Hodgepodge

Just a few things that have been cooking in my brain for the last few days.

- First off, my staff surgeon is ridiculous. We listen to loud southern gospel in the Theatre and we dance (sterile procedure is observed, of course). He mixes his own workout tapes, seriously, two turn tables-type mixing. He's a good surgeon and above that, He loves Jesus. This place is amazing.

- Carbs make me really sleepy. Getting through the afternoon has been rough.

- Can I just say that this has got to be one of the prettiest places on earth? I guess I just did!

- Babies who are really sick scare me. Anyone less than 15 who is sick scares me, really. Because of the work this hospital does with pediatric orthopedics (or orthopaedics) and neurosurgery, there is a lot of potential for kids who didn't have much reserve to begin with to crash at any instant. That scares me.
I think it's probably scary because it exposes me as someone who looks like I've got it all together, but is really just a poser. I'm totally a paediatric poseur. I think that's probably true for me in any hard situation. I look like a good Christian kid, but I tend to freeze up when my "faith" is tested. When the time of testing comes, I feel like a failure. Perhaps then I try to build myself up in my mind so that I can be "too big to fail." Of course, my first mistake is trying to make much of myself. The bible tells me to make less of myself that much might be made of Christ. Something to ponder, what it means to make less of myself...

- Prepaid wireless is the way to go. I buy the minutes I want and when I need some more I buy them. I don't have to worry about if I've got enough minutes to talk to someone. I don't have to worry about going over my budget if I send another text. Totally bettter.

- However, the internet is not great here. The iPhone is pretty much useless unless I'm next to a wifi node, which is rare.

- I think this hospital is better than the VA. Dead serious. Little mission hospital v. Uncle Sam. And the answer is more government? (Ok, a bit unfair. A hospital planned to give glory to God is going to be better than one meant to give glory to man, no matter the station of the little mission hospital.)

- President Obama is kind of popular over here. In fact, the daily newspapers have about 3/4 Kenya and the World stories and 1/4 Obama stories, give or take current events. Crazy.

- Prayer Request: A fellow med student from Switzerland was in Rwanda with AIM and contracted a very bad virus, 2 very bad ones actually. She's now in Nairobi, in a coma. 11 pints of blood down and she may need more. I met her dad when I was coming out to Kijabe. One of the first things he said really struck me, "5 weeks ago, she was a happy child, just like you." This is for real, every single second is precious.

- Speaking of precious time. I have re-learned to appreciate the Kenya/African emphasis on building relationships. They don't bother with all of the peripherals, they care about each other. It's infuriating to an American kid, but it's not bad, just different (and possibly better).

- I will say that Kenyans do care about each other as long as each other doesn't stretch beyond their tribe. There are deep, deep wounds here that need the Love of Jesus to be healed. Please pray for healing and reconciliation.

- My second call was much, much better than the first. I got to sleep, for 4 hours, in a row! Sunday's are so very chill around here.

- I got to hike to a "waterfall" on Saturday. It's been very dry here and I was nonplussed. The walk up, however, was amazing. I cannot wait to put pictures up to show you all!

Thanks as always for your prayers and thoughts. Jesus is working here.

Bless God and be blessed.

Call

My first night on call being a big boy doctor was not the easy introduction for which I was hoping. Instead, I was greeted by 20 outpatients who needed to be seen and then attend to the growing mass of people and their mangled bodies in Casualty (ER, in American). Luckily, the Kenyan intern who was on with me was a rockstar (Dan Odhiambo plans to be a pediatric neurosurgeon and there is not a doubt in my mind that he can do it). I know now why physicians will write so many contingencies in their orders, and even then it may not matter, you'll still get called at 3:3o with something ridiculous. Needless to say, sleep was not to be had. Handing off that pager this morning was pure bliss. Only 6 more calls to go!

So, I am writing post-call, bear with me. It's a good thing the coffee here is so good! Kijabe is such a beautiful town. I wake up each morning to the sun rising over the eastern escarpment and shining down onto the Rift Valley. Not really, I'm actually up much earlier than the sun, I would just like you to think that I'm enjoying this incredibly beautiful scenery... I've gotten to be in the Theatre (OR in American) quite a lot and have seen some things I doubt I would've ever seen in the US. I've even given blood to help a patient with a coagulopathy. TB is everywhere here and I'm sure my PPD will convert as soon as I set foot back on US soil. AIDS is also rampant. There are no HIV/AIDS wards here because every ward is at least 50% HIV/AIDS patients and much time is spent treating them and the complications of their disease. You can imagine how careful we must be in Theatre when every patient has a chance to harm you.

On the bright side, there are men and women here fully engaged and totally dedicated to bringing the best healthcare possible to Kenya. Not only that, but every single person I have met gives credit where credit is due; none of them would be here if not for Jesus Christ. They were drawn by the Father, Loved by the Son and empowered by the Holy Spirit to use their gifts to help the poorest of the poor, the most helpless and hopeless, to a healthy and happy life. This is no social gospel, these men and women bring the Good News to everyone they encounter, all spectrums of wealth, religion, and nationality. What a priviledge it is to be a part of this! I am fully confident that they will accomplish what they intend because they are not on a mission to ease the pain of humanity, though that is one end, but their goal, to a person, is to glorify God in their lives, their work, their legacy. That's from whom I get to learn!

As always, your prayers are coveted. I survived the first night of call and am looking forward to many more. Busyness is an idol, pray that I would be still and hear God. Pray for good health for all the missionaries here as there is a sickness being passed around. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Bless God and be blessed.

Kijabe!

I got into Kijabe on Saturday evening, finally, and was promptly wisked down to a missionary's house for a birthday party. Apparently, the pathologist, Dr. Barnes, and his wife come to Kijabe for 3 months each year and it just happens to be over his birthday. Well, 13 years ago, he lamented missing his birthday in the US, so his wife threw a big party for him and it's become a tradition ever since. It was certainly the zaniest 75th birthday I've ever been to!

Kijabe is a nice town. It is situated on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley at 7500 ft above sea level. I live near the bottom of the town so if I want to go anywhere, church for instance, I have to climb several hundred vertical feet to get where I need to go. Luckily, the hospital is just a few feet away... (I'll try and get some pictures up so you can all see how beautiful it is) I can see Mt. Longonot and Mt. Suswa from my front porch. Look them up.

I went to church twice today, once to the Kenyan service and once to the wazungu (whitey) service. Both were good, but the Africans seem to have a little more sway in their step. Perhaps I can describe one in detail in a coming update.

Kijabe reminds me of home in that the people are so friendly and the wind never stops blowing. It would be perfect for a golf course, but for that reason.

I start work tomorrow. I'm a bit scared from what folks have told me about the workload and the instant autonomy, but it's what I signed up for. I'm also feeling a bit nostalgic about being back in the place I took my first breath. It is daunting to think that I might perform that service for someone else. God has led me here for His purposes and I need to be open to what those may be.

Please pray for me, for strength and wisdom. It's not knowing what I need to do that bothers me, it's doing what I know I need to do. Pray for courage and for patience as well. I'm sure I'll have many more specific requests in the coming weeks, but I appreciate all your prayers.

I want to give a special thanks to the Broken Bow EFC, without your help and support, many of my trips wouldn't have been possible. I know that you're praying and I appreciate your giving and support more than you can know. God is planning great things for Africa, I am blessed that you have helped me to be a small part of it.

I will continue to update as I am able. My first call night is Wednesday.

Bless God and be blessed.

An Inasupicious Beginning...

Funny thing happened on the way the to London, I didn't quite get on the plane. It's one of those things that you always hear about happening to other people but never think could happen to you.

I was getting ready to board the flight to London, when, lo and behold, I was called to the ticket counter. Mind you, I didn't think much of it as they had been having some problems scanning my passport and I thought it was more of the same. However, when I saw two border patrol officers at the gate, I got a little concerned. My travel companions (Tricia and Nicole, heading to Namibia) started praying and making phone calls because it was obvious that I was in trouble. (Thanks a ton T&N!)

"Mr. Albin, what is your business in Kenya?" "Medical rotation."
"What do you know about your checked baggage?" "3 bags, 2 going to missionaries."
"Did you actually pack your baggage?" "Yes"
"Did you accept any suspicious packages?" "Absolutely not"
"What do you know about bags of white powder" Silence...

Goodness. You read that right. White powder. Who in their right minds would send white powder through the mail in this day and age?!?

So, needless to say, I was pulled from the plane, much to the chagrin of my travel mates, and led by two surly border patrol agents to a small dark room with one hanging light and forced to confess to being a mule. Not quite that bad actually. I was taken to the baggage area and we looked at the powder again. It was tucked into two Ladies Home Journals and covered with socks. Very sketchy. They tested it again and found that it was negative for all narcotics, drugs and/or bomb making materials. Throughout the whole ordeal, I was impressed with the border patrol agents. They explained that this was a misunderstanding and once the powder tested negative they could care less about it. I was being detained by the TSA as a "person of interest" or "enemy combatant" or some other joke term that means I lose all my rights as an American and will be spending the next few months of my life making friends with rats and eating gruel in Chateau Dif.

Speaking of the TSA, the supervisor got in my face when I couldn't account for the "powder" and told me that he would make sure I never got my medical license in the US if I didn't disclose immediately to him what that powder was. Thankfully, the Border Patrol got me out of that situation and allowed me to make some phone calls and, again, assured me that this was nothing and apologized for causing me to miss my flight.

Finally, having brought my bags and made arrangements for me to fly out the next day, everyone left me alone. After talking to the folks at AIM, making sure everything was cool, I got a ride back to Pearl River and am enjoying somewhat of a celebrity status. We've all had a good laugh about it and I've gotten to hear about quite a few other travel mishaps. I also talked to my folks, who assured me that I wouldn't be a trip to Africa without a little travel excitement.

Turns out the "white powder" was Splenda or some other artificial sweetener. The AIM staff felt really bad about it, so we're going out for Thai and then heading to the airport for round 2. They told me they're going to have the baggies bronzed as an example of what not to send.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. Strange as it sounds, I'm glad this happened. It forces me to be on my toes and to trust that God knows what He's doing, no matter what. I'm happy that I got to go through this, it makes me feel a little like Paul, a very little.

"Count it all joy my brothers when you encounter trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4

Bless God and be blessed.

Flight Delays and Recentering

My flight to London tomorrow was canceled, but they've decided to go ahead a put me on the next flight out, 2 hours later. It doesn't make much sense to me, but then, how many times have I hit the snooze for a measly 5 minutes more of sleep? So, as it stands now, I'll arrive just in time to make my plane to Nairobi. I'm confident God will work this out.

Speaking of God working things out, this orientation has been amazing! One of the staffers gave us a little primer on what to expect from God during our time on the field, and I've come to the conclusion that I've fallen into the "small" God camp during med school. After a reading a few passages to us that declare the glory of the LORD ( Col 1:15-17, Rom 11:36, Is 40:12-15, Is 61), it was clear to me that I have not expected much out of Him, nor have I even asked for much. I've been a fool. The skies declare His handiwork, the earth shouts His praise. I've called myself a Christ-follower for how long and I still have neglected this amazing truth: God is GOD and I am not. No matter how hard I try, I cannot fall out of God, He surrounds me, hems me in, behind and before.

Why have I been afraid to ask God to do big things? Am I scared that He will actually do them and therefore require of me something of which I don't think I'm capable? Does that mean my sins are sloth and cowardice in addition to pride? Yep, that's exactly what that means. It makes me wonder if I actually learned anything in med school. Seriously though, I can do things now that would've made me vomit 4 years ago. How did I learn those things? Through the crucible of experience. Why would I expect that learning faith would be any different? Because I am lazy, egocentric and scared. I don't expect to see God move because a) I think I can do everything myself and b) I haven't asked Him to move. This must change, I know it will. It will require a fundamental shift of my trust balance, from me to Him. It's going to take time, I'm fairly stubborn, but as I fade into the background, He will become more evident.

I am so excited to see what God will do in me and through me on this mission. I am excited to advance in my skill and knowledge as a student doctor, but, honestly, I'm really excited to see how He will heal people spiritually (especially me), and the amazing life transformations that will come through experiencing Jesus. Africa's wounds require much more than legislation and benevolent programs to heal. They require the healing hands of the Great Physician.

God doesn't make mistakes. Every single person we encounter each day was made in His image and is on Earth for His glory, whether they know it or not. Because of the Cross, I know that each one is special to Him, no matter how they appear to me. Pray that this Truth would guide me as I attempt to provide medical and spiritual care to those who God brings to Kijabe (and for the rest of my career). Pray that securing eternal life would be paramount, even if we cannot prolong life in this one.

I appreciate your prayers. I'll try to get to all of your emails as I am able. Keep them coming.

Bless God and be blessed.

2 days in NYC then on to Kijabe!

So, after a brief detour to Denver, I find myself enjoying the hospitality of the staff of Africa Inland Mission and trying to prepare myself for what lies ahead.

I suppose relieved would be the best way to describe how I'm feeling. I don't really know what is in store, but I know what's behind me is behind me. Now only 2 days of orientation in lovely Pearl River separate me from the greatest learning experience of my life. I'll try to post some stories about how I came to this place and why this opportunity is so important to me. Frustration has reigned for the last couple months, but it has given way to excitement (and exhaustion). For now, please pray for sustenance from the Holy Spirit, for humility and a learner's heart.

Bless God and be blessed.