Uganda Mission Trip

I thought I'd post an update for those who follow Karen's blog. Today Karen left with a group from our church, Central UMC, on a medical mission trip to Uganda. This mission is headed up by Jody Farrell & Chris Thornton who have been active with Worldvision and CYORF helping the people and children of Uganda. This is an exciting trip and Karen is thrilled to be able to go and help out! As you may guess, her health is good and she is doing well. We are going to miss her greatly over the next 11 days!

They will be traveling from Arkansas to Chicago to Brussels to Entebbe and finally ending up in Jinja, Uganda tomorrow. Their plans are to work in Jinja and then travel north to Gulu and work there toward the end of their trip.



Please pray for their safe travels and that they will have a positive physical and spiritual impact on the people and children of Uganda. I will post the update emails I receive on this blog so you can check back in on their progress. Here is the first update from Kysia Thornton:
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Psalm 34:3- Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.

The Mission Team for Uganda is heading out. They will fly from XNA to Chicago to Brussels to Entebbe then into Jinja, Uganda. They will arrive in Jinja ready to work by Thursday. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and that their hearts will be prepared upon arrival to begin their work in both medical clinics and community projects.

Our Team members are Jody Farrell, Chris Thornton, Keith Hoggard, Dewey Dykes, Mike Adelman, Karen Blasingame, Carol Fossey, Michael Cross, Sunny Cross, Pamela Hays, April Steeps, Preston Thibodaux, Sylvia Wulf, Charles Brickey, Tamara Brickey, Daphne Wright, and Libby Haney.

"Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then said I, "Here I am; send me."" (Isaiah 6:8)

Kysia Thornton
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Thanks! Daniel Blasingame, daniel.blasingame@nominum.com

Happy belated Easter!

Thanks for the encouraging comments and emails. We had a great Easter and Holy Week and I hope everyone did too. Here's a picture of the kids after church & lunch on Easter Sunday and there are some more pics here.

It has now been almost 8 weeks since my last surgery and I have been getting back to exercising for the past week or two and feeling better. I was hoping to do the Little Rock marathon but it just wasn't in the cards. Daniel and I went down to to race to encourage our friends who were participating and I wanted to honor Kim's memory by doing the race as she did the year before (Kimsprayer entry March 2007). Next year for sure! Thanks to all those who participated and thought of Kim. Also, thanks for your continued prayers.

Speaking of exercising, Kori, Leslie, Melanie & I are participating in the Hogeye Marathon as a relay team on April 6 and Daniel & I are doing the NWA Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure on April 19th. Keep us all in your prayers!!

Thanks again,
KGB

At Home doing well

I brought Karen home yesterday around noon and she rested all afternoon and had a good night of sleep, helped by pain medication. Today she is up and about and we enjoyed a good iChat with the McNabbs on the computer before they headed off to a basketball game.

Thanks for your prayers!

Daniel

Going home today

Karen did well last night and is getting up and around the hospital room. This morning Dr. Rob Hix made rounds and gave her the OK to be discharged so hopefully by lunch we will be taking Karen home.

Thanks,
db

Resting in her room

Karen's surgery went well and she is resting in her room now. She is expected to spend the night and go home tomorrow. Right now she is about to get a dinner of clear fluids, Jello & broth, yum!

db

In Recovery

I just talked to Dr. Paige Partridge-Hix and everything went well. Karen is in recovery right now and will be moving to her room in a little while. Thanks again for your prayers.

db

back in the OR

Karen is now in surgery at Willow Creek. Dr. Atwood got started right at 8am with the continuation of the reconstruction and should be finished around 10am. At that point Dr. Paige Partridge Hix will finish. Karen will spend the night in the hospital which may be a good thing because the weather is getting bad here in Fayetteville!

Thanks for all of your prayers, emails and calls of support. Karen's mom and dad, Mary and Victor, are at our house keeping the kids. Lots of people have asked about bringing us food during Karen's recovery and Stephanie Rosenfeld is graciously managing a meals list. If you are interested, Email me at dblasing@gmail.com and I will get you her contact info.

Thanks again,
Daniel Blasingame