I've arrived!

I've arrived in Lubango, Angola! Going through the Luanda airport was a little scary, I will write a post about that and another funny story (already!) as soon as I can. I am already at the hospital this afternoon, though I am expecting jet lag to hit me pretty soon. I will write again soon! Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Upcoming trip to Angola

Dear family and friends,

It has been a long time since I’ve written an update, and therefore I am so excited to get to write you! Three years ago in July 2006 I arrived back in the U.S. after spending five months in Angola. I started medical school here in Dallas at UT Southwestern that fall, and now I am in the process of applying to residency programs in Obstetrics and Gynecology. These past three years have been quite a challenge – two years of classroom time and a little over a year on the wards, rotating through each specialty. I am so thankful for the opportunity to study medicine and the privilege of taking care of patients. The Lord has granted much grace in the learning process!

Shortly after I left Angola, the new Centro Evangelico de Medicina de Lubango (Evangelical Medical Center in Lubango) opened, as a 40-bed urban tertiary referral hospital. Dr. Foster works most of the time there, with some time spent in the rural 180-bed district hospital run by nurses in Kalukembe. More about the hospital and mission can be found at: http://www.ceml.net/ceml/myweb.php?hls=10020.

An exciting opportunity has come up for me to return to Angola for a four-week elective in International Health. I will be leaving September 26^th and returning the 28^th of October – which means I leave in a week! I will again be working alongside Dr. Foster, seeing patients in clinic and assisting in surgery. I am also hoping I will get to visit the church where I taught English for two months.

Three years ago, I asked for you to join me in praying for Angola, the Angolan people, and what God is doing there through the workers. Would you join me in praying again? Please pray for the men, women, and children that will seek care at the hospital: pray for physical and also emotional and spiritual healing. Please pray for strength and compassion for the workers, as they seek to bring hope and healing to the people of Lubango and surrounding areas. Mostly, pray that God’s will be manifested in Angola. I will try to update my blog with prayer requests, stories, and learning experiences as often as I can: http://marcelainmedicalschool.blogspot.com/.

Also, my travel costs and living expenses during my time there will be a total of $3000 US which includes airfare, lodging, and food. I ask that you pray and consider helping me with the finances of this trip. Please e-mail me for more information on where to send support.

I am so thankful for each one of you! Please let me know how I can be praying for you as well.

In Him,

Marcela Castillo

marcelita_castillo06@yahoo.com