the short-term missions debate

Right now, here in Nairobi, it is “mission trip season”. Summer in the U.S. means youth groups, Christian college organizations and agencies send teams of young people around the world, with many coming to East Africa and Nairobi is their entry point. Around town we see groups of wazungu (white foreigners) in shorts and flip-flops, wearing their ipods earbuds and being louder than most. I am mixed in my own thoughts, as I see negative aspects yet also recognize how formative these trips were when I was the loud, earphone wearing kid.

There is, in the mission community, a constant debate over the role, benefit and resources committed to “short-term missions”. Especially in the current financial climate, when organizations are forced to tighten their purse strings, many missions and missionaries are discussing the role of short-term missions.

As with any debate there are two primary opinions: read more

it’s over!

This morning, I passed Kenya’s ATPL exam! Thanks so much for your notes and prayers. I will begin flying next week. I will have 3-4 flights with our training officer and then a check ride with our check pilot. Then, I begin flying ‘under supervision’ until I fly for the required number of hours and get checked out on the various routes we fly. Thanks again!

My Motivation

When I get discouraged and frustrated I start to think:

• Why did I give up a 6-figure income for this?
• Am I really making a difference?
• I don’t think I can do this!
• I could make money to send to other people working here!
• Man, they don’t even have a lab/x-ray/I&D tray/ or medicine, much less running water or reliable electricity! How do you expect me to practice like this?!

Then I read things like this. It was written by a veteran missionary doctor named Harold Adolf, M.D. I have included a few excerpts from his article below.

It reminds me WHY I am here and WHO gives me the passion and strength to stay. I could not do it any other way.

What are the Current Trends in Medical Missions?
First, we see the disappearance of the career medical missionary.
• Thirty mission organizations have thirty-three hospitals and clinics without a single doctor or nurse.
• 178 mission hospitals in Africa are all crying for more doctors.
• 50 percent of the present missionary force will reach retirement in the next ten years; there are very few replacements.
• The gap between training and technology in the home countries and overseas is widening.
• By the time educational debts are paid off, the missionary fire has gone out. read more

liam’s new pool

January is one of the hottest months in Kenya. So we decided to head down to the Nakumatt and buy young Liam a little swimming pool for our little backyard. Needless to say, he LOVES it!

we’re off!

Well, today’s the day! We leave Dallas at 1600 and arrive in Nairobi at 2300 on Thursday night.

We have been overwhelmed in the past week by the encouragement from everyone. Thank you all so much. We miss you already!

Talk to you from the other side of the pond!

our global digits

In preparation for our departure on December 9th, and because we REALLY want to stay in contact with “all ya’ll”, we have set up a global phone number. Basically, it is a Texas phone number (a local number for those in the DFW area) that will ring our computer no matter where we are in the world (as long as we have an internet connection).

This is a service of Skype. If you have Skype on your computer and a good internet connection, then Skype-to-Skype is still probably the best way to communicate. Don’t have Skype? Download it…it’s free!