Not too strong to fall

August is upon us again. Typical August for us here with decent rains and warm days, plenty of company and commotion.

Waiding throught the rubble of the bridge under contruction after being washed out.

The summer is dwindling away for most of us. I, myself, am always glad at the idea of an approaching fall. Is this new stage of our lives, the fall holds added allure.  We will, once again head back to the US for a brief visit this fall.

In a way, our trip back feels somewhat like a reset for the next 12 months, and in other ways like a set-up for the next 12 months.

It always make me think of what we have done since our last trip home.  The ministry has seen an expansion of our weekly clinics, additions to the nursing staff, hospital staff, and letting go of several people on the construction crew.

We have a newer airplane we are in process of purchasing, that will provide us with the ability to fly 3 times as many passengers as the Cessna 182, with little to no need for a paved runway. The new (to us) plane will also allow us to haul stretchers and a portable incubator, where the 182 will accommodate neither.

Monte Oitker, Ryan and Duane

The X ray install was rapid and successful thanks to Monte Oitker, with Samaritan’s Purse. The Air Conditioning system in the Operating Rooms is running smoothly, and was an important part of the surgical outreach that was held here on Saturday.  The procedures went well, the facility was very appropriate and the entire day went smoothly. This first surgical day was very much a group effort.

Dr Greg Miller, Leslie, Dr Heather Sample

Dr. Don, Ryan Korporal, Mr Clint, Dr Miller, Dr Hoak 

The house

We are now moved into our house. We are almost unpacked, now after two months of living here. The list of things left to complete are long, but we are just enjoying the home for now, and picking away at things as we can.

We all find the new setting very accommodating  and comfortable. We were glad to pass on our previous home to The Harms’ and all successive DOC's families.  The dog was confused at first, but he knows ‘home’ now.

Into the courtyard

As the medical facility is getting closer and closer to completion, we find ourselves being “worked out of a job.” One of my boys asked me if we had to move back up to the US now that they didn’t need us anymore to build the ‘hospital’.  We are finding that our roles here are changing, and are trying to stay open to His plans for our future here, and any other ways that we can help. One of those is helping with day to day operations of the new facility and all that goes with it.   For now, we are trying to wrap up loose ends before we head out of town for a few weeks.

The men at the end of the day, almost back in time

If you find yourself with a few empty seats next to you at church, or a need for some fresh air, let us know how we can connect with you during our time back.
We hope to make a trek north again to Iowa, in-between time on the farm in Marine.  You can look for us the first two weeks in October, this fall. (Correction: Last two weeks of September)

Thank you again for all you have done to help make our time here fruitful and standing by us for another year and all it has held.