supplies for Guatemala trip

Dear ECF,

As many of you know, a couple of us are going on a medical missions trip to Guatemala with Dr. Hawkins and Juan from April 17 - 22. There are a total of 7 health care providers, 8 students/postdoc and 5 members of Juan's church going. So far, Dr. Hawkins has gotten a grant for $7500, praise God, and our efforts now are focused on getting the medications and medical supplies we'll need. Please pray for this and for the trip in
general.

We also need to borrow some things, if you have them, for the duration of the trip. If you have any of the items listed below and are able to lend/give for the trip, it would be very useful. Please let any of us know if you are willing.

1. Things we need to borrow and promise to return
- stethoscopes
- BP cuffs
- otoscope/opthalmoscope set
- thermometer
- clip boards
- sleeping bags
- large suitcases (to carry meds)
- one pair of goggles - anybody kept theirs from anatomy?

2. Disposable things we need and can't return
- alcohol wipes
- hand sanitizer
- gloves (maybe people in the lab can ask their PIs to donate some)
- bubbles - to play with kids
- notepads

We will also need some help packing the medicine/vitamins up into ziplock
bags. This will take place the week before we leave and more information
is forthcoming.

Thanks so much,
Dave, Sophia, Deb, Magalie, Tina, Mike, PC

Passover Demo This Week!

We'll be having a special Passover demonstration this Thursday (3/30) at ECF.  Our speaker, Doug, used to come do this for ECF, and we're fortunate to have been put back in touch with him this year.  From what I've heard, people have really enjoyed this in the past.

Doug will be showing us how the traditional Passover service is performed, explaining the different elements as well as sharing with us the further meaning that Jesus has invested in it.  Hopefully we'll come away with a deeper sense of how the past ties into the present, especially as we go through this Lent season in preparation for Easter!

ECF will begin at 7:30pm in Belfer 601 as usual.  And yes, you can go to this and still make Skit Night at 9pm!  ;)  Hope to see all of you on Thursday - invite your friends too!

Any questions?  Email Deb (dleong@)!

Fun with Math

Hi all,

So I was on the road from the Bronx to Baltimore, struggling to stay awake, when I remembered the math problem that Dr. Yuen gave to us last night. Well, the first thing I realized was that she gave us the wrong problem.

So the problem is this: you have a 3x3 grid, where all vertical, horizontal, and diagonal 3-member lines must add up to 30. Dr Yuen, incorrectly, said that we needed to use all numbers 7->15 inclusive. This is clearly wrong because there is only one combination of numbers that will add up to 30 using 15: specifically, 7+8+15. Since you can't reuse numbers, and every single member of the 3x3 grid will be used in at least 2 lines, this is impossible.

I'm assuming that she meant we used the numbers 6 to 14 inclusive. This problem makes more sense. First off, we need to figure out what the question really is asking. If we think about it, there are 9 numbers, and 8 equations that must add up to 30. This could probably be solved computationally very simply, but that ruins the fun. There are too many degrees of freedom for this to be solved by number crunching.

However, we can realize that there are specific boundary conditions based on the numbers we have. Assuming 14 is the highest number, there are only 2 number combinations that will add up to 30: 14+7+9 and 14+10+6. Likewise, for 6: 6+11+13 and 6+10+14. Yay. Now if you think about it real quick, there are only 4 places on the grid that used in only two equations. If you realize that, the numbers fall into place:

7, 14, 9
12 ,10, 8
11,6,13

(When I realized this, I got so excited and almost got my 2nd speeding ticket in 3 wks. D'oh.) Dr. Yuen says that there is another combination that works. Hm. Maybe I can figure it out on the ride home. I don't have Dr. Yuen's email address though.

Sincerely,

Anonymous.

***Special Broadcast***

Vic's birthday

 Is here.

Call her

To wish her

Opulence,

Robustness,

 Insight,

Adeptness, and so much more this coming year...

*Hope you have a fantastic birthday, Vic. You are so special to all of us. May God continue to richly pour His blessings on you!*

Happy Birthday to our Ope!!

Give me an 'O', give me a 'P', give me some 'E', 'Y', 'E', 'M', 'I' !!

We join in the celebration written all over the blue sky!

Today is the day our beloved Ope was born _?_ years ago,

Let us rejoice and tell him how much he means to us....more than gold!

 

Thanks for being a great leader and for the awesome Bible studies, Ope! We may not always tell you, but oftentimes, they are the very tools that God uses to speak to us individually. Thank you. Hope you have a superhero-style birthday!

From the BBC:

"When Albert Watson, from Hodge Hill, saw Mel Gibson's film 'The Passion of the Christ', he was moved to write a poem about Lent. He wonders how people can give up chocolate for Jesus, when Jesus gave up his life for people."

"An olive grove that night was spent
With blood and sweat emotions rent
A guard of soldiers had you brought
Before an all accusing court
My response to their cruel intent?
I'll give up chocolate for lent

They hung You Jesus on a tree
Of Roman nails they used three
Two in hands and one in feet
Their evil deed was now complete
"It is finished!" Your life was spent
and I gave up chocolate Lord for lent"


Albert Watson, Hodge Hill, Birmingham

Drumroll Please...

Yay!!!

It's Jacq da Mack's birthday!!!!!

Sheng ri kuai le!!!

Hope it's da bestestest ever and may God make it da bestest year ever!! =)