these days

these days are new types of days for all of us.

greetings at 6am by surgeons who check progress or lack of progress
hooking and unhooking and hooking up to the iv machine in order to move in and out of bed
walking slowly down the hall, pushing the iv pole, joining in the parade of post surgery patients
picking up mimi from the airport who has come to be stability and softness for our kids
praying for patients who are all alone in their rooms
greeting the therapy dog "sid"and chatting with the vet lady who brings happiness to patients
watching travis consume only half a cup of jello in 4 days time
being prayed over again and again by faithful pastors who love us dearly
bringing down the average age of patients on this hall by 25-30 years
changing of the guard with mom j when i need to go and be a mom myself
watching nate and t together, brothers through thick and thin
driving to soccer practice and dental appointments
being so thankful for meals brought by dear friends and chef bob
sitting next to travis, reading psalms when he is in too much pain to talk
thankful for the ng tube that is pulling out liquids from his stomach that were causing so much pain
trying to watch "downton abbey" but realizing that we have enough drama to fill a room
hugging the kiddos in a 5 minute visit that brought cheer and stability to family life
filling up a wall with pictures and cards
changing of nurses and techs who continue to be helpful and cheerful
enjoying treats from thoughtful friends
napping to make up for interrupted and uncomfortable sleep
waiting for pathology results 
waiting for digestive systems to work together
waiting for healing from surgery
praying together, resting together, thanking together

meet us in the recovery room

It would be a joy to have the faces of those that love him and are praying for him to be smiling on him in his recovery room. Please email a picture, be it silly, traditional, or just smiling to photosfortravis@gmail.com

We will print them out so that as he is recovering, he will see YOU!

If you would like to send him cards, music, or dvds for the week of recovery in the hospital, you can mail it to 250 Island Park Circle, Unit 102, Daniel Island, SC 29492.

Thank you, dear friends.

out of surgery...praise God!

Travis is out of surgery and now recovering in his hospital room. He is not very comfortable but he is alive and for that we are so thankful.

When I received the phone call from the nurse that said that the three hour surgery was over and Travis was "okay" a wave of relief washed over me. I think I had been holding my breath for three hours. How grateful we are for the work of the surgeons and nurses, for the prayers of the saints, and for the quiet and cleanliness of this room. We now wait for the results of the biopsy which will help determine what lies ahead in terms of treatment.

My mom once told me that the sweetest sound to a wife's ear is the snoring of her husband in the bed next to her...a sound widows miss the most. When Travis was in surgery, he was laying with his feet higher in elevation than his head as they pushed air into his colon. That air is now needing to come out. I have to say that those burps are the sweetest sound to my ears!

unpacking

I finally did it. I had been stumbling over a packed suitcase for a week. I finally unpacked it, putting away clean clothes from a trip never taken.

Many months ago, we planned a trip to the WHM Sending Center in Pennsylvania for meetings, reconnecting, and conversations about our second term as missionaries. A detailed schedule was filled in for who was picking up the children, what after school programs they would attend, and all the other stuff moms do when leaving their children in the care of others for five days.

Travis had been experiencing pain and other unfriendly symptoms since his strange and extreme African fever illness. As the symptoms had only increased with medication, it was time for a colonoscopy. We joked that the GI specialist would probably see thousands of little African parasites doing the Conga Line or maybe Travis would win an award for the longest tapeworm brought to America.

But after we met with the radiologist and heard back from the pathologist, all jokes ended and our plans for that trip to PA ended. Cancer has a way of doing that.

Unraveling. Unpacking. Unnerving. Unplanning. Undoing.

So, I find myself undoing lots of things. And find myself doing things I would not have expected.

Undoing the packaging for eyecream as the crying-eyes-puffiness will not go away

Canceling flights, car rental, accommodation and registration for the halfmarathon we so doggedly wanted to do...to prove that we still could.

Begging for a refund on a nonrefundable purchase of a vacation for just the two of us that we had dreamed about for 3 years now.

Being hugged by people I don’t know but know us, sometimes comforted, sometimes made uncomfortable

Fumbling to answer the question of “how are you?” as an acquaintance in passing asks

Confused by the severity of the treatment options when the tumor looks so small to me

Listening to the prayers of our sweet children who pray for Daddy to be better

Receiving clothes hangers from our friends who are, ironically, moving to Africa so we can take our clothes out of boxes and settle in a little more.

Chasing after our AfricanSoul Daughter who ran away in tears when she learned we will be delayed in returning to Bundibugyo

Amazed by the offer of a meal by a new friend who must listen well to the prompting of the Holy Spirit on the very day we met with doctors for the diagnosis

Humbled that a family member would come over and clean our condo while we were meeting with surgeons

Talking with current teammates and future teammates who are also adjusting their expectations

Eating healthy food and wondering if it is healthy enough

Trying not to be overwhelmed by the “what ifs” that can be loud in the day and whisper in the dark of the night.

Finally putting our mattress that has been on the floor up on a bedframe as it will be easier for future recovery

Sweetly surprised by a package of “home decor” that a friend thoughtfully mailed to give us one thing in our condo that is not borrowed or donated

Amazed for a good night’s sleep and grateful that someone prayed that we would supernaturally be able to rest.

Sobered by the lady’s bald head as we get on the elevator to our first appointment with the cancer surgeon.

Encouraged by the many emails that we have received from friends near and far, reminded that we are certainly surrounded by a loving circle

Startled by the intensity of song lyrics and sermons and readings, how they seem to apply to us so dearly, so pointedly reminding us that God is still good and He does love us deeply

Touched by the kindness of a new friend who wants to pay for karate class for Patton

Confused in the timing of it all as we simultaneously prepare for cancer surgery and my youngest sister’s wedding

Hugged by my other sister who came with her kids for a weekend, just to be close to me, just so I could cry over a cup of coffee and not have to explain the tears

Unwrapping a box of chocolates mailed to us by a longtime supporter of all things Bundi

Finding comfort in the words of the Psalms and gaining perspective on true suffering from the book “The Insanity of God”

Waiting and waiting and waiting to hear back test results that will determine the type of surgery and asking God to use even the process of waiting to teach us and remind me that control is just an illusion

Praying with others for healing and courage and for wisdom, both for today and in the days to come

 If you want to join us in prayer for Travis, you can “subscribe” on the top right hand corner to be included in an update email.

back in charleston

Lilli bargains in a simulation at Charlestowne Landing which was to recreate the trade between the colonialists, the Native Americans, and the Barbadians. Though the experience was to teach the children how commodities were traded and attained in the past, I was amazed by how many of the principles still hold true where we live in Eastern Africa.  As the East African Highway is being built right in front of our WHM houses, we will see an increase of valuable resources being taken out of the DRC to be sold to countries, such as China (who is assisting in making the road). Unfortunately, the average Ugandan and Congolese will not see much profit from this export and their life in poverty will remain the same. I wish that we would learn from history. It seems that the old proverb that "History only repeats itself" still holds true.

Lilli and fellow third grader Sully were chosen to go into the stocks!

Miss Molly, future RMS teacher, visited us for the weekend. The kids already love her!

A sweet visit from Aunt KarKar and her kids.

Serious skateboarders.

nc friends and gcc good times

When we were in the States in August of 2011, as we crossed the NC state line, Patton burst into tears. When we asked him why he was crying, between sobs, he said, "where is the snow?!" As the last thing he remembered of life in NC was the Christmas snow of 2010, in his mind North Carolina was a magical snowglobe. Knowing that this would likely be the only opportunity for our kids to see snow, we prayed that it would snow the one weekend we were in NC. We arrived late Friday night. We woke up to a beautiful Saturday morning snow! A sweet gift from a Father who delights to see children smile!

A cookout at our dear friends, the Morrises.

Sharing about life in Uganda

Reuniting with girlfriends whom were toddlers together

Sally Berg Ward (first RMS teacher in Bundi) and two of her beautiful girls

What joy and surprise to see Travis's residency colleague Frank and his family who drove from Bryson City to see us!

It was a delight to teach the 3rd/4th grade classes who have "adopted us" and send us cards and pray for us. They even brought in a breakfast and made a welcome banner!

Our longtime friends, the Pearces, hosted a gathering at their beautiful home. The folks who came were friends we have know from various times and types of ministry at Grace Community Church. It was so fun to reconnect and to pray together.

 

After church at GCC, we were hosted by the Allisons and the Fullers to talk more about missions. As these women both lead the GCC Missions committee, we joked that they are successful in their jobs to increase committee members as both of them are currently pregnant!

Having fun with these dear women!

ecbc charleston weekend

We began the ECBC Global Impact Conference by teaching Mrs Z's class of kindergarteners about missionary life in Uganda and how to make an Ugandan football.

African ingenuity means that paper and plastic bags and twine can make a ball to play the national sport.

This class was so inquisitive! One of my favorite questions was, "Do you like carrots?"

Standing in front of our "table" as we greeted friends between teaching sessions.

Travis and I were so grateful for the opportunity to publicly thank ECBC for their love, support, and prayers for our family and brothers and sisters in Uganda.

These three beautiful women are my new heroes! Sarah, Sharon, and Emily are the Stateside Coordinators for Books for Bundi. They will take all questions about sending books at booksforbundi@gmail.com and are coordinating an effort to stock the shelves in the children's library! They are the answer to my many prayers for someone to support Books for Bundi from the States. Amen and Amen!