Update 2
August 15, 2008
To my family and friends:
I'm finding it so hard to believe that it's already been one month since my first letter!
Summer is ending too soon and life is not slowing down in the slightest. Since I last
wrote to you I began working at Gwinnett Medical Center within the Children's
Emergency Center. I'm absolutely loving it! My position allows me to experience and
practice many skills that I wouldn't get in nursing school. I get to see a variety of
illnesses and injuries every hour, and can't help but realize that this is preparing me for the mission field in Liberia!
This Sunday, the rest of the Liberia team and I will be meeting with Christine Norman.
Christine is the daughter of the former assassinated President of Liberia, President
William Tolbert. I am humbled and excited to hear about what she has been through. I
believe conversations with her will begin to break my heart even more for the people of
Liberia. Also through this meeting we will continue to narrow down our vision and
direction of this trip. As I mentioned in the previous letter, this is our first trip to Liberia out of a ten year vision to restore the nation.
Through the most random connections (random to me, not God), I have been able to
talk with some people who have been in Liberia and worked in their orphanages, or
who are in Liberia currently. One woman in particular, Debby, will be the interim Health Care Coordinator for Orphan Relief and Rescue starting this Fall. She is from Tacoma,Washington, and through our brief e-mail communication we found out that we both
worked at Camp Berachah in Washington, possibly once during the same summer! Coincidence? Maybe...but I don't think so☺ She has been to Liberia once before, so I
picked apart her brain with questions about the major health concerns in Liberian
orphanages. Her response was as follows:
"My impression after spending just 2 weeks there is that the main health concerns of the children in the orphanage homes are very basic. Malnutrition, malaria, worms, skin infections. Mostly things that can be prevented with proper education and prevention."
It breaks my heart knowing that children are dying every day over there because of such
simple things. As Debby said, these things are preventable with simple education and
minimal prevention efforts. This is why I am pursuing my bachelor's degree in Nursing.
I refuse to just sit back and continue to watch people die. Attacking complacency,
Hudson Taylor said:
"I do not envy the state of mind that would forget these, or leave them to perish, for fear of a little discomfort. May God make us faithful to him and to our work."
I praise God everyday for this opportunity, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that
He has called me to this. I would be honored if you'd join me on this adventure, and
there are two ways you can help:
1. Pray for me: I will need people joining me in prayer from now until the trip is over.
Please pray specifically that God will give me focus where it is needed; that I will
continue to be a diligent worker at school work and at the hospital. Please pray for my
Liberia awareness and fund raising, while balancing time with my family and friends.
2. Financially support me: the total cost of the trip is around $3,500, plus the cost of my visa and immunizations.
I've calculated that if only...
• 10 people give $45 a month for three months
• 8 people give $50 a month for three months
• and $1,100 in one time gifts..
..I would meet my goal! I ask that you prayerfully consider joining me in this
ministry, financially and/or in prayer. God has huge things in store and I would love for you be a part of it.
Thank you so much for reading my letter and please contact me if you have any questions!
Posted in: on Friday, October 3, 2008 at at 8:06 AM
