Ticket...FINALLY!!!

"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in do time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." 

~Galatians 6:9~

Papi Tan Maravilloso,

According to the Mayan calendar, the world should have ended today :-) (regardless, we [I] should always be ready, for you are coming soon!).  However, Your mercy/Word/grace allowed an additional day to get our act together :-)

Exactly one week from yesterday, I'll be finally on a plane to Blantyre, Malawi!!! I can't say that I've always been patient or trusting, nor can I say the road easy, but I can say that You're faithful; You've been leading me all the way.

This week, especially, has been full of uncertainty.  Being that it was the last week before the school closed for the Christmas & New Year holiday, I was unsure if I would be able to get everything I needed to get done before the deadline or have to wait until after January 2! I needed to be financially cleared, get my BS diploma and transcript, ticket, TEP, and health insurance card all before the week ended!

To make a long story short, stuff happens when you show up in person (of course Your Holy Spirit being the main entity)!  When, it looked bleak with all the running around and discouraging small talk, You worked a miracle and parted the Red Sea!

So what happens now? In less than a weeks time, I'll be on a plane heading to someone's hospital; caring for patients.  It's easy to become nervous and scream, "WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO?!?!?", or, to think, "Am I really cut out for the job?... I hope I don't harm/kill any of my patients!"  (Though I've excelled academically,  I'm a brand-new nurse!) But, again, like my devotion on Prophet Elijah, You're not the kind of person who leave's His children hanging, especially when You've called them to a specific work.  You've made it more than clear that Malawi's exactly where I need to be. I am called. I pinch myself thinking that about to embark to fulfill one of my life-long goals in becoming a medical missionary!

I don't know what the future holds.  I can only see what's in front of me.  I am Jewel.  I am soon to be a volunteer mission nurse at Blantyre Adventist Hospital.  I am 20-something *clear throat*, single, no children, with desires to someday own my own rural clinic, have a non-profit, and travel the globe. I am very much interested in international/global health issues... so, when it comes to getting my maters, I don't know... something that encompasses women, infant's, and children, with a special emphasis on HIV/AIDS education/prevention....

There's a lot! As they say, "The world is my oyster!" Until next time!

Tu hijita,

Joya

Be Thou My Vision

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." 

~Isaiah 26:3~

Papi Tan Maravilloso,

It's Saturday, December 1, my latest departure date and still no ticket!  Since flights only leave out to Malawi one day a week, my next best bet is next week, but I doubt it.  Another hurdle to cross  before I can get the clear to leave.  First it was the TEP, then the loan situation, and now my BS transcripts/diploma and loan situation (On Wednesday I had to run around getting the documents I had notarized (though I know I already did that in June... -_-)! I owe the school over $8,000 and if I don't pay up, no releasing of my transcripts and degree, no ticket, no work!  

It's easy to focus on another hurdle and become frustrated and upset.  My bags/bins are packed, I have all my shots, anti-malaria pills and I've said my good-bye's... now I just want closer!!! There are times I feel that the knowledge I learned months ago is gone and will become useless when I start taking care of my own patients.  The other day one of my friends mentioned she was taking care of little baby diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease (congenital megacolon).  I recognized the name but had forgotten what it was (Hirshsprung's affects the large intestine and causes problems with passing stool. It's present when a baby is born and results from missing nerve cells in the muscles of a portion of the baby's colon)!  

However, all things happen for a reason.  I've done my part. I humbly ask that you help me to keep my eyes focused on You.  I remember jotting down all the miracles that I'd need to happen BEFORE I leave on this year-long adventure.  You've blessed me that all, except one, has come to pass; and that's my school bill.  So, perhaps, this is the reason for the delay.  You're just making sure that I have all my ducks in a row, because in Your infinite wisdom, leaving before all is finalized (though I was given the go ahead) will be troublesome to handle while in Malawi... it makes since :)  I am also sure that there are other things You're preparing in me and for me while I wait... patiently.  May You be my focus and vision, for I know You are leading me and You have called me to this special work in Blantyre.  

Tu hijita,

Joya