I leave in 3 days!
I am in eastern Washington spending a few days with my parents before I leave. This may have been God's way of making me take some time off for R&R in the midst of the craziness. I would say I am about 95% packed and my house is clean so besides the last minute stuff to do on wednesday I am ready to go!
I want to point you towards the ORR blog. Andrew has been writting about a precious little girl named Gifty who is very sick with liver disease. She is 14 months old and weighs only 11 pounds. She may need a liver trasplant and I have a feeling that in Liberia that is not a possibility. Gifty needs a miracle.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Packing fun.
I leave in 6 days!
The last few days have been a whirlwind for me. I finished up my last 2 days at work on Monday and Tuesday. Ever since then I have been going non-stop- shopping, packing, laminating, packing, visiting, packing, cleaning, laundry. . .did I mention packing?
Last night I did a "practice" pack to try and get an idea of where I was at with things. Forty-eight pounds over the baggage allowance! I then re-evaluated everything, got rid of some things and added some others (I realized I had not put in any shoes!) and then came to the resignation that I am going to be paying the overweight baggage fee.
I guess Oliver (my 20 lb cat) wanted to come too! Maybe that explains some of the excess weight! :-)
The last few days have been a whirlwind for me. I finished up my last 2 days at work on Monday and Tuesday. Ever since then I have been going non-stop- shopping, packing, laminating, packing, visiting, packing, cleaning, laundry. . .did I mention packing?
Last night I did a "practice" pack to try and get an idea of where I was at with things. Forty-eight pounds over the baggage allowance! I then re-evaluated everything, got rid of some things and added some others (I realized I had not put in any shoes!) and then came to the resignation that I am going to be paying the overweight baggage fee.
I guess Oliver (my 20 lb cat) wanted to come too! Maybe that explains some of the excess weight! :-)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Don't let this throw you.
I leave in 8 days!
Yesterday we found out that one of my dad's coronary arteries is 90% blocked. Hopefully they can fix it with a stent next week (on Oct 2nd, the day I am flying to Africa!) but if not he will need bypass surgery. As my dad was telling me the details on the phone he punctuated his story with "but you are still going." Of course I am still going, but it is a little nerve racking, I did not even like being away in Tacoma while he was having his angiogram in Spokane.
I woke up this morning dwelling over the details of this as well as everything else I have to do before I leave. Yes, I was somewhat overwhelmed and having a little bit of a pity party. I picked up my mini Message Bible and turned to John. I was looking for a verse on peace thinking that is what I needed. I started reading John 14:1 which literally said:
"Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you?"
I laughed out loud.
The thing is I do trust God. I trust that me going to Liberia right now is the right thing. I trust that everything will work out with my house while I am gone. I trust that my dad will be ok. But I was letting it all throw me, getting me sidetraked and distracted. No more!
That being said, please continue to pray for me this next week. It is really going to be a challenge. I am now going to be fitting in a trip over to see my parents since my dad's doctor said he can not travel. And please pray for my dad (his name is Al) too. Thanks.
Yesterday we found out that one of my dad's coronary arteries is 90% blocked. Hopefully they can fix it with a stent next week (on Oct 2nd, the day I am flying to Africa!) but if not he will need bypass surgery. As my dad was telling me the details on the phone he punctuated his story with "but you are still going." Of course I am still going, but it is a little nerve racking, I did not even like being away in Tacoma while he was having his angiogram in Spokane.
I woke up this morning dwelling over the details of this as well as everything else I have to do before I leave. Yes, I was somewhat overwhelmed and having a little bit of a pity party. I picked up my mini Message Bible and turned to John. I was looking for a verse on peace thinking that is what I needed. I started reading John 14:1 which literally said:
"Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you?"
I laughed out loud.
The thing is I do trust God. I trust that me going to Liberia right now is the right thing. I trust that everything will work out with my house while I am gone. I trust that my dad will be ok. But I was letting it all throw me, getting me sidetraked and distracted. No more!
That being said, please continue to pray for me this next week. It is really going to be a challenge. I am now going to be fitting in a trip over to see my parents since my dad's doctor said he can not travel. And please pray for my dad (his name is Al) too. Thanks.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The count down begins.
I am leaving in 10 days!
Tomorrow is my last day at work before I go. I have been trying to pack smart (I spent quite a while putting lotion, shampoo etc... into smaller travel containers yesterday), hoping that my Liberian VISA really arrives with my passport before I leave (although I guess I can not really leave without it), and still not sure what is going to happen with my house.
I have also been scarfing down anything I think I may not get to eat/drink in the next 6 months. It is truely like I am getting ready to hibernate for winter. ha! Pumpkin Spice lattes from Starbucks have been a real weakness. Tonight I got take out from my favorite Teriaki place and really started to panic... what am I going to do without my teriaki? I survived it once before, when I was in nursing school in Spokane and got so desperate for teriaki that I spent hours calling and then driving around town looking for a place...to no avail. So, I guess I will leave you with this request- if you find yourself in Bonney Lake in the next few months stop by the Wok (Teriaki Wok 5 to be exact), get the teriaki chicken dinner and think of me. (and if you really want to be supportive you can wash it down with a pumpkin spice latte.) :-)
Tomorrow is my last day at work before I go. I have been trying to pack smart (I spent quite a while putting lotion, shampoo etc... into smaller travel containers yesterday), hoping that my Liberian VISA really arrives with my passport before I leave (although I guess I can not really leave without it), and still not sure what is going to happen with my house.
I have also been scarfing down anything I think I may not get to eat/drink in the next 6 months. It is truely like I am getting ready to hibernate for winter. ha! Pumpkin Spice lattes from Starbucks have been a real weakness. Tonight I got take out from my favorite Teriaki place and really started to panic... what am I going to do without my teriaki? I survived it once before, when I was in nursing school in Spokane and got so desperate for teriaki that I spent hours calling and then driving around town looking for a place...to no avail. So, I guess I will leave you with this request- if you find yourself in Bonney Lake in the next few months stop by the Wok (Teriaki Wok 5 to be exact), get the teriaki chicken dinner and think of me. (and if you really want to be supportive you can wash it down with a pumpkin spice latte.) :-)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Garage Sale Success
Ever since I returned from Liberia last spring I have felt an overwhelming need to get rid of "stuff." I realized that for the last 5 years I have been bringing stuff into my house and not taking anything out. The desire to clean house almost felt spititual, like cleaning out my home of unneeded stuff was the outward expression of a cleansing that was taking place in my soul.So... for the last 6 months I have been putting stuff aside preparing myself to part with it. I figured a garage sale would be a good way to go about it. I might as well give others a chance to enjoy (or be burdened) by my stuff as much as I have right?
Earlier this week I invited my friend Heidi over to help me with the final go through. I thought Heidi would be helpful because she would help me to be strong and part with things I was struggling with. I was wrong. You see Heidi and I have been friends since high school. Every box or pile we came to held a memory. She was there for the camping trips with "that shirt" and when "that picture" was taken and remembers how much I loved "that bag." Overall I was strong and resisted her temptations, but I am grateful for the fond memories she brought back to me.
I took 2 car loads of stuff to another friends house where the garage sale was going to take place. Added to the multiple families from my church who also donated towards the sale, we filled the garage and the side yard. I was overwhelmed and wondered how we were going to get rid of it all and worried no one would want it. I was wrong again.
We made over $1000!
(All the money is going to go towards helping finance my time in Liberia.)
Now I am exhausted. It was a lot of work and a long weekend, but it was worth it. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped. Thanks David and Cathy for donating your garage, yard and time and for all the wonderful food. Thanks Susan for skipping church to run the sale and all your help with "organizing." Thanks to everyone who came out and supported me whether with a quarter or a smile it was not unnoticed.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Stats
Follow this link for some Unicef stats about Liberia.
Statistics http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/liberia_statistics.html
Statistics http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/liberia_statistics.html
Monday, September 8, 2008
My "Official" September Update.
I am really doing it! My airplane ticket says Seattle to Monrovia - October 2, 2008!
I have attempted to keep everyone up to date on what is going on, but I will review just in case.
Last spring, I spent 2 life changing weeks in Liberia. Liberia is a country in West Africa that has been torn apart by civil war and poverty. Thousands of children live in orphanage homes there.
Since my visit, I have found myself with a whole new perspective on life and what is important. I learned that electricity and running water are not requirements, they are luxuries. I fell in love with the country. The people as a whole were so gracious and the children, precious. Within 24 hours of being in the country I knew I would return.
When I made the choice to return I doubted why I could be of any help, my nursing experience is literally from a different world. As I continued to think and pray on it I realized the qualifier for me and all they really need is someone that is willing.
So, I am joining the ORR team and returning to Liberia for at least 6 months. ORR is currently contracted with about 20 orphanages that care for approximately 1000 children. Their goal is to meet the practical needs of these kids. ORR comes in to the poorest and worse off orphanages and works to ensure that they have a safe and sturdy home, a roof that does not leak in the worst of the rainy season, latrines, food and water.
As the Healthcare Coordinator with ORR, it will be my responsibility to oversee the overall health of the orphans. The most prevalent health problems are preventable; malnutrition, worms, skin infections, and malaria are some of the most common. There are also a lot of educational opportunities to teach the orphanage directors and children about things that will help them to remain healthy. I will be personally caring for many of the children as well as partnering with local clinics and pharmacies to help establish long term relationships for the care of these orphans.
Many people ask how they can help…
I will start by asking that you partner with me in prayer.
-Pray for me. I have a lot to get done “closing up shop” here while I prepare to leave the country for several months. Also pray for traveling safety and adjusting to the heat, food and culture, and for my back (it has been bothering me a lot lately).
-Pray for the ORR Field Team. As well as myself there will be 4 other team members in Liberia. We need strength, endurance, communication, protection and health (in fact, Matt Cramer who has been in Liberia for the last month has been feeling ill and may have malaria).
Andrew Tyler - In-Country Director and Administrator.
Matthew Cramer - Media Coordinator.
Ashley Stoll – Relief Programs Manager.
Jennifer Gerson – Capacity building manager.
-Pray for the kids. The orphans are who we are there to serve, they live in horrible conditions with little to eat or play with.
There is no mail service in Liberia. E-mail will be the best way to keep in touch with me. If you would like to send something, you can do so through an organization called Service to Servants. www.servicetoservants.com. They send a container via ship to Liberia several times a year. The next container is scheduled to leave sometime in November. The website will walk you through the steps you will need to take to use their services.
Ideas of what to send-
The kids always need clothes and underwear of all sizes.
The ORR team loves treats they can not get in Liberia. Non-perishables are best, cookies, blister pack gum, Sam’s Cajun trail mix (from wal-mart).
There are always financial needs. ORR is currently working on several projects at orphanages. See the ORR website for more information. www.orphanreliefandrescue.org.
Of course I am responsible for all my own funding while I am there. If you would like to help out financially contributions can be made through my church.
Send personal donations for me to-
Evergreen Foursquare church.
PO Box 1472, Auburn, WA 98071-1472.
Please write “Liberia” in the comment line.)
Send donations for ORR Projects to-
Orphan Relief and Rescue
17866 HWY 110 N
Garden Valley, TX 75771
Other ways to contact me-
debbie@orphanreliefandrescue.org
US ORR Office –903-963-3536
I would love to hear from you!
-debbie dezutter:-)
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:19-20
I have attempted to keep everyone up to date on what is going on, but I will review just in case.
Last spring, I spent 2 life changing weeks in Liberia. Liberia is a country in West Africa that has been torn apart by civil war and poverty. Thousands of children live in orphanage homes there.
Since my visit, I have found myself with a whole new perspective on life and what is important. I learned that electricity and running water are not requirements, they are luxuries. I fell in love with the country. The people as a whole were so gracious and the children, precious. Within 24 hours of being in the country I knew I would return.
When I made the choice to return I doubted why I could be of any help, my nursing experience is literally from a different world. As I continued to think and pray on it I realized the qualifier for me and all they really need is someone that is willing.
So, I am joining the ORR team and returning to Liberia for at least 6 months. ORR is currently contracted with about 20 orphanages that care for approximately 1000 children. Their goal is to meet the practical needs of these kids. ORR comes in to the poorest and worse off orphanages and works to ensure that they have a safe and sturdy home, a roof that does not leak in the worst of the rainy season, latrines, food and water.
As the Healthcare Coordinator with ORR, it will be my responsibility to oversee the overall health of the orphans. The most prevalent health problems are preventable; malnutrition, worms, skin infections, and malaria are some of the most common. There are also a lot of educational opportunities to teach the orphanage directors and children about things that will help them to remain healthy. I will be personally caring for many of the children as well as partnering with local clinics and pharmacies to help establish long term relationships for the care of these orphans.
Many people ask how they can help…
I will start by asking that you partner with me in prayer.
-Pray for me. I have a lot to get done “closing up shop” here while I prepare to leave the country for several months. Also pray for traveling safety and adjusting to the heat, food and culture, and for my back (it has been bothering me a lot lately).
-Pray for the ORR Field Team. As well as myself there will be 4 other team members in Liberia. We need strength, endurance, communication, protection and health (in fact, Matt Cramer who has been in Liberia for the last month has been feeling ill and may have malaria).
Andrew Tyler - In-Country Director and Administrator.
Matthew Cramer - Media Coordinator.
Ashley Stoll – Relief Programs Manager.
Jennifer Gerson – Capacity building manager.
-Pray for the kids. The orphans are who we are there to serve, they live in horrible conditions with little to eat or play with.
There is no mail service in Liberia. E-mail will be the best way to keep in touch with me. If you would like to send something, you can do so through an organization called Service to Servants. www.servicetoservants.com. They send a container via ship to Liberia several times a year. The next container is scheduled to leave sometime in November. The website will walk you through the steps you will need to take to use their services.
Ideas of what to send-
The kids always need clothes and underwear of all sizes.
The ORR team loves treats they can not get in Liberia. Non-perishables are best, cookies, blister pack gum, Sam’s Cajun trail mix (from wal-mart).
There are always financial needs. ORR is currently working on several projects at orphanages. See the ORR website for more information. www.orphanreliefandrescue.org.
Of course I am responsible for all my own funding while I am there. If you would like to help out financially contributions can be made through my church.
Send personal donations for me to-
Evergreen Foursquare church.
PO Box 1472, Auburn, WA 98071-1472.
Please write “Liberia” in the comment line.)
Send donations for ORR Projects to-
Orphan Relief and Rescue
17866 HWY 110 N
Garden Valley, TX 75771
Other ways to contact me-
debbie@orphanreliefandrescue.org
US ORR Office –903-963-3536
I would love to hear from you!
-debbie dezutter:-)
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:19-20
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Hello! A preview of what is to come...
Here is a greeting from the kids at Frances Gaskin's orphange in Monrovia. This was my favorite orphange when I was there last spring. The kids were very reserved at first but warmed up to us quickly.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
My First Blog!
This is a first for me. My very first Blog entry. I am still trying to figure it all out. I am going to attempt to use this as a way to keep track of my comings and goings as I head to Liberia, West Africa to work with the orphans there. I am scheduled to leave Oct 2, 2008 - one month from today! So stay tuned. . .there is much to come. :-)
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