This is Reality Missions

Adam and Michelle rocking the Ethiopian threads

The Yates and the Simpson families had the pleasure of participating in a missions fair at our church Reality Ventura. The day was so fun. We had the opportunity to expose the church to a little of the needs of the Ethiopian people and church as well as show pictures and explain some of the cultural background of Ethiopia. The kids from Sunday school made us some awesome posters with words of encouragement and prayers for our work.

Our church is blessed to be sending out 5 families in the next 6 to 8 months. Each of these families are our dear friends and in fact all of them include a doctor that trained and worked at Ventura County.

The Simpson Family (this blog) to Ethiopia
The Yates Family (this blog) to Ethiopia
The Fankhauser Family to Liberia
The O'Keefe Family to Nepal
Mackenzie Slater to Honduras

Join me in Praising God for the work that he is doing to send workers out to the ends of the earth!

Mossy Foot Project and how cool God is!

This past week I (Taylor) have been working with the Mossy Foot Project on a master plan for their
headquarters in Soddo.  I have to tell a quick story of how we came to know about the Mossy Foot Project (http://www.mossyfoot.com/) and their directors Sharon and Jim Daly because it just shows how amazing God is.

It was about two years ago, Simpsons and Yates were praying for God to show us clearly where he wants us to go and we had just finished sending out emails to hospitals literally all over the world looking for a fit for us.  Haiti, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, India, Peru, Tajikistan, Ethiopia... All over the place!!  And we get a very warm email back from Soddo Christian Hospital in Ethiopia inviting us to their upcoming board meeting in Chicago.

This sounds interesting, so we end up flying to Chicago to meet the founder and leadership of the hospital.  We really like them, and to everyone it seems like this might be a good fit for our families.  Then a disappointment comes.  We hear that they are a relatively new hospital and have had quite a few new families recently join them in Soddo.  It may be quite a while before they are ready to have two family physicians join the hospital.  They recommended that we might want to look up the Mossy Foot Project who operate out of clinics in the surrounding area where the hospital is located and perhaps we could work with them and in the future sometime join the hospital.

Slightly discouraged, but doing due diligence we look up the Mossy Foot project AND!! we discover their US address is actually in Ventura, CA where we live!!  4 tenths of a mile to be exact from where the Simpson's house is...  To further blow our socks off, we find out that Sharon and Jim Daly, President and Director of Mossy Foot go to our home church!!

Just Crazy!!  We literally sent out feelers all over the world, looking for where God would match us, only to fly to Chicago looking to go to a hospital in Ethiopia and we get referred right back to our home church and an organization located less than a mile from our house!! and the chances are....???!!!  Praise the Living God!

This incident has been one of the many confirmations that going to Soddo is where God wants us.  Praise God that he has now opened the door for two family physicians to join Soddo Christian hospital this next year!!  and Praise God for the opportunity to work with the Mossy Foot project who are working both spiritually and physically to improve the health in the community!!  Adam is now on their board and we look forward to coming along side their work in Soddo!!

ECHO Conference in Florida

This week, the Simpsons and Yates are in Ft Myers Florida for a conference at ECHO (http://echonet.org/). The conference is the Health Agriculture Community and Culture. Together with 16 other medical missionaries getting ready to go to Africa, Asia, and Latin America we are exploring topics that will allow us to be effective in working in other cultures to affect real change in the health of communities through education. A big part of the conference is about wrestling with our western expectations and the realities of working in the developing world. It has been so valuable to hear the stories of other families that are going through the same process of preparation that we have. Their stories have encouraged us to continue trusting in God for his provision so that we can go and do His work in Ethiopia.

A really fun aspect of this class is it's focus on agriculture as a way to improve life of the rural poor. ECHO is focused on teaching sustainable agriculture methods to people in developing nations. Through a variety of simple methods crop yields, drought tolerance, and food security can all be increased. They have an awesome research and demonstration farm in Ft Myers and they have really rich library of information on best practices for farming methods for different parts of the world.  

Raised Goat pen

This field started out as sandy Flroida soil, but in 6 years of growing with raised beds has become rich moist black dirt under the hay cover.

One fun thing we were exposed to was the Moringa Tree (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa). This tree is amazing. It grows easily and fast in lots of climates, the edible leaves are super nutritious (100g of fresh Moringa leaves have 8.3 g protein, 434 mg calcium, 404 mg potassium, 738 μg vitamin A, and 164 mg vitamin C), the seed pods can be cooked an eaten, and the seeds can be pressed for oil for cooking, soap making, or lamp oil. I wonder if we can get these trees in Ethiopia?

The Mighty Moringa Tree

Ethiopia

We've been sharing a lot about the personal process that we have each been going through to get our families to Ethiopia, but we haven't necessarily shared much about Ethiopia. We have all been learning tons about Ethiopia, it's culture, history, and it's social and political systems. We humbly admit that we won't really KNOW Ethiopia until we we've "walked a mile" there. Until then we get to learn by reading the blogs of the wonderful people who are volunteering there now.

One of the things we have learned is the hard reality facing the people in Ethiopia. Here are some medical statistics that we learned.

• 50% of the population is under 15 years old
• 40% of the population lives in extreme poverty, less than $1 per day
• 1 in 6 children die before the age of 1
• 1 in 10 die before the age of 5
• 1 in 70 women will die while giving birth
• 6% of births have a trained attendant present
• In all of Ethiopia, a country with a population of 91 million, there are only 1700 doctors. To put that in perspective, Stanford Medical Center has 1,900 doctors. 

All of this points to the need for better health education for the population and better training of medical professionals. We are excited to go and be a part of this important work. Keeping our eyes on education and growing systems that empower local people to take an active role in the health of their communities. Its the only way our work will continue to touch lives for generations.

George Mueller

Recently I was encouraged to read more about George Mueller.
I really, really love to hear about real life heroes, their struggles, and their victories.
In fact Adam makes fun of me because if any movie says it is based on a true story, I almost always love it.

If you have time to read or listen to this biography by John Piper about his life, I highly recommend it.
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/biographies/george-muellers-strategy-for-showing-god

During this season we are going forward with our support raising, and it is humbling beyond belief.  It is a strange position to be previously a very independent person and then to become dependent upon the kindness, generosity and grace of God lived through others.  But I guess that is a part of the process.  It is wasy to believe the lie that we are independent creatures, when in actuality we are all very much so dependent upon God for every good and perfect gift.

George Mueller raised over $7,000,000 at the turn of the 20th century for his orphanage is Bristol England only by prayer.  Not once did he ask anyone for money.  His story of faith reminds me that if God called our families to Ethiopia, he is responsible to get us there.  In fact, some of our family and friends feel sad or inadequate if they are unable to financially support us during this season, but God has been teaching me that it is not up to my friends and family to bear that burden, but for God to place it on the hearts of those he has called to join our financial team for this season... and that He will provide in ways we cannot even expect or understand.

One of George Mueller's "go-to" verses was Psalm 81:10

Psalm 81

I heard an unknown voice say:

6“I removed the burden from their shoulders;

their hands were set free from the basket.

7In your distress you called and I rescued you,

I answered you out of a thundercloud;

I tested you at the waters of Meribah.^c

8Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—

if you would only listen to me, Israel!

9You shall have no foreign god among you;

you shall not worship any god other than me.

10I am the Lord your God,

who brought you up out of Egypt.

Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

A heart divided

It's normal to have the ebbs and flows of excitement, fear, doubt and joy during this season of our life.  Recently I, Michelle, have really been struggling with how to end well with my job and my patients as we prepare for the next step... And God has been so faithful during the process.

Friday was such a busy day, a full morning starting at 3am to get all my hospital and clinic work done.  I was exhausted, and emotionally drained.  I walked into my very last patient of the day's room.  She is a 400 pound ex-meth addict with no teeth in a powerchair unable to walk due to her size and chronic pain and a sweet christian woman.

As we talked about her medical problems, she stated quite bluntly, Dr Yates, Are you leaving to go on a mission trip?

I responded vaguely, well, ummm, only as the Lord leads.  You see I haven't told anyone really at work that I'm preparing to move and serve in Ethiopia because I don't want to create early or unnecessary turmoil.

"Well, God told me you are leaving."  In my head I thought, wow, how did she know that.  I affirmed her prophetic word that indeed God was calling me to move overseas.

"And Dr Yates.  It's ok.  I know we'll all miss you, but if that is what God has for you, then you have to go."

Thank you Jesus for that sweet confirmation and encouragement at the end of a very long day. God can and does use us all, even in unexpected ways.

Preparations: RMI24

I will be writing a few blogs over the next couple weeks to describe different specific ways we have been preparing ourselves for the work ahead and the move to Ethiopia.  The first installment is about RMI24, an awesome experience I, Adam, had the opportunity to be a part of at our home church, Reality.

Last summer, I was thinking about our life and our upcoming big changes and I realized that I needed to do something different in my life if I was actually going to be spiritually and mentally ready to move my family to Ethiopia. I was having a desire to free up time in my schedule to read good books about working overseas and about God's plan for us to be part of his work on earth. I was also having a desire to connect to some mentors that could walk with us through this season. The first step was to start working less at my job at Applied Minds and carve out the time to do this, but I had no idea what the next step would look like.  I figured I would just have to get really self disciplined and make myself read and process, and then go find my self a mentor. Fortunately, that's not the way God works! Soon after these ideas started brewing in my head our church, Reality, announced they were starting a ministry internship geared at equipping the people of the church to do ministry in and out of the church.  This internship would involve reading great books, listening to good teaching, and working with mentors at the church! It would last for nine months and take around 24 hours per week.

The whole program had a thread of personal growth through study of the Bible and reading some great books with solid theological concepts. We had weekly written assignments and discussion groups that helped us unpack the ideas in the reading. We worshiped together, prayed together, had fun together, and shared life.

We did three projects each with a different focus. The first was a group project to study a local sub-culture or people group in our community. We looked at the defining characteristics of the group, the cultural assets, and the physical and spiritual needs of the people group. Our group studied the Mixteco people. Indigenous to Oaxaca, Mexico. The Mixteco people in our community are a vital part of our agricultural economy, and yet they have big challenges because of language barriers, discrimination, and poverty.  The second project was to prepare a 40 minute sermon on a topic of our choosing. This was a huge challenge, but taught me so much about studying the Bible with the intention to share it with others.  I taught on Acts 6 and the importance of being willing to be ready to do the work of ministry in the church. The last project was a group project to study spiritual gifts. This was certainly the most challenging, as our group tackled the gift of "words of wisdom".  We learned much about how this gift is distinct from the gained wisdom that is available to all through study. Instead it is a gift of a distinct word of wisdom breathed into a situation for the growth of the body.

God truly used this season and the RMI24 program to get me ready for what's coming. I grew in self discipline, in vulnerability, in conviction of the word, in relationship to others. I experienced a new sweet closeness with God through this time. Most of all I met some amazing friends who are on this same journey, trying to give their heart fully to our God, and live a life of ministry to others wherever they go.

The awesome group of RMI24 Interns

Project Med Send

Praise God for his continued faith and calling to lead us to Ethiopia!

It has been a long journey for our two families, but full of God's leading and faithfulness.

We just found out that we are both going to be receiving grants from Project Medsend.

"MedSend enables highly qualified and dedicated healthcare professionals to serve spiritually and physically needy people around the world in the name of Christ. We do this by making their monthly educational loan payments while they serve. Without MedSend, these healthcare professionals would need to spend years working in the U.S. to pay off their educational debt before going and being able to answer God’s call to serve – and many would never make it to the mission field at all."

That is a great burden off of each of our families.  

In addition they told us that they would pay for us to attend a great conference, the ECHO conference in Florida this fall.  This is a conference we had heard about and wanted to go, but didn't know if it would fit into our budget and schedule. This is a description from their website.

 "Many common health problems around the world come from unhealthy behavior. Motivating people to make behavioral changes is difficult because the roots of behavior are in culturally determined beliefs and values. The arena for promoting behavioral changes is in dialogue about the cultural values and beliefs that underlie behavior.

This workshop will enable Christian health and community development personnel to help people improve their own health, agriculture, and nutrition through understanding and applying scientific, biblical and culturally appropriate principles, and making behavior changes necessary for transformational development."

What an exciting season for our families!

Let the Nations be Glad!

Psalms 67:3-4 

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Selah

As we have been preparing to move to Ethiopia, We have been working with The Lord to really define His calling on our lives and How we are to join with His purposes in each different season. 

He has been forming in us for 12+ years a heart to show the Love of Jesus to those who have never heard of Him and to watch the nations turn and worship a true and beautiful God.

He had given us a heart to see healing and transformation in the lives of the oppressed, poor and broken. He has shown us that He specifically is calling us to have particular skill sets that He will use to minister physical and spiritual healing that will pour over into transformation on not only an individual level but also on a community level. 

He has also shown us that our nuclear family is our closest sphere in which we are to minister and disciple our children giving them high priority even when we are surrounded by other great needs. 

Another calling which has been developing for many years, but has recently become more defined is: a calling to connect the western church (the body of Christ in the U.S) with God's heart for the nations! This has been a really sweet process. We have felt that God had called us to connect people with God's heart for Ethiopia and were trying to see how God would have us do this. During this process, we went camping and had a late night camp fire conversation with our closest friends Amber and Brian Dowd who challenged us to press in and determine if this really is our calling or if it just "sounded like a good idea". The next morning at our campground, I sat before The Lord in a camping chair (hoping my kids wouldn't wake up yet) and I asked The Lord to really speak to me about this and I wanted to receive His words about this calling. It was sweet because He showed me what had been there all along, but I couldn't define it as clearly before. He showed me that part of our calling was to connect the body of Christ here in the U.S. with God's heart for the nations! His heart for those who don't know Him, for the broken, oppressed, poor, widowed. He showed me that one of our roles will be to engage or awaken (or reawaken) the church to God's heart for rescuing, restoring, transforming the nations and making Himself known and worshipped among the nations! 

Let the nations be glad!! 

-Kavi

We're Official!

Check out the new families joining Soddo Christian Hospital!!

http://www.soddo.org/international-staff/

Peace

I used to think that peace was the way the God directed my steps because the places where He has led me, although challenging I found peace.  I love to quote his word:

Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace – as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.  1Cor 14:33

You will keep in perfect peace those you minds are steadfast, because they trust I you. Isaiah 26:3. 

That being said, God has recently challenged me that dying to myself involves pain, that as Satan challenges us as we walk along God’s path it involves pain.  CS Lewis writes in  The problem of Pain that “the full acting out of the self’s surrender to God therefore demands pain.”.  A good friend of mine also sent me a link through Relevant magazine entitled can inner peace be misleading (http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/can-inner-peace-be-misleading). 

These last few weeks have been really difficult for me (Michelle) and my family.  In the midst of difficulty I have found myself doubting if I really heard God’s voice.  I felt like if this really, really, really is God’s will, isn’t supposed to easy?  Aren’t I supposed to have peace?  But God has encouraged me, that he sees every sparrow that falls and promises to be with us, but also requires that we take up our cross and follow up, as painful as that may be… and that Satan doesn’t like it when we have major breakthroughs, but would rather have us stay living in sin, fear and complacency (ease).  It is our responsibility and joy as believers to push past the complacency to seek the abundant life, and sometimes the abundant life is not the easy life.  Perhaps my definition of peace before was “ease” or “self-fullfillment”, but God’s definition is the abundant life, fulfillment of God’s kingdom, not me. 

It is with this that submit to the Lord and am almost encouraged (through the help of my friends Kavi and Taylor Simpson, Chelsey Clarke, Tim and Leona O’keefe).  Thank you.  Community is good.  Even when I fail to see that perspective, God encourages those around me and has been so faithful to remind me that he placed us on this path to Ethiopia again and again and again. 

This past week, after some major doubt, God allowed me to care for my very first Ethiopian patient in the states.  He reminded me that the sprit is working in the challenges through sweet reconciliation and restoration in our marriage.  He allowed me to be challenged by his word, both through a prayer meeting specifically on peace and the “coincidental” timing of the above article on peace all in a period of three days. 

God is good and faithful to complete the work he started (and he reminded me He did start it, not me). 

Worrying Springs From a Determination to Get Your Own Way

"Worrying Springs from a determination to get your own way" Oswald Chambers

There are so many things that we feel we need to worry about- we can worry about our finances, our families, our children, our jobs, our friendships and relationships. It is never ending. Recently, I have been struggling with some worry and fear around the behaviors of my kids. But all this worry is unnecessary! "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:27 

When we worry it is because we want our own way- we think we know what is best and so we worry that it will not happen. But if truly don't want our own way, but we only want God's way- than there would never be anything to worry about because He is powerful and faithful to make His way happen! Worry only exists if we are focused on our selves and what we want!. 

God has really been speaking sweetly and gently to me about the life I have entered into when I chose to give my life to Him. I lay my life down and He takes all of it. He doesn't just take whatever good parts might be present, but He takes my yuckiness- He takes my sin, my shame. He takes my worry, anxiety, burdens. And in return, He gives me life, joy, rest for my soul!

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in

heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my

burden is light."

Philippians 4:6-9

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with

thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,

which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in

Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good

repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell

on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen

in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Job 22:21

"Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you.

Therefore, I choose to yield to Him (come to Him as a yielded vessel) and therefore be at peace. I choose to turn all these worries into prayers with thanksgiving! Remembering all that He has done and how faithful He is. And I will set my mind on things above- I will meditate on His word and dwell on the beauiful true things of God!

"Worrying Springs from a determination to get your own way." Lord I choose to proclaim the truth! That you are worthy of all glory, that You are mighty and beautiful and that You have a wonderful plan that you are gracious enough to let me be a part of! You are asing of me- What will I trust you with? Will I trust you with my life, my success, my profession, my family? What if you have led me down this path toward medicine and toward missions, but then all of it was lost before my very eyes? What if you chose to take away my health or my family or profession? What if You chose to use me powerfully for Your kingdom  through losing my job, not having work? Would I lose my confidence in why I had received the training you gave me? Would I doubt your faithfulness in my life? Would I doubt your leading in my life? Would I worry with anxiety? Lord, you know that in my own flesh- the answer to all these questions is not pretty! But with  You, Your divine power gives me everything I need to make these choices rightly. 

Therefore, by Your power- I will praise you and I will choose your ways alone. I don't want my own way- I want yours! I choose to stop worrying and give up my own desires and longings at the foot of Your cross and instead I will take Your hand and walk Your way. You are my Father and you know what is best.

-Kavi

What's Important

Psalms 103:15-18

Asa (14m) & Elias Simpson (4y) w/ Cole Yates (2m)

As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- with those who keep his covenants and remember to obey his precepts.

Since the Lord first called me to Himself in 1999- He has given me a heart to love and serve the poor, broken and lost. He showed me that He wanted me to go to the nations, but then He told me to wait! He wanted to prepare me first and He has been doing that now for more than 10 years.

Now, after all that time- God has finally released us to go! We are so excited! We want to lay our lives down for Him, we want Him to take these lives that are empty without Him and use them powerfully for His kingdom.

In the midst of all of this- I can easily get caught up in the details! I get caught up in the importance/significance of everything that is going on in life right now. Preparing to move overseas, making sure that we are preparing spiritually, physically, professionally, financially, emotionally!  

While, it may not seem like a bad thing to get caught up in the importance of what is going on, God has reminded me that it is a distraction- a distraction from looking at Him. When I look at "what" is happening, I can take my eyes off the "who"! He wants me to keep my eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of my faith.  He wants me to gaze at Him and enjoy His beauty. That there will be no focus on myself, but only on Him. That I will walk forward in life one step at a time with faith like a child. He is really teaching me about being His daughter- the daughter of the King! And that the benefits of being His daughter are extravagant! I can walk with Him and He will lead me in the path that He has chosen. My responsibility is to walk with Him, stay close to Him, keep my eyes on Him, listen and obey him and enjoy Him! And His responsibility is to use  my life as He desires.

I am so grateful that my life is like grass, that He will allow me to flourish (hopefully like a beautiful flower) and then the wind will come and blow over my life and this life will eventually be remembered no more. It puts my life in perspective! I am here for a short time and I am here to be used for His glory, NOT my own. Not one minute of this life should be squandered on selfish ambitions! I am grateful that while my life is like grass and it will quickly be gone- I am His daughter and He will take me with Him to spend my life with Him. How sweet! To live here for this short time and be used for His glory…and then be able to go home to live with him and enjoy His glory for eternity. Thank you Lord for your everlasting love that you promise to me and that your righteousness will go to our children's children- with those who will obey Him!

Injera and banana

Injera and banana! Good thing he likes it!!

Injera batter in the making!

Covered in His Presence

Lamentations 3:17-25
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

We often spend times focusing on the afflictions that we have gone through or at the least areas that cause worry. We are called to set our minds on things above and make a choice to refocus and focus on God's faithfulness and who He is!  We are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. 

The last few months have been an interesting journey with The Lord. Since I became a believer God has been allowing me to search my past and identify core issues that affect my ability to see God as He desires and affect my ability to live in the abundant life He has promised.  He has revealed bitter roots and has been faithful to weed my garden and bring healing in numerous areas. As a result, I am more able to see Him and love for Him. He has been showing me that many of the wounds I have experienced have actually led to life and have been part of molding me into the woman that I am. 

Praise God that He never tires of working with us! In the past month, God has expanded this process by allowing me to look back at my past with new eyes! Instead of just seeing where God healed me and used my circumstances, He is actually showing me where He was during those circumstances and how He was present in them. This is a concept I have known, but not actually experienced for myself. He is opening my eyes to identify God's faithfulness throughout my past. 

I am doing a Beth Moore study with a few friends and she is currently having us divide our lives in 5ths and then process that way. I also have spent a few Saturdays in Pasadena receiving prayer ministry with an organization called Arbor Spring. This had been one of the sweetest processes I have gone through with The Lord. He is allowing me to see how He was/is present in everything. Even when I did not know Him or love Him, He was there with me. Even when I was suffering, He was with me and was faithful to me in some way that I could never have imagined! He was weeping and holding me when I was weeping. He was protecting me from things I couldn't see when I was putting myself in danger. He was building character in me that could be used for the future even though they were built during times of spiritual and emotional brokenness.  

Through this process, I am having a different response to my past. When I look back now, my past is covered in God's presence and I see God's faithfulness and have a feeling of sweet contentment with knowing where He was (which was right with me). I know I will have more processing to do in the future, but at this time I feel more at peace with my past and therefore my present and future with God than I ever have been. He is so sweet to me! I have tasted and seen that The Lord is good. 

So reflecting on the verses above... We may feel downcast, but we can choose to refocus our minds and hearts on The Lord and His faithfulness and He will transform and renew our minds!


Psalms 42:5-8
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon- from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me- a prayer to the God of my life.


Psalms 34:4-5
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Next Steps

A person plans his course,
but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

This past week has been a week of "next steps" in our team and in each of our families.

First, we are excited to announce that we have officially been invited to partner with Soddo Christian Hospital for long term service! This is a HUGE "next step" for us. We have been stretched in our faith as we pray through this process and trust that all the pieces will come together for us to serve at Soddo. Not everything is settled yet, but this is the step we were waiting for so that we can define all the details with the amazing volunteers that are already working and living in Soddo.

Here is a taste for the fun that
daddy gets to have with his boy
when mom is away at work!

Next, Michelle has gone back to work after an amazingly blessed maternity leave. She is starting back slow at 1-2 days per week this month, ramping up to 3 days per week next month. This is a big next step! In this season, I have ended my job so that I can be home with Cole while Michelle works as a physician, taking care of people in clinic and at the hospital. This will be similar to life overseas, where we will be serving at hospital, with Michelle having a role in the hospital and clinic while I take care of our boy, and on the days where she is not working, I'll be able to be a part of technology and administration tasks at the hospital. It sure has been an adjustment for me to realize how much work Michelle has been doing every day when we have been teaming up to take care of him!

To see how we have been spending Cole's First two months of life, here's a great photo album: Cole's First Two Months

Here I Come!

 Finally, Asa Simpson took his first steps this week! Now that he's on his feet, I'm sure the Simpson house will be a more exciting place!

Thank you all for your love and support as we go through these steps. We can't wait to share the process with you all.

Welcome Cole

Welcome Cole Andrew Yates

Born February 6, 2013

7lb 7oz

It has been an adventure for the Yates family this past month... full of anticipation, joy and God's faithfulness. It may be long, but here is story of some of the ways God has abundantly blessed our family through the birth of our son Cole Andrew Yates.

My son, your story starts long before the day of labor.  Your dad and I were praying for you years before we decided to get pregnant.  God’s provision over your life has been evident and so beautiful. 

I thought I had everything all figured out… exactly when to start to try to get pregnant in order to optimize the timing for life and overseas missions and my medical training… little did I know that God had a bigger plan.  We tried to get pregnant for 7 months before God blessed us with your presence and our pregnancy.  In fact, I thought that there was no way I was going to get pregnant that month because I was working a lot and my cycle seemed off that month, but God showed me that He is in control of the timing.

The timing worked out perfectly.  I started a new job and if I had been pregnant any earlier I would not have been able to have Auntie Emily Kroening cover my maternity leave and give me the rest and reassurance to spend so much time with you after your delivery. 

Pregnancy was difficult for me.  I really struggled with giving up control and release of my body to share it with you.  I wanted to do what I always did, but was tired, emotional, unable to sleep and physically different, but God was faithful to give me what I needed.  Your dad was so sweet and encouraging throughout the entire 9 months.  We traveled all over the place, to Ethiopia, to Northern California, to visit your Great-great Grandmother Ruth before she died.  Everyone we saw was in love with you from your time in the womb.  In fact your grandma Debbie would cry every time she saw us because she was already sad that she was so far away from you. 

I left on maternity leave at 38 weeks because I thought that you were going to come a bit early.  I was having contractions from 22 weeks and thought there was no way that you were going to come late.  In the beginning, I was really worried about the contractions and thought that you might be born too early, or maybe in Ethiopia or on our travels, but God was faithful to keep you tight and growing in my womb.  During my maternity leave there were several times I was up all night long having regular contractions that would just go away.  I prayed every night that you would come to join us in this world, but it didn’t happen.  I became discouraged and disappointed.  I stopped praying thinking my prayers were falling on deaf ears above, not trusting that God had his perfect timing. 

Because you were late, I got to spend time with lots with people that love you.  I was able to meet with Auntie Chelsey for some counseling so I could prepare to be the best mommy for you.  I got to talk to your Auntie/Dr Minako about Jesus and his love for women in spite of some popular Christian myths.  You got to meet Pastor Zhaudi from Ethiopia at Grandma Sharon’s house.  I got to love and spend sweet time with your dad before your arrival. 

As I approached 42 weeks gestation, I knew that we were going to have to induce my labor.  Your dad and I talked about it a lot and I just wanted to resign… why wait any longer, he’s not going to come on his own, I thought.  We had planned to induce my labor on Monday February 4^th or Wednesday February 6^th... I figured might as well do it on Monday.  On that Sunday, we heard Pastor Britt Merrick speak about Matthew 10:28-31.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

He talked about his daughter Daisy and the promise that God makes, not that life will be easy, but that he would be there, to care and release the fears and unite families in eternity.  It was with this message that I felt the presence of God during my time of frustration with waiting for what I thought was unanswered prayers.  The spirit that day gave me the courage to wait.  Your Auntie Allison Blaze, who didn’t always go to our church, came up to me during the service and loved you and prayed for you and encouraged me in my waiting.  She encouraged me that she remembered the waiting with her baby and was there with me in spirit and beside me that morning.  She also reminded me that she would be working in the hospital Wednesday.  It was then that I decided to wait to have my labor induced until Wednesday.   

That Monday night your dad and I had a great night together.  We were intentional in spending time with each other, speaking loving words to each other and praying.  That night was the first night in about a week that I prayed out loud.  I was previously afraid to pray, just to be more disappointed.  I prayed that you would come on Tuesday, before the induction on Wednesday and that you would be healthy and safe.  God reminded me of the power of the tongue to bless his name and the faith that it takes to speak it out loud.

Malachi 3:16

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.

2 Cor 4:13

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak..

Matthew 17:20

 For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

 For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

I went to bed that night with regular mild contractions, like what I had before… On Tuesday morning, the contractions were stronger and still every 5-10 minutes, but I was in denial that it was actually labor… too skeptical to get my emotions engaged, and besides I had things I wanted to do that day.  Your dad and I went to breakfast at the Galloping Hen and split an omlette.  During breakfast I asked him to pinch me in order to distract me from the pain of my contractions.  We then walked over to the Goodwill store and bought a hair dryer for our friend Sarah Appel and walked around the store.  My contractions were getting stronger, but I still thought it might be a false alarm.  That day we packed up gifts to give to Sarah and Auntie Amanda, who just had her baby girl Bridget Ellen that morning.  We cleaned the house, visited James and Sarah Appel and their baby boy Noah.  We had planned to meet Auntie Mary Wong that day, so we did.  I was having contractions every 3-5 minutes that were strong, but I really wanted to see her.  So daddy drove me to Panera Bakery.  He read, while Mary and I talked and prayed.  She was so excited to finally be able to meet you and join us as a part of your birth story. 

We went home because I was uncomfortable and had a lot of visitors come over and love you… Auntie Emily Kroening, Auntie Natalie, Auntie Emily Benson.  Finally we went to the hospital at 7pm.  God was with us the entire time.  When we arrived, my cervix was 3cm dilated and the contractions were really long (2.5  -3 minutes) and painful.  I tried walking and we saw Auntie Amanda in the hallway, but almost fell down.  We went back to the room with Auntie Minako, nurse Tessie and then nurse Monica.  Dr Kotobi came by and gave mommy some special anesthesia medicine, an epidural so she could relax a little bit, but it made me shake all over.  Auntie Kavi, Mackenzie, Teresa, Natalie, Emily, Momo, Auntie Susu and Daddy were all there to help me relax.  We listened to some great music and relaxed for a bit.  You were in a funny position, occiput posterior, and caused me a lot of pain and coupling contractions.  As the time passed, my cervix dilated to 5cm, but the contractions spaced out to every 6 minutes, so we started some medicine called pitocin to make them more regular.  As your head moved down, to 0 station and finally +2 station, my really strong cervix would not open.  I had a lot of pain, but daddy gave me some great massages and we tried to move around from side to side and on hands and knees to help you move your way down.  My cervix of steel really didn’t want to open… funny how my fears of preterm labor were directly demolished.  It was dilated to 8 cm for 5 hours without opening. 

Daddy was reading and I was praying these words of scripture:

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Isaiah 26:3

You keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 43: 2-3

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I give Egypt as your ransom,

Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm2 so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

John 16:21

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

It was around 5 in the morning when Auntie Minako came in to talk to us very seriously.  She told us that your heart rate was going very low with the contractions.  She was worried because my cervix wasn’t opening and your heart rate was stressed.  She told us we could try an amnioinfusion (a salt water infusion in my uterus) or just do my c-section at that time.  I started to cry because I just wanted you to be here, and I wanted my body to cooperate and do what a mommy’s body is supposed to do and I felt like I was letting you and your daddy down.  Your daddy was so good to me.  He comforted me and reminded me of God’s promises.  After the amnioinfusion, he helped me to move around and spend a lot of time on my hands and knees and massaged my back every contraction to help you turn and help me feel better.  I prayed and prayed.  After a bit your heart rate looked less stressed.  At 7 o’clock, Auntie Minako had to go to Santa Paula Hospital to do a hysterectomy for a very important women and your Auntie Allison was working.  She came in they talked.  My cervix was still about 8 – 8.5 cm but your head was very low… so low that Auntie Minako didn’t want to do a c-section, but she couldn’t guarantee that my cervix would open.  Auntie Allison came in, examined me and said… You are going to have this baby.  Roll onto your left side.  Now lets pray.  She prayed for me and you, for great delivery, for your health.  She left and talked with Auntie Minako.  15 minutes later, she returned and to the praise and mercy of God my cervix had opened to 10 cm.  I pushed for 30 minutes and you were here.  Born at 8:12am.  Placenta at 8:17am.  Apgars 8,9.  Your heart rate was a little stressed while I pushed and you were a little blue after birth, but in one minute you were perfect again. 

Auntie Allison brought you over to me and cuddled and I cried inside because you were beautiful and God again was SO faithful, over and over again.  He protected you during labor, even with all the stress, and protected me from a c-section and an induction… things that would not have been the end of the world or horrible, but I was spared out of his grace and his mercy.  He reminded me that morning that you are his, he is watching over you in a very special way.  The ways he protects you and his spirit covers you is bigger and greater than what we, your mom and dad, can do ever.  He has entrusted you to us, but has not left you.  You will never be apart from your heavenly father. 

Through this process, I have seen and it is confirmed that you are going to be a man of prayer and a prophet with words of wisdom and truth on your tongue.  We saw God directly answer our prayers when we had the faith to speak them outloud.  We were able to see and understand that the release of control and fear allowed for our faith to rise through prayer and the spoken word.

Cole, your daddy and I love you so much.  God has blessed us with you and we are not worthy of you or to care for you.  We promise to be prayerful and faithful with the parenting he has entrusted us to do in your life.

Your name verse is Isaiah 6: 1-8

 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.  Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.  And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.  With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!