Anticipation and anxieties

Hello and welcome to our team's blog!  I am so excited to return back to HEAL Africa!

My name is Jessie Spencer.  I am a pediatric physical therapist at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minneapolis and more importantly a passionate follower of Christ.  I feel in awe of the opportunity to return to Africa with this team.  I went to HEAL 2 years ago last March.  Ashley, Mike and I were set to go back to the Congo last year with a team, when our trip was canceled 2 weeks before departure due to political unrest in the area we were to work in.  Since then the violent climate has decreased significantly and we are excited to go this time!  As I return to HEAL Africa, I am get the opportunity to use my skills as a pediatric physical therapist to train the rehabilitation team at the hospital on assessment, treatment planning and treatment techniques for children with disabilities.  I will be preparing and giving a lecture to physical therapists, students, and medical residents on a couple pediatric conditions as well. I feel honored to play this role.  I will also be the medial lay leader, attempting to facilitate the planning and utilization of our team for our time at HEAL Africa.

I could not take these opportunities of God's calling without the support, prayers and financial aide of many of you reading this blog right now.  God works in amazing ways to use our resources he has provided us.  I have been provided much encouragement by people who are close to me as well as people I have not even met.  I want to take the time to recognize how important your role is in the success in this team!  We are the faces that the people of HEAL and the Congo see, but they know that there is a who community back home in the United States who refuse to ignore them as well!

THANK YOU

Prayer request:  When I came back from Africa, I really struggled in finding my identity in God's purpose back in the States.  I have come a long ways from that time and have found new joy in my servant hood.  I do, however, have anxiety about going through that reverse culture shock once again.  Please pray that as I prepare God covers and surrounds this fear and for encouragement for me upon returning from another life altering experience.