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Jet Lag Depression, a condition affecting the mind, emotions and body, has hit again. Some doctor should do research with missionaries and create a remedy for the disabling malady. Duane says, “It makes me fearful, paranoid and undisciplined.”
Duane and I are again in Addis after traveling 48 hours in tight quarters and boring airports. Boring because there is no place to stretch out and catch up on deprived sleep.
The depression seems reasonable: we have just left family, friends, our adorable grandson and easy living. I, Jackie, got stomach flu while waiting for over an hour for Duane to report a lost bag. Then we burned out our new printer the first time we plugged it into this erratic electricity. Duane spent another day of many days trying to get his ortho supplies freed from customs. The Internet is irritatingly slow and we were just getting used to all the new opportunities of Facebook, etc. The list could go on.
So I would buy cheese to go with the whining, but it is too expensive!
How incredible that a friend of ours just sent a devotional thought about joy. Joy is not the same as happiness. It is not dependent on circumstances. Paul tells us in Philippians that we are to rejoice in the Lord always. He never changes and is the answer to even Jet Lag Depression.
And then we walk the noisy streets to eat at a local café and along the way are men curled up in plastic bags, sleeping on the cold cement. Old women are sweeping garbage; barefoot boys tell us they are hungry. I ask the Lord to forgive me and strengthen me to follow Him in this country again.
So to our faithful friends, we ask that you pray for us and with us. We start with praise.
- Praise that our printer was fixed today when we thought it was a goner.
- Praise that a second well has been dug at the hospital.
- Praise that the new larger generator is in place and will be connected in March by a team of electricians
- Praise that our nephew Garrett and friend Jeff have arrived safely and will be with us for three weeks. We love seeing Ethiopia through their fresh eyes.
- An accountant is seriously considering coming to help with the finances of the hospital for two months. This is a big need.
NEEDS:
- Release of medical supplies that are badly needed
- To experience Joy in the Lord
- Health and safety, which are not taken for granted.
- That we would love people with Christ’s love. We just don’t have that consistent caring love without His help.
- Someone to help with the administration of the discipleship training. We have many opportunities in the more than 1,300 churches in the area.
Field address:
Soddo Christian Hospital
Box 305
Soddo, Ethiopia
Field address:
Soddo Christian Hospital
Box 305
Soddo, Ethiopia