Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Transitions: a Way of Life at Galmi

We have a telephone system connecting the expatriate and medical residences and many locations in the hospital, which helps us communicate and saves us a lot of running around. I just noticed that our kitchen phone list is two months old. I glanced down the list of the houses, and suddenly realized how many names are no longer here, just a short time later.

Dr. Ron & Dr. Peter, both surgeons, were here for two weeks, and they did a lot of surgery in a short time. Dr. Aaron spent ten days here, his second visit, and among many other things, did a fabulous job of conducting training in neonatal resuscitation for our nursing and OB staff. Dr. Graham did a massive quantity of orthopedic surgery and his wife Marilyn was a huge help with Guest House during their (roughly annual) three weeks with us. Dr Iris spent three months with us brushing up her OB and C-section skills before returning to Tanzania, where she'll be running a remote rural clinic. Amy and Cheryl, both senior medical students, spent 8 weeks doing a tropical medicine rotation with us. All of them are back home now, and when we stop and remember, we miss them.

In the next few weeks, Alice, retiree, Dr Ted, surgeon, and Dr Roger and Dr Claudia, residents, will all leave. We're preparing our hearts already for the next round of goodbyes.

Welcoming people we've never met because we share a sense of calling, for however long or short a time; growing to love them and allowing our lives to intertwine; and then blessing them with gratitude and grace as they leave; this is a cycle we repeat, again and again.

We're very grateful to have such a strong core team to carry the many responsibilities related to welcome, orientation, hospitality, and mentoring during their time here. All those who come to Galmi enrich our lives, teach us new perspectives and skills, and help us give competent and compassionate care in the name of Jesus to the suffering many who come to us for help.

It's an exclusive club, Galmi Alumni, with amazing members. We are richly blessed.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Saturday, July 24, 2010

He's doing better.

 

This is one of the kids who arrived at Galmi recently, malnourished and sick enough to require hospitalization. He got help in time. His mom and he will hopefully spend a month at our residential Nutritional Rehab and Education program, where she'll learn about best food-preparation practices for healthy children using foods available in her area.

He's doing better. There is much to be thankful for. There is hope for him. (Thanks to Ann Birch for the photo!)
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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Group Portrait

 

One of them is very beautiful. The others, not so much.
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Prayer of Blessing

 

Area pastors and SIM Niger Director praying for new Galmi Hospital director and his wife
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Friday, December 18, 2009

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Friday, October 09, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Talks from The Nines conference 09/09/2009

Rich Nathan on Both/And

The Nines was a terrific conference. There are lots of other great juicy 9 minute nuggets here. A few of my favorites: Nancy Beach, Skye Jethani, Rick McKinley

Friday, September 18, 2009

Social Media Revolution

YouTube - Social Media Revolution: ""




Blogger, Facebook, LinkedIn, I get. I'm still not so sure about Twitter. I just can't handle the volume. I need better filters.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

2009 Nigerien constitutional crisis

A new development I'm seeing now on Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, is the emergence of new, constantly updated, articles that track significant current events around the world.

Here are a few recent examples:




It provides one-stop shopping for a complete, fully-annotated account of developments related to the event. I think this is very cool.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

I want to get better

Marshall Goldsmith Library - Okay, so you've know about this resource for a long time; I just discovered it. Simple, practical, honest, fun. Lots of good stuff here. How do you want to change?

Undecided? Check this out: Leading@Google: Marshall Goldsmith

Getting better is achievable.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Awakening to Third Culture

headsparks* thoughts on The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church, by Dave Gibbons

Dave defines third culture as “the mindset and the will to love, learn, and serve in any culture, even in the midst of pain and discomfort.”

I've added it to my Amazon wishlist.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Christian Witness in a Plural Society

An article by Lesslie Newbigin over 30 years old and still pretty insightful. Read it. It's not that long. You can do it.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Human Development Report - Niger 2007/2008

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) monitors annually the relative development of the countries of the world using a few broad indicators. The Human Development Index is derived from statistics on life expectancy at birth, adult literacy, school enrolment and GDP per capita.

Niger ranks 174 out of 177 countries. It is categorized as a Least Developed Country.

Human Development Report 2007/2008 - Country Fact Sheets - Niger

Days with My Father

Phillip Toledano opens a beautiful window into his life.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Constance Aman: I lift up my eyes...

"Je lève les yeux"



Je lève les yeux vers les montagnes
D'où me viendra le secours

Le secours me vient de l'éternel
Qui a fait les cieux et la terre

Il ne dort ni ne sommeille
Celui qui garde Israël
Il ne dort ni ne sommeille
L'Eternel me gardera

Il ne dort ni ne sommeille
Il gardera mon pied de tout mal
Il ne dort ni ne sommeille
L'Eternel gardera mon âme

Psaume 121:1-4

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Friday, February 13, 2009

New Patrick Lencioni Project

The Simple Wisdom Project

I have come to really appreciate Patrick Lencioni's work. I recommend that you sign up for this e-newsletter.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Bill Gates: How I'm trying to change the world now

Bill Gates unplugged | Video on TED.com

Two big problems getting attention: malaria and education

My favorite line: "There's no reason that only poor people should have the experience."

Thursday, December 11, 2008

This handsome face gives us great joy every time we look at it.
Joshua Neil is growing and thriving, continuously enhancing his already great capacity to be a blessing.
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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Book of the Month

How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas, David Bornstein

Some people take action, sustained over time, and change the way everyone thinks. We can learn a great deal from these people.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Saturday, November 22, 2008