If you read my last blog, you probably realized that it was not actually me typing, but my dad. He's great, love him! :)
Now it is really me and I am typing from my hospital bed. I'm hooked up to all kinds of things, so typing isn't really easy and this will be short.
I'm feeling really well now (who wouldn't be when you're being pumped with Morphine?). :) The fam is taking great care of me. I'll probably fall asleep soon as this has been quite an exhausting morning and jet lag is still having its effects.
If you are reading this from College Station, I'd LOVE it if you get a chance to come visit. (I'm at the Physician's Center, down University, across Hwy 6, almost to Hwy 30).
Thank you all for praying!
Friday, July 25, 2008
recovery time
It is about 10:30 on Friday morning. Since I am still asleep from the anesthesia, this blog entry will be pretty short. They rolled me in to surgery about 8:00 this morning. They had given me something to relax me before surgery, so I was a little sassy with the doctors and nurses. I was quite the talker. The anesthesiologist suggested that since I just got back from Africa a couple of days ago, I should consider putting this off to make sure I did not bring home a bug or amoeba. I told him that was not going to happen, so let's get this going. Then Dr.Briner came in and we talked for a few minutes, than they wheeled me on out to surgery. It took about 2 hours. Dr. Briner just went into my room and told my Mom and Dad and Kahler and my grandparents that it all went well. I should be waking up soon - they will wheel me into the room where everyone will be really glad to see me. I hope I am not too sick or groggy, because my Mom may not handle that very well. When I am good and awake, I will send someone out for ice cream. That will help me get well faster. I hope to be home by tomorrow, so you can come see me when you get a chance. Well, I should be waking up soon, so I will blog again when I get a chance.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
HOME SWEET HOME!!
It's 4:15am right now, but my body is telling me that it is 11:15am and refuses to sleep.
I know it will probably be several hours before anyone reads this, but I wanted you all to know that our plane made it to Houston at about 12:45 tonight (or this morning... I'm still not really sure how you say that).
I want you all to know that I did get an aisle seat on the 9 hour flight from London to Chicago. God cares so much for us, even about the smallest things!
Thank you all for praying. I cannot wait to see you all, the ones who have loved me so dearly and prayed for me so faithfully, in person. The last two months have been unforgettable!
Hopefully, in the next few weeks, I will update this again with a 'reflective' post, as the first question I am always asked is "What did you learn?". That is not a question to be answered at 4 in the morning (especially for someone who is as sleep-depraved as I am). I have a feeling that once I let myself stop, here in a few minutes, I will be asleep immediately. (And I am oh-so-excited to be back in my own bed!)
Keep praying for my surgery. :)
Love you all!
-kt
I know it will probably be several hours before anyone reads this, but I wanted you all to know that our plane made it to Houston at about 12:45 tonight (or this morning... I'm still not really sure how you say that).
I want you all to know that I did get an aisle seat on the 9 hour flight from London to Chicago. God cares so much for us, even about the smallest things!
Thank you all for praying. I cannot wait to see you all, the ones who have loved me so dearly and prayed for me so faithfully, in person. The last two months have been unforgettable!
Hopefully, in the next few weeks, I will update this again with a 'reflective' post, as the first question I am always asked is "What did you learn?". That is not a question to be answered at 4 in the morning (especially for someone who is as sleep-depraved as I am). I have a feeling that once I let myself stop, here in a few minutes, I will be asleep immediately. (And I am oh-so-excited to be back in my own bed!)
Keep praying for my surgery. :)
Love you all!
-kt
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Delayed...
Well, we didn't make it to London in time. (We didn't really think we would.)
The new plan is to arrive in Houston (still via Chicago) at 10pm on Wednesday. In reality, this is only 3 or 4 hours later than we had origianally thought. Not too bad.
We're both SUPER ready to get home, so pray for the rest of our traveling!
Thank you all for your prayers! Continue to pray for my back. (More specifically, you can pray that I get an aisle seat this time. I had a middle seat on our last flight and was only able to get up and move once during the 9 hour flight, so I'm hurting a bit now.)
Love and miss you all!
See you soon!
The new plan is to arrive in Houston (still via Chicago) at 10pm on Wednesday. In reality, this is only 3 or 4 hours later than we had origianally thought. Not too bad.
We're both SUPER ready to get home, so pray for the rest of our traveling!
Thank you all for your prayers! Continue to pray for my back. (More specifically, you can pray that I get an aisle seat this time. I had a middle seat on our last flight and was only able to get up and move once during the 9 hour flight, so I'm hurting a bit now.)
Love and miss you all!
See you soon!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
On our way...
We made it safely to Nairobi. We now have a 7 hour layover and then we will board for London. (PRAY for the London layover!) Until then, its milkshakes, sudoku and watching "forgein" people. :)
It was so hard to say goodbye, but now that we have left that red Rwandan soil, we're ready to see Houston!!
Keep praying. Love you and miss you all.
Getting closer to you every hour! :)
It was so hard to say goodbye, but now that we have left that red Rwandan soil, we're ready to see Houston!!
Keep praying. Love you and miss you all.
Getting closer to you every hour! :)
Monday, July 21, 2008
packing up...
So this is most likely my last post from Rwanda! We leave tomorrow afternoon at 1:55pm.
Last Friday, after I posted on here, we went back to the Ligue for Bible study. We talked about spiritual growth and taught them to share the Gospel using Gospel bead bracelets. The group gave us each a gift, of two small traditional Rwandan peace baskets and then they danced for us.
We had our regular Bible study with the women in Remera on Saturday. We did the same lesson (spiritual growth and Gospel bead bracelets). They also presented us with gifts. If you haven't noticed, gifts are a big part of their culture. They always tell us "This is so you cannot forget us." They don't realize that they have been such a huge part of my life that I could NEVER forget them. Saturday afternoon, we went to the market to do a bit of last minute shopping and get some fresh fruit (bananas, avocados, and passion fruit) for our last days here.
Yesterday was a very emotional day. It was our last day to attend church and the last time to see many of our new friends. I had to fight back tears throughout the whole service. At the end, they called us up to 'give a word' and tell the church goodbye. Again, they presented us with a gift from the church. Afterwards, we had a few of the women from our Bible studies stay around to video them talking about the studies. Esron translated for us and the things they said brought tears to my eyes (again). Thank you, for allowing this trip to happen. YOUR generosity has made an eternal difference in the lives of many people here.
We started packing this morning. I feel like we unpacked everything yesterday. As we were packing and deciding what to leave here, our friend who works at the Ligue (whose house we visited the first week for Bible study) was outside watering plants. I called her inside (she doesn't speak ANY English) and gave her a stack of my shirts and some candy and stickers to take to her children. She was SO excited she was about to cry (and Rwandans don't cry). She kept saying "Thank you! Ooh, Merci! Urokosay!" (Thank you in English, French, Kinyarwanda). To me, it was just a stack of old shirts I never wear anymore. To her, it was a brand new wardrobe. She was so sweet and so appreciative. It made me want to give her everything I had. Later, she wrote something in Kinyarwanda on a piece of paper and gave it to me. We had a friend translate it and she said, "Aww. Someone who has written this is very sad that you will be leaving her." I'm sad too. (And trying not to cry as I write this!) We had lunch one last time at the Emerald today and will eat dinner with Esron later tonight.
Here's how you can pray:
-That the seeds that have been planted would GROW
-That we would be comforted today and tomorrow as we prepare to leave
-Safety in traveling home (Also- we have a 1 hour layover in London and it will be VERY tough to get on our plane... PRAY!!)
-Of course, my surgery.
I've really begun to miss my friends and the people who have sent me here. I can't wait to see you all. (This may mean you have to come see me in the hospital or when I'm recovering. I won't be able to get out for a while.) The time has flown by, and every minute has been a gift from God! Again, THANK YOU for being a part of this trip.
Next stop: NAIROBI!!
(I'm not done updating yet!)
Love you and miss you all.
SEE YOU SOON! (I've waited 2 months to say that!)
Last Friday, after I posted on here, we went back to the Ligue for Bible study. We talked about spiritual growth and taught them to share the Gospel using Gospel bead bracelets. The group gave us each a gift, of two small traditional Rwandan peace baskets and then they danced for us.
We had our regular Bible study with the women in Remera on Saturday. We did the same lesson (spiritual growth and Gospel bead bracelets). They also presented us with gifts. If you haven't noticed, gifts are a big part of their culture. They always tell us "This is so you cannot forget us." They don't realize that they have been such a huge part of my life that I could NEVER forget them. Saturday afternoon, we went to the market to do a bit of last minute shopping and get some fresh fruit (bananas, avocados, and passion fruit) for our last days here.
Yesterday was a very emotional day. It was our last day to attend church and the last time to see many of our new friends. I had to fight back tears throughout the whole service. At the end, they called us up to 'give a word' and tell the church goodbye. Again, they presented us with a gift from the church. Afterwards, we had a few of the women from our Bible studies stay around to video them talking about the studies. Esron translated for us and the things they said brought tears to my eyes (again). Thank you, for allowing this trip to happen. YOUR generosity has made an eternal difference in the lives of many people here.
We started packing this morning. I feel like we unpacked everything yesterday. As we were packing and deciding what to leave here, our friend who works at the Ligue (whose house we visited the first week for Bible study) was outside watering plants. I called her inside (she doesn't speak ANY English) and gave her a stack of my shirts and some candy and stickers to take to her children. She was SO excited she was about to cry (and Rwandans don't cry). She kept saying "Thank you! Ooh, Merci! Urokosay!" (Thank you in English, French, Kinyarwanda). To me, it was just a stack of old shirts I never wear anymore. To her, it was a brand new wardrobe. She was so sweet and so appreciative. It made me want to give her everything I had. Later, she wrote something in Kinyarwanda on a piece of paper and gave it to me. We had a friend translate it and she said, "Aww. Someone who has written this is very sad that you will be leaving her." I'm sad too. (And trying not to cry as I write this!) We had lunch one last time at the Emerald today and will eat dinner with Esron later tonight.
Here's how you can pray:
-That the seeds that have been planted would GROW
-That we would be comforted today and tomorrow as we prepare to leave
-Safety in traveling home (Also- we have a 1 hour layover in London and it will be VERY tough to get on our plane... PRAY!!)
-Of course, my surgery.
I've really begun to miss my friends and the people who have sent me here. I can't wait to see you all. (This may mean you have to come see me in the hospital or when I'm recovering. I won't be able to get out for a while.) The time has flown by, and every minute has been a gift from God! Again, THANK YOU for being a part of this trip.
Next stop: NAIROBI!!
(I'm not done updating yet!)
Love you and miss you all.
SEE YOU SOON! (I've waited 2 months to say that!)
Friday, July 18, 2008
'tis bittersweet
So, we're counting down the days until Bush Intercontinental (July 23).
I can't explain my emotions right now because they are so contradictory.
---Part of me wants to stay here, forever, and love on these precious people.
---The other part of me misses my family and friends, who I cannot wait to see again.
ALL of me knows that this trip has been God's plan for my summer and I can only pray that this experience has helped me become more like the person He created me to be. Pray that I will trust God with the next few days, knowing that, just as it was His will for me to come on this trip, it is also His will for me to return.
As always, a brief update:
We had a larger group of youth show up on Tuesday than Monday. We started at 10, teaching the youth (and whoever else showed up) at the church. We taught the Gospel and then had them make Gospel bead bracelets. We let them all make 2 and challenged them to go and share what they had learned. When we came back from our break, they were all very excited as many of them had gone and shared the gospel and given their 2nd bracelet away.
Wednesday was a long day, but it was also one of the best days so far! We talked about "the green bead", spiritual growth. We talked about many things that Christ commands us to do once we believe in Him. After the youth teaching, we had a break until 3. During our break, we went out into the village a little to buy Fantas and mendazi (small fried cakes) to give to the women during Bible study. Before we start our meeting, they sing and pray. While they were singing, they began a 'traditional Rwandan dance' and insisted that Melissa and I learn and join them. It was hilarious. (We had Kezia videotape it and, if you are lucky, you might get to see it when we return... ha.) We were laughing and they were laughing so hard they could barely sing. It was a sweet, sweet time! We made Gospel bead bracelets with them. They were very excited to go and share what they had learned. At the end, we told them we have learned a bit of Rwandan culture and that when you appreciate and honor someone, you give them Fanta and mendazi. They laughed and gladly accepted the snack. Before we left, they gave us gifts they had gotten us. We each got a purse made of banana leaves with a pen and card inside. This group of women has been such a blessing. The love they have for the Lord and for each other has taught me so much!
On Thursday, we went with Kathleen and Bruno (the Canadian Baptist missionaries) to visit a hospital. It was quite far from the city and a pretty long (and beautiful) drive. We went on a tour and got to see all their different units. Of course, my favorite was their Pediatric Malnutrition ward. I don't want to make this too long, but I will say that I know that God had that trip planned for me. As I mentioned earlier in the trip, I have had doubts about studying nutrition... until now. God taught me a lot and I'm going to have to trust Him with how I will use my education in the future... and I am SO excited to see what He will do!!
This morning (Friday), we visited the Dorcas project and helped them work. And by 'work', I'm not kidding. When we got there, they wrapped us up in long skirts and head wraps so that our clothes and heads would not get dirty. Then, they showed us how we would carry buckets of dirt on our heads from one place to another to prepare a place to plant flowers. Then we had to run some errands and now we are about to head back to the Ligue for our last Bible study with Mary's group of ladies.
-Continue to pray for our last days here- for safety and health and for God to work through us, every minute of every day.
-Also, continue to pray for my surgery. It is a week from today and I'm begining to get a little nervous!
I cannot thank you all enough for the emails. I have been so encouraged by them.
I cannot wait to see you all. Love you and miss you!
I can't explain my emotions right now because they are so contradictory.
---Part of me wants to stay here, forever, and love on these precious people.
---The other part of me misses my family and friends, who I cannot wait to see again.
ALL of me knows that this trip has been God's plan for my summer and I can only pray that this experience has helped me become more like the person He created me to be. Pray that I will trust God with the next few days, knowing that, just as it was His will for me to come on this trip, it is also His will for me to return.
As always, a brief update:
We had a larger group of youth show up on Tuesday than Monday. We started at 10, teaching the youth (and whoever else showed up) at the church. We taught the Gospel and then had them make Gospel bead bracelets. We let them all make 2 and challenged them to go and share what they had learned. When we came back from our break, they were all very excited as many of them had gone and shared the gospel and given their 2nd bracelet away.
Wednesday was a long day, but it was also one of the best days so far! We talked about "the green bead", spiritual growth. We talked about many things that Christ commands us to do once we believe in Him. After the youth teaching, we had a break until 3. During our break, we went out into the village a little to buy Fantas and mendazi (small fried cakes) to give to the women during Bible study. Before we start our meeting, they sing and pray. While they were singing, they began a 'traditional Rwandan dance' and insisted that Melissa and I learn and join them. It was hilarious. (We had Kezia videotape it and, if you are lucky, you might get to see it when we return... ha.) We were laughing and they were laughing so hard they could barely sing. It was a sweet, sweet time! We made Gospel bead bracelets with them. They were very excited to go and share what they had learned. At the end, we told them we have learned a bit of Rwandan culture and that when you appreciate and honor someone, you give them Fanta and mendazi. They laughed and gladly accepted the snack. Before we left, they gave us gifts they had gotten us. We each got a purse made of banana leaves with a pen and card inside. This group of women has been such a blessing. The love they have for the Lord and for each other has taught me so much!
On Thursday, we went with Kathleen and Bruno (the Canadian Baptist missionaries) to visit a hospital. It was quite far from the city and a pretty long (and beautiful) drive. We went on a tour and got to see all their different units. Of course, my favorite was their Pediatric Malnutrition ward. I don't want to make this too long, but I will say that I know that God had that trip planned for me. As I mentioned earlier in the trip, I have had doubts about studying nutrition... until now. God taught me a lot and I'm going to have to trust Him with how I will use my education in the future... and I am SO excited to see what He will do!!
This morning (Friday), we visited the Dorcas project and helped them work. And by 'work', I'm not kidding. When we got there, they wrapped us up in long skirts and head wraps so that our clothes and heads would not get dirty. Then, they showed us how we would carry buckets of dirt on our heads from one place to another to prepare a place to plant flowers. Then we had to run some errands and now we are about to head back to the Ligue for our last Bible study with Mary's group of ladies.
-Continue to pray for our last days here- for safety and health and for God to work through us, every minute of every day.
-Also, continue to pray for my surgery. It is a week from today and I'm begining to get a little nervous!
I cannot thank you all enough for the emails. I have been so encouraged by them.
I cannot wait to see you all. Love you and miss you!
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