Hi - we are stuck in Newark. After sitting on the plane for 3 hrs last night, they canceled the flight due to mechanical problems. We are hoping to be rerouted through Paris later tonight with an arrival in Nairobi Monday night, but we have to call to confirm that this morning.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Stuck in Newark
Friday, July 29, 2011
Our Departure
Hi everyone-
First of all, let me say a HUGE thank you to all of you who have committed to praying for us during this trip. We are so very aware of God's Providence just through the preparation stage and we recognize that the impact of this trip on our lives and those of the Kenyan people will be greatly influenced by your intercession. God has seen fit to provide us with more than 80% of the expected cost of this trip. The generosity of our family and friends have been absolutely overwhelming and I cannot say enough how encouraging it is to see God's people giving in faith to help us do what He has asked of us.
We will be leaving tomorrow, flying to Newark, then Zurich and on to Nairobi by Sunday evening. There we will stay in a guest house and hopefully meet up with some old Kenyan friends I have not seen in 11 years before heading out to Kijabe. I know only bits and pieces of what will be expected of me there and what opportunities there will be for Jill and the kids, but please pray that we are able to acclimate quickly so that we might make the most of the time we have. Pray also that I my knowledge and skill set would be enough to make me more of a help than a hindrance to the staff and residents there.
We also ask that you pray for the kids. This will doubtless be a dramatic transition for them and it is our desire that they gain an understanding of the joy of sacrificial living for the sake of the Gospel. We hope that there view and understanding of God and of people would be radically changed. There world has been filled with people much like themselves to this point and we hope that this will give them insight to the enormous range of cultures and situations God has seen fit to grant us. These are hard concepts for a 3 and 5 year old but we trust that God can plant those seeds.
Please join us in praying for God's wisdom regarding what comes after residency during this time. We desire to use this time and opportunity to seek God's Will for the next step in the path He set us on so many years ago. We also hope that Jill will gain understanding regarding what all God would have for her in terms of serving overseas. If there is further training or schooling that she needs to accomplish this that those doors would be opened.
Lastly, lift up the people of East Africa. If you have followed the international news at all you will know that parts of Kenya have suffered severe drought. Additionally, Kenya, while itself stable, is bordered by Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia. Many of these nations have seen terrible strife and famine and Kenya is home to many people fleeing those countries. Pray that we can heal them, both body and soul. Pray that they might come for surgery but be affected by the Love of Christ. I cannot overstate how thankful I am for all of you standing behind us during this time.
In Christ,
Bill
Monday, June 13, 2011
Ways you can pray
If you'd like to pray for our trip, below are some specific ways you can pray for us. Thanks for praying for us!
1. Packing/preparation list - that I (Jill) would be able to make sure we have all that we need for our trip; that anything I may need to buy would be easy to come by; that I wouldn't forget anything that would be hard to find where we are staying
2. Safe travels - we leave July 30th. We have a very short layover in Switzerland so please pray that we'd make the connnection. We return Sept. 4th (start flying home on the 3rd). That the kids would do as well as can be expected on long flights. That passing through customs would be easy.
3. Adjusting - that we would all bounce back quickly from jet lag. That the kids will be able to sleep well in a new place. That the kids would adjust to new foods (especially Ella).
5. That the kids and I are purposeful about exploring the community while Bill is working.
6. That during our trip God would provide clarity and a future vision about where he would have us working after Bill's residency is completed in 2 years and what kind of role God has for me (Jill) in that.
7. Illness - that we would avoid it! And if we are unfortunate enough to become ill, that we would not let it dampen our trip.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Support Letter
Hello! Welcome to our blog. This will serve as a central point for information regarding our trip to Kijabe, Kenya in August 2011. Below I'm going to post our support letter - if you would like to get more information about us and our trip, please leave a comment below.
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Greetings from the Nelson family! We hope this finds you well.
We are writing you this letter because of an exciting opportunity we have this August. Over the past year Bill worked in conjunction with his surgical residency program to find a way to incorporate a one month international rotation into his training program. Earlier this year, his talks met with great success as Bill received approval to go to AIC Kijabe Hospital (http://www.kijabehospital.org/) in Kenya. Bill opted to pair his training with a missional opportunity and is currently arranging the details of the trip through World Medical Mission, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse.
As a surgery resident in Kenya, assisting the staff and training Kenyan residents are Bill's main duties. He will experience general surgery in its broadest context with exposure to procedures and disease processes that he would never get to see in the United States. While in Kijabe, Bill will partner with an organization called the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) (http://www.paacs.net) whose mission is to train and disciple African physicians to work in their home countries as surgeons. Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have only one surgeon of any kind for every one hundred thousand people, so Bill sees as a tremendous opportunity to forward God's Kingdom and serve "the least of these."
Upon discussions with PAACS program directors, we began to evaluate the possibility of the entire family traveling to Kenya this summer. If we were to consider serving for a longer term in the scope of medical missions, we decided it would be a good idea to see how life as a family works on a short term trip. Jack (3), Ella (5) and Jill (old) plan to take this opportunity to soak in many things, including learning about life and culture in a different country while getting a chance to see Bill apply his trade and passion.
In order to make this trip to Kenya possible, some important things must happen. The first and most important is prayer - none of this would be possible without God's help. If you would like to contribute to our trip, would you consider being part of a prayer team for us? If so, please email Jill at jillnelson7@yahoo.com and I will add you to our prayer team and send you a detailed request list as well as update you with our throughout our journey. You can also keep up with us at http://nelsonsinkenya.blogspot.com.
The other major component that makes this trip possible is financial contributions. God has already provided for a portion of our trip by finding a way for Bill to work extra hours at the hospital. Currently, we estimate the cost of our trip at $10,000 for travel, paperwork and in-country expenses. If your current financial situation allows you to contribute financially to our trip, would you prayerfully consider doing so? You can make tax-deductible donations directly through Samaritan's Purse on our behalf by visiting: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/giving/wmm_doctors/ and searching for Nelson. If you prefer to mail a check, include Bill's name or reference number 004252 in the memo line and mail it to:
World Medical Mission
Attn: Chad Cole
PO Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
If you prefer to directly send us a check you may do so, but please be aware we cannot make it tax-deductible - the only way to do that is through Samaritan's Purse.
Please know that we do not desire to pressure you in any way to contribute financially. If now is not a good time for you to be able to help, we certainly understand. In any case, please pray for us while we raise the funds to go to Kenya and while we are overseas. Your prayers will be a great encouragement.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the exciting adventure that awaits our family. We cannot wait to share our experiences with you!
-Bill, Jill, Ella & Jack
-------
Greetings from the Nelson family! We hope this finds you well.
We are writing you this letter because of an exciting opportunity we have this August. Over the past year Bill worked in conjunction with his surgical residency program to find a way to incorporate a one month international rotation into his training program. Earlier this year, his talks met with great success as Bill received approval to go to AIC Kijabe Hospital (http://www.kijabehospital.org/) in Kenya. Bill opted to pair his training with a missional opportunity and is currently arranging the details of the trip through World Medical Mission, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse.
As a surgery resident in Kenya, assisting the staff and training Kenyan residents are Bill's main duties. He will experience general surgery in its broadest context with exposure to procedures and disease processes that he would never get to see in the United States. While in Kijabe, Bill will partner with an organization called the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) (http://www.paacs.net) whose mission is to train and disciple African physicians to work in their home countries as surgeons. Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have only one surgeon of any kind for every one hundred thousand people, so Bill sees as a tremendous opportunity to forward God's Kingdom and serve "the least of these."
Upon discussions with PAACS program directors, we began to evaluate the possibility of the entire family traveling to Kenya this summer. If we were to consider serving for a longer term in the scope of medical missions, we decided it would be a good idea to see how life as a family works on a short term trip. Jack (3), Ella (5) and Jill (old) plan to take this opportunity to soak in many things, including learning about life and culture in a different country while getting a chance to see Bill apply his trade and passion.
In order to make this trip to Kenya possible, some important things must happen. The first and most important is prayer - none of this would be possible without God's help. If you would like to contribute to our trip, would you consider being part of a prayer team for us? If so, please email Jill at jillnelson7@yahoo.com and I will add you to our prayer team and send you a detailed request list as well as update you with our throughout our journey. You can also keep up with us at http://nelsonsinkenya.blogspot.com.
The other major component that makes this trip possible is financial contributions. God has already provided for a portion of our trip by finding a way for Bill to work extra hours at the hospital. Currently, we estimate the cost of our trip at $10,000 for travel, paperwork and in-country expenses. If your current financial situation allows you to contribute financially to our trip, would you prayerfully consider doing so? You can make tax-deductible donations directly through Samaritan's Purse on our behalf by visiting: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/giving/wmm_doctors/ and searching for Nelson. If you prefer to mail a check, include Bill's name or reference number 004252 in the memo line and mail it to:
World Medical Mission
Attn: Chad Cole
PO Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
If you prefer to directly send us a check you may do so, but please be aware we cannot make it tax-deductible - the only way to do that is through Samaritan's Purse.
Please know that we do not desire to pressure you in any way to contribute financially. If now is not a good time for you to be able to help, we certainly understand. In any case, please pray for us while we raise the funds to go to Kenya and while we are overseas. Your prayers will be a great encouragement.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the exciting adventure that awaits our family. We cannot wait to share our experiences with you!
-Bill, Jill, Ella & Jack
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