Launch

The time has come.  We are embarking on a journey that began several months ago...actually the nidus of this quest began over a year ago by a group of individuals who I don't personally know but share much in common.  It was just about 11 months ago that I made an inaugural trip to Ethiopia to Project Mercy in Yetebon via Addis Ababa (via Dubai), and my life has been indelibly touched and changed.  Despite the tremendous impact of those two weeks in Yetebon, working alongside a tremendously talented, passionate group of professionals, I'd told myself that I would not travel/work abroad again this year.  After all, Hunter is a high school senior, we have two kids in middle school, and Harrison is moving along in elementary school.  Ivan and I have jobs that demand a lot of our time...everyone in our household has a full schedule, and life is good!  So, in early 2012, I told our team leader that I would not be returning to Project Mercy with the team this Fall.

Fast forward to May.  I receive an email query about working with a group called PeaceCare to teach Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics and Basic Life Support in Obstetrics in Jimma and Bonga, both in Ethiopia's Southern Region (same region where Project Mercy is) in the Fall.  Would I consider being part of the team?  Hmmm.  My immediate thought was, "no way," and I almost responded as such.  But then I thought, "I should ask Ivan his opinion." To my happy surprise, he gave me the green light.  I then asked the children, and especially Hunter, their thoughts--said Hunter, "as long as you're back for my birthday (26 Oct), I think you should go!" The other kids agreed.  So then I talked with my boss, who said, "you can't do this every year, but what an opportunity! You have my support."  After an hour-long phone interview with the PeaceCare team leader, Dr. Jeff Panzer, it seemed like a good fit.  A week later, I was offered the role of Advisory Faculty, a role I'm familiar with and humbled to fill.  YES!

One thing I learned after returning from Ethiopia last Fall -- and going to work perhaps 15 hours after my arrival -- was that I needed to create some "space" between my work and re-entry.  I had a tough time reacclimatizing!  So, Ivan also gave support for me to stay in Ethiopia for a few days beyond my teaching commitment to "visit" Project Mercy, unwind, and reconnect with friends there before returning home.

I communicated my intention to Marta and Deme and the Project Mercy staff, and it seemed that mid-October would be a good time for me to visit Yetebon (their calendar of visitors/volunteers is quite robust!).  Later, I was asked by Marta and Deme if I would consider teaching the BLSO course at Project Mercy during my time there.  Hmmm.  Good idea, but who would teach with me?  And what about unwinding?!?  My Jimma/Bonga team will have departed for Addis/US, and I would be at PM alone.  With optimism, I asked Bill and Isabella Zuber (OB Gyn doctor and L&D Nurse) and Dr. Michael Cline, with whom I taught BLSO last Fall at Project Mercy...and who are all returning to PM in October, if they would consider arriving a few days early to teach with me.  Long shot, but in God's provision, absolutely possible!  And YES!! The Zubers were able to rearrange their work schedules/commitments and change their tickets ... and have the desire to teach the course again with me!  (Despite his willingness, Michael's work schedule was not so accommodating, so he will be with us in spirit and will travel as scheduled with the PM team.)  So yes, Marta & Deme, we can conduct a (small) course at PM--please start the process of inviting participants and the handling the local logistics.  We will take care of the rest.

How God works.  Over a year ago, a group from Northwestern University and PeaceCare performed a needs assessment of maternal health and access to care in Bonga.  Almost a year ago, I came to Ethiopia and not a single day goes by that I don't think about Project Mercy, Yetebon, Marta and Deme and our team, from which several close friendships have blossomed.  Today, I join with a new team of passionate professionals--including my dear friend and colleague Sharon, but most of us meeting for the very first time as we rendezvous in Toronto en route to Addis--and partner with them in conducting a series of 5 courses that we hope will improve birth outcomes for the beautiful women of Ethiopia.  Getting here has not been easy--far from it!  Too numerous to count emails, phone calls,google documents, drop-box uploads and downloads, curricular edits and assignments, schedule proposals, printing, and CD-burning served as the backdrop for hours of collaborating and planning for the weeks ahead.  Ivan likened the prep to a "part time job." I think he's right, and I owe him and my kids a debt of gratitude for supporting me and this great endeavor so unconditionally.  Friends and family have generously provided funding for this mission.  Dear friends-- brothers and sisters-- have committed to praying and some even gathered in our home to pray with us 3 nights ago.  We go together to Ethiopia--and I hope to provide as clear a vision as possible through the posts which will follow.  Come and see...

"I life my eyes up to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from LORD, Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.  The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.  The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." --Ps 121