This week has been a whirlwind. Kea and I have been assisting with medical clinics being held in rural areas. Exhaustion has put us in our beds fast asleep by nine at the latest every night. Most nights it is a struggle to make it past eight. Heat drains our energy and yet an underlying source of energy keeps us motivated to get up each morning to do it all over again.
We are staying in a small but adequate compound. Our hosts have done their very best to make us comfortable and we are. In spite of the cramped quarters – we are. In spite of the always present mosquitos, at times their swarming buzzing threatening to drive us inside where others of their clan have already arrived – there is no escape – we are. In spite of the oppressive heat – how is it possible to drink a full liter of water and not have to go to the bathroom for hours – we are. The sun bears down relentlessly – chasing us into the shade for protection – we are. The stress of not being able to sleep in our normal sleep patterns – we are 10 1/2 hours ahead – we are. The food becoming harder to eat – our bodies are not used to the spices and the smells begin to turn into a reminder of our churning stomachs – we. are. fine.
Remembering the faces of the precious people standing in line to be seen by a doctor, being able to take their blood pressure and weight and smile into their eyes and pat their arm and love on them for a few minutes is an honor. It by far overcomes any physical discomfort I have experienced. Working with translators asking about their health concerns or ailments is time consuming yet seeing how they are grateful for someone who cares to listen makes every minute worth it. Learning enough words in Hindi to say “praise The Lord” or “God bless you” has been awesome.
Standing with the doctor, translator and patient as they allow prayers to our God to be prayed over them is over-the-top blessed moments.
This is what matters most.
We can’t change their circumstances in their physical world – I get angry when I see how people are treated on the same level as animals here and in many instances the animals are more sacred than any person. The sheer numbers of people who live here – I can’t get my head wrapped around the dynamics of being able to change their situations physically. I see people laying on the side of the road like animals, living in squalor.
One woman we saw in clinic weighed 50 pounds. We thought she was very old and brought her to the front of the line so she didn’t have to stand in the heat. She was 35. Yes, 35 years old.
I came back to the room at lunch break – again no electricity to run the fans which are our only relief – laid down on my bed and went to sleep. My mind had to stop thinking – my heart needed a break – and yet – these people don’t get a break or any hope for one.
After lunch we went back and by the end of the day we had seen 100 patients. Precious souls in God’s eyes.
And I remember God has not promised us an easy life on this earth – physical and emotional and spiritual challenges face us each. I don’t know why I am who I am just as they don’t know why they are who they are. We just are. Physical, spiritual and emotional beings created by a God who desires us to love and worship Him. A God who places a spirit of hope within our souls. A God who deeply seeks a passionate relationship with us.
Occasionally a patient would sit down at our table and our translator would introduce them as a member of the local church. They would smile and we shared our newly learned greetings in Hindi. Those few moments spent with them revealed a spirit of peace and joy in their eyes and their pleasant demeanor reflected God’s presence in their lives.
Our hope lies in God. His peace within us enables us to overcome the obstacles that living life on this earth put in our way.
I want to share boldly the God I serve. I want others to know the hope that overcomes all despair – deep emotional despair – deep physical despair – deep spiritual despair.
We are heading into another village to help with a clinic there today. I am praying that God will use us to be His light – His hands – His feet. Please join me in praying for that.
We will sleep hard again tonight, exhausted and overwhelmed but filled to overflowing by our God who loves us.
We. Are. Fine.
Psalms 25:4-5 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
beautiful….