Phil's return from Nairobi and the upcoming birth of our first grandchild!

I'm thankful Phil returned from Nairobi a week ago today. He had been in Nairobi for the past 3 weeks, trying to speed up the shipment of medicines out of Kenya and on their way to the 3 locations in the DRC. Prayers are still needed for the final paperwork clearance to allow the trucks to leave (the exit permit).

Last weekend I got these photos - the other end of the medicine supply chain system. Seeing these photos, from our teams in the field, highlights the incredible challenges they face in Medair's work of saving lives by supporting isolated, hard to reach health facilities in locations receiving large numbers of displaced people.

Medicines are loaded on a helicopter in Goma and sent to a drop point, in an area inaccessible by trucks, due to fighting. Our staff receive the medicines and load them up on motorcycle taxis and then make the long difficult journeys to their respective locations.

From beginning to end - getting medicines to the isolated health centres that Medair supports have multiple challenges. We are just thankful for the commitment of our staff in 'going the extra mile' - doing everything possible to succeed and respond to the needs of people in suffering.

Literally on the other side of the world, we are celebrating the fact that Nathan and Anna are expecting a child in early June! Last weekend Anna's parents held a baby shower to celebrate. You probably can't see the cake very well, but there are 3 pairs of hiking boots on it! Nate and Anna have always reveled in hiking, and from now on they will be doing that with a child/children! We were sorry to miss the shower, but that is the reality of our lives right now.

 Not only does this signal a change in Anna & Nathan's lives, but ours as well! They and we enter a new season of our lives! Our contracts with Medair end at the end of June. For a number of reasons (including being more available for our first grandchild!) we are now planning to leave Congo at that time and relocate back to Minnesota. 

Praise:

1. For the loading of the trucks in Nairobi on Friday;
2. For the recently received medicines, that went from Nairobi to Butembo in only 2 weeks (a new record since we have been in Congo) in April;
3. That Anna's pregnancy has been going well!
4. That Anna recently got another scholarship for her studies at Boston University!
5. For the upcoming birth of our first grandchild, marking a new season in our lives!

Prayer: 

1. For our staff in the field who are working in extremely difficult locations;
2. For the transport and customs clearing of the three trucks now on their way to Goma, Butembo and Bunia;
3. For all the handover related to leaving our positions here in Congo;
4. For ending well with Medair Congo
5. For a smooth delivery of Anna & Nathan's baby!
6. For our transition back to the US, finding jobs and reintegrating back into a society that is often no less mystifying than the one we currently live in (though for different reasons).