Typically I start my blog for a new mission trip at about 2 am the night before my flight. I decided to blog tonight one night early in hopes I can be in bed before 2 am tomorrow night!!! That being said the only thing in my suitcase right now are 5 pair of scrubs, some food, 4 new digital forehead/ear thermometers (thanks to generous friends) and 12 dollies from another friend. So while I may not be blogging tomorrow night I definitely need to be packing!
So about this mission....I was supposed to be on a mission to Malawi last spring but the dates were changed and I couldn't go, then the dates were changed to summer & I couldn't go again...but I was a little busy at CHOC so that was all fine. BUT..I was anxious to get on another mission as my last one was 8 months ago. So on Oct. 11th I got an email at 12:26 & "Invitation to Volunteer" in Tangier Morocco. I immediately called Doug & my CNO at CHOC talking about the dates & where I would need coverage & they both said...."YES GO! & I replied at 12:51 & signed on for this mission. Fast forward 5 weeks & here I am today.
A little bit about Morocco...it is in the Northern region of Africa - the same area as Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria & Western Sahara. Tangier is a port city & nearly the northernmost city in all of Africa. It is on the Strait of Gibraltar near the Mediterranean Sea. I really don't know much else or what to expect there....
The majority of the team on this mission is actually from Morocco - they have alot of local volunteers but there are a few volunteers from Sweden & the US. I found out after I said YES that a dear Op Smile friend of mine was going to be the Pediatric Intensivist on this mission & my roomate - I was SO EXCITED!!! Sadly she lives in Malibu & while her house is fine several of her neighbors lost their homes in the recent Southern California fires & are staying with her now so with all of that going on this was not the time for her to leave the country for 2 weeks. So while I am sad she won't be with me I totally understand but if really would have been nice to know someone going into the mission. Instead I will be meeting lots of new friends :)
I have to be really honest this week I have been a little stressed & anxious about going on this mission...wondering "what was I thinking leaving for 2 weeks between Thanksgiving & Christmas" with all the kids coming home, some needs my mom has, alot going on at work etc. BUT...I have told my kids "Kraus' can do hard things" and I needed to tell that to myself & have faith it would all work out. Yesterday at church I was introduced to the 2018 Light the World Service Program. It is divided into 4 weeks of service and week #1 Dec 2-8 is "Light the World" focusing everyone on Global needs. I immediately felt a flood of peace wash over my anxious self realizing that I was going to be exactly where I needed to be doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing by going on this mission to Morocco and serving the people there - especially the children whose lives will be changed "One Smile at a Time". Doug also gave me a blessing last night and that also gave me even more peace.
My flights are Orange County to Dallas, Dallas to Madrid then Madrid to Tangier...it's about 24 hours of flying which I am not super excited about but it's all part of mission work & getting to where you need to be to help the people who need this team. I will be 9 hours ahead of Calif which really isn't too bad so at the end of my day I will be able to catch up with family & life at home.
I am now starting to get just a lil excited for this mission...for the dear people I will meet, the sweet children & parents and the wonderful team who will all have "servant hearts". I really can't think of a better way to start the month of December; when we celebrate the birth of Christ than with these 12 days of service. I am confident that all the "things" I have been concerned about will all work out at home, at work, with family, friends & even Christmas.
I am so humbled to have these opportunities. I know the days will be long, the work difficult, the circumstances and Recovery Room setting unpredictable and I will be far from home & all things familiar....but off I go because I know that the skills I have are meant to be used to help others & there are people in Morocco that I don't know but I do know they need the help I can offer. Times like these are at the core of who I am and really are the reason I became a nurse to serve others with love and compassion and follow the example that was set by my Savior. Please keep me & our team in your thoughts and prayers these next 2 weeks. They are truly felt and carry me thru my tough mission times.
So about this mission....I was supposed to be on a mission to Malawi last spring but the dates were changed and I couldn't go, then the dates were changed to summer & I couldn't go again...but I was a little busy at CHOC so that was all fine. BUT..I was anxious to get on another mission as my last one was 8 months ago. So on Oct. 11th I got an email at 12:26 & "Invitation to Volunteer" in Tangier Morocco. I immediately called Doug & my CNO at CHOC talking about the dates & where I would need coverage & they both said...."YES GO! & I replied at 12:51 & signed on for this mission. Fast forward 5 weeks & here I am today.
A little bit about Morocco...it is in the Northern region of Africa - the same area as Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria & Western Sahara. Tangier is a port city & nearly the northernmost city in all of Africa. It is on the Strait of Gibraltar near the Mediterranean Sea. I really don't know much else or what to expect there....
The majority of the team on this mission is actually from Morocco - they have alot of local volunteers but there are a few volunteers from Sweden & the US. I found out after I said YES that a dear Op Smile friend of mine was going to be the Pediatric Intensivist on this mission & my roomate - I was SO EXCITED!!! Sadly she lives in Malibu & while her house is fine several of her neighbors lost their homes in the recent Southern California fires & are staying with her now so with all of that going on this was not the time for her to leave the country for 2 weeks. So while I am sad she won't be with me I totally understand but if really would have been nice to know someone going into the mission. Instead I will be meeting lots of new friends :)
I have to be really honest this week I have been a little stressed & anxious about going on this mission...wondering "what was I thinking leaving for 2 weeks between Thanksgiving & Christmas" with all the kids coming home, some needs my mom has, alot going on at work etc. BUT...I have told my kids "Kraus' can do hard things" and I needed to tell that to myself & have faith it would all work out. Yesterday at church I was introduced to the 2018 Light the World Service Program. It is divided into 4 weeks of service and week #1 Dec 2-8 is "Light the World" focusing everyone on Global needs. I immediately felt a flood of peace wash over my anxious self realizing that I was going to be exactly where I needed to be doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing by going on this mission to Morocco and serving the people there - especially the children whose lives will be changed "One Smile at a Time". Doug also gave me a blessing last night and that also gave me even more peace.
My flights are Orange County to Dallas, Dallas to Madrid then Madrid to Tangier...it's about 24 hours of flying which I am not super excited about but it's all part of mission work & getting to where you need to be to help the people who need this team. I will be 9 hours ahead of Calif which really isn't too bad so at the end of my day I will be able to catch up with family & life at home.
I am now starting to get just a lil excited for this mission...for the dear people I will meet, the sweet children & parents and the wonderful team who will all have "servant hearts". I really can't think of a better way to start the month of December; when we celebrate the birth of Christ than with these 12 days of service. I am confident that all the "things" I have been concerned about will all work out at home, at work, with family, friends & even Christmas.
I am so humbled to have these opportunities. I know the days will be long, the work difficult, the circumstances and Recovery Room setting unpredictable and I will be far from home & all things familiar....but off I go because I know that the skills I have are meant to be used to help others & there are people in Morocco that I don't know but I do know they need the help I can offer. Times like these are at the core of who I am and really are the reason I became a nurse to serve others with love and compassion and follow the example that was set by my Savior. Please keep me & our team in your thoughts and prayers these next 2 weeks. They are truly felt and carry me thru my tough mission times.
No comments:
Post a Comment