Author Archives: Todd

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Tuesday, April 27

While I’m still sitting in a luxurious first world Western home with air conditioning, refrigeration, television, and hot water, I had what I would call a bad day. Worse, I’m afraid I didn’t handle the day’s disappointments with the grace of God. The plan included two simple things: get to my “Rapid PCR Covid test” appointment, and wash and pack the laundry.

Everything is worse when there is disharmony at home, and we struck a sour chord the echo of which is still ringing. With the bitter taste of disappointment already on my palate, I arrived at the Walgreens drive-through for my Covid test, only to find it was not the PCR test required by the Ugandan government. Since most PCR tests take three to five days to result, and mine must be no older than 120 hours when I arrive, my choices were limited. Online, I found grand promises, but each resulted in more disappointment. Since I am not too proud to ask directions, I called the local Travel Clinic for advice. I was informed that, while the Regency Square testing site states their PCR test can take three to five days, it usually results in two. I got that test done in just a few moments, and was promised a result in two to three days.

Not satisfied, I searched and found a local private lab that would do a PCR test. Doubling up increases my chances of one resulting in time, so I crossed town again to get that done. I was told that test result should be available “tomorrow,” so I had to confirm it was actually a PCR test and not an antigen test. First negative result wins.

The laundry had to be washed and dried before it could be treated with insect repellent, and by this time I was nearly out of daylight. I had enough solution to treat my pants, socks, and most of two shirts, so I packed everything else while I waited for the treatment to line-dry.

The 50-pound limit for my single suitcase made packing quite a puzzle. I have a carry-on backpack that contains my technical gear, but after I got all the weight figured out, I turned around and saw I had neglected to pack my nursing gear. It’s not much, but you can’t carry on shears, forceps, and some of the other tools I use, so I had to swap, pound-for-pound, everything I put in the suitcase. Answer: one “personal item.” Ladies carry purses. I’ve got a messenger bag with five pounds of clothes, my stethoscope, and other miscellany. The five pounds of clothes I chose are too important to shed if I get in trouble at the gate, but would suffice if something bad happened to my suitcase.

Overall, the day was disappointing but God provided a way when I saw no way. I’m sure I’ll look back at this post later and say something like, “Ah, first-world troubles.” I'm on the verge of launching, and I guess it's normal to be a little anxious at the edge of such a high dive.

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Our home church, CrossRoad Church, officially commissioned us to go as missionaries yesterday. It was good to feel supported and encouraged in that way as Pastor Kevin Griffin blessed us and my upcoming journey. “Missionary” means sent one, so this was a significant pronouncement. Coincidentally it was the congregation’s 25th anniversary as a church body, so it was a special blessing to be presented on such an occasion.

The service was broadcast by Livestream, and remains available at https://www.facebook.com/CrossRoadChurchJax/videos/1574275832767262/. We are introduced at 22:45 on the recording. There were some technical issues with the pastor’s microphone, but hopefully you will understand the context and hopefully hear the blessing enough to add your “amen” to it.

Thanks to all who came by, prayed for, encouraged, or came on board as financial partners!

Scriptures:

“Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”” (reference the Good Samaritan)

Luke 10:37 NIV

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Mark 16:15 NIV

““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

John 13:34 NIV

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Luke 10:2 NIV

“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””

Romans 10:15 NIV

Link to verses on Bible Gateway

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There are too many relationships to capture in a collage, but this one serves as representative for them all.

It was hard to say farewell to my work family at the Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville Adult Emergency Department. I can’t be in two places at once, so I had to tear myself away to get ready for deployment. I must have torn a piece of my heart in the process because I’ve been grieving ever since. I know I have attachment issues, but these people have really made me at home and I will miss them.

I tried to make everyone I worked alongside feel a part of something bigger. We worked hard but had fun in the process. Many mornings when 6 o’clock came around, I broadcast “The Final Countdown” on our radio badge system to signal the nearing end of our 7 to 7 shift. I did it so much it became our closing theme. Thursday morning after my last shift, while we were gathered at a popular after-work hangout, that song by Europe played overhead, as if to close out a perfect farewell.