NTM

Taking Moustapha to the hospital to be examined

I sat at the local hospital the other day thinking to myself, “how would I begin to describe this to people at home?”  Then I sat there thinking about how amazingly blessed we as Americans are for the health care we have at our disposal.  Calling and make an appointment, or even better yet, to be able to rush to an emergency room when someone is dying; to have a waiting room with seats, away from the flies and scorching sun; to have medicines and medical equipment – these are all privileges that don’t exist here in our part of Guinea.  I know it could sound like I’m just trying to make people feel guilty in light of all the complaints about health care in the States.  Okay, maybe I am, a little.  I get that there is a lot of issues involved – issues that admittedly, I am not keeping up on over here.  But, I would venture a guess that if most Americans could come and experience health care here just one time – the complaints would stop. (more…)

Moustapha and I sitting outside his house

I have a new name these days.  In the village, I’m trying to get used to hearing my new African name being called out.  I usually have to hear it a few times before I remember “oh, wait, that’s me!”  It’s a normal custom for the missionaries here to take on an African name – believe me, Cretsinger is not a name easily pronounced around here.  Along with a new first name, usually a family will bestow their last name on the missionary as well.  I have been praying for strong friendships in the village, despite the language and culture barriers.  I know that there are obstacles, but I have been praying that God would give me ladies that I would be able to just go to their house anytime and visit without needing a reason to come.  I’m not normally an outgoing person – it takes me a long time to come out of my shell with new people, so this is a big prayer request for me.  I have been trying to leave my comfort zone more and more to try and bring out these new relationships.  I am thankful to see God answering this prayer.  I have seen little things happening that give me the confidence to keep going in this.  The other day I was in the village visiting with my friend, Fatou, when her family started talking amongst themselves that I didn’t have an African name and they wanted to give me their family name so that I would be a part of them.  One of them even gave me her first name so that now I’m her namesake.  It’s their way of saying “welcome, be a part of us, spend time with our family”…this is what I’ve been wanting to see happen and so I’m thankful.  Thankful that God knows the desires of my heart and He encourages me in small ways.

A friend, who works with me here on the center, with her two daughters

Our mission center sits just outside a village and there are many people from the village who work here on the center.  Since we’ve only been here a couple of months, I am just beginning to learn everyone’s names and who they are related to in the village.  Steve and I have such a desire to not just simply know “who” they are, but to truly begin developing strong relationships with the people in the village.  I’m so thankful for a friend who has been taking me for walks into the village, showing me where everyone lives, stopping to greet and introduce to me to those living here.  She has been here for 12 years and has spent years studying their tribal language.  I have to settle for speaking in French, to those who can understand French at all.  But, my friend, Ans, assures me that they are pleased to just have me coming by to greet them even if they can’t speak French back to me.  I truly enjoy these times in the village and am pleased to be learning more about my neighbors.  Even though there are many that I can’t communicate with verbally, I pray that they will see my heart and that I will show them the love of Christ through my actions.