a current description of God's work in and through the life of my husband and me while serving HIM wherever HE leads...
Saturday, April 19, 2008
I had to resort to Peanut Butter
With fried spam on the menu, I graciously ate my first peanut butter sandwich for a meal. My dad told me fried spam is a good thing, but I couldn't bring myself to try it. I will have to work up the nerve for that one. I am okay with flying across the world, but my tastebuds are still a little shy.
I am doing well. I finished my first two shifts on my own. The shifts went well. It is God alone, bringing me through these shifts. I am starting to get used to the routine around here. But, I am struggling with my limited ability to help these people. My patients need so much. They constantly say, "take me to America." I asked what is so great about America and they say, "America is heaven." I struggle with the fact that I was born with so much, they were born with so little. Why me? Why them?????
If any of you are feeling ugly, come to Africa, here you are beautiful. I appreciate the compliments I receive from my patients, but it also makes it akward for me to care for them and keep things professional. I have had one official marriage proposal, and two intense offers of, " I will follow you everywhere and go wherever you go." YIKES. Tonight, my patients wouldn't let the issue rest so I said, "you are silly and on drugs from surgery, hush, do you need some water?" Pray that my patients will understand that my love for God and passion to serve God are the motivation for my care, pray that they will not confuse the tender touch from my hands as my own, but a touch from God.
Our ship is secured on a dock in Monrovia. There is a huge guarded gate at the beginning of the road taking people to the ship's dock. Inside the gate is also a United Nations Camp, which makes the ship location very safe. The United Nations still have a huge presence in Liberia, helping secure peace. Only authorized people and our patients can come near the ship. It is about 1/2 a mile from the gangway to the secured gate. Each day I walk the little road with friends for some exercise and fresh, not so fresh air. Tomorrow, I hope to travel into the city. I have the day off and I am looking forward to a break.
I wanted to thank all of you for your prayers. I am taking my Malaria medicine and have no side effects currently. Love ya!
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7 comments:
Hi Laura- I couldn't wait to get to the library to see if you had posted. Have a great weekend and stay safe in the city. Can't wait to hear the details on that experience....hope you are with someone who speaks the language.
On the fried spam note...Geez oh pete...we grew up on fried and breaded spam. It is good!!!! Its is pork shoulder...little high in sodium but tasted great. We ate it for breakfast alot.
So you have more marriage proposals then me now. Too funny.
Yes you are so right...we have too much here in the US. We are 5 0r 6 percent of the world population yet use 70 plus % of the resources. It is shameful. I watched an Oprah special this week on a family that had to go 7 days with no tv, ipod, computer (except homework) no bottled water, limited showers, they Had to eat leftovers etc...and they were a wreck. By the end one daughter watched a movie and the others were gettting used to things. They were upper mid class and realized just how wasteful they were and privileged. To think all they threw away and kids and people in countries like Africa are starving and would be grateful for their thrown away food.
Tell me about the school on the ship....web page says it can take 60 pupils. What are they teaching etc... Can you see your Aunt Joy teaching English and health???
Well looking forward to more on your blog. Eat your peanut butter and please let me know if I can send you anything at all to help you or your patients etc.
Love you bunny head, Aunt Joy
Hi Laura,
Just took the time to read through your posts from your first week; it looks like you had a good one.
I almost always bring balance bars with me on my trips, as sometimes I don't know when or where I will eat. A jar of peanut butter sounds just great.
I can't wait to hear about your trip into the city.
Love,
Aaron
Laura,
Dad and I are praying you had a great day of diversion adventure as well. And praying for the wisdom you need to provide God-inspired distribution of the limited resources at your hand. May the creativity He has given, also become one of your greatest assets in your daily patient care and other interactions!
Mom
It was so fun to read all of your blogs Laura! What adventures you are having. I am so proud of you and what you are doing. I have been praying for health for you and it sounds like you are well so far! I hope you are doing great and you have fun day off tomorrow.
PFM stuck like glue!
Love, Emily
so excited for you Laura. It is bringin back wonderful memories for me. Love the blog. God will equip you for every task every day. Just keep seeking His will and purpose for each day. I am so proud of you. you are in my prayers. Say hi to Nancy Fischer for me, kay?
Hi Laura,
Our continues prayers and hearts are with you. I still cry with joy when I think about all that you are doing and after reading about all of your adventures, realize that as awkward as it is for you, that you, as I knew you would, are touching others with your beauty! Yes, I know you were talking of your worldly beauty, but I know they too, as many of us, are seeing your Godly beauty! Your an amazing lady, so keep smiling, keep up that fun humor, and remember we are all rooting for you as you are doing God's amazing work!
In God's love,
Katie
Ahhhh, come on now...you didn't tell them about all the other good stuff that comes up on the menu! (http://AFMmenu.com).
Yep sorry to say I don't always like using what we have, BUT I am called to be a good steward of what I am given. (psssst...but I did get a chance to give it away to some locals who really like it, and can use it)
But hey, put a little nutella on that peanut butter, its like desert...Oh, you didn't tell them about the fresh bread we make every day too? tsk, tsk, can't have all these people thinking your eating fried spam all the time, now can you?
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