Lori is my sister-in-law, and I can't remember ever meeting a person that I so "instantly" loved.
Some of the first things I loved about Lori were her love of God, devotion to family, sense of humor, her political opinions at our non-political conversations dinner table, her intelligence, her style, love of animals, genuine concern for others, and this is where I will begin.
She is bold and fearless. By day, she is a teacher - through Baylor she educates nurse practitioners. And no, I suppose being bold and fearless are not requirements to be an educator (my teaching family, giggle here) - not unless you are Lori.
She also leads missions to Africa with her students. She is responsible for all areas of each of these trips - including securing all funding for the projects. We are not talking about flying into one of Africa's major cities to observe in hospitals. Lori's teams travel into isolated villages, carrying "minimal" medical supplies, "treating" babies, children, teens, moms, dads, and the very aged. Many are very ill, most have never received any sort of medical treatment in their life. AIDS and malaria are prevalent.
Yes, fearless is a requirement.
There is danger from the elements, country, illness, animals...I'm not sure many would have the confidence to take on this mission. Yet, Lori organizes and leads these trips year after year.
Why on earth would she risk her own health and well being? Why do you think?
If you are like me, you will marvel at these faces. You will long think about those big bright eyes as you try to close yours tonight.
Yes, this Christ filled dedication is yet another reason I love Lori so dearly.
She is about to launch on another journey. Just today I received this request...
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
We are working diligently to get everything ready for the March 2010 trip to Ethiopia and Sierre Leone. My apologies for the lack of regular updates.
One of the team prepared the attached prayer calendar for our rapidly approaching trip. I think she did a great job. I am certain that it has been prayer that has allowed the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing trips to be so successful. We have been safe and ministered physically and spiritually to 1000’s of people over the years. This year again we will be doing hard work in tough environments. Sometime we will be physically tired, sometimes we will not have the right medication, we maybe homesick or ill or overwhelmed. Our souls will ache for all the need in the world. It is your prayers that will keep us uplifted and safe and able to meet the needs of God’s people.
I am grateful for all the many types of support we have received over the years. Thank you. We literally would not be going if it were not for the generous donations, physical assistance and hard work of all of you. I would ask yet another thing from you…please consider placing this calendar somewhere during March and pray for the Baylor APN Capstone 2010 team.
In Christ,
Lori
She is awesome! What a blessing for that team! And although I will never walk her walk, I will stay on bended knee for her requested prayer. Would you consider joining me in the daily prayer calendar? I've posted it below (I know it's long, but SO worth it):
Monday,
March 1
Pray for the FNP group as they leave DFW at 7:40pm for their journey to Ethiopia. Pray for: peace for their families as they say goodbye, traveling safety, flights connections, ad successful luggage travel!
Shannon, Sara, Summer, Jamie
Back: Jessica, Lori, Becca, Mary Ann, Ivorry, Rebecca
Tuesday
March 2
Still traveling . . . through the UK and Kenya today. Pray for divine meetings in planes and taxis to share about our trip and the compelling love of Christ. Pray that all of our luggage makes it through customs in Ethiopia!
Wednesday
March 3
We arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this morning (9 hours ahead of US CST). We are crazy jet-lagged and tired! Pray that God would refresh our spirits and our bodies and that we would have an extra measure of grace and patience with each other!
Thursday
March 4
We are spending our first full day in Ethiopia! Everything around us is different and chances are we are feeling a little overwhelmed. Pray that God would remind us that He has gone before us.
Friday
March 5
Today we hope to visit the Fistula Hospital and Mother Theresa’s Orphanage. Pray that God would give us a deeper love and compassion for the people of Ethiopia.
Saturday
March 5
Pray that we understand enough of the culture in order to not be offensive or confusing to the Ethiopians we come in contact with- pray for special opportunities to share Christ through our words and actions.
March 7
We are traveling 4 hours on a rough road to the rural Langano area. We will meet up with Kim and Allyson today in the clinic they run! This is what we came for!!! Pray for us to be flexible, organized, and discerning as we unpack supplies and plan for our work in the days ahead.
March 8
Pray for the patients that we will be seeing in the clinic today- many of them don’t have hope and are suffering. Pray that we would be able to give comfort and hope and treat them in an honoring way today.
Pray for Jessica and Becca to feel rested and to be full of joy in their work.
March 9
Pray that our team could be a sweet blessing for the SIM Langano families. Pray that God would give each of us an attitude of service and that we would find creative ways to bless these missionaries!
March 10
Pray for our bodies! Chances are some, if not all of us, may be feeling a little sick and maybe even homesick- pray that God feels near to us as we push through the physical stuff. And pray that we sleep well and awake, refreshed and full of hope for the day!
March 11
Pray for Lori- she has the toughest job on our team- Pray that God would give her grace and peace as she leads and adjusts to the constant changes in scheduling.
Pray that God will provide learning opportunities for Rebecca & Ivory to prepare them for the future.
March 12
Pray for the Ethiopian children that we will see today! Pray that God continues to provide people and resources to meet their needs physically, spiritually, and academically.
March 13
Pray today that God would provide more resources for this clinic-from antibiotics to references to medical equipment to personnel.
Pray that the team will learn creative ways to provide quality care with limited resources.
March 14
Pray for Christians in Ethiopia- that God would give them a boldness to share their faith even during times of persecution.
March 15
It has been 2 weeks of eating Ethiopian food. Pray that God would help us have grace to eat whatever is put in front of us with a thankful heart!
Pray for the people that we will meet today that are hungry- that God would provide for their daily needs.
March 16
Pray that God continues to knit our hearts together as a team--and that we would be grown-ups and communicate clearly when we are upset with each other!
Pray for Sara to not be anxious but entrust her patients’ care to the Father.
March 17
Pray for each team member to be flexible and willing to change plans at the drop of the hat. Pray that God would help us to not be selfish—pray that we would remember that God is in control of all the details (no matter how frustrating they seem to us).
March 18
Today we travel back to Addis Ababa in preparation to leave Ethiopia and the midwives leave DFW at 7:10 pm to head to Sierre Leone. Pray for Shannon, Summer and Mary Ann that God would prepare their hearts as they travel.
March 19
Everybody is tired! The team from Ethiopia is exhausted and the midwives don’t reach Freetown until 8:25pm (6 hours ahead of US CST). Pray again for successful passage through customs! Pray for more refreshment, sleep, and lots of laughter.
March 20
Pray that as the two parts of our team finally come together that there is a smooth transition and a contagious joy.
March 21
Today we will worship together with the missionaries and the believers in the community church. Pray that God would connect us all together despite the language and cultural barriers.
March 22
Today we set up shop in the African bush (it doesn’t get any better than that!) Pray that all the details of this would come together and that people would come from all around. Pray that we would have the resources in our hands and in our heads that we need for this endeavor.
March 23
We are spending the day at Faith Rescue Orphanage where we will set up a medical/dental clinic for approximately 70 children. Pray that somehow we can communicate God’s love to them and meet some practical needs.
March 24
Pray for Gabriel, Sada and Donald and the clinics that they are involved with. Pray for resources and protection of the resources they already have. Pray that God would bless them and use them mightily.
March 25
Pray that in the midst of the chaos and the incredible needs we will turn to God instead of just trying to do everything on our own. Pray that God would get our attention when we are distracted.
March 26
We really miss you guys. Pray that God would remind us that we are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” who are praying for us and spurring us on!
Pray for specific opportunities to encourage the believers in this village.
March 27
Today we will be providing some public health education for individuals in this area (primarily women). Pray that God helps us communicate knowledge clearly and that those who attend will walk away with practical things that will help them live healthier lives.
March 28
Our time is up- we are throwing everything into our suitcases and preparing to leave Africa at 11:50pm. Pray that God would speak to us individually about what the future may hold for us in Africa and around the world. March 29
Pray for endurance, patience, health, sleep on the plane, and quiet reflection. We arrive in DFW at 7:15pm—what a crazy, hard, wonderful month!
Pray for the people we leave behind (patients, missionaries, communities). Pray that God would pour out blessing on these people and that many would know the hope of Jesus.
And, (here is Donna loves Lori being overprotective)...would you please just call our sweet Lori's name during your daily prayer...I find such comfort in knowing God will hear her name each day from so many. I wholeheartedly believe she will feel your prayer.
God bless you Lori, and your students. May you always feel His comfort and strength.
I am privileged to love you, safe travels.
You bring a smile to all of our hearts.
