Spa-tastic

While we were enduring the journey home from Africa with Liam, much of the time Julie and/or I had to sit very still for hours while Liam slept. This, combined with the general fatigue caused by traveling for longer than a day, caused some serious body aches for us when we got home. While we were on the plane, we talked about getting a couples massage when we got back, and how good that would feel. That kind of daydream on a cramped plane helped pass the time, and take our mind off of the fact that Liam was asleep in Julie's lap and her arm was numb.

We've been back a few weeks now, but I have still felt like my neck has been extra tight. Julie said she feels the same, so today we decided to get a massage. We went to a local spa (Julie has been before) and had not only the couples massage, but also the pedicure. I can honestly say I think this is the softest my feet have ever been in my life.

For those of you wondering if it is ok for a man to get a massage and a pedicure, the answer is definitely yes! Don't worry, they won't put on any nail polish or anything. Well, unless you ask them to. My pedicure was actually a lot of scraping and filing, but in the end, it was worth it. It was especially fun to enjoy this with my wife, and she deserves all the pampering she can get!

The Mentoring Project

This is a great blog from my brother-in-law. He heads up The Mentoring Project, an organization that helps partner mentors with fatherless children. Check it out!

The Mentoring Project - A Fatherless Question For Fathers Day

Fellowship Graduation

This weekend was the graduation for the International Family Medicine Fellowship, the culmination of this year of training.

It was a bittersweet time for Julie and me as we said goodbye to our friends the McQuillen's and the Epperly's. We cherished the five months we spent living down the hall from them in Wichita while we prepared to go overseas. Then we said goodbye to them five months ago, as we traveled to different parts of Africa. While we have been in Kenya at Tenwek Hospital, they have been at Karanda Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe. All four are physicians and parents. It sounds like they had a rich time, full of struggles of course. But the people we encountered this weekend were different than the friends that we left five months ago. They have obviously been challenged and changed by the power of Christ. It was wonderful to hear their stories through tear-filled eyes, and to look at each other's pictures.


The graduation was primarily for the Via Christi Family Medicine Residency, so we were able to see the awards given to residents and faculty. Dr. Todd Stephens gave a wonderful presentation about the fellowship including a slideshow of all 5 guys and their experiences abroad. He was also kind to recognize the wives and their important role in the life overseas.

Drs. Jack Kline and Rick Moberly, who also worked in Zimbabwe, were not able to be there and we really missed seeing them. All of them will reunite in rural Iowa where they are setting up practice. They will continue the work they started at Karanda by traveling back to Karanda for three months at a time on a rotating basis.

We are ready to start the next chapter in our lives as well. We will start on faculty at the Family Medicine Residency at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri on July 1.

Some of the lessons we learned from this year were obvious and immediate, but I think it will take a while -- months or even years -- before we fully understand and can fully appreciate some of our experiences. When we look back on the wedding vows we made over four years ago, this time has definitely been our most "for poorer" and "for worse". But through God's grace, we made it, and we have certainly grown closer together as a couple, and a family.

Bible Ninja

This video blog is a shout out to Uncle John and Cousin Cameron. Both of them recently had birthdays, and I think somehow Liam was channeling their energy or something because he randomly has started this Karate Ninja thing. Uncle John actually is a skilled Martial Artist, and one of Cameron's funniest stories has to do with him being drug around town in his Karate suit.

Liam also loves to sing Bible songs like Uncle John and Cameron. Specifically the part of Jesus Loves Me that says "the Bible tells me so."

Today we were lucky enough to capture Liam's ninja skills on video, and then he randomly broke into his favorite song! It was so cute. Enjoy, Cameron and John!

Weekend with the Banks'

Julie and I spent the weekend in southeast Missouri catching up with my parents, and a lot of friends and family from that side of the state.

Grandpa and Granny had a great time with Liam...

picnicking in the park,


playing in the yard,



walking around the town,



and they were even able to show him off at a well-timed family reunion, where Liam got to meet and play with his cousin that was born on the exact same day.




Sunday night, I was invited to speak at church about our time in Kenya.



A lot of people from this area were praying for us during our time in Africa, and it was a joy to share the story of this past year with them. In traditional Baptist fashion, we had a wonderful potluck dinner following the service.

All in all, we had a great weekend visiting family and sharing the news of what God has been doing in our lives.

Show Me Summer!

Being back in the Show Me State just as summer is kicking in has its perks. Well, probably being with family is the main "perk", not actually our state itself. But, this weekend we were able to enjoy two wonderful things: family and the great outdoors!

The three Banks brothers headed to Table Rock Lake in Branson for some fun in the sun. Luke and Tracy live there with Riley, Jacob and Cameron. Levi and Sarah came from Columbia with their daughter Aletheia and Sog the dog.

Liam had a blast hanging out with his cousins. He and Aletheia kept calling each other "Baby", but finally today at breakfast he attempted her name. It came out "Ee-Ah." They're pretty tight.

Yesterday we rented a boat and hit the water just in time for Liam to take a nap on Mommy. He is still adjusting to the time change, so we are just thankful for any sleep he gets!

Logan took several turns behind the boat. He rode with each kid, and tubed a couple times by himself. Captain Luke was trying his hardest to knock him off! He succeeded a few times, but some of the tube rides were just pleasure cruises.

Logan even took his turn driving Luke on the tube. Luke definitely caught some serious air while Logan was the driver!

Liam woke up just in time to see Daddy drive and he quickly wanted in on the action. Logan parked the boat in a quiet part of the lake and we all took some time to play in the water.

Liam did not enjoy wearing a life jacket, but he did love being on the boat! He laughed at Daddy on the tube...

...waved "Hi" to his friends driving by in boats...

and just hung out on the open sea!

Liam was wiped out at the end of the day. Last night was his first time to sleep through the night since we've been back. Maybe we should go to the lake everyday! I wish.

Ahhhhhh, summer time in Missouri!

Back On Shore

We made it! We survived! Liam was such a trooper on our journey home. It was an ordeal over 36 hours counting the drive from Western Kenya to Nairobi, but we did it! There were times where I wondered when the flights were going to end, or if I would ever get some sleep. We were thankful for a five hour layover in London where we were able to get a snooze and some good food (porridge and eggs for Liam and Mommy and a big burger for Daddy). We chose a restaurant called Giraffe thinking that would be somewhat familiar for Liam. He didn't really notice the giraffe decorations, and unfortunately the sun was coming up right outside the window. But again, he was a trooper! We don't have any pictures of us on the plane, etc. because let's face it: who really wants to see that, and do I want eternal proof of how I looked those very long days?

We are so thankful to be home! We didn't actually kiss the ground, or anything like that, but are enjoying every small detail. We started compiling a "Top 10" list of what we are thankful for here in the US, but as quickly as we could make that list, we could also make one for things we miss about Tenwek!

It's been less than 48 hours since we've been back in the States, but already we've encoutered a lot of the differences between the culture we left in Kenya, and the "new" culture we are re-adapting to here in the U.S. Perhaps in another blog we will discuss some "deeper" issues about the cultures, but for now, here is a simple Top Ten list, in no specific order, of things we miss about Kenya, and things we love about being home!

What we miss about Kenya:
1. My Ballet Class! Those girls were precious and I already miss the giggles and trying to corral them to start class on time.

2. Liam's play group What fun kids!
3. The McCropDers and other Missionaries we had to leave behind - We are so thankful for the friends we made.
4. The mild equator weather - It's hot in Missouri!
5. Krest Bitter Lemon - We have already started tasting soft drinks to replace it. So far they are all too sweet.

What we are loving here in the US:
1. Fast internet - I mean.....WOW
2. Clean, clear water - What a relief to not worry about Liam getting some water in his mouth during a crystal clear bath, and Logan and I both hesitated before rinsing our toothbrush under the faucet.
3. Shower - What a difference having a consistent hot shower, with great water pressure makes. I finally feel clean after 5 months!
4. Comfortable bed with no mosquito net - Our mattress feels so great, and we don't have to worry about getting tangled up in the net, or worry about getting eaten in our sleep!
5. Family - It's great to be home with my parents and Liam has taken to Mimi and Papaw perfectly.
Monday we will hang out with Logan's brothers and families and then next weekend we are off to Irondale to spend quality time with Grandpa and Granny!

All three of us are still jet-lagged, and Liam is waking up several times in the night. Pray for a fast recovery as we continue to assimilate to our new/old life.

There's No Place Like Home

We made it back safely to Springfield! We are all so exhausted. We left Tenwek at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, and arrived home about 36 hours later. Liam did very well considering he didn't have a bed. He had a few near melt-downs on the plane, but was quite a trooper. In fact, I think he did better overall than Julie or me. I know I felt so tired and dirty after that trip. We rejoice that we were safe, and that all of our luggage made it. We will write more later about our final Tenwek adventures, and the trip home, etc., but I just wanted to post something as soon as possible. Thank you for all your prayers!