- "Mommy, if Jesus is God, how could He be in Heaven and on earth as a baby at the same time?"
- We were reading a book about creation and he asked, "How can God speak and it just happens?" This question came after he tried saying, "Make a toy truck!" and it didn't appear in front of him. He was a little disappointed and when he asked why it didn't work I had to inform him He wasn't God.
- We were talking about the soon-to-be arrival of baby Anna and told Caleb we might cry when she was born just like we had when he was born, but that they would be tears of joy and not sadness. A few days later we were watching the movie "The Nativity" as a family and trying to explain to the kids everything that was happening in the show. Near the end I looked over at Caleb and saw tears in his eyes. Thinking he was hurt, I quickly asked him what was wrong. "Nothing Mommy," he replied. "I"m crying happy tears because baby Jesus was born."
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Kids Keep Things Interesting
Of course we have been discussing Christmas a lot lately and the true reason for the season. Caleb has taken these discussions to heart and has posed some difficult questions for me to answer as he wonders about God:
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Anna Benedick
Welcome, Anna Benedick!
History was made yesterday at Hospital Vozandes del Oriente, as a bald white head (instead of a head full of black hair) was seen coming through the birth canal. About eight hours before the event, Mommy Kristina began to feel some uncomfortable contractions. She was still able to rest for awhile and breathed through the pains like a champ. Two hours before the birth, Caleb and Jael went to friends’ houses as the pains got stronger. At around 12 noon we headed to the hospital. Just 15 minutes after arriving, Kristina’s water broke during a strong contraction and Anna began to shoot out at the speed of light. There was not even time to change into a hospital gown. We were very proud of Kristina during and after the event. We are thankful to the Lord Jesus for a healthy mom and baby. Thank you to all who were praying for her safe arrival.
History was made yesterday at Hospital Vozandes del Oriente, as a bald white head (instead of a head full of black hair) was seen coming through the birth canal. About eight hours before the event, Mommy Kristina began to feel some uncomfortable contractions. She was still able to rest for awhile and breathed through the pains like a champ. Two hours before the birth, Caleb and Jael went to friends’ houses as the pains got stronger. At around 12 noon we headed to the hospital. Just 15 minutes after arriving, Kristina’s water broke during a strong contraction and Anna began to shoot out at the speed of light. There was not even time to change into a hospital gown. We were very proud of Kristina during and after the event. We are thankful to the Lord Jesus for a healthy mom and baby. Thank you to all who were praying for her safe arrival.
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| Christmas Cookie Fresh Out of the Oven |
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| Beautiful Baby Meets Beautiful Mommy for the First Time |
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| Anna, who "looks like a Benedick" |
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
One Year in Shell
Today marks our one year anniversary from the day we moved to Shell. We've been in Ecuador for 15 months. It also marks my birthday, and we were hoping it would be our new baby Anna's birthday as well. At least at this point, it looks like she doesn't want to share her birthday with Daddy. Perhaps she'll decide to be born tomorrow so she can share her b-day with Auntie Sydney. I wanted to share about some memorable patients from the hospital that I met this year.
1. Older lady, M. A., who has a disease called antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. It's a relatively rare disease, and I've never been the main doc for a patient with this problem. I had to read up to know what to do to take care of her. This year she's done very well, and because she has to come visit me at least once a month, we've developed a good relationship. I also delivered her granddaughter. This generous woman has made us three really nice sets of sweaters, hats, and booties for our new baby Anna. Pictures will be coming.
2. Ten-year-old girl (her daddy's only princess), who arrived by ambulance on the saddest and most difficult day I've ever had as a doctor. While getting off a bus, she was hit by a speeding pick-up. The driver did not even stop. When the child arrived at our ER it was immediately evident that she had suffered a severe head injury. Although we kept her body alive for about eight hours, we knew that her soul had already left to be with Jesus. As the child's life slipped away we had many prayers with the family. They are a Christian family, and they loved their daughter very much. Thanks be to the Lord, they have been coping better during the past month, but of course there are many things that we won't understand until we all get to Heaven. We trust in a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and more loving than we can imagine.
3. Twin babies, born at an outside hospital prematurely. Both came to our hospital at 3 days of age with fevers, jaundice, and dehydration. They were also suffering from a condition called twin-twin transfusion, which occurs when one baby "selfishly" takes more than his share of the blood circulation from the other while they're in the womb (sibling rivalries can begin very early). Thankfully, both twins responded really well to treatments that included prayers, fluids and light therapy. Lights help the body get rid of bilirubin, which is the chemical that causes yellow skin. If the bilirubin level gets too high, it can cause brain damage. Our maintenance crew made a couple of wooden boxes lined with flourescent light bulbs to provide the light therapy.
4. Young gentleman who came to clinic with worries about his health. Many non-specific symptoms riddled his chart, and it was evident that he was suffering from a case of not knowing his eternal destiny. Upon further questioning, I discovered that the Holy Spirit had already been working on his heart. A simple presentation of God's plan for salvation cured this gentleman of his spiritual need. He has accepted Christ and can now look forward, without fear, to eternity in Heaven.
5. Tiny old lady, half my height and one third my weight, who came to clinic with severe pain from arthritis, as well as advanced depression. We've given her steroid injections in her knees and effective anti-depressant medications. Her pain is greatly decreased, and her once stoic face now greets me with smiles and laughter each time I see her.
6. Teenage girl, in the midst of a miscarriage, came to our hospital with severe bleeding, pain, and a big infection of her uterus. At the time we had no surgical backup, which made me very nervous, so we relied even more on the One who's always there to help, the Lord Jesus. The girl bled A LOT, but responded very well to the prayers, dilation and currettage, antibiotics, and blood transfusions. She went home three days later in great condition.
7. A young lady from the US, here to help in a local ministry, who also decided to have her baby in our hospital. Ladies from Ecuador tend to give birth very rapidly and efficiently, and this young lady decided to follow their example, even though it was just her first baby. Here's about how it happened:
3 AM: She walks to our hospital, in pain, but with hardly any opening of her cervix. We decide to let her walk around a bit and see if her labor will pick up.
7 AM: Pains are very strong. She has dilated her cervix to 6 cm. I wake up and brush my teeth.
7:15 AM: I'm shaving. I get a call, "Doc, please come, she's completely dilated." I start washing the cream off my half-shaved face and throw on a shirt.
7:15:30 AM: I get another call, "Doc, we really mean come now!" I think to myself, "Did they want me to come without my shirt on?" I sprint to the hospital.
7:16 AM: Baby born without complications. This is the fastest first-baby labor and birth I've ever seen.
Well, there are hundreds more stories, but if you're still reading, you're beginning to think, "How long is this blog going to be?" I think I'll stop for now. We just want to let you know that we appreciate all your love, prayers, and support. In the past year, many have been healed physically and spiritually in Shell, Ecuador. It's been a tough year at times, but we've grown spiritually, too. We love you all and want to tell you that we couldn't be here without you. Stay tuned for the next blog that will give a run-down of the arrival of Baby Anna!
1. Older lady, M. A., who has a disease called antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. It's a relatively rare disease, and I've never been the main doc for a patient with this problem. I had to read up to know what to do to take care of her. This year she's done very well, and because she has to come visit me at least once a month, we've developed a good relationship. I also delivered her granddaughter. This generous woman has made us three really nice sets of sweaters, hats, and booties for our new baby Anna. Pictures will be coming.
2. Ten-year-old girl (her daddy's only princess), who arrived by ambulance on the saddest and most difficult day I've ever had as a doctor. While getting off a bus, she was hit by a speeding pick-up. The driver did not even stop. When the child arrived at our ER it was immediately evident that she had suffered a severe head injury. Although we kept her body alive for about eight hours, we knew that her soul had already left to be with Jesus. As the child's life slipped away we had many prayers with the family. They are a Christian family, and they loved their daughter very much. Thanks be to the Lord, they have been coping better during the past month, but of course there are many things that we won't understand until we all get to Heaven. We trust in a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and more loving than we can imagine.
3. Twin babies, born at an outside hospital prematurely. Both came to our hospital at 3 days of age with fevers, jaundice, and dehydration. They were also suffering from a condition called twin-twin transfusion, which occurs when one baby "selfishly" takes more than his share of the blood circulation from the other while they're in the womb (sibling rivalries can begin very early). Thankfully, both twins responded really well to treatments that included prayers, fluids and light therapy. Lights help the body get rid of bilirubin, which is the chemical that causes yellow skin. If the bilirubin level gets too high, it can cause brain damage. Our maintenance crew made a couple of wooden boxes lined with flourescent light bulbs to provide the light therapy.
4. Young gentleman who came to clinic with worries about his health. Many non-specific symptoms riddled his chart, and it was evident that he was suffering from a case of not knowing his eternal destiny. Upon further questioning, I discovered that the Holy Spirit had already been working on his heart. A simple presentation of God's plan for salvation cured this gentleman of his spiritual need. He has accepted Christ and can now look forward, without fear, to eternity in Heaven.
5. Tiny old lady, half my height and one third my weight, who came to clinic with severe pain from arthritis, as well as advanced depression. We've given her steroid injections in her knees and effective anti-depressant medications. Her pain is greatly decreased, and her once stoic face now greets me with smiles and laughter each time I see her.
6. Teenage girl, in the midst of a miscarriage, came to our hospital with severe bleeding, pain, and a big infection of her uterus. At the time we had no surgical backup, which made me very nervous, so we relied even more on the One who's always there to help, the Lord Jesus. The girl bled A LOT, but responded very well to the prayers, dilation and currettage, antibiotics, and blood transfusions. She went home three days later in great condition.
7. A young lady from the US, here to help in a local ministry, who also decided to have her baby in our hospital. Ladies from Ecuador tend to give birth very rapidly and efficiently, and this young lady decided to follow their example, even though it was just her first baby. Here's about how it happened:
3 AM: She walks to our hospital, in pain, but with hardly any opening of her cervix. We decide to let her walk around a bit and see if her labor will pick up.
7 AM: Pains are very strong. She has dilated her cervix to 6 cm. I wake up and brush my teeth.
7:15 AM: I'm shaving. I get a call, "Doc, please come, she's completely dilated." I start washing the cream off my half-shaved face and throw on a shirt.
7:15:30 AM: I get another call, "Doc, we really mean come now!" I think to myself, "Did they want me to come without my shirt on?" I sprint to the hospital.
7:16 AM: Baby born without complications. This is the fastest first-baby labor and birth I've ever seen.
Well, there are hundreds more stories, but if you're still reading, you're beginning to think, "How long is this blog going to be?" I think I'll stop for now. We just want to let you know that we appreciate all your love, prayers, and support. In the past year, many have been healed physically and spiritually in Shell, Ecuador. It's been a tough year at times, but we've grown spiritually, too. We love you all and want to tell you that we couldn't be here without you. Stay tuned for the next blog that will give a run-down of the arrival of Baby Anna!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Morete Cocha
Last week I took another quick jungle trip, this time to the Quichua community of Morete Cocha. Just a 25-minute flight from Shell (or a two-day walk if you prefer), this community was a bit bigger and a bit more spread out than the others that I have visited. Highlights of the trip included:
1. I was accompanied by one of our family medicine residents, Dr. Edgardo Noriega, who originally came to Ecuador as a missionary as well. He helped to plant a church in the highlands, and has been in Ecuador for about eight years. Edgardo has a passion for preaching the Gospel, and it was great for us to spend time together and be mutually encouraged. Missionaries don't just come from the USA or Europe!
2. My dad would have been really proud of me, as I drained a dental abscess. Unfortunately I didn't have any equipment for pulling teeth, so perhaps the source of the problem remains. Maybe we can return to that community with my dad the next time!
3. We shared several meals with some Bible students from Quito. They were going to spend three weeks in that community, and they've been working in various places in the jungle serving in the name of Jesus.
4. We didn't get bitten by any poisonous snakes!
1. I was accompanied by one of our family medicine residents, Dr. Edgardo Noriega, who originally came to Ecuador as a missionary as well. He helped to plant a church in the highlands, and has been in Ecuador for about eight years. Edgardo has a passion for preaching the Gospel, and it was great for us to spend time together and be mutually encouraged. Missionaries don't just come from the USA or Europe!
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| Dr. Noriega with a patient |
2. My dad would have been really proud of me, as I drained a dental abscess. Unfortunately I didn't have any equipment for pulling teeth, so perhaps the source of the problem remains. Maybe we can return to that community with my dad the next time!
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| My happy dental patient |
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| Amigos working in the Jungle |
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| Waiting to be examined |
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| Jael sends you her love and kisses |
Monday, December 6, 2010
The "Fat" Picture
I've had a lot of people ask to see a picture of my pregnancy. With the other kids I was so good about taking a photo every month for their baby books, but between keeping a house on the mission field and running after two little ones I have totally neglected it this time. So here it is...the one and only picture you will see of me being pregnant. I'll call it the fat picture since Jael said I couldn't play hide-and-seek with them last night because I was too fat :)
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