En route to Liberia

     I am in the waiting area for my flight leaving Kansas City ultimately ending in Monrovia, Liberia.  I will be posting throughout my six week stint with Heart to Heart's Ebola Treatment Unit in Tappita, Liberia.  Waiting in the airport is good practice for working in the developing world (for any purpose).  Construction has moved slowly and the overly optimistic start time for the Heart to Heart ETU of the end of November has come and gone.  Expected opening of the ETU is now 1/5/15.  However, good can come from the delay.  With my prior military and management experience, I may be able to contribute in more than just a clinical way.  

     I suppose that I should address why I am here in the first place.  Usually, the question is phased something along the lines of 'are you crazy?'.  No, I am not crazy, but I do feel called to help in places where others can't or won't.  Why in Liberia (or Haiti or Uganda etc) and not locally?  I am not sure exactly why (as I do help locally), but it has something to do with the fact that all my experiences throughout my life have been leading in this direction.  I have always viewed my experiences as a gift of God, not that I necessarily appreciated them when they occurred.  I have often wondered how I could honor those gifts by using them in a way that pleases God.  When you combine my military experience (military commander, medical staff officer, unit chemical defense officer, 5 years in special operations, combat experience), my medical degree, continued athletic involvement and church involvement, I seem to be well prepared for service in difficult areas.  I do feel a peace when I deploy.  Not that I am not a bit nervous (it wouldn't be safe to feel complacent), it is just that I do feel that this is what I was meant to do.  

     I will try to update the blog every day or two.  We do have Internet in Tappita, however it can be intermittent.  God bless you all and thank you for your prayers.

Rick