Crazy

Well, life continues to accelerate despite multiple attempts to hit the brakes. Some days I think I have two hands on the parking brake and I am pulling up with both hands but the car of life continues to drive itself and I am forced to steer rather than stop. I haven't quite figured out whether it is the addition of Kai, final year surgical residency or France & Burundi preparations..... All I can say is I have looked forward to Christmas break to spend some time with Julie and the kids.

Julie and I have been encouraged as we talk about our plans with friends, colleagues and family. I was honoured several weeks ago when one of our surgeons told me he is "living life vicariously through me." I am also excited about the many teaching points that continue to come up in my surgical training. Not a days goes by when I don't hear  "you will want to know this when you are in Burundi," or "I will show you how to do this so you know when you go Burundi." I feel that they are excited that I am going and I am truly thankful for the opportunity to train as a surgeon and for the expertise and invaluable experience imparted on me by my staff surgeons.

All this being said, every so often I look at Julie and ask her if we are crazy. Giving up a potential career in Canada, financial security, our home, proximity to our families. Is it all worth it? I think so!

Today I read, "Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives." Romans 6:4.

We may live new lives! There is an incredible sense of thrill that follows when we trust beyond ourselves and also an incredible peace... Perhaps the greatest comfort we have when life seems out of control is that we don't do life alone when we walk with God... not to say life won't be hard or challenging or sleepless or at times lonely but He promises to go with us. And in giving the rudder of life to Christ means the outcome also belongs to him...

JESH

Mercy Me - Flawless

Congratulations!

Our friend and future co-worker just won an incredible award for Kibuye Hope Hospital!

Dr. Jason Fader

Dr. Jason Fader is currently the only surgeon outside the capital city. He was just awarded a $500,000 prize which will train future doctors and aid in the development of the hospital project.

Check out all the details HERE at amhf.us.

We are so excited to see how far a prize like this will go!

Let the Packing Begin!

Well, hard to believe but we just got word that a shipping container will be heading out to Burundi in early 2017. We had thought we may get some things on a container going out in 2018, as there's usually one that goes every couple years. But this latest info means we're starting to pack NOW! We will plan to drive a trailer to the site in Indianapolis where the container is in early 2017. Jesh has been mocking my endless lists for months already, but this time they are proving to be very useful!

So, what do we even bring?

The good thing is my lists began over a year ago when we were last in Burundi with our family. Hurray for being over-prepared! Those 3 months gave me some ideas of what we can and cannot get in the country, and what is really valuable in enabling us to make a home there. It's tricky to think ahead as to what we will need in 2018, and what clothing sizes the kids will need until 2020, but it's better to plan ahead as most things are really difficult to find there. It's not like there's a Walmart!

So, last weekend we began the sorting - starting with our books! It will be such a joy to have some of our things there when we arrive, and to know that we won't have to pack pyrex dishes and a pot set into our carry-ons:)

What makes the cut? Well, that depends on who you are talking to:) Here's my list so far:

Most are items I already have, and will just borrow or thrift what we need for the remaining time we are here in Kingston. Although without Netflix, we are going to be thrifting for some DVD's and shows to send! It gets a lot more real now that we are officially packing!