Last One from the U.S.

A question I am asked over and over again two very important questions. 1) How am I doing? 2) Am I ready?

To answer question number one. I personally think this is the harder of the two. Am I nervous? Of course! But of the healthy sort I feel. I mean I am going to a foreign country where I don't speak the language, where I don't really know one, and really have no clue what I am doing. Yet I have a sense of peace and that is totally a God thing. I know He has total control. He already has proved this because I know I wouldn't have gotten this far without Him. Am I excited? Of course! This is once in a life time experience and something I have always wanted to do. I get to see knew things, smell new (and strong!) scents, meet new people. In short I get to experience a total new culture! There are not many people that get opportunities like this! So maybe the best answer to this question is I am just a whole heaping bundle of emotions. In all honesty maybe you should ask me this question when I am on the plane, when it actually hits me that this is actually happening.

Question number two. Am I ready? Well I am all packed. Which in and of itself is a feat considering I packed while unpacking from school. I have all the essentials a head lamp (because its not a matter of if the power goes out but when), a water bottle with filter (a very nice gift), and plenty of Sudoku for personally sanity's sake on the 14 hour flight. Am I ready to stand out? Yes, it wouldn't be the first time. Am I ready for 105 degree heat? In all honesty I am not sure what that feels like any more... Am I ready to avoid the monkeys at all costs? Sure, if it means not being mauled by them! Am I ready to be a nurse in a hospital where only one person speaks English? I have no idea. I know it will be hard but I am sure I will learn a lot regardless. So in answer to this question I believe the resounding answer is, Yes, I am ready. (As ready as I will ever be.)

I know a huge reason I am a prepared as I am is because of all of you. My church family was a true example of the body of Christ today, I am so blessed to be covered in their thoughts and prayers. I cannot thank them enough. My family has helped me get ready in so many ways right down to every little detail. Without them this trip wouldn't even be a dream. My friends who have listened to me talk and talk about this trip, and yet have never stopped encouraging me. Thank you all so much. I'll talk to you on other side.

They are well guided that God guides ~Scottish Proverb

One week and counting!!!

I cannot believe that a week from today I will be in India (more or less when you add all the time zones) Unfortunately I have another day of finals and a ton of packing to do, so I can't write all whole novel today. So you guys are getting a picture! I love picture books! (I wish they made text books like that...)
I just finished watching What Not to Wear on TLC and am kind of amazed at what different cultures considered appropriate style! This is a salwar on loan to me for my trip from one of the profs. I babysit for. Thanks Anne! It is more everyday wear then a sari. I will be wearing this when I visit the villages, otherwise I can wear jeans with modest tops (meaning covers my behind). The top is called a kamzee and the scarf is a necessity for modesty. I consider myself a pretty modest dresser but finding shirts that come to mid thigh has been a bit of a challenge. Not so with this! Each province has their own patterns of material. Some sew little mirrors on the fabric, and in this province, where it was made, they use block patterns. All in all it is very comfortable. Which is good considering the average is 100+ degrees! Putting it on makes me want to go all the more but alas studying calls my name.... (by the way I republished my first post below for those of you who are new! Enjoy!)

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." ~Ephesians 5:1-2

Namaste

Wow I feel so grown up. My very own blog! :-) My parents got there very own stationary and I get to choose backgrounds.... This is actually something that I have wanted to do for awhile but was never really sure where to start. I decided that this blog would be a good way for people to see how I am preparing for my trip to India (and maybe some other random stories along the way). I hope that once I am in India I will be able to update it with some of the happenings there.

As many of you know I am going to Mussoorie, India from April 27-May 19, 2009. Mussoorie is a town, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayan Moutians, northwest of the capital of Dehli. (Click on the map on the right Delhi will be in the upper left corner. Right of Delhi will be Derha Dun which is very close to Mussoorie.) It has long been noted by the British aristocracy for its beauty. They built many resorts and to this day the nearby city of Dehra Dun attracts many tourists. Surrounding Mussoorie are about 9,000 villages reachable only by foot. Many of these villages have never heard of Christ. I am staying with two sisters, Jana and Joni. Jana is a nursing graduate from Indiana Wesleyan. They do a lot of traveling to the villages providing medical care and sharing the gospel. Something exciting is happening as they are starting to see the fruits of their labor with an entire family being baptised! God is defiantly at work there.

As far as what I will be doing I have many options but at the same time very little idea! I know for sure that I will be spending some of my time earning my clinical hours at the hospital/clinic in Mussoorie, watching a lot of surgeries. I also hope to be able to travel with Jana and Joni to the surrounding villages providing basic medical care and building relationships with the people.

I am taking this trip for a few reasons, by the way they are in no particular order 1) To fulfill my course requirement. Indiana Wesleyan University requires all nursing students to complete 42 hours of clinical service in a culture different from there own. Some choose to go to an Amish birthing center while others are going to Africa for the summer. It just depends on where they feel called. 2) India is fascinating to me. They have a beautiful vibrant colorful culture with a very complex religion. Plus who doesn't like a good Bollywood film now and then! 3) I have always, always, always, wanted to travel and study abroad (just ask my parents. I think I caught my great-grandmothers traveling bug...) One of the main attractions to Indiana Wesleyan's nursing program is this class. I am really excited about the new experiences that await! 4) (and most important) I feel that God has a plan for me in this trip. I pray that I will be a willing tool for Him to use in whatever way He wants to further His kingdom.

Ask and it shall be given to you...

The baby boy that I asked all of you to pray for a few posts ago is once again in need of your petitions before the Throne Above. Stellan was moved to the step down unit and had a discharge date of today. Unfortunately for the last 24hrs. Stellan has had long periods of SVT and signs of drug toxicity. The cardiologist decided they had no choice and Stellan and his mom flew to Boston (from their home in Minn.) where the electrocardiologist is so Stellan can receive his heart surgery on Tuesday. Please pray for the doctors, the parents, and the other children as Stellan could be there for weeks. For a better idea of what all is going on click on the picture of Stellan on the upper right corner of my blog. Thanks for following along, reading, and praying.

Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea. A great high Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart. I know that while in Heaven He stands. No tongue can bid me hence depart.~ Before the Throne of God Above

Time

(Nate, thank you! :-)
Time is an interesting phenomenon. It is something we love and we hate. In Transcultral Nursing we learn to evaluate how different cultures evaluate time. A culture can be past, present, or future oriented. In the United States we are very future oriented. Always moving thinking about the next thing that needs to be done and planning for our futures. In other cultures, such as the Native Americans, Latin Americans, and African peoples, are very present oriented. They are concerned with what is happening right now. If you have a meeting that is supposed to start in 10min but you are holding a conversation with a good friend the meeting will start when you are done with the conversation over an hour later. Then there are some cultures, mainly rural tribes like in the jungles of the world, that are past oriented. Things are done in accordance with tradition, the way they have been done for hundreds of years. India has a bit of all three time orientations. The major cities are future oriented like us but the more rural places tend to be present/past oriented. In nursing we think about these things when dealing with cultures so we can plan medication/testing schedules and how a people group will comply with appointment times.

I have been thinking a lot about time. The present for me is very busy because school lets out in less then two weeks. Everything is winding down and yet speeding up as finals approach. The future is very bright. In 16 days I will be getting read to board a 14.5 hour flight to Delhi, India for three weeks. Then June 1, two weeks after I return from India, I start my summer internship for 8 weeks. Then I go back to school a month early for RA training. *breath* WOW.

Last but certainly not least the past. I was thinking today how when I started planning in October I never thought the trip would come this fast. For that matter I never thought my junior year of college would be ending this fast. I was driving with a friend the other day and we were talking/rem incising about high school. It dawned on me that four years ago at this time I was preparing for a missions trip with my high school youth group to Taipei, Taiwan (an island of the southern tip of China). Junior years must be good years for missions trips! It was a trip that stretched me way outside of my comfort zone. There was so much I could not control and so much that I did not know. That scared me. I enjoyed it but at the end I wasn't sure I ever wanted to do something like that again. In fact the next year when my youth group went back I did not join them. Looking back it was one of the best experiences I could have had. I would never have even considered a trip like the one I am about to take without my time in Taiwan. Now here I am four years later preparing yet again to go on the other side of the world and feeling even less prepared then I did then. With all the excitement that is growing for this trip, the nervousness is growing as well. Yet I know my faith in God is stronger and that He has brought everything together perfectly. Please pray that I keep a willing and open mind/heart. because I know with that there is no telling what can/will happen.



"With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." ~2 Peter 3:8



P.S. Three weeks after being admitted to the PICU and one week before he is scheduled for heart surgery Stellan broke his SVT for over 24 hours. He got moved to a step down unit and could go home early next week!!!!



"He has RISEN!! He has risen indeed!"

Please Pray

I know that this blog is for my trip to India and I never intend to try and take away from that but something has been laid on my heart that I cannot shake. I believe in helping others in any way I can and in this case I think this blog is the way to do it.
Stellen is a 5 month old baby boy with a severe heart condition called SVT (super ventricular tachycardia) that is causing his heart (which is about the size of a walnut) to beat at an excess of 200 beats per min. He is going to have to be flown across the country for a major heart surgery that is very very risky for an infant. You can learn more about him, his condition, and his family by clicking on the link on the side (the photo of Stellen). I do not know this family personally but I strongly believe in the power of prayer and that is something that is desperatly needed now.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that you will hold baby Stellen and his family, especially his mama who has been staying in the PICU with him, close to you tonight. We know that you are in total control of whatever happens and may your will be done because we know that it is good, even if we never understand it. I thank you that this family knows you and trusts in your plan. I pray for Stellan's dad as he is home with the other three children who have the flu. Give both parents rest that they need and wisdom in decisions that no parent should ever have to make. May you bring grace and peace to this family. Carry them through whatever storms lay ahead. I beg you Father if it be your will to heal Stellan so that he may live a long life serving and praising you. Give the doctor's wisdom as they are at a loss of what to do. I pray for everyone that takes care of this precious little one may they be full of love, patience, and grace. In the perfect name of Yahweh Rophe, the God who heals I pray. ~Amen

Did you know?

Time for something different. I have done a lot of research on India both for my Transcultral nursing class and for my own personal benefit. I have come across many facts about this country, some very useful (like don't point the bottoms of your feet when you cross your legs because it is considered the greatest insult a person can give) and other bits of information not so much. So if you are coming along with me on this journey I think you should share in the knowledge. We will start with the cold hard facts and progress (possibly downward?) from there.
-India's population is 1,166,079,217 people (only country besides China to have over a population over a billion)
-The rupee is the national currency. The current exchange rate is $1=50.07 INR. (Not bad when $1=.75 euro!)
-There are currently 2.4 million Indians living with HIV/AIDS. (Stunning how unreported it is...)
-The average life expectancy is 70 years average for males and females.
-Ayurveda is the oldest school of medicine in the world.
-The number of times the earth orbits the sun and pi were discovered by Indians in the 5th and 6th centuries respectively, before the Europeans.
-The Indian railroad is the largest employer in the world. Employing over 1million people
-There are so many festivals in India every other day is a national holiday.
-India has the most post offices in the world.
-There are over 200 million cows in India (that's what happens when you can't kill them and they roam free!)
-Bollywood produces more movies then any other country in the world! Including the U.S.A!
-1,000 elephants were used in the construction of the Taj Mahal
-The national game of India....you will never guess....no it's not cricket....hockey. No joke hockey.
-And last but certainly not least: the national board game of India is Parcheesi. Why I will never know.

Now that you are all enlightened by my random fact tour of India I bid you Namaste!

"You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist."~Indira Gandhi (a Prime minister of India who was assassinated in 1980. The international airport in Delhi is named after her.)