January 22, 2011

Dearest family and friends,

Hello from Zimbabwe! Time here is going by really fast, and it's hard
to believe that we will be back in the States in roughly 3 weeks!
Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement! We apologize upfront
for not being able to write back to everyone individually as the
internet is spotty and we are limited as to how much time we spend on
the internet when it is available.

This past week has been full of different emotions. Gracie has been
here for almost a week now, but unfortunately, she has not received
her Zimbabwe nursing license. This is frustrating because she started
the application process 6 months ago (we were told that the process
normally takes 3 weeks). We are hopeful that she will hear back this
next week as the Nursing Council told us that they would be convening.
Please pray that it will come through.

In the meantime Grace has been working on an inventory of a huge semi
load of medical supplies. The combination of Gracie's computer skills
and knowledge of medical supplies have made her a huge asset. Sadly
this has meant that she has had less direct clinical experiences.

She was able to help out with a couple medical emergencies. For
instance, she rigged up a CPAP (pressurized oxygen mask) on a pair of
twins which likely helped saved one of the kids life (we attached a
picture of this precious little one). Tragically, the other child did
not make it. Grace has been wrestling a lot with two emotions in
experiences like these. First, both of these twins would have in all
probability made it in the States. It is hard to see many deaths here
at Karanda which would have had possibly been prevented with more
advanced/reliable technology (ex. oxygen often shuts off when the
electricity and generator stops working). The context here is so
different and it is hard to keep the perspective that the care that
the hospital provides is better than no care at all even if it is far
below what we expect as standard of care. The most basic supplies are
often not available and those providing care are often far outside of
their area of expertise. Second, she is not supposed to help out at
all as she does not have a license. Due to the political situation
here it is important that the hospital abide by the letter of the law
and not just the spirit. Consequently, Grace feels that she is
paralyzed to use her skills and knowledge (except when there are life
threatening situations). Thankfully, Grace also has had the
opportunity to help out an AWANA kids club as well as the HIV orphan
outreach program. We have also both enjoyed plugging into the church
and missionary community here.

Jeff has been working primarily in the female ward and outpatient
department. It has been a different experience from being in the OR
all day long, but just as important. Sadly, there is much to learn in
clinic as people often present with very advanced illness. He has
already seen over 10 new diagnoses of advanced cervical cancer.

Please pray that we would take these experiences and learn from them
as we continue to prepare for a lifetime of international medical
missions. Thank you so much for all of your prayers!

Love,
Jeff and Gracie

January 16, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

“Mangwanani” (Good morning) You repeat: “Mangwanani,”I say: “Marara
Sei?” (How did you sleep)You say: “Tarara Mararawo” (We slept well if
you slept well), I say: “Tarara” (We slept). This is the typical
greeting that we would say every morning. I love how the beauty of a
communal culture shines through even in a greeting. First, we are
only well if who we are speaking to is well. Second, I am only well
if my family is well, thus I use we when I respond.

Grace has landed safely in Zimbabwe!!! I spoke with her on the phone
yesterday and she is sooooo excited to be here. All of her
connections went smoothly and her luggage arrived in tact. The only
minor bump is the customs agent would not let her medical supplies
through without paying $90. I praise God that she will be joining me
tomorrow after her orientation in town.Thank you for all of your
prayers! They were certainly answered.

Out at the mission hospital things have also been great. Last night I
sutured up a man who had been attacked by a crocadile!! 75ish
stitches later he is mosltly put back together. Please pray for his
right foot as at this time it seems likely that he will lose it. The
rest of the week was filled with many other exciting surgeries and
cases. From 7 VP shunts on babies with hydrocephalus (a tube is
tunneled under the skin from the brain to the belly so that
cerebrospinal fluid does not overaccumulate) to many orthopedic cases
in the elderly my time has been filled with much learning.

Now for my first installment of, you know your in Africa when:

1) Your alarm is a rooster and your clock is in your bag.
2) The acapella singing gives you goosebumps
3) The water is off more than it is on
4) Flowers are everywhere in January, yep its in the 80s here
5) Electricity is a cherished friend
6) Respect is granted based on age not earned by merit
7) You don't miss being so “connected”
8) You eat with your hands
9) Relationships are the most important
10) God is the same, uterly glorius.

Thank you so much for your prayers. They remind me of the double
rainbow which I saw extend acrosss the entire sky on my first day here
in Zimbabwe. It was magnificent. God is faithful and has used your
faithful prayers.

Grace and peace,
Jeff

January 11, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

Kwaziwai! (Hello) from Africa. Last night I arrived at Karanda
mission hospital and today things are already full swing. I assisted
in 8 surgeries, did a pericentesis (drain liters of fluid from the
belly), put on 2 casts, and rounded on half of the hospital. Tomorrow
is an even bigger day in the OR! Needless to say I have loved the
opportunity to get plugged in. I have so much to learn and
experience. Please pray for our patients as many have extremely
advanced illness and need more that we can offer. Only God is the
Great Physician who can/will make all things new.

On another note. the VBS finished very well. There were many genuine
connections with the kids that I know God will use. Sadly, many of
the kids fathers are not involved so I think it was especially
important to have males help out. This Saturday Grace comes to be
with me :) !!! Please pray for her peace as she finishes preparing as
well as traveling and logistical mercies. Thank you again for being a
such an integral part of this trip and our lives.

Serving Jesus together,
Jeff

January 3, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

My first couple days have been filled with many blessings. My host
family has been wonderful to me. They have gone out of there way to
teach me Shona culture, not only in abstract but through sharing their
lives with me. It has been a great blessing to talk at length and in
depth in English while starting to learn the language. It was
especially helpful to discuss holistic healing in the African context
specifically with regard to demonic possession. Next, I was able to
help out though singing and playing the guitar at two Worship services
yesterday. It is truly a blessing to worship with our brothers and
sisters in Christ around the world. It helps me understand a bit
better just how great God's dominion and authority and how great a
cloud of witnesses surround us on our journey of faith. Today I
helped install a circuit breaker in a house that previously just had
individual fuses. I still have a lot to learn but it was fun to get
to learn from my host whose side job is as a electrician in addition
to his role as youth pastor. Tomorrow I begin helping out with VBS
and next week I will travel to Karanda hospital to begin my work
there. Thank you so much for partnering with me. I cherish every
prayer.

Serving Jesus with joy,
Jeff

December 24, 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

The time has come! The 30 hr flight is less than a week away and we
are spending Christmas with Grace's family before Jeff leaves for
Zimbabwe. Grace will head over two weeks later as she could only get
off for a month from work. Pray for peace during our time apart.

We are just finishing packing our bags. Praise God for well over a
thousand dollars worth of supplies which have been donated and are
filling our bags to the brim. A special thanks to Kosirog pharmacy and
Cornerstone medical clinic. Please pray for all of the logistics of
getting the supplies in to Zimbabwe hassle free.

The first week in Zimbabwe Jeff will be helping out at a Vacation
Bible School in Harare the capital as well as getting immersed in a
Shona (the tribe we will work with) family. Then he will head to
Karanda Mission Hospital for a week before Grace joins up with him
there.

Please pray for safety and logistics in travel, for quick adjustments
to the time zone and culture, and that we would be a blessing to those
we serve.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support. We are so grateful
for you in our lives! May you have a wonderful Christmas and New
Years!

Love,

Jeff and Grace

P.S.
For some of you this may be your first introduction to our trip to
Zimbabwe. We probably didn't have your home address so please accept
a digital version. Attached is the letter describing the trip and a
prayer card.

P.S.S.
If you do not want to be on this email list just let us know and you
will be removed.

P.S.S.S.
We may soon start a blog, though this is new for us so you might have
to give us some slack.