Matched!

Jeff will be attending residency at West Suburban Hospital in Chicago starting late June! We are excited to be staying in Chicago. We feel blessed to have matched into Jeff's first choice and we look forward to what God has for us these next 3 years!

What's Next...

Well, we just put in the rank list for Jeff's residency program. We will know where we will end up the next 3 years on March 17th (Match Day)!

Some idea of where we may end up: Chicago, Pennsylvania, California, Oklahoma.

Gracie also made it into UIC and UPenn for graduate school. She is hoping to pursue a midwifery/women's health nurse practitioner degree.

So in a few weeks, we'll let you know where we end up!

Love,
Gracie and Jeff

More Zim pictures... Enjoy!

February 9, 2011

Dearest Family and Friends,

We're back!!! Actually, we are currently stuck in Washington, D.C., as
we missed our connection to Chicago, but we are safe and sound. Our
last few days at Karanda were wonderful. Here are some highlights:

1) We spent Friday afternoon traveling around the countryside
administering vaccinations to children. Our first stop was under a
tree in the middle of a small village. The second stop was at an
elementary school. We learned the importance of bringing healthcare to
people, as most do not have access to transportation to get to clinics
or hospitals.

2) Friday night, we spent the evening with a Shona family off hospital
grounds. We brought them a gift of chicken, sugar, and flour, and in
return, we had one of the best times in Zim. Gracie learned how to
cook a traditional Shona meal over an open fire and carry a baby on
her back. Jeff learned how to play a Mbira (an African instrument) and
sing a few more Shona songs. We got to hear the story of Ambua
(Grandmother) Cheshire who lost 4 out of her 6 children due to AIDS
and is now caring for her 10 grandchildren on her own. The night was
filled with dancing, singing, great food, stories, and conversation
(Ambua's brother translated for us) under the stars. It was perfect.

3) Sunday night, we held a party for people we had gotten to know
during our time in Zim. It was a way for us to say "thank you" for
letting us be a part of their work and to say good bye. Gracie made
lots and lots of cookies, cake, and apple crisp. Fortunately, we had
electricity for most of the day, so the ovens were working nicely.
During our time in Zim, Jeff was quickly known to play the guitar and
sing. Many people asked for a time of praise and worship. It was
wonderful worshiping with brothers and sisters from across the world.

4) Jeff met a Shona man named Benjamin, who was an amazing musician.
They got to play a song together at church, and afterward, a
missionary from the hospital recorded them onto a CD to play for
patients in the wards as a means of encouragement.

5) Before we left, we were able to donate some food to an Ambua who
recently became a follower of Christ. Four months earlier, she was the
local witchdoctor who lived and worked at the gate of the hospital.
After she turned her life to the Lord, she burned all of her
witchcraft tools. As a result, she lost her only source of income and
has been struggling to make ends meet. Although villagers still come
to her often to "heal" them of various diseases, she refuses and
points them to Christ. Please pray that she would continue to stay
strong in her faith, and trust in God who provides.

Those are just to name a few. We still have a lot of processing to do,
as we have learned so much during our time in Zim. Thank you again for
all the encouragement and support along the way. They were felt
throughout our trip.

Love,
The Larsons

February 3,2011

Dearest family and friends,

We are enjoying our last few days here at Karanda Mission Hospital.
Today, we rode on the back of a pickup truck for an hour on a bumpy
gravel road to an even smaller hospital (10 beds) to help out at an
HIV/AIDS community outreach. In 4 hours, we saw over 270 patients-
grandparents, fathers, mothers, children, babies. Our goal was to
provide follow-up primary care and to dispense antiretroviral drugs.
These patients are seen every 2 months for therapy and are given
refills on medication. Sadly, over 15% of adults in Zimbabwe have HIV
or AIDS. At Karanda Hospital, over 50% of patients are infected. It is
a difficult reality. We loved being able to serve the community,
though, and get a glimpse into their lives.

As an update, Gracie did not receive her Zim nursing license. The
counsel is going to meet again on Feb 12th, but we will be back in the
States by then. We are still processing this unforeseen turn of events
and God's will throughout this long journey. We have definitely
learned to walk by faith and not by sight.

All together though, we have had a wonderful time soaking in Shona
culture and working alongside those serving the people of Zimbabwe.

We are going to end here, but we hope you enjoy some of the pictures
we took today. Tomorrow, we will be going out into the community again
to provide immunizations.

As always, thanks for the prayers and kind encouragement. It blesses
our hearts and gives us the strength to keep going.

Love,
Gracie and Jeff

January 31, 2011

Dearest Family and Friends,

This past weekend was a special treat. Jeff needed to leave the country for visa purposes, so we took a trip to Victoria Falls (Don't worry- this was not with donated funds). So for 2 days, we got to walk around the majestic falls, see some wildlife, and rest. Lots of rest, reading, and prayer. We also got to celebrate Gracie's birthday yesterday. We are now back at the hospital refreshed and ready to serve the rest of the time we're here (until Feb 9th).

On another note, Gracie's Zimbabwe nursing license is currently held on "probation". The council reviewed her application, but needed more clarification on her 4 quarter accelerated nursing program from Rush. Nursing school in Zim takes 3 years to complete, so they did not understand how Gracie's could obtain a bachelor's in nursing in 1 year. Therefore, we are trying to submit more paperwork and transcripts to explain her education. Our liason will be meeting with them again tomorrow. Please pray that things get sorted out and that God's will be done. This has been a tremendous test of our faith and trust in God's plan... and not our own.

We love you all and thank you for the support!

Trusting in Him,
Gracie and Jeff

January 24, 2011

Dearest family and friends,

Church service was beautiful yesterday. The choir sang multiple songs
in both Shona and English. Their voices blended in beautiful harmony.
One song in particular blessed our hearts. The verses described the
attributes of God, and one line that was sung over and over again was
"God is Provider".

It was a sweet reminder. God provides. He is the same God that
provides the latest technology to hospitals in the west, and He is the
same God that provides semi-truck loads of supplies to hospitals in
Zimbabwe. Even though His provision may appear different, He is the
same. Gracie still hasn't received her nursing license, but God
provides according to His perfect will.
,
God provides. It is a humbling, peace-giving, and yet difficult idea
to understand at times. But we trust in a good God that loves.

On another note, we thought it might be fun to share some Shona
culture with you!

Here are some fun facts that we have learned during our time here:

1) Church is a communal time. Anyone is able to share a song with the
congregation (whether or not you have any musical talent) and prayer
requests.At the end of the service, everyone forms a circle and shakes
hands with one another.

2) Women wear long dresses to cover their knees. Women do not wear
long or short pants, because a woman's thighs are considered the most
sexually arousing part of her body!
3) Women should not have direct eye contact with men... unless you are flirting.
4) Shona people do not kiss, embrace or pat any member of the opposite
sex (even if married) in public... This has been harder for us to
adjust to :O)
5) Shona people are very friendly and welcoming. They also love to
hear "white" folks speak Shona. They get a kick out of it!

Okay, that's it for now. Until next time, may the peace of Christ fill
your hearts and remember to look around you and thank our God who
provides!

Love,
Jeff and Gracie

PS- The man who's leg got munched on by an crocodile is looking much
better each day and it seems like he will not need an amputation!
Hooray!!! (see attached picture)
PSS- Gracie finished sorting and labeling thousands of medical
supplies that people graciously donated. Hooray!!! (They also donated
A LOT of gauze!) (see attached picture)