I should start by telling you all that I have officially received my license. You may think that this should be followed by an exclamation point, but I purposefully left it out. I arrived in Ethiopia 18 months, 8 days, 16 hours and 4 minutes ago. I have had my license now for 10 days. My excitement level 60%.
Number of Ob/Gyns in Ethiopia: >234. I can’t give you an exact number, but that is the number of Gynecologists that are members of the Ethiopian Society of obstetrics & gynaecology. Population 90.9 million. Thus, an average of 1 gynecologist for every 388,462 people.
Number of Ob/Gyns in America: around 46,000 (# of members of the American College of Obstetrics and gynaecology). Population 312.8 million people. An average of 1 gynecologist for every 6,800 people.
Number of Ob/Gyns in Chicage: 362. Population 2.7 million. 1 gynecologist for every 4,696 people.
Number of Ob/Gyn Doctors in Training in Ethiopia: 22.
Number of Residency programs to train doctors in Obstetrics and gynaecology in America: 264.
My point is: the need is huge. Coming to a country in need does not always mean that you are wanted. I am not saying I am not wanted, but it has crossed my mind a few times.
I wish I would have known, before I arrived, that I had to work for one year before they would give me a license. I wish the people in charge of getting my license wouldn’t have waited until the last-minute to apply. I wish that after I did everything that was asked of me, that my license would have been granted and not denied again. Why would they deny my license after giving them an entire year of service for free? Why did they “lose” all my paperwork and say there is no record of me ever working in Ethiopia after working for them for over a year? Why did the hospital have to argue with them for me to FINALLY get a license? And many more wishes and whys, I won’t even mention. There are many things I will never understand about this place.
A friend, Daniel Thornton, who helps with the street kids, always has something positive to say. I think in this situation if anyone asked him how he was doing he would say, “I am just livin’ the dream!”
ummm. congrats? Thank you for serving.
🙂
Hey Steph, You would think they would be thrilled to have qualified people trying to help. Obviously, that isn’t always the case. Could it possibly be that the government doesn’t want people to know how horrible their care is? You have made such a difference in the lives of the children and they will remember. Take care my friend.
And I thought Ohio was a hassle to get a license from. Really though, your training is important and a license is a piece of paper. What you knew before has been magnified by what you have learned while there. Nothing in the states could adequately prepare you for washing in a bucket between cases. Cancelling surgeries because of no electricity. Begging families to give blood. And a thousand things I know nothing of.
I will share your 60% and add to it if possible. Carry on pilgrim in a strange land.
Dear,dear friend…my heart hears yours in all of this…wish i could stop by there. and we could go somewhere less recognizable (probably to include less-ferengi like head wraps) and just let you pour it all out!!! All i know,is God has had a plan in all of it along the way,even though it makes little earthly sense,or seems so unjust. You are a Beautiful Princess in His kingdom there!!!Some people just may not have the sense or spirituality to see it! Shalom; and big hugs. God willing; i’ll see you in the Fall. love, sherron
I think that I hear weary and overwhelmed. Both so understandable. And both such signature moves of the enemy. Will be praying that the voices that whisper and scream discouragement, not enough, I’m only one, unnoticed, unappreciated, unwise,… that in the name of Jesus, they would all be completely and utterly silenced. May you only hear the voice of Jesus reminding you of his sufficiency and provision and pleasure in your obedience. Feasting on 1 Kings 17 today and yesterday which has been a rhema word from the Lord for me. In case it resonates with you, “Do not fear; go do as You have said… For thus says the Lord of Israel ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’ (vs. 13a, 14). Sometime we need to be reminded that what look like our last scraps of time, energy, emotions, whatever,… will in fact not be the end of the story. You are one of the most amazing women I have ever met. Praying for you to be filled to the measure of the fullness of God today (ephesians 3), and that you will sense his powerful presence and favor upon your precious life. Miss you and those incredible boys! Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you and them. Wish I could hug you across the ocean.
Oh my Stephanie…well at least you have your license, and know that you can practice your medical skills where God has placed you. We sure don’t understand the why’s of certain govt. agencies, but inspite of that, it finally happened. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Another box of blankets for the street children is on the way. I think there are about 40…but more are in the process of being made. Let me know when you no longer need them,and we will try to find another ministry to work through you in Soddo.
I do say CONGRATULATIONS! You have learned so much and had to make so many adjustments and changes in treatment that you have earned a totally new degree! Just not sure what it should be called!
What the what?!?! Praying for wisdom to prevail and for peace in the journey. For surely He knows the plans He has for you.
Hi Steph…..Congratulations on finally getting you license. Even though you didn’t have the piece of paper to show, God knew you were qualified or He wouldn’t have you there. So keep doing what you’ve been doing, being a servant to Jesus Christ!!!!The people there are so blessed to have you. Love ya and pray for you always.
I haven’t posted here often (in fact, maybe not since the day I found your blog), and I don’t know you Stephanie, but I wanted to comment today beause of your discouragement.
Today marks one year since my husband and I brought our 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter home to Canada from Ethiopia. Our kids were born very near Sodo and we visited there a year ago…before I knew about you or I would have tried to visit you!!
I can’t tell you how much your writing means to me, Stephanie. Just hearing about life in the region where our kids were born rivets me to the page when you have posted. As a Christian and an adoptive parent of kids from exactly the area where you are working, I have begun to pray for you of late and find that you are on my mind often. I have so loved hearing about the work you have been doing with the kids there, and have often thought about how the kids you are interacting with are like my kids were not that long ago. So thank you, too, for what you’re doing. They are blessed to have you, and you are blessed to have them.
I’ll pray that the discouragement and frustration will not be allowed to fester and that your path will be made clear.
Blessings,
Ruth