Jessica Update: 2/15/05

Hi everyone

Many of you know now that I'm back from the Sault (got back on Wednesday evening), but I just wanted to send out an update to everyone on my time there and what's coming up.

I was in the Sault for about 6 weeks, doing obstetrics and gynecology. The placement was very good, and I certainly learned a lot. I actually didn't get nearly as much labour and delivery experience as I'd expected to get (not too many babies wanting to be born in the Sault in January!), but I got enough to get a feel for it, and to satisfy requirements for the rotation. The interesting thing, though, was that I got tons of surgical experience. I was in the operating room 1-2 full days a week (compared to my colleagues back in Hamilton who did at most 1-2 days for the entire 6-week block!). I worked with 2 different doctors, and both very much affirmed my desire to be a surgeon. The one doctor had actually planned to tell me after our first day in the OR together that I should go into surgery, so when she found out that that was what I was interested in, she was glad. So that was very encouraging for me. I was grateful to have done my surgical elective just prior to this placement, because I'd already learned how to be a surgical assistant, and was able to jump right in there when I got to the Sault.

I had been slightly concerned about whether abortion would be an issue while I was there, and had asked some of you for prayer about that. It actually wasn't an issue at all. I guess because there are so many Catholics in Sault Ste Marie abortion isn't something that is widely talked about, and those that do it often go elsewhere. So I didn't really have to deal with it at all, which I appreciated. I had a lot of favour with both doctors that I worked with, as well as with all the staff at the hospital, and even the patients (I even got mentioned in one of their birth announcements in the paper!).

Aside from the medical things, I had a chance to reconnect with some family friends who moved to Sault Ste Marie about 15 years ago. They're Catholic, but definitely have some relationship with the Lord. We had some wonderful conversations about the Lord, and about missions, etc, and I think they were really inspired and encouraged. They had tons of questions for me, and seemed really fascinated in everything I had to share. It was also a blessing to have them there, because they were able to help me out when my luggage didn't arrive, and that sort of thing - it was sure nice to have someone I could call and ask where I could get a toothbrush, and if I could borrow sheets and towels until my luggage arrived! I also had a few neat conversations with some people at the church I attended while I was there - again, lots of opportunities to share about my experiences overseas, the vision the Lord has given me, and about His faithfulness.

I had a wonderful apartment about a 2-minute walk from the hospital and from my doctors' offices. It was spacious and well-furnished, and I was very comfortable there. The Sault is a nice little city - in a way the "Gateway to the North." (And it wasn't nearly as cold as I'd been afraid it would be, though it certainly was cold) I really had a sense of excitement as I was flying up there on a pretty small plane (could see the propellors out the window!), and felt that this was not the last time I was going to be flying north in a little plane, and that it wasn't the furthest north I'd be going, either. We'll see what the Lord has in store for the future with all that, but I felt like some things that had been laid down were being stirred up and rekindled. I brought my keyboard up with me, and had some wonderful times with the Lord. I was very much aware that He was there with me - a "travelling companion," if you will.

So thanks for the prayers while I was away. I'm glad to be back here, and am looking forward to everything that's coming up ahead. I start a 6-week pediatrics rotation tomorrow, all of which will be in the area here. And I'm looking forward to having some of my wonderful missionary friends visit over the next little while. It'll be nice to reconnect with them.

Finally, I've attached a scanned photo that was taken in Chatham where I did my surgical elective. The local paper interviewed Dr Kraulis and myself, and there was an article in the paper in January. Not the greatest quality photo, but you can at least see (from a fuzzy profile view) the doctor that I worked with.

Thanks for all the prayers and support. Love to you all.

Jessica