The Sphere Effect

It seems I only ever write these days when I’m starting or ending a year! So here’s my wrap up for 2009. I somehow managed to achieve most of my goals for 2009 which is awesome.

I moved back to the Humanitarian Sector and got a job with Compassion Australia.
I finished my MBA!
I got a new scooter - VROOM
I travelled to Vietnam, Thailand, Manardo (Indonesia) and spent a bit of time flying back and forth across Australia.
I’ve made heaps of new friends in Newcastle and in Adelaide and things are ticking along very nicely.
I’d still like to make a move back overseas, but at the moment I’m quite content to stay in Perth and work for Compassion.

As I write, I am at Singapore Airport on my way to Kolkatta, India with an awesome group of people. We are going to check out some Compassion Projects in both Kolkatta and Purulia and we hope to see what God is doing through His church there. I’m planning on blogging if and when we come across anything interesting, so watch this space.

I’m also planning another Compassion trip to Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda in April 2010, so if anyone is interested in coming along, let me know and I’ll send you the details.

Life is good, God is good, I am happy

Well I didn’t have to wait for too long to get that new job!!

I have just been offered a full-time job with Compassion Australia. Compassion is very similar to World Vision, incorporating one on one child sponsorship between donors and children in developing countries. You can find out about them at http://www.compassion.com.au.

I will be working as the Donor Relations Manager for Western Australia, which will enable me to stay in Australia until I have at least finished my MBA, but also gets me into the area that I want to work in - international aid and development. The job includes a lot of travel, mostly around WA and the NT which is great, and will probably also include a couple of field trips every year into the Compassion projects overseas. So it’s a great job for me - including flexibility, travel, interesting work, and christian ethos.

I’ll be visiting some Compassion Projects near Chiang Rai as part of my holiday in Thailand later this week so that I can get some first hand experience of the work that Compassion do here in Thailand. All in all I think it promises to be an exciting year!!!

It’s interesting to look back on 2008 and try to work out what I’ve achieved. I don’t feel like I’ve really achieved all that much, but in retrospect I guess there’s been a bit. It’s been a difficult year which mostly included lots and lots of study and work, and I’m quite relieved it’s all over for the year and I have a chance to relax before beginning Uni again in February 2009.

Unfortunately the trip with Riverview to Thailand didn’t eventuate due to the Bangkok airport crisis which was very disappointing. The group didn’t make it to Thailand but I set off by myself a week later and spent a week with Kath in Chiang Mai. It was great to see what she was getting up to with her organisation - Partners Relief and Development - who do excellent work with the refugees and IDPs from Burma.

I also got to spend a little time with the children I sponsor in Chiang Mai, and I took them a stash of Christmas gifts from some generous donors in Australia. Then it was off to Bali to spend Christmas with mum, dad, Kellie and Kath. We had a lovely relaxing time in Bali and then Kath and I headed off to Koh Samui in Thailand for New Year. We got in a bit of boogey time last night for NYE which was great fun!

So my wrap up for 2008:

Houses sold - 1
Houses bought - 1
New cars - 1
Units finished of my MBA - 7
Contracts finished - 1
Times I got sick - 1 (and only a cold at the end of the year)
New friends made - at least 15
Kilos lost then gained then lost (and almost gained again) - 6kg
Countries visited - 4
New countries visited - 0 (oh dear)
Boyfriends - 0 (big surprise there)

And looking forward to 2009 - a thought about what ‘could’ be in store.

Off to Vietnam for a couple of days next week (Yay - I can add a new country to my list)
Back to Chiang Mai to visit some Compassion Projects and to go to a Christian conference.
5 more units of my MBA (please let it be over soon)
A new job (fingers crossed)
A move back into the Humanitarian sector (no more telecomms please)
Some direction in life would be very nice (God are you listening?)
Travel, travel, travel - wouldn’t it be great to find a job that also let me travel? Watch this space
Motor bike????
Another 6kg off would be great - with no off/on/off/on….

Here’s wishing everyone a fantastic new year with many of God’s blessings.

Well I’m soon coming to the end of my second trimester of my MBA. Thank goodness! I feel a bit like I haven’t had time to do much else but study for the last 8 months and I will be very thankful for a couple of months break! I will finish the degree at the end of July next year so there is still some time to go, but it’s getting closer and closer. I can’t wait until it’s all over and I can get back into some ‘real’ work.

Kellie and I sold our house in Atwell in July and we have now purchased a much smaller townhouse in South Perth. We moved in just over a week ago, and it’s a bit of an adjustment to make. Hopefully we will finish unpacking soon and it will begin to feel like a home instead of just a house.

I will finish Uni in about four weeks time, and then I’m off to Thailand for a few weeks in December. I’m planning on going to look at some projects that my church supports and will be spending time in Bangkok, Khaon Khen and Mai Sai. Then I’ll spend a couple of days with Kath in Chiang Mai, and visit with the orphans I sponsor there, and then both Kath and I are off to Bali for Christmas with mum, dad and Kels. Then we are back to Thailand for New Year. Haven’t 100% decided what we are going to do yet, but Koh Samui and/or the full moon party are on the list of possibilities.

My work on the Woodside Pluto project is coming to an end, and I will finish my contract at the end of November, before I leave for Thailand. I don’t yet have anything else lined up, so I’m hoping to find something before I leave otherwise I just may stay in Thailand until I find some work. It’s much cheaper to live in Thailand than in Australia (although with the state of the Aussie dollar that may be debatable). Plus it will be much more fun!!

A week/weekend in Sydney is also becoming a possibility in January, depending on what happens with work. I haven’t been back for over a year now, so I’m quite keen to catch up with all you Sydneyites!! I’ll keep you posted….

I feel a bit like I’ve come full circle… I’ve just been accepted back into Murdoch University to study in the Master of Business Administration program. The thought of all that studying is very wearying, and I had thought I’d put it all behind me many years ago. Still it will be helpful in the future when I’m applying to the National NGOs and to the UN for all those low paying jobs, and also when applying to get one of those high paying jobs back in Australia.

Fortunately my organisation has agreed to let me reduce my working hours to 20 hours a week, but even so I think I’m about to be out of control busy - I do hope no-one actually expects to see me in the next year until I finish this degree!!!

I’m still living with Kel in my shoe box bedroom, but we’re about to put our other house on the market and to try to buy a place together a little closer to the city. If anyone is looking for a 3 bed, 2 bath house in Atwell, do let me know…

Anyway - I don’t have much else to say when I’m not living the life of an intrepid traveller so you’ll probably not hear from me again until next year when I’m done with my life as a student, and I’m ready to head off into the big wide world again.

Just a quick note to say that I’m having a fantastic time ski-ing in france, although I did a ripper faceplant today!! New Year was good fun and I hope that everyone else had a great time too. I’m really enjoying spending time with Kels, although I miss my other ski buddies, Granz and Kath

Will be back in the UK on the 6th Jan, and hope to catch up with people over that week (leave for Oz on the 11th).

So ciao for now!
xx

I have to admit that nothing very exciting has been happening for me over the latter part of this year. I am very keen to get back overseas, and I’m determined to move back into the Humanitarian Sector, but I’m not 100% sure just what that looks like yet. I will be travelling to the UK and to France over the New Year, and then back to Perth, and then I need to make some firm decisions for the next year. I am going to apply to get into an MBA program in Perth - however I never did finish my bachelor’s degree so there’s a good chance they’ll knock me back without a thought - that being the case I think I’ll choof off with MSF again.

One thing I am very interested in (just had a good convo with dad about it) is microfinance, and I think I might base any studies I do along that line. I’m not sure how many people actually know about microfinance, but the concept is about making small loans to the poverty-stricken in developing nations. The loans are so small that the banks are not interested - but they can mean the difference between life and death to the workers - and give them the opportunity to make a life for themselves and their families.

I often hear that people are not willing to give to some of the big aid organisations as they are not sure where their money is going. Why not consider lending US$25 to a small entrepreneur in a developing country?

So now I’m going to give a plug for an organisation called Kiva.

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the business is going. The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva you will know exactly who your money is loaned to and what they’re using it for. And most of all, you know that you’re helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after your loan is paid back.

You can help to change the world - one loan at a time.

Hi everyone

Just thought I’d let you know that I went to see my kidney specialist again this morning for the very last time. He tells me that he doesn’t need to see me again, that all of my blood stats are 100% in normal limits, and that he does not foresee a recurrence in the future. He says that I have the same risk of an episode of HUS that I had before I got sick. This is a very good thing

I discovered that I still have a multi-trip travel insurance policy, taken out in March this year, which doesn’t expire until March next year, so I need to take advantage of it. (No issues with pre-existing condition, as I already had the policy before I got sick). I am thinking very seriously about a short trip away over New Year - I will probably go and join up with Kel in the UK and go ski-ing in France. So for all my pommy mates - please don’t go away over Christmas and New Year….

It’s been a long time since I updated anyone as to what’s happening with me.

I’ve been out of hospital now for just over two months, and progress has been excellent. I was certified fit to work by my GP a couple of weeks ago, and I have started working on a contract basis with WorleyParsons Engineering. I am working on the new Pluto Project, which is a new LNG Gas plant that is being constructed in North-West Australia. I am still based in Perth however, so I don’t get to have much fun playing somewhere else in Australia (dammit!)

With regard to my plans in the future, I have resolved not to make any plans until next January, as everyone seems to think it best that I recuperate for at least six months before making plans. I bow down to the combined greater wisdom of my family, friends and medical practitioners, although I find being planless incredibly frustrating.

It does look as though I will have some issues getting travel insurance at any time in the near future, so it seems that my hopes for getting back overseas have been well and truly dashed. At least in the short-term – I am hoping that as I stay well, I will have more chance of convincing some travel insurance agency that I am a good risk.

My sister Kellie will be travelling overseas for a few months later this year, leaving in about 4 weeks time, so I will be looking after her house, her car, and her cat while she is gone (I do hope the cat survives… and the car too I guess. And actually now I come to think of it, the house may also be in danger of not getting cleaned quite as often as it does now )

So I will be living on my own, which will be interesting… If anyone fancies coming to Perth for a visit, please do let me know as I will probably be desperate for some company before long…..

I wonder if I will rue the day that I gave my family access to my blog? Goodness me, I think everyone in the world knew more about my condition than I ever did until very recently. I guess I am glad as without the prayers of all of my wonderful friends around the world I might not be here right now to write about it!!

Hello everyone! It’s me!! Really me writing this all by myself! I am home from hospital much earlier than any expectations, and I am finally managing to drag myself onto the computer to let everyone know how well I am doing.

I am told that I should still be in South Africa Hospital for the next 3 weeks before I will be stable enough to come home to Perth and then possibly another three months in hospital in Perth before coming home to Mum and Dad’s house so you can imagine my relief to find myself in my parent’s home only 3 and a half weeks after being diagnosed with HUS. Especially after also being told that I nearly died several times except for a series of miraculous interventions on behalf of God! I cannot say that I am feeling well, but much better than I was, and I hope for a full recovery in a very short period of time.

I have to apologise to all of my non-religious friends for the overwhelming amount of religiousness in all of the previous posts (and this one) but you see, I have special insight now and I know that an awful lot of you were shooting of prayers left, right and center when you knew what a terrible situation I was in. I have to say thank you, thank you, thank you, because God listened, and he answered, and I am here today because of it.

I know that many of you will have lots of questions about what happened, and probably about MSF too, but I don’t think I will have the energy for all of that just now. I will briefly explain about the illness and will spend some time on what happened in Itang a little later on. That is all a little painful at the moment as I need to spend some time working on just how I feel about being ripped out of my dream job and country and sent back home where I feel I don’t really belong just now.

I first got ill with diarrhea around the 19th May. I didn’t think anything of it as everyone gets these things when one visits a foreign country like Ethiopia. It didn’t effect my daily work and lasted about five days. After this it turned into bloody diarrhea with abdominal cramping and severe vomiting. I was working in a Health Centre and the doctors were trying very hard to work out what was wrong with me, but any samples showed no parasites or bacteria. I was getting sicker and sicker and they decided that they needed to send me to the capital Addis Ababa to a hospital for further attention. Unfortunately this isn’t so easy as there are only 3 flights a week, and the next flight was full.

Luckily for me, one of my close local friends was good friends with the ticketing officer of Ethiopia Airlines and managed to get me on a flight. If he hadn’t, I’m told I would have died.

When I left Itang, I thought I was leaving for about three days. I barely packed any of my things, and I didn’t really get the opportunity to say goodbye to all of my friends. I have never seen them or spoken to them again, something that is very painful for me to deal with.

I was picked up and taken straight to the best private hospital in Addis where I remained for a week. I didn’t realise that I was getting sicker and sicker but the MSF people in Addis did, and it was the Medical Director who made the call to have me Medi-Vacced to Johannesburg. If he hadn’t made the call when he did, I would have died within a day.

I have very little memory of the events after I arrived in Johannesburg. It is a maze of machines, and tubes, and blood transfusions, and oxygen and no-one told me how sick I was, or that there were several times I was within hours of death. It was also a time of being uplifted and knowing that I was being held in the hands of Christ. Every day emails were pouring in from all of the world telling me that people were praying for me, and that angels surrounded me. People I knew, people I didn’t know, churches I had never heard of. This was the one thing that sustained me through all of the pain and the sickness.

There were several times where I heard the quiet voice of Christ assuring me of healing, and usually it was the next morning when some miraculous breakthrough would have happened over night.

I don’t know why I was ripped out of Itang and sent back home. I don’t understand why God would let this happen to me when all I have ever wanted to do was serve him. But throughout this all, I remain convinced that he is sovereign, and that his plans will be served not mine. I will do my best to follow him no matter what the cost.

I am not yet at a place where I can consider the future, but I think it will come very soon, and I will let you know when I start walking down that road.

Thanks once again for your amazing support without which I wouldn’t be here.

God bless all.

Heidi
xxxxxxxxxx