What's Next

That’s a common question asked on the ship I call home. There are so many people coming and going all the time, it’s a good question to ask, but often people don’t have time to settle in before someone is asking them where to next. In fact, just the other day I overheard a conversation that started with “Hi. What’s your name? Where are you from? How long are you here? And what are your plans after this?” Really?!? It sounded crazy when I heard it but let’s be honest, we ask ourselves (and God) the same questions, right? God, where do you want me to go? What do you want me to do? Ok great, now that I’m here, where do you want me to go next? Do we even allow Him time to move in one place before we’re looking ahead to the next? I love the quote that says “It’s not the destination, but the journey.” How easy it is to forget that at times.

The last 2 ½ years in Africa I’ve been able to enjoy the journey. At the end of each outreach it’s been easy to commit to ‘one more’. And I’ve been blown away by God’s provision, the people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned and the lives that have been changed! But this year the decision was harder. As I tried to decide if I was going to commit for another year or go home I found myself torn. My heart is here in Africa, but it’s also at home in Texas, and I can’t be on two sides of the ocean at once. If you asked me last summer what my plans were I probably told you I’d be moving back to Texas this summer. If you asked me the same question over Christmas I likely told you I’d be in Africa at least another year... or more.  Well, I decided to split the difference and leave in October, a few months into our next outreach. Most days I find my spirit settled and at peace with that decision, and so excited about the year to come.  But if I’m honest with myself, I still have days of doubt and fear. What if that’s the wrong decision? What if I’m suppose to stay longer? I desperately want to be at the center of God’s will, and I want to follow Him wherever He leads. I feel confident it’s time to go home and start a new season of life back in Texas, but an audible voice of confirmation would sure be nice.

Anyway, here’s a bit about my plans after this outreach and why I’ve decided to stay until October:

I’ll be sailing to Guinea with the ship in August to help set up the hospital for the next outreach.  I’ll help with the main screening day and then instead of serving as the Plastics Team Leader I’ll join the wound care team and do the dressing changes for the 1^st round of plastics which will go through October.  I’ll also have an opportunity to see all the plastics patients we saw in Guinea last year, which I’m really excited about. We had our first ever plastics evaluation day this January, 2014, where we invited the patients that had surgery in Sept/Oct to come back to the ship so we could evaluate how they were doing 3-4 months postop and it was such a success that Mercy Ships has said we can do the same thing when we go back to Guinea. This is a unique opportunity because most NGOs rarely get to see their patients postop and to be able to follow up a year later is almost impossible. I’m so excited to see my patients from last year and to be part of such an amazing day. We’re hoping to do an evaluation day with each of the specialties (Maxfac, ortho, plastics…) in September.  Those are the main reasons I’m staying until October, plus I’m just not ready to leave yet, and this outreach is quickly coming to an end.

And then, of course, there’s what I’m looking forward to in Texas:

From what I’ve seen on Facebook this week, Bluebonnets and Azaleas are at the top of my list. But above those are friends and family! I’m so looking forward to being close to my family again.  I can’t wait to go on morning runs with Scott (a week at Christmas just wasn’t long enough to get my tail in shape), spend holidays at my parents’ house, enjoy family reunions…. And friends, where do I even start? So many of my friends have got married in the last 3 years, had kids, life changing events in their lives and I’m excited to finally get to celebrate with all of you, watch your children grow up, be part of your everyday lives again.  I haven’t figured out my exact plans yet, but my thought at the moment is to live in Tyler for a few months when I get back, settle in, catch up,  and then move back to Arlington/Ft Worth in January. I’ve got some time to sort all that out though. I’ve absolutely loved my time in Africa  (and I still have 6 months!), but I’m looking forward to the next chapter as well.