Sam & Emma

I love being Aunt Alyssa! Or "Aunt Wynssa" as Samuel calls me. Sam is 3 years old now and has changed dramatically in the two years I've been gone. He now plays soccer (sort of :)), is very into imaginative play (especially "playing church"), and loves trash trucks and Cars. He's still as adorable as ever!

 Emma is 9 months old and very busy! I just met her for the first time 2 weeks ago and I have loved getting to know her. She crawls everywhere and just started pulling up to standing in the last week. She's a bit of a daredevil and loves to be thrown in the air or to ride the rocking giraffe that belongs to Samuel. She adores her big brother and is pretty adorable herself! :)

Sam next to his finished train puzzle - completed all by himself.

Here's Sam "playing church". This is the "music scene" where he sings "Glory Be to the Father". I haven't yet captured his preaching or reciting the Apostle's Creed on video, but it's pretty entertaining. Maybe he'll follow his Aunt Alyssa into missions. :)

World Harvest Mission

McCropder Team (left to right): John (ophthalmology) & Jess (teacher) Cropsey, Jason (surgery) & Heather (teacher) Fader, Carlan (emergency medicine) Wendler (with Ben McLaughlin), Rachel (OB/Gyn) & Eric (Family Practice) McLaughlin, Alyssa (med/peds) Pfister

Our entire team of 6 doctors, 2 teachers, and 7 children was welcomed into the World Harvest Mission family on Wednesday. We've spent the week in Philadelphia at WHM's headquarters learning about the organization, being interviewed, and then being oriented as new missionaries. We are the Burundi Team and we're thrilled to be joining a mission agency that fits perfectly inline with our vision and goals.

World Harvest's mission statement reads:
Laying down our lives to proclaim the Kingdom of Jesus Christ through preaching, healing and equipping.

This is exactly what we feel called to do! World Harvest also expresses core values that line up with our own - I'm especially excited about reflecting more and more the two core values of "Centrality of the gospel" and "Ministering from weakness".  

We desire to share Jesus' message from Isaiah 61:1-2 in word and deed as we serve the people of the poorest country in the world, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn..."

Our group of newly accepted missionaries on the Burundi and South Sudan Teams pictured with Bob Osborne (center), the executive director of World Harvest Mission

Calvary Church in Bristol, PA

So, now what? Well, I'll be traveling all over the U.S. for the next year speaking at churches and at other groups, sharing about my experiences in Kenya and Burundi, and recruiting partners who share my passion for this work to join me in prayer and giving. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, contact me here. I've also added an online donation link on the left side of the blog.

Back in the States

After 2 days of travel across three continents with 3 adults, 2 small children, 14 checked bags, 6 carry-ons and a guitar, the McLaughlins and I were thrilled to finally greet our families at the Nashville airport.

During my first week back in the States after two years away, I’ve been surprised by some things that have changed and some things that are familiar.

1) Driving. I didn’t drive at all in two years. In Kenya, they drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car. Defensive driving is the name of the game – read this description by Jason Fader of all the variables involved in driving in Kenya. Even as a passenger, road travel is stressful in Africa. So I have certainly enjoyed the freedom of getting in a car and driving to the store, stopping at a drive-through on the way, air conditioning, radio, no exhaust, no motion sickness, cars staying in their lanes, predictable traffic flow, road signs. I have accidentally walked to the wrong side of the car to get in, though!

2) Greetings. In Kenyan culture, greetings are very important. Everyone receives a handshake, even the small children. If your hand is wet or occupied, offer your arm. If you want to convey special respect or friendship, use both hands for a hand shake by placing the left hand on the right wrist. On the rare occasion someone is too far away to shake their hand, offer a two handed wave. When I welcome the interns to my house for Bible study, I shake each of their hands as they walk in. This took some adjusting to at first but became familiar by the end of two years to the point that I didn’t think it strange. But my dental hygienist in Nashville gave me a funny look when I shook her hand on Tuesday!   

3) Anonymity. Given that I look and act differently than most any Kenyan, it’s impossible to blend into the surroundings. I was pretty good at being a wall flower during my middle school years, not so anymore! Anywhere I traveled in Africa, I was greeted by the children shouting “Mzungu!” (white person) and practicing their one English phrase, “How are you? I am fine.” In Ethiopia, they call out “Ferengi!” (foreigner). Children walk up to touch my skin. Adults stare and even take pictures on their cell phones (yes, cell phones are ubiquitous even in Kenya). All of this is done in a friendly way – visitors bring blessings according to African proverbs. But even so, I thoroughly enjoyed running in my parents’ neighborhood this week with anonymity.

4) Language. Even me, my English has somehow changed in Kenya – click here if that sentence doesn’t make sense to you. I’ve certainly made some language errors. My favorite one was told at one of my goodbye parties by the Kenyan intern. I was trying to tell a mother that her child shouldn’t eat because he was going to have surgery. I said, “Usikule mtoto leo, utakula kesho.” Translation: “Don’t eat your child today; you will eat him tomorrow.”  I loved learning other languages, though – which is a good thing as French and Kirundi are next!

5) Food. Cherry Coke Zero is just as good as I remembered as are raspberries and Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte. My mom was so excited to have me home, she bought four kinds of ice cream! And my dad grilled steak and salmon. I really enjoyed chai time every morning at Tenwek – when everyone stops to drink chai together in the hospital. But other than that, I can’t say that I miss Kenyan food. Let’s just say there’s a reason why there aren’t many Kenyan restaurants in the U.S.! But that means I need to be a lot more careful to not eat constantly with all the choices available to me.

Reconciling the differences between these worlds is certainly a challenge. Especially when I feel comfortable in some aspects of each. I appreciate your continued prayers as I navigate reverse culture shock and adjust back to my home culture. I pray that I will be able to say with the Apostle Paul (Ph 4:12), "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation," (i.e. in any and every country). It’s been such a blessing to be with family this last week and I look forward to visiting with many of you in the next few months. Next stop: Philadelphia to see my sister, brother-in-law, and 3 year old nephew Samuel for the first time in two years and to meet my 9 month old niece Emma. While in Philly, I also look forward to attending Assessment and Orientation for a week at World Harvest Mission – my prospective long term mission agency for Burundi.

Goodbye, Tenwek

 This blog continues from the previous post on hellos and goodbyes. No need to worry about lacking closure here - it turns out Kenyans are excellent at farewells. I've received gifts, appreciation speeches, meals, dedicated prayer, four goodbye parties, and lots of hugs and handshakes over the last month. It's been so encouraging to feel valued and appreciated and blessed by these friendships with Kenyans and fellow missionaries. As is usually the case, "the people make the place." And that's the truth with thinking of leaving Kenya and with returning to the U.S. I'm most excited to see my family and friends. I'm most sad to leave my friends here. Of course I'm also looking forward to reliable internet and electricity, paved roads with generally followed traffic laws, clean water, cultural understanding, efficiency and convenience of everyday life, anonymity, favorite foods, and a break from the dramatic and often tragic life or death nature of practicing medicine in the developing world. Besides people, I will miss the challenge of hearing or speaking multiple languages per day, the simplicity of life where activities rarely are located more than a ten minute walk from my home, games with friends, the beautiful scenery and wildlife with perfect temperatures year round, chai time with the interns every morning, passion fruit and avocados, & fun and laughter with the children. Here's some pictures from the last week of goodbyes:

Eric and Jason leading worship our last Sunday at church

Kibet, one of our interns, invited us to his village home Saturday for chai and presented us with gifts of handmade calabash containers, pumpkin, and bananas.

More than just chai!

Anna, Maggie, and I at Kibet's house

Last day to round on pediatrics

Prayer for us at church on Sunday

The women's Bible study hosted a wonderful meal as a farewell for me at Carol Spear's lovely home. I'm going to miss these girls!

One last hike in the hills - the hill was quite steep coming down to this point, but these amazing women not only beat us to the bottom but did so with firewood, babies, and pangas (machetes).

Sunday morning breakfast at Barbara's

Bethesda AGC church hosted a music night as a farewell to those of us leaving and a welcome to those missionaries returning

Like I mentioned in my last update letter (send me a message to receive those by email), Kingdom work continues at Tenwek Hospital to fix what is broken and to bring hope and healing to the suffering. This baby was abandoned in a nearby village and brought to Tenwek by the police yesterday. It's the fourth baby to be abandoned in the last month. Other missionaries have been caring for these infants to the point of exhaustion, so as I'm finished with work, I offered to help out with this one. Peter Joseph (named by Tenwek missionaries) slept in my dresser drawer last night and did pretty well - he only woke up twice and he figured out how to drink a bottle. We estimate he's about 3 months old and has obviously only breastfed until now.

Please pray for his mother, wherever she is, and for strength and wisdom for those caring for this precious, adorable child of God as they decide where his next home will be.

CT scanner on arrival at Tenwek

The McLaughlins and I are leaving on a very momentous occasion - the official dedication of the first CT scanner for Tenwek Hospital - a day long awaited by many. Several important politicians are attending the festivities and the hospital has been scrubbed and freshly painted in preparation. This will be a significant change in the care available to patients. Please pray for wisdom for the medical staff and the administration with the many decisions involved in providing this service.

Newly completed radiology building for CT scanner

Tents ready for the celebration; new intern housing behind tents

Ribbon ready to be cut, me with two of the long term missionaries Pam Chupp and Alene Burgert

Another of the long term missionaries, Amy Bemm, with four of her seven children

Next blog post location: U.S.A!

Hellos and Goodbyes

Two weeks from today, I'll arrive back in the U.S.A. Some days it's hard to believe two years has passed so quickly. Other days I remember how much I have changed and others have changed and it seems longer than 2 years. The transition time is definitely bittersweet - saying goodbye to people, language, surroundings that have become quite familiar, but saying hello to family and friends and my home food and culture. I have accumulated quite a list of both things I will miss and things I will not miss as I head back to the States - maybe I'll share some of those items in a future blog. The goodbyes have definitely begun, but we have also enjoyed some recent hellos. Our friends the Roberts, Galats, and Whites all returned recently from a year in the States, so we have loved getting to enjoy meals and fun with their families again.

We continue to welcome new visiting doctors who provide lots of help in the hospital with patient care and medical education. It's especially beneficial for Tenwek Hospital to have extra help now as they lose 5 doctors at once with our team finishing our two year commitment. Please pray especially for more pediatric and obstetric doctors to be willing to come help in the months ahead. I welcomed my friend Allison to Kenya this month (ophthalmology) and decided to say hello and goodbye to the safari animals one more time with her. God's creation certainly is amazing!

Jackel, rhino, wildebeast, and zebra on the plains during the annual wildebeast migration

After winning the fight, the elephant on the left was still riled up and began to charge our safari vehicle! We quickly drove off and he gave up the chase. For a recent hospital story of the danger of elephants, click here.

Male and female ostriches

The interns came to my house for a pizza party on Wednesday night. Several of them were unfamiliar with pizza but they seemed to like it as it disappeared quickly! We enjoyed a hilarious game of Catch Phrase and had a wonderful time. I've loved getting to know this intern class through the intern Bible studies and through our interactions at the hospital. I'm sad to miss their graduation in January.

The Tenwek long term missionaries hosted a nice goodbye party for all of us leaving this month complete with gracious speeches appreciating each of us (speeches are very Kenyan and expected at big events - the interns even gave me an appreciation speech at my party the other night).

Our team at Tenwek is already shrinking as we said goodbye to the Cropseys a couple weeks ago. They're back in the States enjoying ice cream, fast food, and extended family. We look forward to seeing them again in Philadelphia at the end of September.

The McLaughlins hosted one last Tenwek Coffeehouse open mic night and everyone got into it. In fact all of the interns participated in a couple songs complete with traditional dancing. I enjoyed being the official photographer :)

And finally, some hellos:

We loved getting to meet our new colleagues and friends at the World Harvest Mission East Africa retreat last weekend. We won't officially become World Harvest missionaries until we attend assessment and orientation and are hopefully approved in September in Philly but we were invited to attend the retreat anyways. We really enjoyed getting to know these like minded missionaries from Uganda, South Sudan, and Kenya and look forward to future interactions with them in the years to come.

Maggie and I at the retreat - I'm really going to miss the McCropder children next year, but I can't wait to say hello to my nephew and niece in Philadelphia next month: Samuel and Emma!