Greetings from NK

It has been while since I have written and so much is happening I know I have to fill you in.  I couldn't be here without your support and prayers. 

I have been hearing the question "what are you going to be doing today?" more and more these days.  It is a good thing.  Rachel has been with us for five months.  She is working hard in the clinic and loves to spend time with neighbors and the missionary kids.  Sarah, has been with us almost three months now.  Wow.  Thank you Lord for providing these co laborers.  Sarah's belongings arrived from the USA this month.  She has been busy making her house a home.  She has lots of little helpers as the Lippy children are finishing their school responsibilities for the year and looking for things to do.  If I have something going in my day that either one can tag along or do, I am too happy to ask for the help.  Daily deposits, counting money. rolling coins, counting medication into little bags,visiting the sick and attending an occasional naming ceremony help keep Rachel and Sarah busy.  I am truly thankful for their help.  Sometimes they get rewarded for getting my work done and they get to practice driving the car in the bush!  I remember when I had to learn to drive a standard.  Now I am teaching others.  I know you are all thinking "scary", and you are glad you aren't on our bush roads.  Rachel, Sarah and Julee (the oldest of the Lippy children) are all doing very well. 

Ndungu Kebbeh Health Centre remains a busy place.  We are officially opened two days a week.  God has allowed us to maintain our good testimony to the surrounding area.  I am often called on for an emergency or to refill some medication for a patient that just couldn't arrive during clinic hours.  We sent the ambulance to Esau Health Centre 17 times to help those that had needs in the off hours of the clinic.  (Most of these cases were labor cases.)   Please join us in praying for employees.  SJ has had a particularly hard month.  His father, his father's best friend and his father-in-law died within a month's time.  SJ also had an accident during this time hurting his hip. 

I continue to enjoy making home visits.  I am getting a reputation (a good thing).  During the month of April I was able to make 44 home visits.  Most of those I see can not make it to the clinic on their own.  Recently I have been asked to help an individual who was discharged from a hospital in Dakar, Senegal after spending a few months in the hospital in Banjul.  He is NOT wanting to be readmitted.  I have been doing what I can and each time I go, I pray with him and his family.  I have enjoyed the outreach these home visits have provided.  On Friday, Michelle Lippy and I will be going to one of the compounds that I visit to share about God.  We are excited.  Please pray with us that this time will be protected.

My computer is a necessary link for communication both with you and with perspective visitors to The Gambia.  I am really excited to be working with Cedarville University's Nursing Department in providing an opportunity for two nursing students.  They will arrive in July and spend a month with us.  I am praying that God will provide a wonderful experience for them.  (Gail and Bethanne)  I am also in communication with a few others.  As a field we have several needs.  God recently blessed us with a Teacher's Helper for Michelle.  Michelle is excited to be able to spend some quality time working on learning Wolof.  Bethany hopes to arrive by the end of July.  She is raising her support.  Another area of need is for a couple to come and "fill in" for a few months at our guest house in Banjul.  The Robison's are due for furlough in July of 2011. If you know anyone who might be interested... let me know!  The guest house has air conditioning, electricity, back up generator, and wireless internet!  (How is that for an advertisement?)

So as you can figure out, most of my days are filled with a little bit of everything.  I praise the Lord for the strength He gives me.  As I write this I was visited by members of the District Health Team (local medical branch of the country, similar to the Department of Health.)  We had a good discussion, they are asking for additional services, pray that God will give us wisdom as we seek to obey His leading.  You never know what the day may hold.  I am glad I have the assurance of God's love.  I am also so very glad that nothing catches Him by surprise. 

Michelle and I are reading Mark 5-8 this month.  One of my favorite parts is when He sends them out by twos.  Pray for Friday!

Thank you for making it possible for me to serve here in The Gambia. 

Sarah Arrives!

A month ago I came to Banjul to pick up our newest teammate. Rachel and I oriented Sarah to shopping for a months worth of supplies. We took things at a nice pace as Sarah had had a busy month in the USA prior to her arrival here.

After almost a week in Banjul, we headed home to Ndungu Kebbeh. The ferry wait wasn't bad. It was while waiting ON the ferry that I realized we hadn't photo documented Sarah's arrival. The picture that accompanies this post is Sarah on her return to Ndungu Kebbeh.
Welcome Back Gal!

I AM BACK!

It looks like I have been in cyber silence for too long. I am hoping to get back into the habit of blogging.
So, what can I tell you? It was a busy fall in NK. We had many quests and are very thankful for two new arrivals. Rachel arrived in November, believe it or not, her first weekend in the country she won a RAM. Yeah, it lives in her backyard. We are neighbors, so basically it is right next door. Some days I think it may end up as dinner yet! :) Rachel had a month to study Wolof and is now working in the clinic.

Sarah Damick arrived the first weekend in February. She is a career arrival so will be learning Wolof for a year before joining us in the clinic. Very exciting times!

I have been making more and more home visits. I love them. I like being out and about in the village. This month I made more than 25 visits. It sure does keep me busy. Julee and/or Jessica come with me. I look forward to afternoons when we can stop at a last compound for the day and have time for a nice chat and tea.

I am currently on vacation in Banjul. It is a dream vacation... except for the visits to the dentist. :)

Until next time, have a great week.

Clinic News...

I am looking forward to meeting with Jean when she returns to NK after her vacation. THe clinic is closed for its annual summer closure, allowing the employees to work in their fields. I have spent some time in the store room (a balmy 120 degrees with the humidity to match!) and some time in the office working on the computer and finances. I spent that time in front of a fan!

Clinic reopens the 4th of August! I have made home visits to my home patients. Some didn't get more medication when the supply I gave them ran out, some did. I praise God that all of them were here to welcome me back. Two of them told me they seriously thought that when I returned they would be gone. God is good!

Technology and reality.......

I don't have a working phone line. Yup, I didn't have one when I left and it is still silent. I hear through my coworkers that even if the phone line worked... the internet service is overloaded and they keep getting kicked off. SO, I have traveled to Barra once last week to check email and today, I traveled to Senegambia (the other side of Banjul, guest house area) for an email encounter and to check out a set of triplets for Adelia. Sorry, no pictures, but they are adorable. They weigh about 4 pounds each. So tiny, yet perfectly formed.

Village Times......

One of my favorite things to do is walk to t e village and visit with friends. I have taken advantage of the summer clinic closure to do just that. It has been a blessing to walk by and stop and chat with folks on the way. When did you return? I hadn't heard you were back? How is your mother? How is your father? How is Kumba (aka Ruth Wood)? And the list goes on. I have talked with families that have been through some difficulties with illness, births of babies and even the death of loved ones. The crops are in the ground, the fields are being weeded and the rains are good. God is so good in his provision for us.

The Realities of Life in NK.....

I love living in NK. I love the people; I love the laid back pace... if only I could really adjust to it! Wouldn't it be great, no real time clock?

I began the week by putting away my belongings. Always a fun challenge, made even more fun by finding new and interesting things in the house. I knew from phone calls with Michelle while I was still in America, that I had a guest in the house while I was gone. He liked Tupperware and brown rice. Jogab had cleaned all the kitchen cupboards. What a blessing, I just had to reorganize and put things back where they belong. Apparently, my guest had made himself at home... he liked my bed, but Michelle and the girls had cleaned that up. I also discovered that he liked the bathroom closet, my dresser, and the trundle bed. Oh, what a discovery that was! I went to put a blanket over the extra mattress and found droppings and cockroach wings galore. ugh! Not a pleasant finding. Praise God I am babysitting the remaining pet cat on the compound and she is a fierce warrior. I have not seen any evidence of sharing my dwelling with my former guest!