Waiting

I started writing this from the waiting room of a surgery center in Little Rock yesterday.  It was the second time in six weeks I'd been waiting in that room.  In January we learned that Alisa had advanced osteoarthritis in both hips and would require bilateral hip replacements.  How's that for a welcome to your forties?!  So on April 14 she had one replaced and yesterday she had the other one done.  It's been a curveball we didn't expect to deal with this year, but we're grateful that it happened while stateside when I'm not working full-time and when we've had lots of help from family and friends. Alisa at home on the day of her first surgery.  This woman is the most resilient and beautiful one I know.  She's strong in the Lord!  It's a remarkable thing being married to her. Another unexpected turn of events that has come this year, one that has caused us much sadness, is a change in our plans upon returning to Kenya this summer.  Last month we made the difficult decision to pursue a temporary relocation to Kijabe Hospital, another mission hospital on the same compound as the school where our high schoolers had planned to continue boarding.  We plan to be there until the summer of 2025 when Liam, our oldest, will graduate from high school.  At that point our hope is to return to Tenwek. Kijabe is about three hours east of Tenwek.  This view of the hospital compound doesn't lack for beauty that's for sure. This change in plans has grieved both Alisa and I as we love so dearly our relationships and ministry at Tenwek. The PAACS Neurosurgery residency program started there in 2020 will continue under the excellent full-time guidance of Drs. Fraser Henderson and Hugh Sims-Williams. During this time away I plan to return to Tenwek for one week of clinical work approximately every 5 weeks. In addition, Kijabe has offered that our residents from Tenwek can spend time rotating with me. Still, this change has left me questioning how God wishes to use me in this next season. Kijabe does not have a full-time neurosurgeon. In a sense then, the answer is easy - I’ll show up each day and ready myself to treat the great number of patients that will come in search of neurosurgical care. And with that is the wonderful opportunity to share the hope that Jesus offers to everyone, a hope that will last long beyond any surgical help I can provide.  But other questions remain...Do I try to establish the kind of busy neurosurgical service we now have at Tenwek, if I’m unsure what may come of it in two years? Currently there is little neurosurgical equipment at the hospital. I know from experience the time and effort required to obtain all that is needed and it would be no small undertaking. Or do I focus on reviving the pediatric neurosurgical service that was started at Kijabe by Dr. Leland Albright years ago?  I admit pediatrics is not my first love and I feel somewhat inadequate to do it. Or do I simply use what little equipment is at the hospital and take care of those patients that I can, doing mostly trauma and other less resource-intensive cases. Perhaps it's me being prideful but I feel like that would be a waste of my talents. Leland and his wife Susan Ferson (nurse practitioner) served at Kijabe from 2010-2014 at the end of his renowned academic career. Leland, as one of the few American neurosurgeons who knows the challenges of full-time neurosurgery in Sub-Saharan Africa, has become a cherished friend and mentor. So I find myself waiting. Christians often speak of waiting in terms of a period of trying to discern what God’s will is for a certain decision or season in their lives...“Should I take this job?  Should I marry this person?  What should I major in in college?  What should I do at Kijabe?!”  But the Bible has given me a will I do know now… “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31 “Do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18 “Value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 And it tells me of other truths that I can stand on during times of uncertainty… “I am God, and there is none other.  I am God, and there is none like me… My counsel will stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” Isaiah 46:9-10 “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” Romans 8:28 And it reminds me that I am waiting ultimately for a day to come when quandaries like “What should I do at Kijabe?” will seem trivial... “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4 So I move forward with the will I do know, confident that He is at work for our good and that He will accomplish all His purposes. And all the while, for that great day to come I’ll keep eagerly waiting.

Please consider partnering with us in the work in Kenya.  With this move to Kijabe our budget has increased, and we are looking to add to our monthly group of financial supporters.  If you are willing to support at any amount you can do so by signing up to give at wgm.org/copeland. We love to hear from you.  Our email addresses are  wrcopeland3@gmail.com (Will) or alisa.copeland@wgm.org (Alisa). Looking to share this with a friend? Click here Was forwarded this but want to receive future Copeland updates? Subscribe