I can't believe it's been almost a year since I ended the first semester of the beginning of the rest of my life. I can't believe it's been over a year since I began this crazy wonderous journey of exploration of the human body. I still don't understand it. I don't think I ever will. If anything, I've just learned to accept and appreciate that which our Creator has given us. The following is a re-post from last December:
Two Lives (an ode to Frank)
by Andrew J. Lipman
Sometimes we wanted to know your name, but we gave you one.
I guess that means that you almost had two identities, really two lives:
One with your family, the other with your students.
Many will want to speak about your tremendous gift--and it is.
Others will want to extol the virtues of studying the human body.
I want to share with you some of my transgressions.
I would be lying if I said I always came to class...
Lying if I said at all times I kept you covered to protect your dignity...
Remiss if I did not mention that you made me nervous sometimes,
especially at the beginning of our relationship...
Did I sometimes fail to respect you as much as I should have? yes...
Was I ever angry with you? yes... Sometimes you hid things from me.
My teachers call that missing points on tests.
I call it not paying attention to you.
But, despite these transgressions, you won.
You did what you set out to do when you gave me your body.
William Carlos Williams said that
"in surgery, man sees what God never meant him to see."
His point is that very few of us have such a privilege.
I think it's the same with anatomy. Now, I can't go back.
I will always know what a human heart looks like. It's almost reflexive:
someone says an anatomic term and I can close my eyes and see it
--in fact, I see yours.
But I guess I'm most amazed by your total trust in strangers.
There are so few examples of this trust to guide us anymore.
I think it would be presumptuous to think you trusted me, personally, because I could have been anyone.
Instead, you gave completely of yourself to all,
in hopes of teaching us a lesson about trust.
You have set a precedent with me.
I've had my first intense relationship with a patient.
And that was you.
It's been a rough weekend and promises to be an even rougher week. I suppose I shouldn't complain; I have too much for which to be thankful. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend, and I look forward to reading about your experiences...after my Path exam next Monday. Until then--it's "All You Ever Wanted to Know About What's Wrong with Your Mind and Then Some" for me. Hasta lunes!
11.27.2005
11.22.2005
Fun Things to Do With Food
In honor of the annual holiday of gluttony...I mean Thanksgiving...here's some fun easy recipes to impress your friends and family. They all have a common theme. Props go out to girls' night post-exam potlucks and Kraft's seasonal Food and Family magazine for inspiration. Buen provecho and bon apetit!
Stuffing Balls
1lb ground pork
1 6 oz package stuffing mix
3/4 cup cranberry sauce
1 egg
1/4 c melted butter
Preheat oven to 325. Brown meat and drain. Combine with stuffing mix. Sitr in cranberry sauce, egg and 1 c. water. Shape mixture into 16 balls and brush with melted butter Bake 20 minutes.
November Compote
3 small, sweet apples peeled and chopped into small pieces
1 c. cranberries chopped (be careful--they squish!!)
1/2 c. raisins
1 tbsp. flour
1/4 c. brown sugar packed
1/2 c. apple juice
Preheat oven to 375. Grease 1.5 quart baking dish. In a bowl combine cranberries, apples, and raisins. Add flour and sugar and mix well. Place in baking dish and add apple juice. Cover and bake for 35 minutes, stirring once. Serve as a side, over ham, or eat the leftovers with yogurt for a yummy breakfast treat!
"Save a Turkey Eat a Chicken" Recipe
6 chicken breasts
1 8oz can of cranberry sauce
1/4 c. corn syrup
2 tbsps lemon juice
2 tsbps melted butter
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
Either heat grill or preheat oven to 350. Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste. make sauce by combing remaining ingredients. Grill chicken pieces for 25-40 minutes, adding sauce during last 15 minutes of cooking or cook chicken in the oven, basting with sauce during the last 15-20 minutes.
The author takes no responsibility for the quality of possible future cooking attempts by her readers nor for cooking-related accidents. Happy Cooking!
Stuffing Balls
1lb ground pork
1 6 oz package stuffing mix
3/4 cup cranberry sauce
1 egg
1/4 c melted butter
Preheat oven to 325. Brown meat and drain. Combine with stuffing mix. Sitr in cranberry sauce, egg and 1 c. water. Shape mixture into 16 balls and brush with melted butter Bake 20 minutes.
November Compote
3 small, sweet apples peeled and chopped into small pieces
1 c. cranberries chopped (be careful--they squish!!)
1/2 c. raisins
1 tbsp. flour
1/4 c. brown sugar packed
1/2 c. apple juice
Preheat oven to 375. Grease 1.5 quart baking dish. In a bowl combine cranberries, apples, and raisins. Add flour and sugar and mix well. Place in baking dish and add apple juice. Cover and bake for 35 minutes, stirring once. Serve as a side, over ham, or eat the leftovers with yogurt for a yummy breakfast treat!
"Save a Turkey Eat a Chicken" Recipe
6 chicken breasts
1 8oz can of cranberry sauce
1/4 c. corn syrup
2 tbsps lemon juice
2 tsbps melted butter
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
Either heat grill or preheat oven to 350. Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste. make sauce by combing remaining ingredients. Grill chicken pieces for 25-40 minutes, adding sauce during last 15 minutes of cooking or cook chicken in the oven, basting with sauce during the last 15-20 minutes.
The author takes no responsibility for the quality of possible future cooking attempts by her readers nor for cooking-related accidents. Happy Cooking!
11.19.2005
Feliz Dia del Chompipe!
Or in other words...Happy Turkey Day!! (almost)
I've been thinking alot about the upcoming holiday: of all the memories of Grandma's famous sweet potato casserole, my aunt's "pink salad," making "pilgrim" and "indian" hats, and of drawing turkeys using the outline of your hand in elementary school. All this thinking has caused me to reflect back upon this past year and of all the things for which I have to be thankful. In our rat-race 24/7 society, we often find ourselves complaining of what we don't have and neglect spending time to consider that which we do have. At the risk of sounding sappy and trite, I bestow upon you the honor of reading my "Things for Which I'm Thankful" list (in typical Michele stream-of-consciousness order)
1. For two of the most wonderful parents in the world who didn't always give me what I wanted but gave me what I needed, who taught me what was important in life, and who have always supported me.
2. For the opportunity to study such a masterfully-designed, wonderfully-created being: the human body.
3. For all the opportunities I've had and experienced as a result of #2.
4. For modalities of expression: art, music, literature, photography, dance, laughter, tears, language, nature, and for the ability to appreciate these.
5. For autumn leaves on the VA campus and "10 minute break" walks with classmates
6. For 3 awesome study partners who make Micro fun with their crazy skits and "interpretive dances" of Spirochetes, macrophage responses to my favorite Guatemalan guest Shigella, etc.. (you'd have to be a med school nerd to understand)
7. For girls' nights and "try a new recipe" potlucks
8. For my sisters in Christ who always help me in dessert decisions (order both and split them) and for much more.
9. For my "Lois" (Louise), big brothers and sisters, and all the rest of my church family here
10. For having the opportunity to travel abroad and realize that though we may be from different backgrounds, speak different languages, and come from different cultures, we are all one in Christ.
11. For the people in #10 who have been such a blessing to me through their example, and for opening their hearts, homes, and lives to me.
12. To all those in other countries telling of the wonderful news of Christ
13. For having 66 books and countless verses to read of God's unending love and compassion for us.
14. For being able to meet with my classmates twice a month to pray
15. For the opportunity to reach out to the Hispanic community
16. For email and instant messenger (Someone once told me that God created the internet for missionaries. I don't know if that's true or not but it sure makes communication easier)
17. For quiet moments
18. For holidays free from studying
19. For trials and struggles that bring us to our knees and put things back into perspective
20. For friends and family and the blessed realization that "no man is an island"
21. For fuzzy kitties and snuffly, velvet-nosed horses
22. For "creamy nutmeg" scented candles
23. For waking up to see an unexpected dusting of white on the ground
24. For tulips and spring flowers and for changing seasons
25. For not having to watch my favorite football team lose to Vandy today :^P
That's all for now. Stay tuned for "Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Recipes to Impress Your Friends and Family" aka "some fun things to do with food." Speaking of...if anyone has any great dessert recipes, they would certainly be appreciated. I just found out that the powers-that-be of Thanksgiving dinner have assigned me to making dessert. Slice and bake cookies anyone?
I've been thinking alot about the upcoming holiday: of all the memories of Grandma's famous sweet potato casserole, my aunt's "pink salad," making "pilgrim" and "indian" hats, and of drawing turkeys using the outline of your hand in elementary school. All this thinking has caused me to reflect back upon this past year and of all the things for which I have to be thankful. In our rat-race 24/7 society, we often find ourselves complaining of what we don't have and neglect spending time to consider that which we do have. At the risk of sounding sappy and trite, I bestow upon you the honor of reading my "Things for Which I'm Thankful" list (in typical Michele stream-of-consciousness order)
1. For two of the most wonderful parents in the world who didn't always give me what I wanted but gave me what I needed, who taught me what was important in life, and who have always supported me.
2. For the opportunity to study such a masterfully-designed, wonderfully-created being: the human body.
3. For all the opportunities I've had and experienced as a result of #2.
4. For modalities of expression: art, music, literature, photography, dance, laughter, tears, language, nature, and for the ability to appreciate these.
5. For autumn leaves on the VA campus and "10 minute break" walks with classmates
6. For 3 awesome study partners who make Micro fun with their crazy skits and "interpretive dances" of Spirochetes, macrophage responses to my favorite Guatemalan guest Shigella, etc.. (you'd have to be a med school nerd to understand)
7. For girls' nights and "try a new recipe" potlucks
8. For my sisters in Christ who always help me in dessert decisions (order both and split them) and for much more.
9. For my "Lois" (Louise), big brothers and sisters, and all the rest of my church family here
10. For having the opportunity to travel abroad and realize that though we may be from different backgrounds, speak different languages, and come from different cultures, we are all one in Christ.
11. For the people in #10 who have been such a blessing to me through their example, and for opening their hearts, homes, and lives to me.
12. To all those in other countries telling of the wonderful news of Christ
13. For having 66 books and countless verses to read of God's unending love and compassion for us.
14. For being able to meet with my classmates twice a month to pray
15. For the opportunity to reach out to the Hispanic community
16. For email and instant messenger (Someone once told me that God created the internet for missionaries. I don't know if that's true or not but it sure makes communication easier)
17. For quiet moments
18. For holidays free from studying
19. For trials and struggles that bring us to our knees and put things back into perspective
20. For friends and family and the blessed realization that "no man is an island"
21. For fuzzy kitties and snuffly, velvet-nosed horses
22. For "creamy nutmeg" scented candles
23. For waking up to see an unexpected dusting of white on the ground
24. For tulips and spring flowers and for changing seasons
25. For not having to watch my favorite football team lose to Vandy today :^P
That's all for now. Stay tuned for "Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Recipes to Impress Your Friends and Family" aka "some fun things to do with food." Speaking of...if anyone has any great dessert recipes, they would certainly be appreciated. I just found out that the powers-that-be of Thanksgiving dinner have assigned me to making dessert. Slice and bake cookies anyone?
11.17.2005
Sometimes Ignorance is Bliss
I thought I'd share a humorous anecdote that happened to me this week. :o)
The amount of knowledge I've accumulated over the past semester alone, not to mention the past year and a half, is astounding. My fellow classmates and I have literally assimilated hundreds of pages of medical facts into the small confines of our brains. Unfortunately, this massive among of knowledge combined with my creative imagination can lead to some interesting situations.
Sunday morning I was rushing around the apartment trying to get ready for church when I noticed a small puddle of orange-colored liquid resting on my countertop. Running late, I didn't worry too much about it and headed out the door, telling myself that I would clean it up when I returned that evening from studying and church. The day passed ,and I forgot all about the small orange puddle. That night as I was looking through the cabinet to see what I could make to take for Monday's lunch, I noticed the puddle had increased in size. My gaze centered on the cabinet above the orange goo. Drops. Big drops of orange liquid were hanging from the bottom of the cabinet. I quickly opened the door and beheld the site of two large cans of Mandarin oranges, damaged, and dripping orange liquid. Any normal person would have thought, I guess I should probably throw those cans away since they're spoiled. Being the nerd that I am and having spent half the afternoon studying Micro, my first thought was, Clostridium botulinum, the most potent neurotoxin and frequent contaminant of spoiled cans of food. Our professors had mentioned that we should avoid bulging cans because they probably contained the toxin of this harmful bacteria. However, no one had ever mentioned what to do if the bulging cans sprung a leak, potentially contaminating your entire kitchen with Clostridium botulinum. I immediately threw the cans in a bag which was subsequently placed in the dumpster outside. But what to do with the gooey, orange mess that had spread all over the cabinet shelf and on to the counter below? And what about the other cans in my cabinet that now sat in a puddle of orange goo? I could just envision the following day's headline in the local paper: "Medical student remains in serious condition after ingesting foodstuffs that had been accidently contaminated with C. botulinum." I had to do something.
Being the resourceful person that I am, I decided to look in the phone book. After some thought and realizing it probably wasn't necessary to call the fire department nor the FBI, I decided to call Poison Control. I knew I hadn't been poisoned, but there was a potential poison sitting in my kitchen so that should count, right? The poison control center didn't know what to do with my strange request. They had a plethora of information regarding those who had ingested C. botulinum toxin; however, they were helpless in recommending clean up procedures for a possible C. botulinum spill. They kindly referred me to the CDC's hotline. Feeling somewhat sheepish for calling the CDC since I wasn't reporting an outbreak of Ebola or bird-flu, I dialed the number. Of course, the CDC didn't know what to do with my request either so they referred me to their "information specialist" ie the person who can hopefully Google the request while in the meantime keeping the caller pacified. Our conversation went something like this:
"Hi, I have a somewhat odd question. I think I had a C. botulinum spill in my kitchen and I'm wondering what I need to do to clean it up."
"Ok, give me just a minute."
(Pause)
"So you said it was on your countertop? Do you know what botulism is and how it's spread?"
Do I know what botulism is and how it's spread? Are you kidding me? Of course I know what it is. It's only the result of being infected with the most potent neurotoxin known to man and only causes flaccid paralysis leading to death. - I thought. "Yes, I know what botulism is. That's why I am a little concerned."
(More holding)
"Ummm....Well, I'm sorry. I can't really help you. Maybe you could just put some Windex on it or something."
Not satisfied with her answer, I decided to do my own Googling which led me to the conclusion that bleach would probably be a good means to disinfect the toxic sludge on my countertop and shelves. After submersing the goo in full-strength bleach for a quarter of an hour, I was convinced that I had probably killed any Gram-positive critters filled with toxin.
The next day, wanting to assure myself that all was well, I asked one of my Micro professors about what one should do should one of those "bulging cans" bulge too far and leak its contents everywhere. She promptly and nonchalantly replied, "Ah...it's no big deal. Just pour some bleach on the stuff. Bleach kills everything."
So my Sunday night crisis actually turned out to be not that big of a deal. Sometimes it's better not to know all the details, but I suppose "all's well that ends well" as the old saying goes. At least I correctly answered all questions about C. botulinum on my Micro test today.
The amount of knowledge I've accumulated over the past semester alone, not to mention the past year and a half, is astounding. My fellow classmates and I have literally assimilated hundreds of pages of medical facts into the small confines of our brains. Unfortunately, this massive among of knowledge combined with my creative imagination can lead to some interesting situations.
Sunday morning I was rushing around the apartment trying to get ready for church when I noticed a small puddle of orange-colored liquid resting on my countertop. Running late, I didn't worry too much about it and headed out the door, telling myself that I would clean it up when I returned that evening from studying and church. The day passed ,and I forgot all about the small orange puddle. That night as I was looking through the cabinet to see what I could make to take for Monday's lunch, I noticed the puddle had increased in size. My gaze centered on the cabinet above the orange goo. Drops. Big drops of orange liquid were hanging from the bottom of the cabinet. I quickly opened the door and beheld the site of two large cans of Mandarin oranges, damaged, and dripping orange liquid. Any normal person would have thought, I guess I should probably throw those cans away since they're spoiled. Being the nerd that I am and having spent half the afternoon studying Micro, my first thought was, Clostridium botulinum, the most potent neurotoxin and frequent contaminant of spoiled cans of food. Our professors had mentioned that we should avoid bulging cans because they probably contained the toxin of this harmful bacteria. However, no one had ever mentioned what to do if the bulging cans sprung a leak, potentially contaminating your entire kitchen with Clostridium botulinum. I immediately threw the cans in a bag which was subsequently placed in the dumpster outside. But what to do with the gooey, orange mess that had spread all over the cabinet shelf and on to the counter below? And what about the other cans in my cabinet that now sat in a puddle of orange goo? I could just envision the following day's headline in the local paper: "Medical student remains in serious condition after ingesting foodstuffs that had been accidently contaminated with C. botulinum." I had to do something.
Being the resourceful person that I am, I decided to look in the phone book. After some thought and realizing it probably wasn't necessary to call the fire department nor the FBI, I decided to call Poison Control. I knew I hadn't been poisoned, but there was a potential poison sitting in my kitchen so that should count, right? The poison control center didn't know what to do with my strange request. They had a plethora of information regarding those who had ingested C. botulinum toxin; however, they were helpless in recommending clean up procedures for a possible C. botulinum spill. They kindly referred me to the CDC's hotline. Feeling somewhat sheepish for calling the CDC since I wasn't reporting an outbreak of Ebola or bird-flu, I dialed the number. Of course, the CDC didn't know what to do with my request either so they referred me to their "information specialist" ie the person who can hopefully Google the request while in the meantime keeping the caller pacified. Our conversation went something like this:
"Hi, I have a somewhat odd question. I think I had a C. botulinum spill in my kitchen and I'm wondering what I need to do to clean it up."
"Ok, give me just a minute."
(Pause)
"So you said it was on your countertop? Do you know what botulism is and how it's spread?"
Do I know what botulism is and how it's spread? Are you kidding me? Of course I know what it is. It's only the result of being infected with the most potent neurotoxin known to man and only causes flaccid paralysis leading to death. - I thought. "Yes, I know what botulism is. That's why I am a little concerned."
(More holding)
"Ummm....Well, I'm sorry. I can't really help you. Maybe you could just put some Windex on it or something."
Not satisfied with her answer, I decided to do my own Googling which led me to the conclusion that bleach would probably be a good means to disinfect the toxic sludge on my countertop and shelves. After submersing the goo in full-strength bleach for a quarter of an hour, I was convinced that I had probably killed any Gram-positive critters filled with toxin.
The next day, wanting to assure myself that all was well, I asked one of my Micro professors about what one should do should one of those "bulging cans" bulge too far and leak its contents everywhere. She promptly and nonchalantly replied, "Ah...it's no big deal. Just pour some bleach on the stuff. Bleach kills everything."
So my Sunday night crisis actually turned out to be not that big of a deal. Sometimes it's better not to know all the details, but I suppose "all's well that ends well" as the old saying goes. At least I correctly answered all questions about C. botulinum on my Micro test today.
11.13.2005
Quick Update
The site for www.abrahamsdream.com has been launched. Go read about Abraham, his dream, and what you can do to help this faithful, young man achieve his dream. Meanwhile, keep praying for all those out there trying to spread the light in this dark world.
"In our lifetime, wouldn't it be sad if we spent more time washing dishes or swatting flies or mowing the yard or watching television than praying for world missions?" -Dave Davidson
"In our lifetime, wouldn't it be sad if we spent more time washing dishes or swatting flies or mowing the yard or watching television than praying for world missions?" -Dave Davidson
11.11.2005
Favorite Quotes
(in no particular order)
"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." -Maya Angelou
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." -Mohandas Gandhi
"But nothing is more estimable than a physician who, having studied nature from his youth, knows the properties of the human body, the diseases which assail it, the remedies which will benefit it, exercises his art with caution, and pays equal attention to the rich and the poor." -Voltaire
"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." -Victor Hugo
"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen." -Ernest Hemingway
"Understanding, and action proceeding from understanding and guided by it, is one weapon against the world's bombardment, the one medicine, the one instrument by which liberty, health, and joy may be shaped . . . in the individual, and in the race." -James Agee
"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." -George Washington Carver
"I have but one passion: It is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ." -Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf
"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." -Maya Angelou
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." -Mohandas Gandhi
"But nothing is more estimable than a physician who, having studied nature from his youth, knows the properties of the human body, the diseases which assail it, the remedies which will benefit it, exercises his art with caution, and pays equal attention to the rich and the poor." -Voltaire
"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." -Victor Hugo
"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen." -Ernest Hemingway
"Understanding, and action proceeding from understanding and guided by it, is one weapon against the world's bombardment, the one medicine, the one instrument by which liberty, health, and joy may be shaped . . . in the individual, and in the race." -James Agee
"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." -George Washington Carver
"I have but one passion: It is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ." -Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf
11.07.2005
Abraham's Story
There are times when you meet someone and their life story inspires you in such a way that you have to share it with all that you know. Last night at the Towlan's monthly missions chat was one of those times:
It was a normal day for six year old Abraham who was out on the plains of Sudan with the other villagers tending cattle. Unfortunately, this would not be just an ordinary day; the civil war reached Abraham's village that day and Abraham and his fellow cattle tenders, 4-13years of age, began to run. Shoeless and shirtless they ran, and ran, and ran. They spent months living in the jungle, drinking liquid mud to quench their thirst and eating leaves to satisfy their hunger. More joined their numbers and some died along the way from starvation and exhaustion. Finally, 20,000 in number, the boys reached Ethiopia, hoping to find a place of refuge and freedom. The boys were divided up into groups of 1,000 and rationed food: 4 bowls each of corn and sorghum...per camp. If you were lucky you might get 5 kernels of corn per day.
Faced with a hopeless situation, nine year old Abraham acknowledged the grim reality that his death was imminent. Yet, all hope was not lost. It was during this time through the life-giving words of a sixteen-year old evangelist that he would discover bread that would never leave him hungry. During these times when he had nothing to eat he would cling to hope-filled verses, verses that gave him comfort and renewed strength. His situation improved and the next three years Abraham and the "Lost Boys" learned English by writing with sticks on the dirt floor at school. It was their first time ever to attend school. However, a political change sent the boys fleeing at gunpoint to Kenya and another long journey on foot. At one point, the boys reached a wide river. Abraham didn't know how to swim. Once again he faced his own mortality and told his best friend, "I must stay here. I can't swim." His friend replied, "Abraham, you can't give up. Remember your faith. Remember how God has taken care of you and that He will continue to do so. Take hold of my shoulder and kick your legs." With the sound of gunfire all around, Abraham took hold of his friend's shoulder and the two crossed the river to the shores of safety. Now around 16,000 in number, many dead due to gunfire, starvation, or drowning, Abraham and the fellow boys spent the next years of their lives in Kenya. Abraham finished primary school and high school. In 2001 he came to the United States. He is currently in college with the goal of becoming a doctor, a neurologist or cardiologist he told us, and returning to Sudan.
Abraham ended by telling us this: "Our God is an amazing God. He looks after His children and keeps them safe. Don't ever forget those comforting words He's given us. And don't forget to tell others. People have a lot of questions when they're dying and they need to have those questions answered before their die. I want to be a doctor so I can answer their questions and impact other's lives by telling them what God has done for me."
You can find out more about Abraham and the Lost Boys of Sudan at www.Abrahamsdream.com (the site is scheduled to be launched within the next week).
May we never confuse inconvenience with sacrifice or suffering, unfulfilled desires with hunger, or a good example as fulfilling our command to "Go and tell all the world" and share those wonderful, comforting words of a God who looks after everyone of His children, from silly, spoiled medical students to shirtless, shoeless boys in Sudan.
It was a normal day for six year old Abraham who was out on the plains of Sudan with the other villagers tending cattle. Unfortunately, this would not be just an ordinary day; the civil war reached Abraham's village that day and Abraham and his fellow cattle tenders, 4-13years of age, began to run. Shoeless and shirtless they ran, and ran, and ran. They spent months living in the jungle, drinking liquid mud to quench their thirst and eating leaves to satisfy their hunger. More joined their numbers and some died along the way from starvation and exhaustion. Finally, 20,000 in number, the boys reached Ethiopia, hoping to find a place of refuge and freedom. The boys were divided up into groups of 1,000 and rationed food: 4 bowls each of corn and sorghum...per camp. If you were lucky you might get 5 kernels of corn per day.
Faced with a hopeless situation, nine year old Abraham acknowledged the grim reality that his death was imminent. Yet, all hope was not lost. It was during this time through the life-giving words of a sixteen-year old evangelist that he would discover bread that would never leave him hungry. During these times when he had nothing to eat he would cling to hope-filled verses, verses that gave him comfort and renewed strength. His situation improved and the next three years Abraham and the "Lost Boys" learned English by writing with sticks on the dirt floor at school. It was their first time ever to attend school. However, a political change sent the boys fleeing at gunpoint to Kenya and another long journey on foot. At one point, the boys reached a wide river. Abraham didn't know how to swim. Once again he faced his own mortality and told his best friend, "I must stay here. I can't swim." His friend replied, "Abraham, you can't give up. Remember your faith. Remember how God has taken care of you and that He will continue to do so. Take hold of my shoulder and kick your legs." With the sound of gunfire all around, Abraham took hold of his friend's shoulder and the two crossed the river to the shores of safety. Now around 16,000 in number, many dead due to gunfire, starvation, or drowning, Abraham and the fellow boys spent the next years of their lives in Kenya. Abraham finished primary school and high school. In 2001 he came to the United States. He is currently in college with the goal of becoming a doctor, a neurologist or cardiologist he told us, and returning to Sudan.
Abraham ended by telling us this: "Our God is an amazing God. He looks after His children and keeps them safe. Don't ever forget those comforting words He's given us. And don't forget to tell others. People have a lot of questions when they're dying and they need to have those questions answered before their die. I want to be a doctor so I can answer their questions and impact other's lives by telling them what God has done for me."
You can find out more about Abraham and the Lost Boys of Sudan at www.Abrahamsdream.com (the site is scheduled to be launched within the next week).
May we never confuse inconvenience with sacrifice or suffering, unfulfilled desires with hunger, or a good example as fulfilling our command to "Go and tell all the world" and share those wonderful, comforting words of a God who looks after everyone of His children, from silly, spoiled medical students to shirtless, shoeless boys in Sudan.
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