The Danja Fistula Center is opening in early February and my heart and mind are there with the project but my body is very far away. I know God has me here for this time and has blessed the project there with very capable hands but I still feel removed. I am planning a trip to Kenya which is keeping me distracted along with finishing school but my heart is still yearning to be there with the ladies at this exciting time. Please keep in your prayers the center as it opens. Here a links to blogs from my two dear friends who are already on the ground preparing for the grand opening and the next 6 months of work there in Niger. Ashley Sellars and Sarah Walker.
So here I am in Chicago and planning to graduate from my Nurse Practitioner / Midwifery program in May! This is contingent upon me delivering 30 babies by the end of April and it seems that for the last 2 months the babies are on strike. I need to get about 1 delivery a week and I have been getting 1 a month despite putting in lots of time at the hospital. Now I suppose I had better get used to this as I have chosen to delivery babies for the rest of my life but just for the next 3 months I really wish they would cooperate and come out on demand. I currently am at 8, but these each have been great. Being a labor and delivery nurse for the past 5 years I knew I enjoyed this work but I wasn't sure I would like being the actual one to catch and have this added responsibility. I have found it to be such an honor and hope that my future life consists of helping many women through their birth process and even possibly teaching others to do the same.
All of this said about this lack of control really became much clearer as I sat in church this evening and listened to the message. I was reminded so clearly that all of this is not about me. God doesn't need me in Niger right now and God knows exactly when each and every one of those next 22 babies will come into this world, all I need to do is stay focused on Him and the rest are all details He already has in control.
"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73: 25-26
