What Might Have Been

by Dale

When God takes your life in a different direction than you originally planned you are never really sure how things would have turned out on the other path.  It’s impossible to travel down two life paths at the same time. I am extremely grateful for where I am occupationally and being in the center of God’s will is precisely where I want to remain!

But here and there I have had small glimpses of where my life might be had God allowed me to continue my journey toward medical practice.  Such an opportunity has come while serving in Kenya.  Bob Mendonsa (Naomi’s Village co-founder) is an orthopedic surgeon and continues to serve once a week at CURE Hospital in Kijabe, Kenya where many folks come for orthopedic care; particularly children requiring major corrective procedures.

For the last two Tuesdays Bob has allowed me to shadow him while he sees patients in the morning and does surgery in the afternoon.  I’ll spare you the details of all the cases but I was able to see a procedure I hadn’t seen before called a “proximal patellar realignment.”  Look it up if you’re interested; pretty cool stuff!  Bob is a gifted surgeon, a great teacher and takes the time to explain (to me and the patient) the details of each case.  He is very thorough both in examinations as well as in the OR and takes the time necessary to listen to the patient’s concerns.  I admire this and would hope I’d have conducted myself in a similar manner if I had walked this path.

However, I have no regrets about what path I am on currently!  I have sensed for some time that I am right in the middle of God’s will and while on this trip it has only been even further confirmed.  My calling is definitely to our small towns of Akron and Alden.  The experiences here in Kenya God has used to spark new ideas and inspiration for our ministry at home.  While I look forward to coming back to the US to re-engage in ministry with my congregation and interact with Ms. B’s 7th and 8th period Pathways students (Mason, if you’re reading this give my regards to the rest and drop me a comment!), I am grateful we still have a few more weeks in this beautiful land.