Preparing....

It seems like for so long I have been saying, "I am going to Africa next summer," but as I am looking at my calendar, I am realizing that I will be leaving in 2 1/2 months.  I am so excited, yet admittedly nervous too.   As I am making preparations to go, I am getting a lot of questions about what I will be doing, and how I feel about it etc.  I have learned already, that when working with the people in Africa, I need to be flexible and not get too set into any one idea.

Originally I had been asked to go teach students at the Kibuye hospital in the rural area of Kibuye.   Recently those plans have changed, and now they are planning on having me teach on the main campus in the capital city of Bujumbura.  Just last month a new clinic was opened, that is across from the University campus.   The plan right now, is that I will be teaching a group of 20 students in the clinic in the mornings, and then teaching a lecture class in the afternoons to 60 students!  Towards the end of my 8 weeks in Burundi, I will then plan to go to the rural area clinic/hospital and work with the nurses there.  As the nurses there are all recent graduates of the program, and could use some help as well.  Although this is different than I had originally been planning on, this new plan will allow me to have contact with so many students.  I am excited to be able to share with them some knowledge so they can go back to their homes and villages and start impacting the health of those around them.   How exciting, and I couldn't be doing that without all of the support from all of you!!

Yikes!  This is a big load!  The availability of supplies and resources will be limited, so I will need to prepare my lecture notes and handouts ahead of time and take enough copies for all of my 60 students.  I also need to bring my own chalk and pens and paper, etc. Pretty sure I will forget something :)

But, I am ready.  I might not be packed and have all the items I need, but I am ready to go, I am ready to serve and ready to do the best I can with what I have and be open to what God has in store for me and for the Burundian nursing students.  I am certain I will learn just as much from them as I am able to share with them.   I recently heard a new song by the Sidewalk Prophets that speaks to how I feel about my trip coming up...it really hit home.  Especially this part.... "I want to live like that,  And give it all I have, So that everything I say and do, Points to You"

It is called:  Live like that (click on the link below to listen to the video)

Sidewalk Prophets: Live like that

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that


I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that