Fulani miracle

I often forget the impact of medical injuries or problems on the family unit as a whole. I have had very few personal experiences with this in my own family. But being a medical professional sometimes brings the curse (I find it to be currently) of loss of compassion or hope. Which then leads to not fully believing God to be Healer or Great Physician or miracles.

I liken it to an infantry battle plan.

The recon of the target area has been done… The education has been instilled in the healthcare professional team.

The target or objective is locked on & a plan is devised of how to obtain it… the sick or injured patient arrives at the hospital & the medical team enacts a plan to treat immediate needs & long term needs.

The plan is activated!

Sometimes the plan goes accordingly, other times it does not. And this is where we must patiently wait on the Lord to act… during the process.

Healing happens sometimes immediately but often it is a process. The impact on all involved is amazing!

The medical team at ECWA Hospital in Egbe Nigeria has been managing an 18-year-old Fulani man. I say man because he has his own family & works to provide for them & the rest of his tribe. He arrived in the Emergency Department as a trauma on Friday night- Machete to the head during an altercation. Unsure of the timing of the event, how much blood was lost, the method of transport, cleansing of the injury, cleanliness of the machete or the man’s head.

These questions and more raced through our minds.

Not knowing the extent of the brain injury due to lack of medical equipment, being in the bush, and going go surgery 3 times to evacuate clots, control bleeding, & decrease intracranial pressure- I watch this young man fighting for his life. Each day seeming to improve, He is alive by God’s grace & will.

So I watch the family, not fully understanding the extent of the injury or the impact long term it will have on the young man & the entire tribe- I am silent… asking God for a miracle. A miracle in the physical but also within each heart affected by this young man. Look at the heart impact it is doing on me. 

So, back to my original statement… I forget the impact on the entire family when a life changing accident has occurred.

For this young Fulani man… he is the livelihood of his tribe. He might even be next in line as tribal king. He is a hunter, provider, farmer, craftsman, young, strong, healthy, father, son, brother, husband, leader, & so much more for one small tribe in the massive world.

How far is too far? How much is too much for his treatment? Are we just racking up a medical bill for the family when he may not even make it through the night? There is no rehab, so how will he help his tribe any longer if he cannot function to full capacity? He will be more harm than help to a nomadic tribe.

After all these thoughts go through my mind & some verbalized, I am met with silence.

“Who are you to say when hope should stop? Who are you to say when life should end? Who are you to say all is lost? Who are you that doubts who I say I am & doubts what I can do?”

With a repentant heart I approach Him and He reminds me to ask Him for things. “Ask Me for miracles, to expect them, to do them because of My power in you.” So He places on my heart today, to share my struggle & His heart- the process of a miracle He is doing through one Fulani man that will impact more than we will ever know.

Mangos and Manna

As I lay in bed listening to the breeze rustling the leaves

crickets humming their evening tune

watching the sky turn dark because the sun is dropping below the trees

I feel all at once… peace… solitude…  joy… BANG!

What was that?!

I jumped up from my bed- slightly confused as to where I was- slowly going through the house- very aware of my vulnerability if there happened to be someone in the house.

BANG!!!

The breeze picks up and they start to fall… mangos

Mangos on a tin roof sound like bombs going off.

My heart was racing & wait… BANG!!!... another hit… well, now I am awake & remembered where I was… Egbe, Nigeria.

I did not complain the next morning as I was cleaning  off my orange stained hands from cutting all the mangos I picked from the deposit last night.

Mangos in abundance right outside my window

Mango trees are all over the compound & it was not until today that I realized how big the trees get & how much they produce.

Each morning as I stand at the window drinking my coffee, I see how many mangos have fallen overnight- I began to think of manna.

Manna- raining down from heaven- provision from God to feed His chosen people. How long did it take for them to get tired of eating manna? How many ways were there to prepare it or eat it?

Who knows, accept that they did complain about it.

Eating manna for 40 years…

I am suddenly placed in the reality of all my options. Even in a developing country, I am bombarded with options & abundance. And I am very grateful for it!

How often do I stand at the kitchen thinking… there is nothing in here I want.

How offensive I must sound.

We do not realize how good we have it in America. And even being an American in a developing country- I still have it pretty good.

I immediately repent for being so rude to Father & thank Him for His provision.

He truly knew what He was doing when He made each tree for its specific purpose. Who would have thought that even with a mango tree right outside of my house & eating mango everyday, this girl would not get tired of it.

Ask me in a month… we will see if the answer has changed.

Thank You God for being The Provider of life. For Your provision of everything I need- even when I may not know I need it.

Africa Update #1

 As I lay in my bed surrounded by my mosquito net listening to the cricket’s nightly song & the thunder cracking closer and closer, I think- “I have been immersed for 1 week & I’m loving it.” I am still getting adjusted to the time change & travel. The hospital looks great!!! So much progress has been completed & the hospital grounds are always busy- accept after it rains.

 

This week I have been observing on the wards, taking notes of things to teach, protocols to write, changes that may improve patent care, & areas of success & praise. ECWA Hospital has many needs & when I zoom out on the bigger scale of educational needs, I find myself very overwhelmed. I have been asking the Lord to help me focus on His priorities here & now. My list is plenty & with the guidance of the staff and nursing students, I have my educational list cut out for me. Please pray that I can bring forward all the information needed to assist & educate the nursing staff & students. The staff & students are primed & ready to learn. Truth be told- they are yearning for it!

 

We had the first ever-intubated patient brought to the ICU Tuesday night. The little old lady would not wake up enough from surgery to maintain her oxygen saturation. Carmen rigged a T piece for the oxygen tank & ET tube. I was very impressed at her adaptive skills before the surgery was even over. We brought her to the ICU staff & I was released to run the show.

I am amazed at how God has given me so much to work out His purpose. Who would have thought all the education I have received & situations I have been exposed to would have been made most useful in Egbe, Nigeria? He knew before I was born that the nurses of Egbe would need to be taught about ET tubes, oxygen therapy, weaning to extubate, extubation itself, post extubation, & emergencies created out of all of this. I praise God that everything went smooth & the patient did very well. Nothing seems to keep this 90-year-old lady down.

 

As for an update on Goodness-she went home today- still ill. The family as out of money to treat her & we were out of options & tests. She needs a specialty hospital. But more than that- for Goodness to live… she needs a miracle from God. I find myself wondering why or how God choses who is taken and at their specific time. I also find myself asking Him why Goodness was born here in Egbe & not in the USA where she could get the testing & treatment she needs. But that is all part of His perfected plan, unknown to me or anyone else. There are just some things I have to say- I don’t understand it but I accept that You Lord are in control, know the reason behind it, & the outcome.

 

 

It is such a pleasure to work with Carmen. I am so glad we are here together. I admire her steadfastness in the Lord & in missions. It is so wonderful to get to know her better as each day passes. She has her work cut out for her in the OR & teaching as well. Please pray that she rests when needed & for supernatural strength for each day.

 

Spending time with the expats here is great. Getting to know each family & why & how God called them to this area is so wonderful. Last night we had a missionary party & it brought back so many memories of spending late night game nights at the Marflaks house with the group of us. We painted toes & fingers with all the girls then played a card game called manipulation. I still haven’t figured out if I am happy that I won at a game named manipulation… but all the same, I enjoyed getting to know the ladies more & more. Their hearts for Jesus & serving in a far off country away from all they know amazes me hear day. They show love constantly & it gives me a better idea of how to love people every day. I am loving all the food I am receiving. It is in abundance or plenty as they say it here. I have been able to visit town, buy fabric, visit the nursing student quarters, run, visit the bread factory, prayer rounds in the hospital, & so much more. 

 

I will say I am looking forward to sleeping in this weekend, but even more so, I am looking forward to discipleship & playing with the orphans of Care Africa, hiking, going to big market, getting fitted for a dress, & meeting the ECWA administration board. There have been so many answered prayers this week! God is so faithful to me. Next week the director of the ECWA board will be here. I asked God to make a way for me to spend some time with her & give her some feedback & ideas on how to better incorporate the hospital & nursing school students for the upcoming classes. Well- God answered that real quick! She is staying in the room right next to me. Ask & you shall receive.

So now- please be praying His words & ideas to better the hospital & school come fluently out of my mouth, & that they fall upon opened & receptive ears.His ways & plans are so much bigger than I could ever imagine- and He has me here for a purpose. Lord- I ask that You use me as Your pawn in this ongoing game of chess & that Your strategic plan is played out to the greatest for Your kingdom & Your glory!!!!!
 

Thank you for your continued prayer & support while I am here in Egbe. I hope to convey what is going on half the world away & to give you a glimpse of what you are sowing into for the Kingdom of God.

God bless

April 

I know that was You

Omnipotence...

Supremacy- preeminence- the quality of having unlimited power- absolute power

As I am sitting here on a train that I was late for according to time

But was held for me to get home on- I am reminded of God's omnipotence. 

His supremacy. 

His absolute power. 

He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants. 

But He doesn't do any of it to break our free will. 

As I was running to the train station because everything seemed to go wrong and time was of the essence- I prayed  "Lord- I need your help to make it to my train. Everything is going wrong all at once when time is of the essence. I trust you and am confident You will get Your daughter to the train on time. And if not- you have another plan. " 

I texted others to pray as well. 

The man scanning my ticket said- it's alright you have time and have a blessed night. 

I stopped and looked at him- tears filling my eyes- thank you for that. 

I often forget that God is omnipotent. 

He loves to defy the impossible- and in my life, He has proven that time and time again. 

Why do I forget? 

He can do whatever He wants- but never steps over the free will boundary. 

He desires so much to be with us and give us everything just as any parent would want and desire for their kid. But He knows giving it all at one time when we are inexperienced or immature would be detrimental to us. 

He is a good good Daddy

I sit comfortably in my seat on my train ride home very thankful that my Daddy is always watching me and He does not miss a thing. Be it ever so big or ever so small. 

Thank you God for being omnipotent and so watchful to your daughter

pray

I woke much earlier than I had panned. Slightly frustrated because I was so tired and only on day 2 of 4 nights to work. I laid my head back down to try to sleep a little longer.
As I was drifting off to sleep I rememeber asking, "Can you let me sleep a little longer God?"
All of a sudden I began seeing my dream play out before me...

I was in Africa again, standing on the hospital compound with many others around me. I could see the trucks & guns headed toward our small little town. My spirit jumped up, telling me- be ready, here they come.
I knew within me that these were like-minded people like the attackers in Kenya.
I watched as if it were all in slow motion & remember asking God- what do You want me to do? You have equipped me with training- how do You want me to react? The Israelites sought You in their time of need- and You gave them specific instructions of how to position themselves for peace & for fighting. So- I need to hear Your instructions.

"Pray"        was what I heard.

Knowing my earthly parents had become fervent prayer warriors for Christ, I looked down at my phone & texted my dad.

I love you. 
pray!

As the message was sent- my view began to zoom out and over to my dad.
He was at work- the hustle & bustle of another day dealing with the World's activities. The large room he was in was full of people, computers, monitor screens on the walls & desktops.
I watched him receive my text- his eyes filled with tears like he already knew what was happening in my part of the world. He looked up- dropped to his knees in the middle of this large work room & began to pray. People filling the room all stopped their business & turned their head to him. A few ran up to him & asked what was wrong. He said- "my daughter is in the middle of this war, she needs our prayers. Will you pray with me!"   People began dropping to the knees on the spot, praying out-loud & silently, they were weeping.
As the picture zoomed out- I saw every knee dropping to pray within this large room... then in the surrounding workrooms & offices... to the outside of the building... to the streets & other businesses... across states lines... stretching across America, people were dropping to their knees to pray.
I thought- how could this one act begin a wildfire reaction?
Then I remembered then impact of showing vulnerability through allowing others to see your hearts greatest desire- love.

As I woke up, tears were streaming down my face. Oh God! If this begins the wildfire of people surrendering to You- let it be! At whatever the cost!

I was hit with the reality of what was happening outside of my comfortable little world in Lancaster, PA. In America really.
The reality of what I was going to in a month hit me. I felt the Lord asking- "Are you really willing to die for Me?"
The unrest in Africa and other parts of the world is not know to me or many others accept through the media. And that in and of itself is very biased & slightly skewed. But being hit with the reality of what could take place while I was in Africa was very eye opening. It was a heart check.
Would you be willing to die for Christ?

I was on the floor weeping at this point. My thoughts went to those families who were mourning the loss of their loved ones. How their hearts were breaking- it felt as if mine was too.
Then He moved my thoughts to those who were doing the actions. I did not question why or how could they or stop them from killing people, but my heart broke even more for them. Lord- how can we change there minds?
"Pray"
The impact of pray is given such little light because we may not see immediate results. But I know that He hears & remembers each & every prayer. He is answering some of mine that were prayed 20 years ago. He is answer some my parents prayed when they were first pregnant with my brother & I. Just as He heard the prayers of David & Abraham & Jacob & so many more- they are still being answered.

I began praying for the people in Kenya who felt it was their job to remove any followers of Christ. I began to pray for any person who does not know my Jesus.
In my wailing for their lives, I said- YES! YES GOD! I would die for you Jesus! Just don't let my family mourn too long. But that they would rejoice knowing that this is what You created me for. To die believing & trusting & following, never wavering in The One who gave His life so willing for me thousands of years ago.
We forget that Christ warned us of this. God gave us Scripture as a guide & it tells us persecution is coming. Why are we surprised by it?
We live in such an unrealistic world in America, where we have our little lives, going to & fro, setting God in a box, often on the shelf, & only staying within our comfort zones & what pleases us.

As my travailing continued, I said, I am not afraid. Death for the believer is so sweet. To see You face to face finally. But I know it is not time yet. I will go wherever You want me to. I will do whatever You want me to- at whatever the cost, even if it cost me my life. I have yielded everything to You, but I yield my soul- my spirit to You God. I am fully Yours.

My scripture for the day was 1Timothy 6:11-19. A few of the verses caught me...
>Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before witnesses... that you obey this command without wavering... do good, be rich in works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.<

Live with unshakable faith. Kling to eternal life. Sure up your foundation in Christ. Be ready at all times to tell others. Obey- even when it's hard.

I went to Easter service that night at CFC. I was floored at what God was taught through the sermon...
Learn from Jesus.
In Matthew, it speaks about Jesus' last words to The Father.
After being persecuted physically, rejected by ALL, He emptied himself- He gave up His spirit to God.


How amazingly faithful God is to me. Allowing me to process yielding the last portions of myself to Him well before my time is up. Being crucified with Christ as Paul said.
It stirs in me to pray. That even in the business of my day I can be in prayer within my spirit for others.
The enemy has so many of us at bay by distracting us throughout our day. We must fight to hold tightly to true faith. Fighting each moment of everyday so that we do not have divided loyalty between God & the world.

Pray without ceasing
He hears your every word

Africa 2015

Hello Family & Friends

It’s that time again… update time!

 

Life has certainly changed for me.  Just a short update…

Three years ago, I began pursuing God very intently after hearing Him tell me “I have more for you.” Within the often-difficult walk of obedience and lifestyle changes, much outside of my control changed with it. After 2 years of waiting, God released me out from under a broken covenant and marriage; along with selling our house & all items in it; and settled me at my friend Jasmine’s. Here God has allowed me to heal, be unattached, & learn some valuable lessons. 

After 2 years of short-term (2week) missions- medical & non-medical, I began seeking God for what He wanted me to do next in my life. I felt as if He was asking me- “are you serious about missions… then connect with a group.” 

So I applied to World Medical Missions. Within one day I was flooded with many options of international placements with my unique skill set. At the same time I was praying about going back to Africa this summer. As I was praying about staying in the Open Heart Operating Room, God opened the door for new things.

 

WMM had multiple options for me to serve, but one in particular… India. I felt as if God was opening doors that were much bigger than I could ever expect or imagine. WMM had a special project they wanted to slot me with… teaching cardiac ICU in India for 3-6months. Two days after I said yes, my old job called and asked if I wanted to return to the Intensive Care Unit- cardiac & general medsug. I felt as if God was preparing me for things yet unseen. All the details in His hands, I made the move back to ICU and am waiting for the details of India & other adventures to be revealed. 

With all that said… God has allowed for me to go back to Egbe, Nigeria to help in the Operating Room with 2 different surgical groups this summer.

 I will be departing for Africa May 14 and return June 27^th. 

Once I return, I will be attending a Missionary Medical Intensive course in British Columbia, Canada July 5^th till July 16^th. The course will teach me how to use the resources and materials at hand in rural areas such as plants for medicinal uses, minor procedures without much supplies, and much more. I will be a “make shift all you have for now doctor nurse."

 

I am so excited to be going back to Egbe, Nigeria with a different mindset and heart. God is so kind to allow me to assist the doctors, surgeons, nurses, and people of Egbe in their continued Revitalization project. I know there is much in store while I am there. I am traveling with my long time mentor and friend, Carmen Marflak, who has been traveling to Egbe doing anesthesia for years. 

 

I am in need of prayer.  This year has been one where God continues to say- trust Me with the details. He has always made good out of every situation- so I do not doubt Him in any of it. I am in need of financial help. With this being a much longer trip, it means more expenses for the trip itself. The total cost of the trip is roughly $4000. If you feel led to support financially- I am grateful. There are a few ways you can donate for my trip. One is directly to me via check- April Johnson 1018 Marshall Ave, Lancaster, Pa 17601. Or you can do an online deposit to my Samaritan’s Purse account- http://www.samaritanspurse.org/medical/wmm-doctors/   type in my name as the volunteer (Johnson, April) and follow the prompts. You will receive a tax paper for the donation that way. 

Please pray about donating, about supporting me in future trips, & pray for me to continue God’s work here in the US as well as in other nations He sends me. 

There will be updates while I am there, and a report when I return. 

 

I am ecstatic that God has chosen me for this work and set the skills He wanted within me. He is answering prayers of a once 10 year old girl, who after one short clip on medical missions from Haiti, was hooked. I am so grateful for your support and prayers. 

Thank you all 

God bless 

 

April