It's been a big week for us- Brad especially. Not only did we have all the usual "business" of the week (which kept us very busy indeed- too busy!), but Brad has also spent nearly all of his spare time on the phone or computer researching the possibilities connected with this trip to Africa and calling almost everyone we know it seems, trying to decide what to do! I have rarely seen him so focused, so determined to do the right thing, so humble and sensitive to God's will and the thoughts of those people we respect the most. He is certainly not making a rash decision and whatever he decides will be the product of significant searching because he does not take the risks lightly- the risks of going, and also the risks of not going if that means flouting God's will for his (our) life. It is a blessing to be married to such a man. I have more information to share but I will put it at the end of this post in case some of you are tired of all my text. :)
On Sunday we took a walk together in the afternoon- a major highlight of the day for LMC (Little Miss Carolyn for those unfamiliar with the abbreviation). The days ARE slowly getting nicer- though they say we are still unseasonably cool- at least we are starting to see the Sun more often! Carolyn really likes to hold the LEASH! And she only wants to walk by her "felf." She doesn't like to hold hands (though she isn't given a choice when we walk in the street). Unfortunately the walk ended with Carolyn taking a bit of a spill while practicing going up and down (repeatedly) in a neighbor's driveway. Poor baby, fell and scraped all the skin off her nose! :( So don't be alarmed when you see this somewhat unsightly scab on the end of her nose for the next week (or two?) I've been assured it will heal. :) Good thing I didn't ever get around to signing her up for Easter pictures this week! :)
Tuesday I had Garrett and it was one of those days when desperation drove me to new methods to entertain the two of them! My mother always suggested to try a bath whenever I don't know what to do with Carolyn and it has worked... so I turned the water on and plunked them both in- figured it would at least kill half an hour! :)
Oh Garrett was so happy- he is very excited that his daddy is installing a new bathtub in their house so that he can have a bath in the big tub every day. I'm not sure if he was saying this word before or if it's new, but when I turned the water on and said we were going to take a bath, he said very distinctly, "BATH!" He's growing into a big boy! Tuesdays are often long days for me when I have to be home all day with the both of them without much chance for escape since I don't have a carseat for him and I'm afraid anyway of what would happen with TWO toddlers on the loose if I went anywhere... There are days when I feel totally trapped in the house and count the minutes until naptime- but all in all I'm really glad I've been able to watch this little guy grow- I've been babysitting him for about a year now! Time sure does fly when little kids are growing up right before your eyes!
A good time was shared by all! I will try this approach again!! :)
We've learned a lot more about the trip this week. We now have many of the answers our pastor couldn't give us last week. Rather than being a swirling mass of confusion and unknowns, the trip is taking on shape and purpose and there is more organization than we initially thought. Many of the risks haven't changed. There are still warnings from the State department about travel to the Congo. There is still significant infection risk. There are still the dangers of travel in a foreign and sometimes unpredictably hostile place. There are still all my irrational fears that take control in the moments when I am not my best self and the fact that of all the experiences in my life so far, this could be the most stretching. No one really likes to be stretched; most people I know would rather be comfortable and so would I!
But we have learned much about the potential benefit of such a trip. As of last week we were thinking that at best if Brad went he might be able to assist with childbirth, see some kids maybe, diagnose and treat infections provided he could bring along the necessary antibiotics- and mainly the goal of the trip would have to be fact-finding and laying the groundwork for future organized medical missions trips. However, yesterday we found out that the clinic that was just built last summer is already much more sophisticated than we had expected. Brad spoke with the medical adviser State-side for the clinic and she was very well-informed about what is already going on in that place. There are a couple of full-time African physicians, several nurses, and a surgeon who comes in from another town weekly. They are doing some procedures, though they do not have the equipment necessary for full general anesthesia which would limit the extent of surgery that could be done. They are also serving the basic medical needs of the community and have a small laboratory and an autoclave to sterilize instruments, and are able to get some medical supplies such as IVs and antibiotics from Uganda.
So the basic point sounds like there has been significant organizational work on the ground out there in Nyengezi that we knew nothing about. It really seems unrealistic that Brad could repair some of the major damage that some of these poor women have sustained at the hands of cruel men who raped them with various objects, resulting in incontinence and subsequent shame and rejection from the community (the procedures required would be multi-stage operations that even my amazing husband would be foolhardy to attempt alone). But Brad could be a great asset to the clinic just by helping out with what they are already doing, encouraging and maybe even teaching the doctors some of the more modern medical practices.
Along with the more intangible reasons to go on such a trip- the inevitable growth that would come as a result of such a leap of faith (really for both of us) and the impact on a growing physician (and a Christian) of simply seeing with his own eyes the devastating circumstances that more than half the world's population live in, there is now a significant possibility that Brad could also serve in a practical way. Oh friends, I see the light in his eyes when he thinks about using his skills and gifts to serve! Even though this service would take him far from me and give me no guarantees about his safe return, I am so thankful to be married to a man whose heart stirs at the thought of giving and serving!!
Well, LMC is awake and requesting "Mommy!" so I will cut this short (HA!!) I think it is very likely that when asked to give an answer on Friday that Brad's answer will be YES, pending the resolution of certain practical things (such as getting time off work, etc). I am sometimes on board and sometimes I jump ship into the waves of fear and anxiety. I am going to see our pastor's wife this morning to get more information on a woman's perspective on this place and I think it will be very informative. I am now praying that God will give me a heart to mirror my husband's, that his dreams would become mine, and that I would truly become a partner in this ministry of his, and not just grudgingly give my "permission" for him to go. Even now would you also pray that God would prepare the way ahead for a smooth and perfectly safe trip for Brad and if we mistake his will and attempt to go ahead with something he is not behind, that he would slam the doors in our faces that we would not go if it is not something He has for us. Thanks for al your support and wisdom! Also for bearing with all my text- writing is a way of release for me; it really has always helped me to see the facts and my thoughts "out there."
We tried to get some cute pictures... but need I mention how difficult it is to photograph a constantly moving target?
Cookies helped a little bit.
Outside was the best solution, though- even though it was cold!! They'd had to cancel our Good Friday service this week because we got 6 inches of snow that night!
A little close-up shot for my sister who has requested detailed pictures of Carolyn's dress. :)
An attempt at a family picture... not the best one we've ever had...
I made a little Easter basket for Carolyn- if we give gifts to each other at Christmas to celebrate Christ's birth, what's wrong with a few little things at Eastertime to celebrate the fulfillment of the promise of his birth? She especially liked the squishy chick that bulges out when you squeeze it.
New sunglasses from the dollar section at Target were a bit hit, too.
Nana and Papa stayed for the whole day- we had brunch and then enjoyed some quiet time during Carolyn's nap, and prepared a turkey for dinner! Here Carolyn enjoys a horsey ride. :)
She actually really likes the Easter hat. After bathtime during the Great Pajama Chase that seems to happen every night- Carolyn goes streaking around the house while I vainly chase her with PJ's and she giggles uncontrollably- she grabbed the hat to add some flair to the "just a diaper" look. :)
