Jenny's in Africa

I’m so proud of my daughter Jenny. She’s the one who convinced me to go to Nigeria the first time, and now she’s in South Africa for a medical rotation as part of her Physician Assistant program. When she’s home at Christmas I want to learn all about her trip, and how the medical services there compare to Faith Alive.

Leading Cause of Death

As Nigerians would say, whaoooooo. The World Health Organization reports that HIV is the Number One killer of women aged 15-49 worldwide. In developing countries, HIV/AIDS, maternal conditions (like dying during childbirth and unsafe abortions) and tuberculosis account for 1 in 2 female deaths. They blame that on unequal access to sex education and health care. In high-income nations the top causes are traffic accidents, suicides, and breast cancer.

These are sobering facts to keep in mind as we approach the 21st World AIDS Day on December 1. After wearing pink ribbons in October for breast cancer awareness, let's wear red ribbons to remember AIDS.

Update on Little Chris's Surgery Needs

Praise God, we have a good lead on potential surgery for little Chris! I’m in conversation with the President of Gift of Life International, a non-profit based in the United States. Since 1975, they’ve coordinated and helped finance thousands of similar surgeries for children with heart problems. Just last week they flew a Nigerian child to the United States. Please continue to pray for little Chris to be a candidate for this lifesaving surgery he so desperately needs.

Learn more at giftoflifeinternational.org. ‘When you cure the heart in a child, you cure the heart in all humankind.’ Also see my previous post on November 2: Hole in the Heart.

To Tell The Truth

Remember the television show ‘To Tell the Truth’? Three people introduce themselves as the same person; obviously two are lying and only one is telling the truth. A panel probes them with questions about their proclaimed identity before voting for the one they believe. The honest one has a profession that ranges anywhere from a brain surgeon to a circus acrobat. At the end of the show, the host asks for the real one to stand up.

I’m honored to know a man who’s the real deal, a Christian in name and in life. Dr. Christian Isichei likes to say he is nothing apart from Christ. “See, if you take away ‘Christ’ from my name I’m left with just the ‘ian’ and that means ‘I am nothing.’” But because there’s no separation, he IS something, and somebody, who is saving thousands of lives in every sense of the word.

If you were lined up with two other people and you each introduced yourself as a Christian, would you be telling the truth? How would you convince others that it was really you? Could you field the questions thrown your way? Do you think people would be surprised? Would you be able to stand up at the end?

Preparing Soup

Yesterday I went to a party for Mollie and her baby where we showered her with gifts, ate deliciously rich pumpkin cheesecake, and played Pin a Kiss on the Baby (like Pin the Tail on the Donkey). Mollie’s been to Faith Alive; actually this baby was conceived in March after she got back and is due to make his debut in about a month. Anyway, today I talked on the phone with her Save-A-Life patient who told me what they do for Nigerian baby showers – prepare soup. Sounds much more practical, really.

(Mollie is about the same height as Dr. Chris, so I'm bending down quite a bit. Reminds me of the Nigerian song 'Bend low, bend low, bend low, and see what the Lord can do.')

Nigeria is Going to the World Cup!!!!

It’s true!!!!! And just when we thought all hopes were lost for the Nigerian Super Eagles to play in the first World Cup on African soil. It was a long shot, but we’re thrilled that both things that HAD to happen DID! We beat Kenya 3-2 today and watched as Mozambique handed highly ranked Tunisia a loss.

Nigeria qualified for the World Cup in 1994, 1998, and 2002, but what makes this win so sweet is that it’ll be in "nearby" Capetown, South Africa. It's only fitting the the most populated African country will be there to represent. You can keep up-to-date at http://www.fifa.com/worldcup.

(Read my blog post Soccer: The Unifer on September 7when Mark and I watched a game from the Faith Alive guesthouse.)

Warning: It'll Change Your Life

I just got back from coffee with Kristen Draskovic, who's visiting Fort Collins so her husband Jon can do some 'seminary business.' Almost two years ago she and I visited a Nigerian village where children had bulging stomachs, stick thin arms and legs, and brittle, red hair. Being a nutritionist, she was moved to tears. Later that year she went back to Nigeria with her husband; it was during those three months that Jon felt called to change his career path and apply to seminary.

They're just one example that you can't go to Faith Alive and come back the same. It could be your profession, your bank account, or your living habits, but be assured that your perspective will change after seeing God in action.

(Read my September 3 posting 'Fine, Thank You' to see photos of the village children this fall.)