Sunday, July 31st Mission Trip Devotional
The Graduate Nurse - Susan Neel

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Chrst Jesus: Who being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine amoung them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. - Philippians 2:1-16

I am really not equipped to do this. there are others that are so much better at this type of thing than I am. What if I miss something? What if I give the wrong medication? And the little guy in room 203 is so tiny and having such a hard time breathing.

I was 19 years old and it was the first night at my new job, the night shift nurse on the pediatric floor of the hospital in my small town. Yes, I said THE night shift nurse referring to the fact that due to the size of the hospital, I was the only nurse on the pediatric floor. Barely a year older than those who qualified as pediatric patients and there I was. The charge nurse had stopped by earlier in the evening and assured me that she was only a phone call away. I had prepared a very long time for this moment. All through high school and college I had worked in a pediatrician's office. During nursing school, pediatrics was my love. this was different though. All of a sudden, it seemed very foreign and I felt very ill equipped to be in the situatuion that I was in. I remember one of the physicians who knew that I had just graduated joked with me as he left the floor, "You and God will be taking care of these kids tonight." What he meant to be a joke actually gave me great comfort as I realized I was not doing it all alone. Me and God. He was exactly right. I was nowhere near equipped to do this , but I was not alone and God was more than equipped.

You have placed yourself in an environment that is so foreign. Your willingness to serve will certainly come with challenges. There will be times this week that you will ask yourself the question, "Me? Really?" but God has chosen YOU for this moment. clearly, He has chosen to use you to minister to others but be very aware of how God is using this time to refine you. You are being given an opportunity that is going to take you outside of your comfort zone. He is pouring his sanctifying grace down on you. Buckets full of sanctifying grace. Breathe in today. Feel it inside of you. Let it take root. Nourish it.

How are you encouraged today by being united with Christ? Why did God call you to be here...in this place...now? Are you in the same mindset as Christ as you carry out His purpose?

Blameless and pure. those are some pretty strong words. Are you blameless and pure in His sight? KNOW THIS: the work that He is doing through you pales in comparison to what He wants to do within you.

Love God. Love others. Susan Neel

2:00 pm Update from Greg:
Nice day today, no travel. We attended worship and Bill took us on a walk to a nice waterfall. We start work on projects tomorrow. It's raining now but hope it stops soon or we will be in a giant mudhole. There is one person from Canadian UMC that is sick. No internet connection at the hotel. Hopefully there is internet at the hospital.

12:06 pm Update from Sandi:

Pastor Jim and Madison showing the local kids the pictures of themselves. The kids love to have their picture taken, adults not so much.

Pastor Jim recorded the group at a local waterfall that supplies the surrounding area with water.

5:09 am Update from Sandi

On our way to church with Canadian UMC.

Pictures at Nairobi Airport and kids in Maua.

9:59 am Update from Sandi

We finally made it to Maua! Lovely country juxtaposed with poverty. Great driver/tour guide. This is going to be a great trip!

2:16 pm Update from Sandi Mitchell

We're in Nairobi!

3:09 am Update from Sandi:

We're in London and our Canadian UMC counterparts are great!

Thanks to all who joined us for commissioning and send off this afternoon. Please keep Pastor Jim, Sandi, Greg, Madison and Carrie in your prayers.

Jambo!

Well, 2 years later and the day has finally come! We are headed to Africa! Woo hoo!

Asante Sana for all your help with fundraising and prayers and shaving heads. With a lot of faith and a LOT of pennies, nickles, and dimes, we have made our financial goal (and even a little more!).

Now, we need your continued prayers. Please pray for the AUMC group - Pastor Jim McClurg, his daughter Madison McClurg, Greg Surbaugh, his daughter Carrie Surbaugh, and Sandi Mitchell. And for our partners in this mission trip: Canadian UMC as well - Pastor Danny Sanders, his wife Sheryl Sanders, his daughter Meredith Sanders, Paul Lewis, Kyle Jahnel, Mike Gardiner, Karen Metzger, Rick Waterfield and his son, Bryan Waterfield.

If you're available, come on down to the church at 2:30pm today to send us off in praise and prayer. We'll be gone by 2:45pm!

Asante Sana, Rafiki's!

Love you!

Sandi & team