IN KENYA,

I wrote the last post in AMS but didn't get to send it until now. It's 11 PM here ( 8 hr ahead of MEM)and I am safely at the Mennonite missions lodge for the night. Mid 60's now- eat your heart out. 25 hr from take off to touch down. Don't listen to Dr. Young. 25 hr. to eat, sleep and read without a phone call or any interruption. Sounds like a vacation to me except not so much sleep! More tomorrow night when I get to Tenwek.

All, About to board in AMS for Kenya. Read over my last entry and it sounds self centered and, no doubt, was in large part. Just to let you know, not completely consistent with the theology I know and love. It's all about Him, we're to go when, where, and in what capacity as Him dictates in His perfect will. But, it is sweet when our desires appear to be in alignment with His. Enough on that. Just a quick note on His incredible kindness on the way over. I sat next to a single, 49 yr old exec from Atl on his way to visit his 63rd and 64th countries on holiday. His goal would seem to be to see as many as possible. Well, he was already intoxicated and ordering drinks two at a time. In my usual self-focused zone, completely self-justified because of his condition. Reading Experiencing God in preparation to participate in the staff study sessions at Tenwek. He looked over and said, "God's a good thing to be reading about." Well, the Holy Spirit took control from there and we spend an hour talking about his life and going over the Gospel. His speech was so slurred, I doubted he would remember anything. But, this morning he thanked me, said he had stayed awake for two hours thinking about our discussion and seemed thankful of the offer for follow up communication. A seed has been planted. Please pray for Steve. Another example: you just have to available and willing and the Lord will do the rest. Praising Him for all His kindnesses. Yours in Christ, Ed

Answering the call

I'm in Atlanta waiting for the flight to Amsterdam, then from there another 8-9 hr flight to Nairobi, arriving about 9 PM local time Friday (7 or 8 hr ahead of Memphis). I'll stay overnight there and then a 5-6 hr ride northwest to Bomet, home of Tenwek Hospital. I want to tell you how I got this call to serve. Last year, Dr. Dave Stevens, CEO of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations sent out a letter to all the GIs in CMDA asking us to cover for the full time GI missionary, Dr. Steve Burgert and his wife who have been at Tenwek for 2 1/2 years. They have just been approved as career missionaries and are on a seven month furlough in the US for rejuvenation and raising funds. Dave was previously the head of World Medical Missions, the arm of Samaritan's Purse which runs Tenwek. Prior to that he was the head of Tenwek and has written about his experiences there. While my missions trips with GEC and CMDA have been incredible blessings on several levels (opportunity to serve our Lord in any way is always a gift; chance to share experience of spiritual growth with those I love; unique way to shape a worldview; helping medically on some level), I've often wondered how professionally satisfying it would be able to do some medicine for which I was better equipped. Well, here was the chance to find out! The only bad news was they were encouraging folks to commit to a minimum of one month. I struggeled with that for awhile (Sue says I didn't tell her I had committed to a whole month until a couple of weeks ago-there's a transparent declaration of my communications skills!)but, the more I prayed, the more I knew I had to go for a month. I had asked God for a chance to serve in an area He had equipped me. And, those who know me know my going for a couple of weeks would not be a stretch or a sacrifice. So, the answer was in. Just got boarding call. May not have Internet access until I get to Bomet. Will catch us then. Blessings, Ed

Still trying to get the photo on

Test #2. Looks like Africa but it's Chris and Megan in Borneo.

Test day #2

This is the last test. I'm going to see if I can attach a photo. It may look like Kenya, but it isn't.

Well, I'm almost packed and ready to go. I thought I would try to jump into the 21st century (with the help of a high school student) and set up a blog. This is really just a test to see if it will work.