Summer 2013, Andrews Academy and Walker Memorial Academy partnered with Share Him on a mission trip to Nicaragua. During the three weeks there the gospel was preached and lives were changed. It was an amazing experience.
I encourage you to pop some popcorn and share in the mission adventure by clicking the link below.
Happy Watching!
Nicaragua Mission Movie 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
A little update on life...
Well, it's hard to believe that it's the middle of December, almost Christmas, and I have had nothing to say since July. Okay, let's be real, I've probably had a lot to say but I've had no time to post about it. Life has been super busy, I'd even go as far as saying crazy busy. I wish I were exaggerating, I'm not.
Let's just rewind a couple of months back to July. The last place I left you, I was leaving for a mission trip to Nicaragua with Andrews Academy with two of my most dearest friends, Micheal and Melanie Goetz. The flight to Nicaragua was as smooth as ever and I am thankful to God for blessing me with safe travels then and always. It was a memorable three weeks. Andrews Academy teamed up with Share Him and preached a total of 26 sermons in the cities of Matagalpa all the way to Esteli. For those of you who aren't familiar with Nicaraguan geography, let me help you out... the two cities mentioned above are about 1.5 hours apart. Our kids were spread all over Matagalpa and all of the cities in between Matagalpa and Esteli. As part of the leadership team I was able to go around to the different sites and observe the kids preach. What an absolute blessing they were. They did an outstanding job of winning souls for the kingdom and my heart swelled with joy. Here are some shots of our time in Nicaragua.
Let's just rewind a couple of months back to July. The last place I left you, I was leaving for a mission trip to Nicaragua with Andrews Academy with two of my most dearest friends, Micheal and Melanie Goetz. The flight to Nicaragua was as smooth as ever and I am thankful to God for blessing me with safe travels then and always. It was a memorable three weeks. Andrews Academy teamed up with Share Him and preached a total of 26 sermons in the cities of Matagalpa all the way to Esteli. For those of you who aren't familiar with Nicaraguan geography, let me help you out... the two cities mentioned above are about 1.5 hours apart. Our kids were spread all over Matagalpa and all of the cities in between Matagalpa and Esteli. As part of the leadership team I was able to go around to the different sites and observe the kids preach. What an absolute blessing they were. They did an outstanding job of winning souls for the kingdom and my heart swelled with joy. Here are some shots of our time in Nicaragua.
The entire team! (Michigan, Florida, and good ole me representing Pennsylvania)
The "Berrien Springs" leadership team
Yes, I added myself in to the Berrien Springs leadership team seeing as I was the only one that was from Pennsylvanina but there because of two of my closest, most favorite people in the whole world, Micheal and Melanie (left). Mr. D (right) and I became fast friends.
And a special thank you to the group, especially Pastor O, for alerting all of the men from the zip-line course that I am single and looking... Of course I got a picture with them - all in good fun right?
After I got back from Nicaragua, actually the very next day, I started my new job as a travel nurse. I am sad to say that I left Hershey Children's Hospital as a full time nurse right before my trip to Nicaragua. I did not leave to find greener grass. I have loved every moment of my experiences in Hershey and am grateful for all that I have learned. I simply wanted to travel. I also moved my permanent location (as well as all of my personal belongings) back to my parents' house. It would have been silly to keep an apartment that I wasn't living in. Travel nursing gives me the capability to travel all over the country being stationed in a place for 13-weeks and then move to the next place. My first assignment was local. I took a position in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Since I am still in Pennsylvania, I am able to pick up time at Hershey, which I love. I have also made some pretty great friends in my travels to Philadelphia.
With some Philadelphia girls... participating in "Mustache Monday"
Hanging out at Hershey Children's Hospital for Football Friday!
Go State! Beat Michigan!
(That was especially for you Chris)
Okay, lets rewind a bit to before Nicaragua...
It was around April, I was working in Hershey, praying about linking Children's Heart Project with my hospital. I had been working with Children's Heart Project (CHP) since the beginning of the year as a volunteer medical transporter. CHP is an organization with Samaritan's Purse that funds for children with congenital heart defects to come from foreign countries to the United States to have corrective heart surgery. One of the ways that CHP does this is through hospitals that volunteer their services for free. The heart surgeons in the US select children on a waiting list, and CHP organizes the transport while the hospital covers the cost of their medical care.
After much prayer, I spoke with Dr. Myers, director of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital about CHP. He was instantly excited about the program and wanted to know what he needed to do to get the ball rolling and have children brought over to have heart surgery at our hospital.
It wasn't long before the pieces started falling into place. By the time August rolled around, I found myself gearing up for a trip to Uganda to pick up two young boys to come to the United States to have their hearts fixed at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital! What an unbelievably rewarding experience. It was amazing to see God work right though me and all of my weaknesses for something so great.
The Patriot News says it far better than me...
Penn State Medicine also had a lovely article about the experience as well...
Edwin (left), Naushaud (right)
Fast forward to post Nicaragua/Uganda Mission...
At the end of October, I was preparing to take my 4th trip with the Children's Heart Group (out of Hershey Children's Hospital) to Guayaquil, Ecuador, to perform heart surgery in a local hospital. This would be Dr. Myers' 15th consecutive year of completing heart surgery in Guayaquil. I have certainly been blessed and privileged to be a part of an amazing team that helps so many families and children annually. By the end of our stay we were able to complete around 35-40 heart surgeries.
Here are some pictures of the most recent trip...
Well friends, I think that finally catches us up to the present. I'm currently in Chicago visiting with Joanne and her family. What a blessing it is to be a part of multiple families. I guess this is what married people feel like. I head home on Monday and I will be finishing up my final 6 shifts in Philadelphia. It will be bittersweet. I have enjoyed my time at St. Chris and the friends that I have made.
At the turn of the New Year, I will be off to Orlando, Florida for GYC. It is right around the corner! I'm so very excited. Shortly after that, I'll be loading up my new car and taking a solo road trip to Mesa, Arizona where I will spend the next 13 weeks of my life completing my next contracted travel assignment. I am looking forward to updating you all on my new adventures out west.
Until then, stay happy and awesome.
xo
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