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