"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country;"
For those of you who´ve spent some time with me, this verse shouldn´t sound so very surprising or strange. Abraham was my first favorite Bible-character to study (I´ve since added several more to my list). I guess that also gives credence to our finding out (thank you John Geib) that God gave me the gift of FAITH as one of my major spiritual gifts. It´s how I came to Ecuador, and how I´ve been able to live here in spite of many obstacles, lack of resources, and especially lack of personal relationships on a reliable basis.
So the latest news here on my end is that I´m packing for anticipated travel, first to Chile, and then hopefully to Ohio and GA between October and December of this year. And you might have noticed that October starts this Friday, so you´d probably also understand that my knees and heart are about worn out asking for details and a few other kinds of "heads up". But its starting to look like I must have entered into a new phase of my spiritual training program, and I only know I´m supposed to be packing, and tying up loose ends... (most of that is already done, finishing up with health checks this week). The packing is even coming along nicely. Am still chipping away at workshops, and waiting follow-up from several different "fronts". Think I´m going to look into purchasing some knee-pads; honestly.
I´ve been privileged to see in just this last couple of weeks, as I have been facing difficulties with getting money (all of a sudden, after 6 years here, my bank card isn´t working), some sort-of-scary medical exams, persistent communication difficulties, packing here-and-there and waiting for word from different places,,, that God has sent Ecuatorians to have lunch with me, lend me a helping hand, and pray with me. There were 2 very special ones ... special, because they weren´t pastors, or missionaries, or people I know from church... they were two of my very good friends I´ve made, working, eating, and praying through personal and professional challenges at work.
One asked that I would be a light in Chile.
The other asked God´s blessings and provision for my personal life, thanking Him for all we´d done here in Ecuador, and looking for a wonderful harvest.
Both prayers were in public, in restaurants somewhere.
I wonder if you really can know from these blogs just how much your loving support of me here, even now, is recognized and so appreciated here.
love in Christ, m
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Have you not heard?
For those of you who have been accompanying the 33 Chilean miners with me, did you hear that the bore hole has reached them??? On Friday, Sept. 17th, one day before Chile´s Independence Day (18th). Now, instead of the previously anticipated Christmas rescue,,, they´re projecting an exit the first part of November :)
And instead of the original estimate of several hours in the escape tube,,, a 15-min. trip for each one...
There has been increased earthquake activity in the CENTRAL part of Chile in this past week (Maule region)... the miners are in the NORTHERN part of the country.
Let´s pray each and every one of those guys out of that hole, together. I marked Psalm 130 on their behalf when I was studying on the 3rd of Sept.,,, just in case you´d like to use it too.
Thank you all for keeping all of God´s kids in your prayers.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth," Isaiah 40:21-22
I think it´s a good time to praise Him.
love m
And instead of the original estimate of several hours in the escape tube,,, a 15-min. trip for each one...
There has been increased earthquake activity in the CENTRAL part of Chile in this past week (Maule region)... the miners are in the NORTHERN part of the country.
Let´s pray each and every one of those guys out of that hole, together. I marked Psalm 130 on their behalf when I was studying on the 3rd of Sept.,,, just in case you´d like to use it too.
Thank you all for keeping all of God´s kids in your prayers.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth," Isaiah 40:21-22
I think it´s a good time to praise Him.
love m
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Current Status/ Offers on the table
Time to check in with current status and facts!
1- HVQ: the Head of the Dysphagia Program at Vozandes (Dr. Vallejo) and the Head of Research in Medical Education (Dr. Erazo) are initiating a plan for a research program in the area of Dysphagia, that would involve several individual research projects, representing each of the specialty areas involved in the Dysphagia Team.
Pros: This project is right on line and exactly on time with a current govt. interest in certifying and qualifying professionals in many areas nationwide, and with their attempts to identify untouched areas of need and potential growth in the country.
Local benefit:
* with acceptance of this project, there would be support for program stability, growth, and quality
* those professionals who have now invested 6 years in the development of this team alongside of me would now have the opportunity to complete Master´s degrees, Ph.D.´s, or their thesis for graduation and university title --- and it opens the door for aspiring doctors and therapists to write their own thesis for graduation in the future.
* project involvement would be hospital-wide, and has the potential to unite on many, many different levels.
National benefit:
* this project meets a govt.-identified need on several levels (for those interested, please see the Govt. Plan para el Buen Vivir):
(1) it is a non-treated area,
(2) the zone of impact is nationwide
(3) the population impact is the whole lifespan
(4) it affects ability to receive adequate nutrition
(5) it falls in the category of disability
(6) it clearly affects quality of life
(7) it influences medical decisions, hospital-stay, and recurrence (morbidity)
(8) and (to boot) creates a new level of qualified professional service in the country
* this program is an excellent candidate for SENACYT´s "call for papers"; today they launched the concourse, which is open to receive project and program proposals until the 1st of December. You can go to www.senacyt.gob.ec for more detailed information.
Cons:
* Requires institutional and individual committment for 4-5 years - traditionally difficult to achieve in Ecuador.
* Requires a percentage of financial committment from the sponsoring institution for the length of the project - traditionally impossible to achieve.
2- Chile: I have been invited to Chile (on 2 different levels), the most pertinent here being that from the Director of the School of Phono-audiology at the University of Talca, to complete a "pasantÃa" for certification in Dysphagia, consider certification of our program in Quito, and initiate a collaboration in the area of research.
Pros:
* Academic and professional support for the work already completed
* Continued academic and professional support for continued (correct) growth and development in Ecuador
* Program Director in Chile has 24 years experience in Dysphagia and is interested in long-term collaboration
* Chile boasts an excellent international reputation in academics and medicine
Cons:
* ummmmmmmm,,,,, can´t come up with any just yet :) am waiting to receive the official offer in writing...
For those who just hear a bunch of professional goals, jargon, and rambling in this message, I´d like to share with you that, as a starting missionary in Mission: Ecuador, my understanding was that I should commit ALL I do unto the Lord, and He would make my plans succeed. What I did was to be in His name, not my own. Throughout this walk, I´ve been (often painfully) aware of the demands on my own person, on those who were being trained, but most of all, on each and every patient we treated. And I simply believe that the professionals who risked to be a part of this with me should be able to hold their heads up high, provide a good, sound rationale for their evaluations, treatment plans and decisions, and not be afraid that what they learned was misguided or sub-standard. I believe that God really cares that people can breathe and eat at the same time, and that the professionals who make decisions about using tube-feeds know how and when to do that, not for personal convenience, but for each patient´s benefit.
The potential impact of this program is incredible, and it was founded in God´s name, for His glory, and in service to the people of Ecuador. There is still the possibility that it end here, but even if it does, those who invested are forever-changed,,, and I wish you could see them hold their heads up high when they talk about it all.
Thank you for continuing to pray and wait with me as I seek to meet with Luis Mutre about the Street Kids, to give them also a very important follow-up and visible support system as they all face so many challenges and threats on the street.
1- HVQ: the Head of the Dysphagia Program at Vozandes (Dr. Vallejo) and the Head of Research in Medical Education (Dr. Erazo) are initiating a plan for a research program in the area of Dysphagia, that would involve several individual research projects, representing each of the specialty areas involved in the Dysphagia Team.
Pros: This project is right on line and exactly on time with a current govt. interest in certifying and qualifying professionals in many areas nationwide, and with their attempts to identify untouched areas of need and potential growth in the country.
Local benefit:
* with acceptance of this project, there would be support for program stability, growth, and quality
* those professionals who have now invested 6 years in the development of this team alongside of me would now have the opportunity to complete Master´s degrees, Ph.D.´s, or their thesis for graduation and university title --- and it opens the door for aspiring doctors and therapists to write their own thesis for graduation in the future.
* project involvement would be hospital-wide, and has the potential to unite on many, many different levels.
National benefit:
* this project meets a govt.-identified need on several levels (for those interested, please see the Govt. Plan para el Buen Vivir):
(1) it is a non-treated area,
(2) the zone of impact is nationwide
(3) the population impact is the whole lifespan
(4) it affects ability to receive adequate nutrition
(5) it falls in the category of disability
(6) it clearly affects quality of life
(7) it influences medical decisions, hospital-stay, and recurrence (morbidity)
(8) and (to boot) creates a new level of qualified professional service in the country
* this program is an excellent candidate for SENACYT´s "call for papers"; today they launched the concourse, which is open to receive project and program proposals until the 1st of December. You can go to www.senacyt.gob.ec for more detailed information.
Cons:
* Requires institutional and individual committment for 4-5 years - traditionally difficult to achieve in Ecuador.
* Requires a percentage of financial committment from the sponsoring institution for the length of the project - traditionally impossible to achieve.
2- Chile: I have been invited to Chile (on 2 different levels), the most pertinent here being that from the Director of the School of Phono-audiology at the University of Talca, to complete a "pasantÃa" for certification in Dysphagia, consider certification of our program in Quito, and initiate a collaboration in the area of research.
Pros:
* Academic and professional support for the work already completed
* Continued academic and professional support for continued (correct) growth and development in Ecuador
* Program Director in Chile has 24 years experience in Dysphagia and is interested in long-term collaboration
* Chile boasts an excellent international reputation in academics and medicine
Cons:
* ummmmmmmm,,,,, can´t come up with any just yet :) am waiting to receive the official offer in writing...
For those who just hear a bunch of professional goals, jargon, and rambling in this message, I´d like to share with you that, as a starting missionary in Mission: Ecuador, my understanding was that I should commit ALL I do unto the Lord, and He would make my plans succeed. What I did was to be in His name, not my own. Throughout this walk, I´ve been (often painfully) aware of the demands on my own person, on those who were being trained, but most of all, on each and every patient we treated. And I simply believe that the professionals who risked to be a part of this with me should be able to hold their heads up high, provide a good, sound rationale for their evaluations, treatment plans and decisions, and not be afraid that what they learned was misguided or sub-standard. I believe that God really cares that people can breathe and eat at the same time, and that the professionals who make decisions about using tube-feeds know how and when to do that, not for personal convenience, but for each patient´s benefit.
The potential impact of this program is incredible, and it was founded in God´s name, for His glory, and in service to the people of Ecuador. There is still the possibility that it end here, but even if it does, those who invested are forever-changed,,, and I wish you could see them hold their heads up high when they talk about it all.
Thank you for continuing to pray and wait with me as I seek to meet with Luis Mutre about the Street Kids, to give them also a very important follow-up and visible support system as they all face so many challenges and threats on the street.
Friday, September 10, 2010
News pending next week
I´d like to take a minute to let you all know that, based on some fast meetings and sudden opportunities that happened THIS week, news should be coming in NEXT week with all kinds of confirmations and/or re-directions. I´ll blog as soon as I have some facts for you.
Your continued prayer support of this Mission is so highly valued. I´m eager to share with you the outcomes of this waiting time --- I really hope that info comes in.
In the meantime, I thought you should know that several different individuals --- professionals at the hospital with whom I´ve worked for the past 6 years --- have taken the opportunity to let me know that they greatly appreciate the mission that we started here 6 years ago you and me, that they recognize God´s presence, and that they´re waiting, too --- to see what He will do now.
Thank you for your prayers as the Dysphagia Team in Vozandes, and all the missionaries, friends, and participants in this journey with us continue in working out the details of this transition. And thank you for your prayers for the Street Kids Ministry, and for Luis Mutre - with whom I´m also waiting a meeting. And for my new friends in Chile, who are sincerely working to find a way to support the work we´ve accomplished here in Quito.
Please don´t forget to let me know how I can be praying for you.
Love in Christ,
M
Your continued prayer support of this Mission is so highly valued. I´m eager to share with you the outcomes of this waiting time --- I really hope that info comes in.
In the meantime, I thought you should know that several different individuals --- professionals at the hospital with whom I´ve worked for the past 6 years --- have taken the opportunity to let me know that they greatly appreciate the mission that we started here 6 years ago you and me, that they recognize God´s presence, and that they´re waiting, too --- to see what He will do now.
Thank you for your prayers as the Dysphagia Team in Vozandes, and all the missionaries, friends, and participants in this journey with us continue in working out the details of this transition. And thank you for your prayers for the Street Kids Ministry, and for Luis Mutre - with whom I´m also waiting a meeting. And for my new friends in Chile, who are sincerely working to find a way to support the work we´ve accomplished here in Quito.
Please don´t forget to let me know how I can be praying for you.
Love in Christ,
M
Friday, September 03, 2010
Thank you
Thank you to those who have responded to join me in prayer for the Chilean miners... Anybody who has had to sit in a doctor´s office alone waiting for test results and possibly life-altering answers knows how much it means to have company in the wait... even if it´s just somebody sitting alongside and being there with you in it.
I´m so very moved by their wonderful attitude, and such willingness to help each other out. It´s incredible to see how the guys inside the mine are helping themselves out - and the ones on the outside are helping the guys on the inside to help themselves out. Oh, it´s really a beautiful illustration.
I haven´t heard yet any comments on their "God-perspective". It doesn´t mean they don´t have one; just means I don´t know what it is -- in which case I tend to look for the fruits that identify the tree. I´m seeing lots of self-control and kindness for each other and their families, for example. So I´m praying that God continues to be tangible like that in the mine with them. And even though nobody says anything out loud about it --- I know for certain that both the men on the inside and the rescuers on the outside all know they need a miracle. They know that all of their best efforts have a limit. So in my prayers, I´m lifting them up and cheering them on, all those who are willing to be that miracle, against all odds.
*************************************************************************************************
I bumped into Joey and Michael last Sunday afternoon, in the little triangle of grass just outside "La Plaza" (The Plaza of the Americas for those who´ve been here). It was the first time that Joey was sitting straight up, holding his shoulders back and his head up high. He even looked me in the eye a couple of times. I was teaching him a new game that he didn´t think he could get,,, but he kept at it and started forming a strategy. It´s that game that has a bunch of pegs in the shape of a cross, with one peg missing (generally in the center), and you have to jump pegs, taking the ones out that had been "jumped" til there´s as few left as possible. Joey usually gives up pretty quickly, but he kept at it. (It´s really a pain to keep at it, too --- because you have to keep putting all 32-odd pegs back into the game board each time just to be able to play it again.) He went about 4-5 rounds right there with me... so I gifted him the game to practice in private. I´m curious to see how he´s doing with it; maybe I´ll see him this Sunday.
I heard from Joey that Willian has a job. I´m still praying to be able to see him again soon, and give him the Christmas bag I made for his family (I believe it has "2007" on it), and have kept for them since then. I think he needs to know that God hasn´t forgotten him all this time, and has something special saved up for him and his family...
So thank you for continuing to support Mission: Ecuador. I wish you could see the personal confidence and dignity that is developing for the individuals involved in the Dysphagia program,, and for the street kids and their parents that I´ve had the privilege of living alongside of all these years. You´ve made a difference for a bunch of folks trapped down inside themselves (like those miners in Chile), and you´ve become a miracle for them all.
Love m
I´m so very moved by their wonderful attitude, and such willingness to help each other out. It´s incredible to see how the guys inside the mine are helping themselves out - and the ones on the outside are helping the guys on the inside to help themselves out. Oh, it´s really a beautiful illustration.
I haven´t heard yet any comments on their "God-perspective". It doesn´t mean they don´t have one; just means I don´t know what it is -- in which case I tend to look for the fruits that identify the tree. I´m seeing lots of self-control and kindness for each other and their families, for example. So I´m praying that God continues to be tangible like that in the mine with them. And even though nobody says anything out loud about it --- I know for certain that both the men on the inside and the rescuers on the outside all know they need a miracle. They know that all of their best efforts have a limit. So in my prayers, I´m lifting them up and cheering them on, all those who are willing to be that miracle, against all odds.
*************************************************************************************************
I bumped into Joey and Michael last Sunday afternoon, in the little triangle of grass just outside "La Plaza" (The Plaza of the Americas for those who´ve been here). It was the first time that Joey was sitting straight up, holding his shoulders back and his head up high. He even looked me in the eye a couple of times. I was teaching him a new game that he didn´t think he could get,,, but he kept at it and started forming a strategy. It´s that game that has a bunch of pegs in the shape of a cross, with one peg missing (generally in the center), and you have to jump pegs, taking the ones out that had been "jumped" til there´s as few left as possible. Joey usually gives up pretty quickly, but he kept at it. (It´s really a pain to keep at it, too --- because you have to keep putting all 32-odd pegs back into the game board each time just to be able to play it again.) He went about 4-5 rounds right there with me... so I gifted him the game to practice in private. I´m curious to see how he´s doing with it; maybe I´ll see him this Sunday.
I heard from Joey that Willian has a job. I´m still praying to be able to see him again soon, and give him the Christmas bag I made for his family (I believe it has "2007" on it), and have kept for them since then. I think he needs to know that God hasn´t forgotten him all this time, and has something special saved up for him and his family...
So thank you for continuing to support Mission: Ecuador. I wish you could see the personal confidence and dignity that is developing for the individuals involved in the Dysphagia program,, and for the street kids and their parents that I´ve had the privilege of living alongside of all these years. You´ve made a difference for a bunch of folks trapped down inside themselves (like those miners in Chile), and you´ve become a miracle for them all.
Love m
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