As you may already know, I will soon be moving Chogoria, Kenya to serve at PCEA Chogoria Hospital with World Medical Missions, the medical arm of Samaritan's Purse. I will be going through their Post-Residency Program that “allows physicians in all specialties to work alongside veteran missionary doctors overseas for two years, preparing them for a lifetime of service as career medical missionaries". 

My last week of July, I joined 19 post-residents and their families for orientation in Boone, North Carolina. This short week of orientation was intense but at the same time  rewarding. It was very encouraging to be around fellow believers and physicians from very different walks of life who I felt understood me. As I speak to colleagues and friends about my calling for long term medical missions, I seldom get the response "why would you go through years of schooling and residency to work for free", "Why are you leaving a secure and comfortable position to be a missionary?" or "Why would you waste all your acquired skills?". Albeit well meaning questions, they can be discouraging and dissapointing to hear.  I was encouraged by my new peers and their families who shared similar experiences and despite all the pressures, allures, promises and sense of security of this world, have sacrificially decided to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ; To heal both physically and spiritual needs to all peoples, in all ends of this world. I was most impressed by missionary families who have so much to give up to God by moving across the world, what a picture of true obedience! (Genesis 22)

During this week of orientation I was again reminded that the calling on my life is continual; God is constantly calling us to walk with him through this life, whatever it brings. When He calls us to something, he does not and will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews13:5). He will not leave us to our own devices to figure it out on our own. I am so thankful for all those moments He sends His people to affirm and encourage me, to pray for me, to support me in every way imaginable.  I look at the future and I know He has gone ahead of me and made my path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:9). It is with this “blessed assurance” that I am looking forward to the journey ahead of me.  As I prepare for my departure to Kenya on August 17th, I ask for your prayers. Pray for us as we prepare for departure, as we say our good byes to our beloved friends and families. Pray for the confirmation, assurance and confidence to be effective missionaries for Gods kingdom.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  – Isaiah 52:7