Field Service Update

Happy MIcah Day!

We celebrated Micah's adoption day yesterday with dinner at the Buffalo Tap.  It was eighteen years ago on March 30 that she legally became ours!

Prior to our family dinner, the two of us got the congratulatory $1.00 large soda from McDonald's and went shopping at NordicWare, Kohl's and Target.  Depending on who you talk to:

• Micah will tell you our best deal was at NordicWare where she found the food coloring she loves that is peanut/tree nut free; or
• I will tell you that finding her a new pair of work pants at Kohl's was our best deal, especially when we started out with a $50.00 pair of pants that were on sale for $27.00 and then we got 30% off of that price and only spent $20.00 for them! 

Thankful Thursday!

Never mind that today is Saturday and Thursday was two whole days ago!  I mentally wrote this post on my drive home Thursday and finally have a chance to actually post it today.  Enjoy!

This past week, I've been working for ISD 196 teaching twelve thirteen- through sixteen-year-olds how to be swimming instructors, specifically Water Safety Aides.  Driving home today, I was so thankful that:

• Caroline (my co-teacher) was able to come in to work today when I needed her. She got the call that her grandmother wasn't long for this world right after we finished First Aid.  Noah was able to come in and lifeguard for us as we went to the pool.  Sabrina came in when she finished her class to teach with me.  Caroline got to go say "good-bye" to her grandma.
• The two girls who said they weren't able to get in the water today because they didn't use tampons had a definite change of heart.  It must have been my statement:  "If you WANT to work here, you WILL use tampons."
• Thor's melt down came AFTER he said this class helped him to understand that he really didn't want to work with children EVER!  
• I learned a new fun song that I can use at the Y: 

"Row, row, row your boat

gently down the stream.

Ha! Ha! I fooled you!

I'm a submarine!"

Hope for Ernest

This post is reblogged from "Ainsworths in Africa" - another amazing story from the good ship Mercy!

Ernest’s eyes tell of a pain and sorrow beyond his years due to his tumor that has been growing for over a decade. At only 27 years old, Ernest has spent his prime hidden from the world, simply ‘waiting to die’: “I was making everyone uncomfortable” said Ernest, “so I would just stay home in bed all day, alone with my suicidal thoughts.”

When news of Mercy Ships arrived in his village, Ernest believed he had nothing to lose. He left his wife and five year old son and made the two day journey alone, in an attempt to save his own life: “Many men from my village have tumors but they were too scared to come to the ship. They told me I would die”.

 

After the long journey, Ernest arrived at the ship dangerously ill with his tumor actively bleeding. Doctors aboard the Africa Mercy made the decision to admit him for a blood transfusion before the wards had even officially opened.

Soon the hospital began to fill with other patients who had made the brave journey to the ship. When well enough, Ernest himself received what 5 billion people around the world are unable to access – safe surgery. Following the operation, Ernest began his time on the wards recovering from his enclosed, saddened former self into a confident man no longer consumed by his own darkness. You could see the transformation in his eyes before you even knew his story.

Volunteer nurse, Kirsten Murphy (USA) monitored him on the empty wards the first night he was admitted: “I remember his persistence. I remember his new-found hope. I remember the huge grin that spread across his face post surgery when he realised he was handsome!”

Now, when he returns home, Ernest will be able to be the man he’s always longed to be; the husband he feels his wife deserves; and the father he wants to model for his son: “Before, life was very difficult for me. I can’t wait to go back to my village and show those who doubted that Mercy Ships has given me new life.”

After more than 10 years of weight hanging from his face, Ernest’s burden has been lifted and he no longer carries the shame and embarrassment that once threatened his life.

“When I came here, my life was already over. Now I have everything in front of me.”

Bake-You!

Speaking of that God nudge, neighbor Cindy sent me an e-mail today.  "Can I bring you a pan of rolls for breakfast tomorrow?"  Easy answer - YES! 

She wanted to say "thanks" for helping Kent when he fell off the ladder in January and she'd rather bake than write a thank you!  We'll take a "Bake-You!" any day!

P.S.  Kent is doing great with just a few lingering concussion issues.  Glory!

That God Nudge . . .

Feeling that God nudge as I was perusing my junk mail yesterday, I sent this picture to the Academy Principal on the good ship Mercy yesterday -

 

He wrote back today, "I have ship Sunday school this Sunday.  I can use this."  To God be the glory!

Testosterone-Infused CPR!

I taught CPR for the Professional Rescuer at the Y today.  I had two women and six men, or one child care staff, one sales person and six youth sports!  The energy in that room was amazing!  If I said, "Count louder!", the baritones did!  If I said, "Compress deeper!", everyone did!  It was a hoot and a half!  The front desk staff couldn't quit laughing when I walked out with both eyes crossed, gasping for breath, saying, "Too much testosterone!"  They were big guys and they were a blast!