"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." ~ John 5:24

Stephoscope: May 2010 Newsletter

Hello out there!  

I've just sent out my latest edition of Stephoscope.  

Here it is...

hugs from PNG,

~ steph

Attachment: May 2010 Newsletter.pdf

Giver of Life

In our ladies Bible study, we have been working our way through the Gospel of John.  This week we spent some time in chapter 5.  Here are a few verses I want to share with you...

"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.  For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.  Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.  For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it...  I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.  I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.  For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself."

~ John 5:19-21, 24-26

Today I have been reflecting on God as the Giver of Life.

Morning rounds on medical ward finished abruptly when Dr. Susan rushed in and grabbed me to come down to labor and delivery.  A laboring mom had just arrived and was found to have a cord prolapse.  "Cord prolapse" means that the fetus's umblical cord is coming out before the rest of the body.  If the cord gets compressed, it cuts off the blood supply to the fetus.  This is an obstetric EMERGENCY and requires a stat c-section to save the baby's life.  Unfortunately, stat c-sections don't happen very statly around here.  Susan made the diagnosis and called for the c-section about 9:00 AM.  I ran to the labor room as soon as I was notified and could change into scrubs.  Susan had her hand elevating the head up off of the cord.  One of the nurses was listening to fetal heart tones... they were in the 60's and dropping (normal is 120 or more).  We turned the patient to her side while the nurses continued to prepare for c-section.  Susan could feel a pulse in the cord, so we knew the fetus was still alive.  But time was short and we needed to get that kiddo out of there and soon.  Patient was transferred to the OR, she was prepped and draped, and the general anesthesia was given.  I prayed to God, asked Him as the Giver of Life to give life to this baby.  At 10:00 AM, one hour after the stat c-section was called, I made the abdominal incision.  The baby was delivered and I heard a weak cry as we cut the cord and handed her to the waiting nurse.  Dr. Susan worked a few minutes to resuscitate the baby.  Soon her cry was loud and strong.

  

Thank you, Lord, for being pleased to give life to baby of Rachel.

Extreme Makeover: PNG Edition

This past week, seven of my roomie's family members traveled around the world to PNG:  Becky's dad and stepmom came from Florida; sister from Tennessee; brother and sister-in-law, niece and nephew-in-law from the Kansas City area.  They had been dreaming about a family trip to PNG for some time.  And this is the year that it all came together!  Everyone was excited to see and experience Becky's adopted home.  They also came wanting to minister to her in a special way.  Since the inside of our house was in terrible need of repainting, this became the designated mission project for the week.  Over about five days, the house was turned upside-down and inside-out, walls scraped and washed and repainted.  I'll just call it "Extreme Makeover:  PNG Edition."  Once the dust settled and things were put back in place, the end result was beautiful.  I love the freshly painted walls!  Thanks to the Morsch family for your service, and for allowing me to share in the blessing.

From "Survivor" to "Extreme Makeover," my life has been one reality TV show after another over these past few months!  Stay tuned for next month's episode of "Amazing Race" as I travel home to Ohio for some family time :).

Stop Six slide show

Start:

Jun 15, '10

I'll be sharing about my life as a bush doctor at one of my old stomping grounds. See you soon, Stop Sixers!

"He must become greater; I must become less." ~ John 3:30 This is my prayer.