August Update
Hello family and friends!
After a successful border run this past weekend, it seems like the right time to write my August blog. I would like to update you on a couple of topics from previous blogs and give you an idea for my daily workweek routine.
Health
5 weeks.
2 Visits to the ER.
2 Visits to an Infectious Diseases Doctor.
1 Ultra Sound, 3 blood tests and several other tests later….
I am back to normal health.
Last month I wrote about some health concerns and at the time of writing my blog, I was feeling better. However, shortly after I got sick again. I felt fine for about a week and a half after finishing my first round of meds, but suddenly on August 10th I got very sick again. So, I went back to the Emergency Room, and unfortunately, my experience was a bit less pleasant then the first. The nurse had a hard time finding a vein in my hand which resulted in a very bruised and sore hand afterwards. They withdrew blood and tested for Malaria and Dengue Fever, but like last time, my tests all came back negative. They gave me a similar diagnosis as the first time (which didn’t seem right at the time) and discharged me.
The following night, Mildred (my landlady) stopped by to check in on me. Through that conversation, she connected me with an internal medicine and infectious diseases doctor. I contacted him immediately and was able to get an appointment that Friday. Sitting in his office, I was very discouraged and praying for a clear answer. Unfortunately, I did not receive an exact diagnosis. However, Dr. Ocatvio was able to explain to me some of the bloodwork results from my last two visits. He told me that the first time I was sick was a viral infection (E.R. round one results). The medicine they gave me was to improve gut health and once I finished it, I seemed to be on the mend. Then, I contracted a bacterial infection (E.R. round two results). As he read through their diagnosis, he chuckled. They had given me the same diagnosis as before and even prescribed medicine that I was allergic too. He gave me new instructions, medicine to take and labs to submit.
I followed his instructions, and half way through round two of antibiotics I had more bloodwork done. My results showed that my white blood cells had dropped almost within normal range (indicating that the meds were working). It is almost a week later, and I feel back to normal.
While I never received definitive diagnosis, I am thankful for modern medicine and the power of prayer. I was constantly reminded that God is Jehova Rapha - the God who heals. Amen!
Border Run
Due to my ongoing health concerns, my border run was delayed by a full week. Unfortunately, that meant that my tourist visa of 90 days had expired. On Friday, when I arrived at the border, I payed a penalty fee for being late. To my surprise, that was really the worst part of the process. I had heard several stories of the border crossing taking 2-4 hours or more, and I was really dreading my Friday evening. But God….
But God had different plans and I completed my border crossing in just over an hour. (Talking to my coworkers today, they were all shocked.) I had previously decided to not attempt the complete border run in a single day (commute to the border, crossing the border and then commuting back - which could take anywhere from 5-9 hours). So, after I received my visa, I went to a coastal town and spent the weekend away. This was such a blessing for me. It gave me the space and time to reflect on my first three months in Nicaragua, and it provided some much needed relaxation after 5 weeks of health struggles.
Car
I have resumed efforts and conversations to begin transferring necessary funds to purchase a car - a 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. This is the car my host dad (a former mechanic) help me find and negotiate. Japanese cars are ideal here, because replacement parts can be found easily (unlike cars produced in the US). Prayers for this process would be greatly appreciated.
A Day in the Life of…
If you know me, you know that I love my routines - partially because it makes life more predictable and regulated. Some might think that is boring, but it gives me a sense of security and peace. But God has been growing me in this area.
While there are routines in this culture, there is also a fluidity to life. As I think back to my first three months here, I do not think I could say with certainty that I have had 2 or even 3 days alike. Ok, so I typically work 7:30-4:30, but times before that and after that are always in motion and most days have a slight variance from the day before. I would like to give you an idea for my typical weekly ‘routine’.
5:30AM - wake up (take the dog outside, get morning coffee for my quiet time with Jesus, get ready for work)
7:00AM - doggy daycare drop off (AKA - walk my dog over to my neighbors) and start my walk to work. I had been taking the microbus to work, but found that I was not doing much physical activity. So, in order to change that, I started walking to and from work most days. It is about a 15-20 minute, 3/4 of a mile walk. My new ‘commute’ gives me time to think, observe and pray.
7:30AM-4:30PM - work. My days can vary, but eventually I will find a good rhythm in project work.
4:30PM - begin my walk home. This is usually HOT. To give you an example, today on my walk home it will be about 91 degrees (100 degrees real feel), with 48% humidity.
5:00PM - pick up Maximus from my neighbors.
5:00-9:00PM - activities vary ;) Usually this time involves playing with Maximus, practicing a new instrument (more in a bit), jumping in the pool, grocery shopping, going to ‘my’ barbershop, cooking/meal prepping, art/diy projects. I recently decided I wanted to learn how to play the ukulele and bought one here at a music store.
Prayer Request
Car - that God would work in the conversations and allow money transfers to be done easily. Also, for efficiency in the paperwork - changing ownership and title.
Church - that God would make clear the community and church I should be involved in; that my mind would not go to comparison mode and compare church here to Harvest (my home church), but that God would open my eyes to the beauty of worship here in this context
Relationships - that God would continue to grow my relationship with my neighbors, my team and people I come across in my day-to-day activities.
Health - that God would remove the fear I have of getting sick again and that the fear would not cripple me from experiencing what God desires for me here.
Thank you for your continued support, prayers and check-ins. I am so blessed to get to do life with all of you. I know these blog updates may seem like a one way road, but they are meant to be a two lane highway - that means that I would love to hear from you. I may not be close anymore (from a physical distance stand point), but I want to celebrate with you, pray over you/for you and hear how you are doing. Feel free to reach out on here, facebook or instagram!