Dr. Dodge: Passion for Health

We are moving to San Antonio, Texas this week. This was not a snap decision, having incubated for over a year as part of an overall plan for me to spend time teaching health in Africa. But why move to San Antonio? Let me explain. 

Rev. Kennedy Mukwindidza, a Methodist minister who pastors a church in Kansas, leads a Volunteer-in-Mission (VIM) trip to Zimbabwe nearly every year. His vision is to build a Skills Training Center in Eastern Zimbabwe to teach rural villagers better ways to farm, as well as give them the chance to improve their education, health, and economic status. 

I have been on two VIM trips, and have become good friends with Kennedy. After I went to Zimbabwe in 2004 and again in 2007, I knew I wanted to become involved in teaching health there when the time was right. Although Zimbabwe has suffered great political and economic turmoil, it is a country with much potential, so this is a good time to offer help.  

The Skills Training Center is under construction. The basic classroom block is up, and other buildings are planned. Among them is one that the United Methodist Conference in Zimbabwe plans to name the Bishop Ralph E. Dodge Memorial Library and Conference Center in honor of my father. Dad and Mom gave their best years to Africa, helping to educate generations of African leaders. The church remembers them with appreciation. 

Ironically, my father’s death in August 2008 freed me to pursue my dream of teaching in Africa. My wife is supportive, but has no desire to go there herself. We looked at various possibilities and discussed them at length. Carol said my going to Africa to teach several months a year was OK with her, but if I did that, she wanted our home base to be in San Antonio. She has family there, and it is where she lived for over twenty-five years. 

Carol’s wish made sense, but the thought of leaving Citrus County felt wrenching to me. Having lived here for thirty-eight years, I have family, friends, and many roots here. Still, the more we thought and prayed about this, the more a move to San Antonio seemed like the right thing to do. That is why we are moving – and here’s the rest of the story. 

I was in Ethiopia in January to observe Project Mercy, a wonderful Skills Training Center that is an excellent model. I will be in Zimbabwe for a month this summer. By 2010, God willing, the Skills Training Center in Zimbabwe will be operational, and I should be able to begin teaching health and wellness skills there for three-month periods of time. 

Meantime, Carol is developing a business she calls Avatar Explorations. I will continue writing my column as well as my new Wellness Newsletter online. I will also schedule Wellness Workshops wherever and whenever those are requested. We both want to do our bit toward a healthier and happier world, and these seem like little steps in that direction. 

Although we’ll live in San Antonio, I cannot stay away from Citrus County. My daughter has promised us a room whenever we can visit, and we’ll be back many times. So this is not saying good-bye, but Godspeed until we meet again. Au Revoir!