April 2014

April 2014

I have been in the process of trying to get all my affairs in order before I leave for the Congo. I’ve made out my will, designated a durable power of attorney, bought life insurance, and made sure all the other financial details are in order. It’s sobering to think about all these things because there is always a chance that they’ll be needed.

A concern most people have in my going to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is if I’ll be safe. I usually give an answer that if I can survive Detroit, Pontiac, Saginaw, and Flint, then I should be able to survive the Congo. It is a joke and doesn’t really address the question.  Will I be safe living in the Congo? And what happens if it’s not safe? So, I thought I’d address the issue.

Some facts: The DRC is in the central part of Africa and is the continent’s second largest country. It has a long history of unrest, violence, and poverty. In 2002, the hospital where I will be living was attacked and the hospital destroyed. There are diseases that have no cure, little chance of justice if something does happen, and risk working with people who have lived through devastating circumstances.

I can say that the area where I will be working has experienced a time of peace. The hospital is rebuilt and has been safely functioning for the last 10 years. There is a plan for quick evacuation in the case of trouble. But, there is risk.

So why go? Why take the risk to work with people I don’t know in a place that is “primitive” and not really get paid?  I was recently reading the story of a missionary to Peru named Ruth. She said, “the Lord’s ‘call’ is never to geography or to a ministry, but ‘to be with him,’ and to be sent out wherever and however he chooses–his agenda, not ours.”

For the past 23 years, I’ve known that God has called me to medical mission work in Africa. This internal drive (aka the Holy Spirit) has allowed me the focus to make it through medical school and residency, to continue to have faith in a God I cannot see, and to make the difficult decision of leaving family, friends, career, money, and familiarity to go to the Congo. And it’s not about just going to go and to do good things, but it is taking a step of obedience to follow a God who loved me enough to sacrifice everything.  It is about offering the hope and healing Jesus gives to a lost and dying world.  Who wouldn’t want that mission and privilege?  It changes people.  It gives life.

I don’t mitigate the possibility of danger, but I take a step of faith to follow God who has given me this calling and to trust Him amidst difficult circumstances.

September 30 - finish residency

January 2015 - leave for French language study

Spring/Summer 2015 - travel to the