Monday, February 13, 2012
Peace Within the Storm
Another unbelievable day here at Hope Clinic. We were asked to see many new consults, which has led to a request from the staff here to operate on Friday, which is not the standard. All in all, we have @ 20 cases to do in the next 4 days, which may overwhelm the holding capacity of the inpatient ward. A gentlemen who heard that we had cared for Modey and his orthopedic injuries, plucked two more teenagers out of nearby hospitals and brought them here for us to see. Their injuries are horrendous, life-changing, and heartbreaking. I havent the strength to relate to anyone the extent of their injuries, but will be bust better defining them tomorrow. Please pray for a 15 yr old girl, and a 19 yr old boy tomorrow as we operate to save them from life-threatening infections, and then better understand what reconstruction they will require.
At one point this morning, we were being pulled in many different directions, and I asked Jairus and all of the people competing for our attention to stop and pray that we could work together as a team. The African culture appears never to be in too much of a hurry, until everyone wants something done now, and then there are no rules of engagement, usually allowing the louder voice to win. Once our prayer had ended, I taught my consultants the art of triaging, and before noon could pass, we had seen 20 people efficiently and thoroughly, drawing out plans for all of them.
I learned a great lesson from Jon last week in the OR, and God was faithful to provide great peace within the storm that is the hectic nature of a Monday in any medical facility. The afternoon allowed me to go back and do a secondary survey of all our patients, and assure they were tucked in nicely and safely. I covet your prayers for me and the OR crew this week as the pace will be quicker than they are used to, but they are excited for the challenge, and want more than anything to treat these new pts and watch God heal them. God Bless, Jeff
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Will certainly pray for you and the OR team. Especially for the two new patients brought in. Anxious to hear more details. I am sure you are overwhelmed but prayer helps. God is sure working miracles for you and the people at Hope. I know you will be up to each situation. Still praying for Modey both spiritually and physically. You amaze me everyday, Dr. Mathisen. Your a great blogger. Love, Judi
ReplyDeleteWell, if I ever tire of the surgery gig, I could always become a professional blogger! Modey is starting to look much better, and was able to do a little physical therapy with both legs today. This will prove to be an exhausting week, but fortunately, that's what I'm trained to endure. The OR crew will definitely benefit from your prayers, and frankly, I'm more than happy to be a subject of your prayers as well. I hear you will get to spend Valentine's Day with Kel, Cado, and Krae-- you are so lucky! What a great treat for Jen to get to watch Con play. Thanks for all of the support you've provided for Jen and the guys. Love , Jeff
ReplyDeleteWow, I guess it's a good thing you had the weekend to rest a little before today. Like I said earlier, when you leave, your OR crew will need a vacation.:) I imagine you are sterilizing that drill(with the chuk) again for tomorrow. And you thought there might be some "no shows" today because of the strike. Ha! News travels fast, even in Africa. When you said Modey is starting pysical therapy, I couldn't help but remember your years working in physical therapy at Dr. Kriz's while you were in college. You are not a bone doctor, but you worked for one. Just maybe, God was preparing you, way back then, for this time at Hope. Praying for healing for all the patients, for Modey and the two new teenagers too. Praying for the staff, for you and the OR crew as you carry on the work this week. May you experience peace in the midst of the pain around you, and may God's presence provide you with wisdom and strength to use your skills for His glory. May the patients and co-workers see Jesus in your eyes and hear Him in your kind words. May your heart be flooded with the pure joy of knowing and serving Him with all your heart tomorrow and always. Love you, Mom
ReplyDeleteHey Mom! Yeah, if Kriz could see me now-- he'd probably shudder! I slept very soundly from 10:30 to 5 and am energized and ready to go! I hear my friend, Dan, banging around in the kitchen, trying to be quiet, getting breakfast, before work. He is feeling the crunch to get his plumbing project done prior to leaving the same day I do. He got back from work around 9:30pm last night and was worn out. He's not a believer, but allowed me to pray with him to be able to rest and use his time efficiently over the next few days, in order to complete his tasks. Pretty cool to see God work here at Hope! Thanks for your specific prayers, it allows me to appreciate observing the specific answers come to fruition. Love ya, Jeff
ReplyDeleteHAPPY VALENTINES DAY! I am sure it will be unforgettable! :)
ReplyDeleteA very unique Valentine's Day indeed! Hope yours was great! Jeff
DeleteYour chronicles stir memories the feelings I experienced when Don and I served the orphanage in Swazi. Though we had no such amazing work to do I know that serving God unselfishly, as you are, is all the same in His eyes: obedience. Thank you for the wonderful windows you have delivered to us. I will be praying for you all tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Fred
P.S. I'm jealous of Dan!
You would totally find your niche here working on the physical plant-- lots of opportunity to think outside the US box! Different ministries doesn't mean one is any more significant than the other-- we are told to go, thus the obedience... Thx for the encouraging words and prayer. Jeff
DeleteAh good buddy- The prayers are flowing for you my friend. The RET teamed prayed earnestly for you last night, I jumped in and prayed for you as well. We miss you at the meetings, it will be great to have you back in a week, though I doubt you want to leave. So much work to do, and only one of you to do it.
ReplyDeleteI am tossing up a prayer for a 15 year old and a 19 yo who you have undoubtedly already seen today and probably already fixed. May God bless you in your plan, may your plan to fix be His will as well.
I am proud that you are relying on God in times of Chaos. It is very difficult when you are getting pulled 9 ways at once to stop and think about God, but as Andy said last night at RET, the more you are in the word, the more God talks and speaks with you. I think you stopping in the middle of Chaos and asking to pray is a definate sign that God is communicating with you and you are listening. Which puts a Fat Daddy Smile on God's face!!!
I am proud of you, and jealous that I can't be experiencing what you are. Have a great day. Good luck in your cases the rest of the week.
GOD BLESS
Ryan
Whenever missionaries would speak at my church when I was a kid, I always thought that when people told them they would pray for them, it was a weak excuse not to support them financially. Now I understand the relevance and importance of prayer. I've kinda been embarrassed when people have told me that they would pray for me--surely someone else needed the prayers more than I did! God has changed my heart on this one, and there is nothing I long for more than prayers of those who love Him. All that prayer is contagious, for I find myself up at all hours thinking and praying for folks. Hope your day was a good one. Have a great Valentine's Day with your ladies! Matty
DeleteI plan on having heart shaped pizzas from Papa Murphy's. I ordered on for Tiff and called your wife as well. Told her I didn't want her cooking on Valentines Day, but she said she wasn't cause she is going to Con Man's game, so I didn't get your family Pizza like I was going to. Just mine and Tiff.
ReplyDeleteI will keep praying for you, you toss out a prayer for me to learn more as I read through Ezekial for the first time in my life. I really want God to speak to me in my life, I want to listen more and obey even better...that isn't going to happen unless I am in the word as much as possible.
Go with God, Do it for Him, His Hands and Feet will make all of us Grin:)
Love ya Bro
Ryan
Ezekiel will be quite the challenge-- make sure you have a good concordance or another book to help guide you on that journey! It's cool that you will be reading about the dry bones, and we are fixing them! Thanks for thinking of my wife and kids. Jen was glad to go to the game-- but the boys got shellacked! I am cleaning many wounds, and con and his team are licking there own! My prayer for you is simple-- time to read and pray-- and the motivation to love Him more. Ciao! Matty
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