screamed to the heavens until voices failed. With arms lifted high in expectation, they danced and danced to Him. After a few hours of this, my heart was happy but my body, tired. Tyler shared and we were all edified.

After lunch we hiked through a neighboring area called Tessia where the other church was located. The roads were so poor we couldn’t pass them in our van. Walking through the streets, it was evident we were foreigners. Children stopped to gawk while women pointed and whispered.

Church was loud and exuberant just as before but this time in a stick building along the main road. It is the first church planted by Apostle Harrison - the first of ten we were told. It was fun chatting with him and a few of the other pastors. Apparently, Harrison went through the Calvary Chapel Bible School in Nairobi a few years back and was happy to share how he taught the Bible scripture by scripture.  --SW

Lights Out!

Today, our electricity went off. We shrugged thinking, ‘Oops, another power outage.’ Not two minutes later came a knock at the door. The man explained he just cut our power.

The reason? Apparently, someone forgot to pay the bill.

He wanted to be paid right away, or else we could spend the rest of the night in the dark.

However, none of us live here. We are just a bunch of confused Mozungu (whites) and our faithful leader is out and about.

The man wants to be paid 250 Shillings (Roughly $3 dollars) in order to turn it back on, in addition to the bill for the last month. Okay. But our main man is out, could you return shortly?

He said he would then left us sitting in the dark. No internet, and thus no way to get our emails out.

Hours went by and he didn’t return. We all had a good laugh and waited for Gordon to get home. As night fell, we pulled out our flashlights and laughed.

Finally, Gordon drives up and moments later the lights are back on! What happened we wondered? What did he do? And how did he fix it so fast?

He went to the fuse box and switched it back on! Yes. It was that simple.

Oh Kenya!

Karibu Kenya!

My flight to Kenya was deliciously simple - if not long. Two layovers quickly turned into three when my first flight was canceled. But our God who cares for the details worked it out for me to get bumped to first class! Leg room is not something to take lightly. Thanks for praying!

Once I landed, I was surprised to find Nairobi more developed than I expected. Even Athens and Spain don’t have airports this nice! Gordon (our faithful logistics man for In Deed and Truth) picked me up at the airport and has been helping me jump through hoops ever since.

I’m now updated on my immunizations and have the coolest looking entrance permit into Sudan! However, they seem to think that I have brown eyes and am 200 cm tall! Apparently, getting the facts right is not a priority.

The Kenyans I’ve had the privilege to meet so far have been surprisingly open and welcoming.

They are a smiling bunch with a penchant for being polite. Their signs are even polite. At a grocery store, I saw a sign saying, “Polite notice. Parking at your own risk.” ~ Don’t say you weren’t warned.

The language spoken here is Swahili and English. Thanks to Gordon, I’ve started picking up some words in Swahili.

I’ve learned to count to ten. And in order to remember them, I sing the numbers to myself over and over like a three year old. Perhaps he wishes now that he hadn’t taught me but it’s too late. Muhuhaaha!

Karibu means ‘Welcome’. And ‘Karibu Kenya’ means “Welcome to Kenya”. I certainly do feel welcome!

My Bodyguard!

While shopping, Gordon is being careful to take me to only ‘safe’ and ‘clean’ places. I asked him why we weren’t going to the open air market since it’s bound to be cheaper. He told me that he isn’t allowed to do it. He knows he’ll get in trouble if he takes ‘risks’ or puts me in unsafe situations. I get that but … we are talking fruit here. Right? No. Apparently there’s more.

I don’t know what more I’m missing but I’m sure I’ll understand one of these days. Half laughing, I asked him if he was afraid I’d go to these places, get scared and run from Kenya screaming. He answered without a hint of sarcasm, ‘Yes. That is it.’

I laughed but he didn’t. Oh, Kenya!

What's OSHA anyway?

  Yesterday, in an effort to get our team the best meat products we went to a specialty butcher. The place was clean … well, for the most part. Our butcher was very friendly, suggesting the choicest cuts. We decided on goat and marinated chicken. 

He took the goat out of the display case and put it on the counter. No gloves. No protective sleeve on the scale. Not even a sink in sight. He then proceeded to take the chunk of goat in back and chop it up for us. He returned with nice little cutlets which went back on the bare counter. He trimmed the fat, weighed it and we settled on a price. Great.

Next we went to the chicken section of the display case. Mind you, he still has goat parts attached to his fingers, the scale has not been cleaned and my OSHA alarm bells are going off. He hand picks a half dozen chicken thighs, piles them on the scale and again we agree to the price.

I’m not sure why this bothers me so much. Perhaps it the endless ‘Food Handlers’ licensing classes I’ve had to sit through over the years. I tell myself to get over it, that’s how it’s done here, etc. But I can’t. 

My stomach churns in dread. Just how many microbes am I going to have to digest today?

All this gives new meaning to praying over your food!

 

No foreigners here!

Today I got shot! Shot with immunizations that is. Apparently, keeping up on your vaccination card is VERY important. When I told my nurse that I didn't have an immunization booklet with proof of all my shots, she seemed a bit surprised and quickly got me a new one. It looks very official with a handful of very cool stamps. Now I guess I'm cleared to fly into the wild unknown!

Next we went shopping for a SIM card and phone credit. I got the card but it doesn't work on my US phone and I may have to buy a cheapy just to get a few texts out. I'm holding out for some place to just hack my blackberry, but I guess that isn't as common as in the Philippines. There has to be a way!

And this evening, Gordon and I and two other missionaries from the Sudan all went to see a movie. We watched Robin Hood. It was nice. But afterward, the couple from the Sudan (Dan and Laura from Minnesota) ate in a restaurant, whereas Gordon and I went shopping for fruit! :- )

I have missed the tropical fruits and am thrilled to find them! Would you believe grapes cost roughly 500 shillings a pound but you can get big juicy mangos for 20 shillings a pound! Yum! Mangos it is!
I can handle that.

But while we were at the store, he asked me if I were comfortable here in Kenya. I told him I was very comfortable but I couldn't quite place my finger on why. So while I walked through mountains of papaya and heaps of pomelos, I considered his question.

Then it hit me! No one was staring at me. No one was calling out to me, 'hey joe!' or making cat calls behind lewd glances. I was all together uninteresting. That's it. I'm comfortable here -very comfortable- because no one treats me like a foreigner. It's refreshing.

In the Philippines, men would call out after me as I walked to the market. "Marry Me! I Love You! What is your name?" I'd laugh and keep going but it was very disconcerting. I was always made to feel like a foreigner there. I never liked the attention but eventually I got used to it.

In Haiti, instead of the silly 'proposals', I got glares and distrusting glances. I wasn't loved because of the color of my skin. I was made to feel 'less than' and seemingly hated as a result of it. I don't mean to pick on Haiti but I must say, the overall effect was to make me feel very uneasy. It was clear I was NOT one of them.

Here, all that is different. I like the fact I draw little to no attention. I enjoy being of no consequence. I appreciate blending in with the crowd. It makes me feel very much at ease and .... yes, even comfortable! Just one more reason to love it here, I'd say!

It sure is nice to be home.

My journey began on wednesday with a canceled plane but got better along the way. Two lay-overs turned into three. But for my flexibility, I was bumped to first class part of the way!

I met a number of characters along the way (missionaries, nuns, BP gas company representatives!) and was able to sleep. I'm glad I thought to bring my own pillow. However, I'm strongly convinced that the airline industry has shrunk the seats and foot space to an all time minimum! Honestly, how much can they be saving my causing all these leg cramps and blood clots? Is it worth it?  Sigh. Regardless, it was a simple trip - long but worth every leg cramp and food stain. (yes. food finds me non-stop on these flights. Ha!)  

When I landed, I was surprised with the number of smiles and sweet consideration. Perhaps, I was expecting Haiti and didn't know it. I hadn't realize this was the case... until I noticed how surprised I was. Remarkable? Perhaps not. But the case none-the-less.

The people here are open and inviting. I get smiles everywhere I go (which offends my french veneer but blesses my American core!). I like a people willing to stare (thanks to France) and smile at strangers (American). I like a people inviting and generous of heart (love you Filipinos! I really do!) and happy to talk to anyone. And so... I've decided to like Kenyans too.

Gordon Sunga (hereto will be referred to as Professa Sunga!) picked me up at the airport and has been my constant guide ever since. He is a young man from the Luo tribe who is the logistic man for In deed and truth. I'm glad he is here. He is a good example of the Kenyan kindness. But most importantly, he has exhibited extraordinary patience with me in learning Swahili. :- ) Thus his new name - Professa!

This morning, after sleeping like a log, I woke to the sound of LOUD exotic birds cawing out my window. The sound soothingly reminded me that I was 'not in Kansas anymore'. However, I can't say it feels foreign.

Everywhere I turn, a sheen of familiarity shines through. The smell of the land reminds me of home. The crazy driving takes me back to the Philippines... but different. They drive on the left side of the road here and my brain is trying to shift to this new dimension. I have to say the reverse images flashing in my brain have shifted a number of times... and not in a good way! :- ) But all the same... it feels very familiar.

But most of all, it's the soft humid caress of the air that brings me home - home to the Philippines. The heavy air and sweet tropical flowers transport me. I feel like I've breathed this air once before. And well... with a happy sigh, I find myself thinking, "It sure is nice to be home."

Pilgrims

I leave the grand ol' USA in a few short days - 3 1/2 to be exact.
It's hard to imagine what my upended life will look like a week from now... let alone a year from now. But I'm excited.

This place seems so real... and my destination... well.... it seems imaginary, exotic and strange.
My brain in an effort to understand what it will be like, has started superimposing the images I've seen of Tonj with what I see around me. The overlap just doesn't mesh.
And to be honest, I almost want to run and hide.
But instead I take a deep breath and I pray.
I've been praying for this and preparing for this for years.
Yes, my new home will be quite different but then again, aren't we just pilgrims on this planet after all?

Great Expectations!

Frequently I’m asked questions I’m not sure how to answer; “Aren’t you scared?” “What about the food, what will you eat? Are there big bugs? Will you have to EAT the bugs? Will you get malaria!? Will you die?”

Truthfully, I am scared - not for my life but for the women who are dying there in childbirth. I am nervous about the many diseases and questionable food, but I’m more nervous for the newborns suffering from them and dying.

Believe me, I would rather live a comfortable life, eat fresh crab and sip on lattes. But I want to to obey God more.

He has put in my heart a desire to go. He has given me a love for the hurting, the dying and the lost - especially those lost in sin!

Frankly, I can’t imagine a place I would rather be. I can’t imagine a people I’d rather serve.

So to answer your questions. No. I am not scared to go.

It is my joy.

I expect God to move in great ways - first in my heart but also among His people.

I do expect hardships and trials, lonely days and sadness. But I also expect God to work in great ways! He is a God who does not disappoint! My expectations are great! For He is GREAT and most worthy of praise! Thanks for coming with me!

Love Stephanie

Beauty Secrets of the Dinka!

Among the Dinka people of Southern Sudan, personal grooming and decoration are valued. The Dinka rub their bodies with oil made by boiling butter. They cut decorative designs into their skin. They even remove some teeth for beauty.

This is a far cry from Botox and laser hair removal. I guess we all have a standard to meet. Right?

How to send me a package in the Sudan...

How to send me a package in the sudan?
Many of you have asked how to send me cards and packages in Sudan. Well, I now have some answers for you. To send a card or letter ONLY- please look at the address below. It will go to Kenya but then be carried to me in the Sudan.

However, for those who delight to send packages, you must have someone walk in the package to me. This is only done by someone coming to either Kenya or Sudan for an outreach. Fortunately, In Deed and Truth ministries has a team coming to Sudan every month this year. Please contact Jeamette Lock at info@indeedandtruth.org to find out which team is coming next and how to get the package to them.

What to send in the packages?
The following list is just a suggestion of sorts. Please feel free to send anything you would like. These are just ideas...
Books: Christian fiction, biographies, midwifery, medical topics, etc.
Movies: Romantic comedies, action, mystery, tv series, etc.
Music: Christian, bossa nova, jazz, R&B, anything in Arabic (to learn)
Foods: dried fruits, nuts, coffee, tea (chai, herba mate, earl gray), etc.
Beauty: body scrub, facial scrub, foot scrub, body wax (sally hansons)
Drinks: powered or instant drinks (i.e. propel, coffee, energy drinks)
Batteries: size D for my fan, 9 volt for my medical equipment...
Misc: insect repellant w/ deet, breath mints, hand sanitizer, sun block, film for regular camera (b&w or color, 200-800), packets of seeds, etc.

Praise and Prayer

New kid in town!
What if they don’t like me? I know it’s silly to say out loud, but it is a concern. Pray that my relationships with the staff there would be God centered, sweet and joyful.

Pack Mule!
I have more stuff than I can carry. Pray I’m able to take what I need and leave what I don’t. And most of all be happy about it!

Knee-time! Me-Time!
Struggling to pray and study the Bible, has kept me back. I need prayers for my spirit to stay in tune with His.

Tongue Tied~
I must learn two languages almost immediately - Dinka and Arabic. May He touch my tongue and open my ears to hear, to speak and to communicate His words.

Culture matters:
The adjustment to any new place is challenging but this is big step for me. Pray I’m sensitive to their customs and transition well.

Healthy as a horse!
Please pray my health improves.

Showers of Blessings!

In the last month since choosing to move forward in this grand adventure, God has done extra-ordinary things! I am here to tell you, Our God is Amazing!

I’m still calculating the donations that have come in, but I feel confident in telling you that God has completely provided!

He has provided both my one-time support to get there and my monthly support! I’m humbled and overwhelmed by His goodness and your outpouring of love and generosity! Thank you! A million times THANK YOU!

On top of all this, God has provided me with a truck to use for the last few weeks as well as the Rosetta Stone language program so I can learn Arabic!

He has also moved on many peoples hearts to be a part of my Serving as Senders Team! I’m truly humbled and grateful!

However, if God is moving on your heart to be a part of this as well. Please don’t hesitate! It is only by His Spirit, moving His people to action for His purposes that any of this can be done!

If you would like to be on my Sending Team. Please let me know.

And for those of you who have pledged but are unsure where the funds should go, you can donate in one of three ways.

You can set up a monthly automatic donation by calling 760/707-7367 (ask for Jeamette) or go on their website (www.indeedandtruth.org) and donate directly there. My name and donation button should be on the webpage in the next few days.

If you prefer to mail in a donation. Please put my name in the memo section and send it to:

In Deed and Truth Ministries
Po Box 51253
Colorado Springs, CO 80949

Or donate online by going to www.indeedandtruth.org

I’m set to fly out on June 16th. Pray that all the last minute preparations go well and my heart would settle. I’m just so stinking excited! I’m ready to burst!

Until the whole world knows!

~ Stephanie

Serving as Senders!

When a missionary goes to the field, they never go alone. There is always a number of people standing behind them making it possible for them to go... and to stay.

This team is made up of a number of talented people who serve in very different ways. The following is a list of ways a person can support their missionary. I've taken a lot of liberty in describing these roles. This information is taken from a very good book called... yup, you guessed it... "SERVING AS SENDERS' by Neal and Yvonne Pirolo. I definitely recommend it.

Prayer Maniacs (Prayer Support)
These people feel called to pray for me specifically (spiritual, emotional, physical needs). They are willing to wear holes in their jeans as they lift up the day to day emergencies while on the field.

Cheer Squad (Moral Support)
These sweet ones make a point of encouraging me and spurring me on to good works. They specialize in finding new ways for me to be encouraged and loved as I serve the sudanese. (packages, letters, supplies, etc.) But they also help remind those here in the states of what I’m doing, even getting new people on my team.

Nuts & Bolts (Logistic Support)
This nutty crew helps me with the details of life here in the States. They help me with things that I cannot get accomplished overseas. They are the “get’er done” kind of people with a heart to serve practically.

Watering Can (Spiritual Support)
This group’s goal is to make sure I’m getting spiritually fed. They hold me accountable to daily devotions, send me bible study CDs, and/or find a way to water my dusty soul.


Hilarious Givers (Financial Support)
These people are those who deem giving to be an act of joyful worship and they desire to do it Hilariously. They recognize that we have nothing but that which God has provided and want to see God work powerfully in Sudan.


Foreign Correspondents (Communication Support)
These lovely ones put pen to paper and send regular letters (or emails) full of news from back home. They write about the latest news and don’t let me miss out on special event (marriages, births, conferences and even deaths) in the church body. They help me stay in touch so when I get home after 2 years, I don’t feel like a stranger.

If you feel led to participate in any of these capacities leave me a note and I'll contact you. :- )

Sudanese Birth Statistics

- 82 out of 1000 Sudanese babies die within a year of life
- 550 women die in Sudan for every 100,000 live births
- There is only 1 doctor for every 5000 people.

Fishers of Men... Midwife of Men?

While reading through the book of Mark recently, I came across the section when Peter and Andrew were called into ministry.

Two things stand out for me in this passage. The first is that Jesus called them to come and “immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”

On the surface, Mark makes it sound like they heard Jesus speak once and (boom!) they followed.

But I’m not so sure. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogues for some time. People from all over, were coming to hear this Galilean speak. Peter and Andrew knew this Galilean was different but didn’t hesitate when given the opportunity to follow.

I like that.

However, what I find most interesting about this passage, isn’t the speed and conviction with which they dropped their nets. What catches my attention most, is the fact that Jesus calls them to do exactly what they were already doing ~ Fish!

But instead of netting trout and sturgeon, they are called to be Fishers of Men.

Think about it. He didn’t call them to be preachers or evangelists of men -- even though that is what they would end up doing. In fact, had He said that, I wonder if they would have followed at all.

Instead, He called them to do what they knew well. Fishing. This encourages me. God choses to use us where we are in life with the skills we have currently.

He will use our talents, skills, knowledge and experience if we will just let Him. He calls us to do what we are already doing for the furtherance of His kingdom. He doesn’t care if we are day care workers, architects or paper pushers. The call is the same.

“Come after Me and I will make you ________ of men.”

Are you coming?

Where am I going and... why!

~Tonj, Sudan~

Thank you all so much for praying for me these last few months. We all prayed for direction and God has answered beautifully!

I’ve been invited to work in the Sudan with a group called In Deed and Truth.

This ministry has been working among the Dinka people of Southern Sudan since 1998, training pastors and serving the needs of the community. In 2006, they started a medical clinic and today, it serves roughly 1000 patients a week. They are in desperate need of a midwife.

Soon after I got the go-ahead for Sudan, I started studying what life will be like there. I’m told it is very remote. There are NO stores and all our supplies need to be brought in by a chartered flight.
I’m also told since living in such an isolated place can be so intense, missionaries must leave every 4 months for a months respite. I’ll spend this time in a guest house in Kenya.

To tell you the truth, I’m not sure what to expect. I anticipate that it will be a hard adjustment in the beginning and that the learning curve will be high.

But I’m happy to join them and ask that you would team up with me as I prepare to head out. I’ve committed to two years and am hoping to fly out in the beginning of May. But much of that depends on getting everything in order.

A year of silence.

Many of you may have thought this blog was a sleeper and it's author a mute. And frankly, I don't blame you. It has been more than a year since I posted something. But this year has been life changing and I once again have something to say.

It is amazing what a year can bring.

Last year, January of 2009, I started praying about where I was to go next. I prayed. God listened. I prayed again. But no answer. I begged and pleaded. But still silence.

After months of this... He finally spoke. But instead of answering me, He told me two bits of information. One: that it was okay for me to work with an organization in Haiti that I was considering for long-term work. Two: that I would not know where I was to go longer-term until March of 2010.

Strange.

So I continued to pray. God continued to tell me, "you'll know in March." I would argue and nag. He would whisper "March".

Very Strange.

God has never spoken to me quite like this before. But as each month would come and go, and I still didn't know... I found comfort in March. A lot of comfort.

June of 2009 - I graduated with a group of women whom I'm honored to know- women who have taught me what it means to be a compassionate and loving midwife. But still no idea where I'd go long-term.

July of 2009 - I continued to study for my NARM exam, I continued to learn all I could as I served in Davao City. But God was still silent.

August of 2009 - I got to return home for the first time in 2 years, hug on friends and family. Most of all, I got to take the NARM exam in SLC, Utah. I passed - happily. But I still didn't know where I was to go.

September to December of 2009 - I traveled to Haiti to work among amazing women at Heartline Ministries. I learned lessons during this time that have and continue to change me in ways i'm still not able to voice.

I loved it and was asking God if this was were I was to return and work full time. But the answer was so clearly "NO!" I was a bit startled. So I kept praying. I kept asking. But by this time... after hearing "March. You will know in March, My Child. Relax. I've got this covered." I finally started to believe Him. So I relaxed. I enjoyed my family and for three months, I took a break from midwifery.

But... I have to admit. I still kept begging Him to speak to me. I still struggled with the grand ol' question of WHERE!

So as December snowed in January, and February melted into March, I got very excited. And would you believe it? God told me where I was to go in... yep... in March.

An opportunity fell out of the sky! An opportunity that I was praying for specifically. One that fit all my hopes and dreams. One that fit my desire for ministry. One that put as much of an emphesis on evangelism as it did on community development. One that considered the soul's salvation equal with (if not more important than) the health of the body.

It is In Deed and Truth ministries. Please check it out. www.indeedandtruth.org I think you'll be surprised.

I'll write more about it later.