After our journey to Accra, Jodi and I met the Hueys, who arranged for us to meet with a driver named Kwesi. We journeyed with Kwesi to see Cape Coast, a slave castle located there, and a national park with canopies of bridges over the trees in the rainforest.
The ride was about 3 hours, which provided sufficient time to know that Kwesi is our brother in Christ, and a powerful one. Everywhere we drove, God strategically placed literal signs in front of us, reminding us not to forget His power and name sake on this trip. Almost every single fruit stand or store displayed signs like "In Thee," "Annointed Hands," "Respect God," "In God Alone," "Thank You, God," and "God's Time is Right." We also saw a truck broken down on the side of the road displaying a sign with "Faithfulness." True, a person can be broken and still be faithful. Rather, He is faithful to us in our brokenness.
Down here in the south of Ghana, the Christian movement has definitely had time to bear fruit. There is also a wave moving north to Nalerigu, as you have seen in this blog.
The land in the south of Ghana is so different. It is coastal and tropical with many coconut trees, plantain trees, and lush rainforest.
We hiked on narrow bridges swaying high above the trees of the rainforest at a national park. Christ is the bridge and narrow is the path. The path may sway back and forth hanging high above the trees or things of life, but we truly are being carried through this life and are never alone.
We went to Cape Coast slave castle built in the 1500s, where thousands of Africans were confined while awaiting shipment to be traded as slaves. We saw the torture chambers and the small spaces where 200 men were crowded in each of these spaces and were expected to live in--the very same size of room as the govenor's bedroom. We saw the shackles that were bound to their feet and hands to enslave them.
Thankfully, we are not slaves to sin but slaves to Christ. He has come to set the captives free. The shackles are removed. His yoke is easy and the burden is light. A lot to think about. A lot to pray about.
Yes, we are thankful to God for what He has single-handedly provided for us on this trip. This has been a tremendous time with the Ghanaians and to grow closer to our LORD.
Today is a day to continue to reflect on what God has done. It is a day to know with confidence what He will do. At the beginning of our trip while on the ride to Nalerigu, we saw a broken down truck displaying a sign that read "Confidence." Who knew that we came as broken vessels, yet we are confident He will always provide.
We are eyewitnesses of the "red dirt to green rainforest" transition in our lives and in the lives of others.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Powerfully Changed
Nalerigu has been such a tremendous place for me spiritually as well as for working with the patients in the hospital. Many goodbyes have been said and prayers prayed for more commissioning to do God's work here and back at home. We visited with Tommy, Jane, Angela, the Hewitts, the Failes, and the Dickens. I visited with the Ghanaians, including Doris who shared with me a special prayer request. I'm so thankful to have brothers and sisters in the Lord here who can partner in the Gospel, medicine, and prayer. Tommy kept sharing how he truly feels that serving God by serving others is the best way to live. He's found true joy in life and he abundantly pours out that zeal.
Yissa, who works at the house where we stay, stopped by the house. He and his wife, Joyce, have been our friends here, plus I met Yissa two years ago. He did not just stop by to say goodbye. Out of his mouth flowed the Holy Spirit in such a way I have never seen. He had a captive audience of three--Jodi, Rachel, and me. He preached commissioning and annointment over us. He has been here many years and has seen volunteers come and go. He knew exact details from the last time I was here and talked about the comparison of this trip. He thinks I'm more of an outside the hospital kind of person now. :) This trip did allow me to go into the community to interact more by visiting with him and his wife in their home and with others. He said everyone who comes here to Nalerigu is broken by whatever life's weights are and they pour out even more of their broken vessels here to help others. The irony of the process is that those who come to serve are the ones who end up being more softened and powerfully changed.
Early the next morning, Jodi and I met a man who drove us on the bumpy road to Tamale. In the dark, we dodged many goats that were sitting in the middle of the red dirt road for the night just outside their owners' homes. I asked how the goats could wander around and how owners could find their goats later. He said the goats like to roam during the day to find their daily bread, then they sleep near the door of their owner's home. In other words, they always come back home, because they know who cares for them. We then enjoyed the sun rising in the east as we continued our drive. It was a glorious splendor--a new dawn with His mercies anew every morning. At the airport in Tamale, I saw Doris' brother, who is a chief of his tribe. He flew to Accra with us. A small world.
These are new family members in Christ and I am powerfully changed by our LORD here in Nalerigu, Ghana. I pray to see the same red dirt path or whatever path the LORD brings next.
Yissa, who works at the house where we stay, stopped by the house. He and his wife, Joyce, have been our friends here, plus I met Yissa two years ago. He did not just stop by to say goodbye. Out of his mouth flowed the Holy Spirit in such a way I have never seen. He had a captive audience of three--Jodi, Rachel, and me. He preached commissioning and annointment over us. He has been here many years and has seen volunteers come and go. He knew exact details from the last time I was here and talked about the comparison of this trip. He thinks I'm more of an outside the hospital kind of person now. :) This trip did allow me to go into the community to interact more by visiting with him and his wife in their home and with others. He said everyone who comes here to Nalerigu is broken by whatever life's weights are and they pour out even more of their broken vessels here to help others. The irony of the process is that those who come to serve are the ones who end up being more softened and powerfully changed.
Early the next morning, Jodi and I met a man who drove us on the bumpy road to Tamale. In the dark, we dodged many goats that were sitting in the middle of the red dirt road for the night just outside their owners' homes. I asked how the goats could wander around and how owners could find their goats later. He said the goats like to roam during the day to find their daily bread, then they sleep near the door of their owner's home. In other words, they always come back home, because they know who cares for them. We then enjoyed the sun rising in the east as we continued our drive. It was a glorious splendor--a new dawn with His mercies anew every morning. At the airport in Tamale, I saw Doris' brother, who is a chief of his tribe. He flew to Accra with us. A small world.
These are new family members in Christ and I am powerfully changed by our LORD here in Nalerigu, Ghana. I pray to see the same red dirt path or whatever path the LORD brings next.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
His Proof
Some things are just hard, if not virtually impossible, to capture with words when it comes to explaining how God has moved so faithfully on such a spiritual journey as to Nalerigu, Ghana. The people, the faces, the smiles, the miracles, the salvation stories, the emptying, the filling, and the hallos and the goodbyes. I may not be able to blog as much near the end of this journey. Yesterday, I could only touch on the impact that ride out to the Komkomba tribal village made on my life. I mentioned Tommy and the witness he is. The smiles and the immediate screaming excitement that came from every single child and adult as we drove through their village as they sat out under the mango trees after coming in from working the land is something hard to describe. They would scream out and run after us with the most welcoming joy you have ever seen. Children running hard and filled with excitement. This is exactly what I envision us doing as we see our Savior one day, being completely satiated with joy and racing toward Him for the chance to see Him and savor Him. These kids do this, because they love others here in Ghana. People care for each other here and definitely care about those who come here to make a difference in their lives physically and spiritually. Tommy kept talking about how meeting people's physical needs is the best way to meet their spiritual needs. I think we all agree and that is why we are here.
We had wonderful fellowship with the Dickens when we got back to our house. The Hewitts, the Failes, the Dickens, and Tommy Harrison are examples of those who serve and are used by the LORD to fulfill His faithful promises of reaching every tribe and tongue before Christ returns. It is the highest honor to be a part of reaching these people, but in the process we are being completely honored to know them. For those who come here, the process of receiving is so much more than giving. Yesterday, there was serious filling of our vessels by the Holy Spirit and things are even clearer from a higher perspective. I love this time of the trip when the Lord faithfully brings clarity. Not only is this a place to come back to, this is a place from which to bring the same actions back home. May we experience Nalerigu in our daily lives at home. May we have people being bold and selflessly giving of themselves and being charged with The Great Commission to share Christ with others.
Today, we went to a Fulani Baptist Church. There were 22 people: 3 Fulani adults, many children, and several of the missionaries. This was a quaint, intimate service not full of praise from instruments made by hand. The only instruments were the very souls standing there with their voices and hearts in tune for God. We sang from a song book in Fulani language. I recognized the tunes, "Jesus Loves Me" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and several hymns you would recognize. The kids were the most amazing part. They were the loudest and most enthusiastic. This small 10 x 11 concrete building with a tin roof was the House of the Lord this morning. There were not as many bright colors worn, but simple garments adorned to honor the Lord. The message was Acts 1:1-11. I cannot think of a better sermon than today's. How great was it of our Savior in the first place to come direcly from heaven to earth in the form of a babe to show His deity in an earthly, tangible form for people to believe. Not only after fulfilling every prophecy of His sacrificial death and resurrection, He then stayed, after being raised from the dead, for 40 days to continue to speak of the kingdom of God. He used every moment to share convincing proofs to the people, so they had another chance to believe in Him. Before He returned to heaven, He charged them with the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit.
God is still so loving even as He asks us to believe Him through faith. The LORD is still convincingly doing such great acts of proof for His glory today. I stand amazed in Ghana at the proofs that I have witnessed. Timothy, the child I have blogged about with some type of mass effect in his brain and who has shown signs of his brain herniating multiple times (which is usually irreversible, especially with our means in modern medicine), is miraculously still with us. Ayishetu, the miracle child, is proof of God's healing here. The muslims coming to know Christ as their Savior here is proof that God made everyone in His image. The many adults and children having seizures continuously for more than 3 days here are restored whole. The new babies delivered here are proof of His fatherly loving nature. Cheney, who was healed of tuberculosis and gleams for God daily, is proof of His provision. The many people bitten by snakes like cobras and other deadly venomous types here, who are not envenomed by the end of their stay, are proof of His divine protection. Another example of His providence and sovereignty are the missionaries who deny every bit of self to be filled by His glory and may endure illnesses yet they are not overtaken in all their years here. We all participate in this supernatural rejuvenation. Great things are being done and greater things are still to come as the LORD continues to lovingly convince us of His proofs.
Today during the sermon, pastor Alex mentioned Dr. Dewey Dunn of Nashville, Tennessee, who I traveled with to Nalerigu 2 years ago and who has impacted missions tremendously, not only in Nalerigu. Dr. Dunn was just here shortly before we arrived (see trip report/Medical Missions link below) and he shared with Alex that the greatest thing we can do in our lives is to share Christ with others. Let's be lovingly bold and do it.
We had wonderful fellowship with the Dickens when we got back to our house. The Hewitts, the Failes, the Dickens, and Tommy Harrison are examples of those who serve and are used by the LORD to fulfill His faithful promises of reaching every tribe and tongue before Christ returns. It is the highest honor to be a part of reaching these people, but in the process we are being completely honored to know them. For those who come here, the process of receiving is so much more than giving. Yesterday, there was serious filling of our vessels by the Holy Spirit and things are even clearer from a higher perspective. I love this time of the trip when the Lord faithfully brings clarity. Not only is this a place to come back to, this is a place from which to bring the same actions back home. May we experience Nalerigu in our daily lives at home. May we have people being bold and selflessly giving of themselves and being charged with The Great Commission to share Christ with others.
Today, we went to a Fulani Baptist Church. There were 22 people: 3 Fulani adults, many children, and several of the missionaries. This was a quaint, intimate service not full of praise from instruments made by hand. The only instruments were the very souls standing there with their voices and hearts in tune for God. We sang from a song book in Fulani language. I recognized the tunes, "Jesus Loves Me" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and several hymns you would recognize. The kids were the most amazing part. They were the loudest and most enthusiastic. This small 10 x 11 concrete building with a tin roof was the House of the Lord this morning. There were not as many bright colors worn, but simple garments adorned to honor the Lord. The message was Acts 1:1-11. I cannot think of a better sermon than today's. How great was it of our Savior in the first place to come direcly from heaven to earth in the form of a babe to show His deity in an earthly, tangible form for people to believe. Not only after fulfilling every prophecy of His sacrificial death and resurrection, He then stayed, after being raised from the dead, for 40 days to continue to speak of the kingdom of God. He used every moment to share convincing proofs to the people, so they had another chance to believe in Him. Before He returned to heaven, He charged them with the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit.
God is still so loving even as He asks us to believe Him through faith. The LORD is still convincingly doing such great acts of proof for His glory today. I stand amazed in Ghana at the proofs that I have witnessed. Timothy, the child I have blogged about with some type of mass effect in his brain and who has shown signs of his brain herniating multiple times (which is usually irreversible, especially with our means in modern medicine), is miraculously still with us. Ayishetu, the miracle child, is proof of God's healing here. The muslims coming to know Christ as their Savior here is proof that God made everyone in His image. The many adults and children having seizures continuously for more than 3 days here are restored whole. The new babies delivered here are proof of His fatherly loving nature. Cheney, who was healed of tuberculosis and gleams for God daily, is proof of His provision. The many people bitten by snakes like cobras and other deadly venomous types here, who are not envenomed by the end of their stay, are proof of His divine protection. Another example of His providence and sovereignty are the missionaries who deny every bit of self to be filled by His glory and may endure illnesses yet they are not overtaken in all their years here. We all participate in this supernatural rejuvenation. Great things are being done and greater things are still to come as the LORD continues to lovingly convince us of His proofs.
Today during the sermon, pastor Alex mentioned Dr. Dewey Dunn of Nashville, Tennessee, who I traveled with to Nalerigu 2 years ago and who has impacted missions tremendously, not only in Nalerigu. Dr. Dunn was just here shortly before we arrived (see trip report/Medical Missions link below) and he shared with Alex that the greatest thing we can do in our lives is to share Christ with others. Let's be lovingly bold and do it.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
He Made the Road
This morning we got up and rounded in the hospital. All of our patients are still making it, including precious 3-year-old Timothy. I'm still wondering what God is going to do there.
We then met with Tommy Harrison, the missionary who came here 25 years ago to plant churches in the villages of this remote region. These truly are the unreached people. Tommy goes daily and meets their needs by drilling wells, having church under a tree, or helping build churches. He does many things here and has been a tremendous asset in Nalerigu. When he first came, he actually used to live on the hospital property. He then decided to move into town with the people of Nalerigu. He is one among them. He eats the local food and lives like they do. He tells me he has the best bed in Nalerigu for sleeping. It's up on his roof under a mosquito net and he has nothing but God's galaxies of stars to gaze at every night. If the rain comes, he'll run down into his house. He is truly a remarkable servant for Christ.
This day has been one of the best, just by seeing yet another soul changed as Tommy sets himself aside and pours into others. He kept referring to how we should be living the commandment that Jesus kept emphasizing about loving others. It gives Tommy greater joy to love and serve others. Everything he does for others, including farming land for them, goes right back into their hands. He keeps nothing for himself. Many years ago, he returned home to Alabama and he said his heart was just simply here, so he came right back. He's approaching the retirement age, but he has no desire to retire. His wife died many years ago and he has several kids in Alabama. He would love to keep serving here as long as He sees God moving in his work.
Today, we drove beyond the dirt roads to tinier paths out in the bush. We passed through areas out in pastures with villages of mud huts. We went inside the homes of villagers who Tommy has befriended. The homes are the same type of 6-feet diameter huts with such quality workmanship. The mud is made from a mixture of cow manure and sand. When baked from the heat, it can last forever as long as their grass roofs keep the rain off. Usually, they redo the grass roofs once a year before the rainy season starts again. Occasionally, tin roofs are placed on top of the rectangle houses and last much longer through rainy season. We went to a place where Tommy is setting up his own mud hut to live in for several months when the rainy season starts. The rains wash out the road, so he wants to have a place for times when his truck cannot make it back to Nalerigu. We saw the house and it was just right and ready for him to occupy. Today the plan was to put a door on the house. He built the door, we brought it out there with us, and he installed it. As we passed by, many children came along and rode with us. It is the most entertaining thing for them to get to ride in the bed of the truck even if their walk back home is 5 miles. We drove slow enough so that people could keep hopping in and getting off as they wanted. Tommy never turns a person down for a free ride. Most of the villagers walk. If they are lucky, some have bicycles. Tommy also bought mangos and we passed them out to the kids. They were delicious.
It was such a spiritual time for me out in the bush and in the villages. I receive the greatest joy while being with the people in their habitat. We get to see these faces everyday in the hospital, but to be where they journey from and see how they live enables us to experience another close bond with them. Tommy even speaks their language and he sang a song in their tongue as we drove down the road. He translated it as "God made the road, God made the way, so do not be afraid to go."
I think that speaks loudly to many of us. Tommy was used today to demonstrate how truly setting aside your own life and living for others solely for the glory of Christ is the most rewarding, satisfying, and obedient way to live.
We then met with Tommy Harrison, the missionary who came here 25 years ago to plant churches in the villages of this remote region. These truly are the unreached people. Tommy goes daily and meets their needs by drilling wells, having church under a tree, or helping build churches. He does many things here and has been a tremendous asset in Nalerigu. When he first came, he actually used to live on the hospital property. He then decided to move into town with the people of Nalerigu. He is one among them. He eats the local food and lives like they do. He tells me he has the best bed in Nalerigu for sleeping. It's up on his roof under a mosquito net and he has nothing but God's galaxies of stars to gaze at every night. If the rain comes, he'll run down into his house. He is truly a remarkable servant for Christ.
This day has been one of the best, just by seeing yet another soul changed as Tommy sets himself aside and pours into others. He kept referring to how we should be living the commandment that Jesus kept emphasizing about loving others. It gives Tommy greater joy to love and serve others. Everything he does for others, including farming land for them, goes right back into their hands. He keeps nothing for himself. Many years ago, he returned home to Alabama and he said his heart was just simply here, so he came right back. He's approaching the retirement age, but he has no desire to retire. His wife died many years ago and he has several kids in Alabama. He would love to keep serving here as long as He sees God moving in his work.
Today, we drove beyond the dirt roads to tinier paths out in the bush. We passed through areas out in pastures with villages of mud huts. We went inside the homes of villagers who Tommy has befriended. The homes are the same type of 6-feet diameter huts with such quality workmanship. The mud is made from a mixture of cow manure and sand. When baked from the heat, it can last forever as long as their grass roofs keep the rain off. Usually, they redo the grass roofs once a year before the rainy season starts again. Occasionally, tin roofs are placed on top of the rectangle houses and last much longer through rainy season. We went to a place where Tommy is setting up his own mud hut to live in for several months when the rainy season starts. The rains wash out the road, so he wants to have a place for times when his truck cannot make it back to Nalerigu. We saw the house and it was just right and ready for him to occupy. Today the plan was to put a door on the house. He built the door, we brought it out there with us, and he installed it. As we passed by, many children came along and rode with us. It is the most entertaining thing for them to get to ride in the bed of the truck even if their walk back home is 5 miles. We drove slow enough so that people could keep hopping in and getting off as they wanted. Tommy never turns a person down for a free ride. Most of the villagers walk. If they are lucky, some have bicycles. Tommy also bought mangos and we passed them out to the kids. They were delicious.
It was such a spiritual time for me out in the bush and in the villages. I receive the greatest joy while being with the people in their habitat. We get to see these faces everyday in the hospital, but to be where they journey from and see how they live enables us to experience another close bond with them. Tommy even speaks their language and he sang a song in their tongue as we drove down the road. He translated it as "God made the road, God made the way, so do not be afraid to go."
I think that speaks loudly to many of us. Tommy was used today to demonstrate how truly setting aside your own life and living for others solely for the glory of Christ is the most rewarding, satisfying, and obedient way to live.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Encouraging Words
Since Jodi is starting her residency in OB/Gyn, it has been so exciting to see her have the opportunity to take care of many of those patients. She has been able to do c-sections here. Last night we were on call and Jodi took care of a woman who was having problems with delivering. As we know here, God still is sovereign and the baby had already died. It was pressing for Jodi. I understood it all too well from my past experience here two years ago when a baby was delivered dead and the mom died immediately. This is a place of growing and seeing God's sovereignty at all times, even when it is such unexpected tragedy. We have had a very busy week here and the encouragement from others has been so uplifting.
This morning after seeing the patients on rounds, I headed over to see Victoria. On my way, a man who I have never seen before stopped me and offered words that were especially encouraging about what I was doing here. I asked if he worked here. He said no, he was just here attending to someone. His words were angelic and God is using our broken vessels here to witness such encouragement as well as Him doing big things. I accepted the encouragement on behalf of every person who has made much greater sacrifices to be a part of this ministry. You never know when you are entertaining angels....
This morning after seeing the patients on rounds, I headed over to see Victoria. On my way, a man who I have never seen before stopped me and offered words that were especially encouraging about what I was doing here. I asked if he worked here. He said no, he was just here attending to someone. His words were angelic and God is using our broken vessels here to witness such encouragement as well as Him doing big things. I accepted the encouragement on behalf of every person who has made much greater sacrifices to be a part of this ministry. You never know when you are entertaining angels....
Another Miracle
Several days ago, I briefly wrote about a man who was having continuous seizures when he was brought in on April 14th. With the limited resources, no one could break the man's seizures through April 16th. I heard the seizures stopped, so today I went to see the man and he was completely normal. The family members are Christians and we just had to emphasize what a miracle this was and how all the glory should go to God, the true physician. This man should have suffered severe brain damage.
I also have another child in the pediatric ward who has been having seizures for 3 days. She is gradually getting better, but needs prayer. Timothy, the 3-year-old child with some type of mass effect in his brain, has been hanging on for dear life. Last night I truly thought his brain was back to herniating again like he presented on April 14th to us. Miraculously, he has made it this far. We do not know the eternal reasons for God's will, but there is purpose. This has been a miracle. Timothy has not awakened to normal activity yet and last night it appeared as if he was heading for home. The family spoke a tribal language that the night nurse could not translate, so Rachel and I just went for it and laid hands on Timothy and I prayed in the name of Christ. I did not know this family's belief, so I wanted to share that we were Christians who wanted to pray over their child. The urgency was so great, so we prayed over him and the next thing I know, the family members also had their hands on their child and were praying in their tribal tongue. Actions were obvious and God clearly heard as we were united in the Spirit. I want God's best for Timothy. I begged God to either usher him into heaven with legions of angels to worship at the feet of Jesus or to keep him here for more purpose. "Do not let anyone look down on you because of your youth" is a Biblical truth found in the 1st book of Timothy. My young patient, Timothy, has been such an example of looking up and begging for God's most holy purpose and mercy on him.
I also have another child in the pediatric ward who has been having seizures for 3 days. She is gradually getting better, but needs prayer. Timothy, the 3-year-old child with some type of mass effect in his brain, has been hanging on for dear life. Last night I truly thought his brain was back to herniating again like he presented on April 14th to us. Miraculously, he has made it this far. We do not know the eternal reasons for God's will, but there is purpose. This has been a miracle. Timothy has not awakened to normal activity yet and last night it appeared as if he was heading for home. The family spoke a tribal language that the night nurse could not translate, so Rachel and I just went for it and laid hands on Timothy and I prayed in the name of Christ. I did not know this family's belief, so I wanted to share that we were Christians who wanted to pray over their child. The urgency was so great, so we prayed over him and the next thing I know, the family members also had their hands on their child and were praying in their tribal tongue. Actions were obvious and God clearly heard as we were united in the Spirit. I want God's best for Timothy. I begged God to either usher him into heaven with legions of angels to worship at the feet of Jesus or to keep him here for more purpose. "Do not let anyone look down on you because of your youth" is a Biblical truth found in the 1st book of Timothy. My young patient, Timothy, has been such an example of looking up and begging for God's most holy purpose and mercy on him.
There is Rest
Yesterday, I met a chaplain named Fasau. We asked him to meet with the muslim father named Baba whose son has been a patient here. I wrote about them earlier. The father wanted to be saved, but had some concerns about the views of his muslim family. Yesterday for the first time, I met Baba's wife. She is a Christian and she would like for her husband to join her in this spiritual journey. I loved that Fasau was a former muslim and became a Christian, so he could perfectly relate with Baba. They have not yet met. Pray that Baba and Fasau will have that divine appointment soon. Baba is a farmer and had to return to his home located hours away, because it is a critical time to farm following the two recent rain showers we have had. This place is transformed. Our red dirt paths that we walk on everyday are becoming narrower red paths. Instead, they are being taken over by green grass. It is the season for renewal.
Fasau shared with us the two convincing truths for his conversion experience from a muslim background and to new life in Christ. One was Jesus' words, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). The second was also from Jesus, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).
That is the stark contrast between the two religions--rest. There is rest in Christ. We can rest in green pastures with Christ. There is a calm during the storms of life. Fasau put it very nicely.
Fasau shared with us the two convincing truths for his conversion experience from a muslim background and to new life in Christ. One was Jesus' words, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). The second was also from Jesus, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).
That is the stark contrast between the two religions--rest. There is rest in Christ. We can rest in green pastures with Christ. There is a calm during the storms of life. Fasau put it very nicely.
Pray for Victoria and Continued Victory
Today after rounding on the patients, I found Victoria and wanted to share some scriptures about victory in Jesus that she could memorize or share with patients or whoever else she encounters. We had a wonderful, endearing talk. She truly has asked me to share prayer requests for her. She has been suffering from illness that no medicine is curing. The only time she finds relief is with prayer, so she is crying out for more prayer. She and the other chaplains are also on the front lines here and she recognizes that this attack on her health is spiritual warfare. Several of us have experienced it and know, of course, Satan can't stand the victories in Christ. Victoria has a boldness and passion for Christ and for the salvation and mercy of others that is hard to explain. She is persecuted in the town when people walk by and hear her preach. Pray for her zeal to continue as she presses on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of her. She even worries about the preaching being effective. Can we say Satan is whispering lies? Pray for legions of angels to surround her and for God to heal her. She has been instrumental in thousands coming to know Christ. She will have an extraordinary homecoming in heaven one day seeing all those familiar faces.
I am impressed by how God chose her for such a time and I pray for God to continue to pour His Spirit into her with many blessings so that the race can still be won.
I am impressed by how God chose her for such a time and I pray for God to continue to pour His Spirit into her with many blessings so that the race can still be won.
Being Transformed into His Likeness
Last night, we had a meeting with all of the missionaries and their families like we had last week that was a time for a devotion and worship. This week, Jodi and I shared the devotion. Jodi's emphasis was Psalm 37 and Isaiah 58 demonstrating that God transforms the desires of our heart, which are truly His desires. She also shared how He can make our righteousness shine like the dawn.
The Lord instilled in me an excitement about 2 Corinthians 3:7-17--the Glory of the New Covenant. As you know, I started this trip with the theme from Zechariah 4:6, praying that things be done here "'not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD." The passage in 2 Corinthians was an encouraging reminder of how Moses was so radiant after getting the tablets from the old covenant, which was not to last as long as the new covenant that was to come. He experienced God's glory with such intensity that he felt the need to veil himself from the Israelites gazing at the fading radiance on his face. How much more glorious is a ministry not of condemnation but of righteousness! If the old faded, how much more will the new one last? The message to us in verse 12 is since we have this hope, let us be bold. Don't veil or hide the radiance from others as Moses did from the Israelites. I feel that because the people here radiate God's light and things here simply defy the aspects of human boundaries, it has to be Spirit-driven. I love that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (verse 17). The only way to truly shine is to have Him shine on us and in this process we are transformed into His likeness.
Two years ago when I came to Ghana, a lady wearing a veil, a muslim scarf, was walking by the BMC hospital and heard a song about wanting to be healed. She threw off her scarf and became unveiled physically. She then went straight to the pastors at the hospital, got saved, and became unveiled spiritually. This is a place of unveiling and transforming into His likeness. I pray the missionaries are encouraged. They are being used.
The Lord instilled in me an excitement about 2 Corinthians 3:7-17--the Glory of the New Covenant. As you know, I started this trip with the theme from Zechariah 4:6, praying that things be done here "'not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD." The passage in 2 Corinthians was an encouraging reminder of how Moses was so radiant after getting the tablets from the old covenant, which was not to last as long as the new covenant that was to come. He experienced God's glory with such intensity that he felt the need to veil himself from the Israelites gazing at the fading radiance on his face. How much more glorious is a ministry not of condemnation but of righteousness! If the old faded, how much more will the new one last? The message to us in verse 12 is since we have this hope, let us be bold. Don't veil or hide the radiance from others as Moses did from the Israelites. I feel that because the people here radiate God's light and things here simply defy the aspects of human boundaries, it has to be Spirit-driven. I love that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (verse 17). The only way to truly shine is to have Him shine on us and in this process we are transformed into His likeness.
Two years ago when I came to Ghana, a lady wearing a veil, a muslim scarf, was walking by the BMC hospital and heard a song about wanting to be healed. She threw off her scarf and became unveiled physically. She then went straight to the pastors at the hospital, got saved, and became unveiled spiritually. This is a place of unveiling and transforming into His likeness. I pray the missionaries are encouraged. They are being used.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Road to Jericho
On the road to Jericho, God healed two blind beggars. This I will always remember. On that day, those beggars gained a new perspective visually and spiritually. Today, a 14-year-old girl came in with a 3-month history of headaches and complete blindness. She has had no other symptoms. Her pupils were not reacting normally to light. Jodi asked me if the girl had a brain tumor. Without any imaging to look at her brain, I was praying for God's wisdom. I believe He told me that she has been suffering from psuedotumor cerebri (increased pressure in the brain) that can eventually put so much pressure on the optic nerves that one can go blind. We did the appropriate test, including a lumbar puncture, but we had to counsel the family that this may be irreversible. Jodi quickly brought the girl over to pray together as a group. I truly believe Jesus restored sight to those blind beggars on the road to Jericho. Is it in His will for this child? We know that His purpose is unquestionably good. Before the family left, I saw the girl's face as she was completely overwhelmed with grief. Sensing an urgency, I asked if the family wanted to know the true Healer, Jesus Christ. We explained that knowing Christ is knowing true vision in life. With the hope of Christ, we will see more than this world could ever offer. The family all at once nodded their heads and holding tears back, I walked with her arms around my waist to guide her to the chaplain's office. Her name is Fatimata. They are a muslim family who accepted Christ today. Spiritual vision was restored.
His Strength is Made Perfect
There's so much to blog in these last 24 hours, but I will try to write what I can. Rachel and I took call last night and we were still checking on Timothy and the other sick child in the pediatrics ward. Both were hanging on to life here. Then, a man came in status epilepticus (constant seizures). In fact, he'd been having seizures continuously for 2 days. We were limited on earthly resources here to abort the seizures, so it was such a testimony to God that He does not give people more than they can handle. It is as if the people here have an extra hedge of supernatural protection. I know anyone in the U.S. with status epilepticus for that length of time would surely have suffered severe brain damage, if not death. This morning, I checked on the man and he was still having seizures. Pray for him.
Today has been the Refiner's fire for us. I honestly do not think I have seen as many patients as we had today, compared to the last trip or this one. We left the hospital after 8 pm and will go back again to check on patients once more tonight. We are poured out like a drink offering here and it is only God who can fill us up. He is so good and we truly experience His divine nature when He completely breaks down all aspects of boundaries to humanity here. We are seeing things here that simply defy modern medicine and physics. The bodies of the full-time missionaries who are on call day after day for the past 20 years supernaturally find the strength in Christ alone to answer the call daily. I know if He calls one, He will equip one.
There was a staggering number of patients who came to clinic today--over 500 people in need of physical treatment! Jodi and I saw 100 of them. This is unheard of for anything I have ever experienced in residency training. The needs here are limitless and this is merely one speck of Africa. I beg of you to pray for the entire continent of Africa. The needs are so great in this one area that I cannot even fathom them on an exponential scale.
It is in this state of tremendous physical need that people come with hearts that are open to then align their spiritual lives at such a venue.
Timothy, the pediatric patient, is still clinging to his life here tonight, as is the other sick baby. Today, I admitted another child who has been having constant seizures (status epilepticus) for 2 days, who is still supernaturally alive by the grace of God.
I think it is really timely that I met two children named "Happy" and "Faith" at a coke stand outside the hospital today. Jodi held Faith and she was such a joyful precious treasure. What a true treasure it is that in our earthly jars of clay bodies, we can behold such a treasure of faith in Christ.
In clinic today, the muslim man named Baba came to see me as a patient. He is the father who professed to accept Christ yesterday as well as the one who has been watching the miracle next to his son's bed, patiently waiting for his own child to be healed. As we talked today, I asked him how he felt about his spiritual decision. He said he needs to consult with his muslim family and also to wait to see God's blessing on his son before he completely proceeds with his walk with God. Please join me in prayer that Baba will have security and peace in his salvation by allowing God to reveal Himself clearly to him soon. Maybe God does will for Baba's son to be healed as a testimony to the family. Either way, may Christ be glorified and exalted. He knows His purpose.
Later on, another muslim man came in. It just so happens that I saw him on April 23, 2007 and again today, April 15, 2009. God divinely appointed the crossing of our paths again. I previously wrote about another girl named Cecilia and how God also brought her back to see me two years later--another divine crossing of paths. The man and I talked about how God may be tugging at his heart to know Christ and to be saved by God's grace, not by works. He grew up as a Christian, but wandered from his faith and became a muslim. I asked if he was truly satisfied. He's not, but his heart is not yet ripened either. We agreed to pray for him and that God will reveal Himself to him.
The work is plenty. The workers here are few, but in the end The Worker is sufficient. This is a venue for transformation.
Today has been the Refiner's fire for us. I honestly do not think I have seen as many patients as we had today, compared to the last trip or this one. We left the hospital after 8 pm and will go back again to check on patients once more tonight. We are poured out like a drink offering here and it is only God who can fill us up. He is so good and we truly experience His divine nature when He completely breaks down all aspects of boundaries to humanity here. We are seeing things here that simply defy modern medicine and physics. The bodies of the full-time missionaries who are on call day after day for the past 20 years supernaturally find the strength in Christ alone to answer the call daily. I know if He calls one, He will equip one.
There was a staggering number of patients who came to clinic today--over 500 people in need of physical treatment! Jodi and I saw 100 of them. This is unheard of for anything I have ever experienced in residency training. The needs here are limitless and this is merely one speck of Africa. I beg of you to pray for the entire continent of Africa. The needs are so great in this one area that I cannot even fathom them on an exponential scale.
It is in this state of tremendous physical need that people come with hearts that are open to then align their spiritual lives at such a venue.
Timothy, the pediatric patient, is still clinging to his life here tonight, as is the other sick baby. Today, I admitted another child who has been having constant seizures (status epilepticus) for 2 days, who is still supernaturally alive by the grace of God.
I think it is really timely that I met two children named "Happy" and "Faith" at a coke stand outside the hospital today. Jodi held Faith and she was such a joyful precious treasure. What a true treasure it is that in our earthly jars of clay bodies, we can behold such a treasure of faith in Christ.
In clinic today, the muslim man named Baba came to see me as a patient. He is the father who professed to accept Christ yesterday as well as the one who has been watching the miracle next to his son's bed, patiently waiting for his own child to be healed. As we talked today, I asked him how he felt about his spiritual decision. He said he needs to consult with his muslim family and also to wait to see God's blessing on his son before he completely proceeds with his walk with God. Please join me in prayer that Baba will have security and peace in his salvation by allowing God to reveal Himself clearly to him soon. Maybe God does will for Baba's son to be healed as a testimony to the family. Either way, may Christ be glorified and exalted. He knows His purpose.
Later on, another muslim man came in. It just so happens that I saw him on April 23, 2007 and again today, April 15, 2009. God divinely appointed the crossing of our paths again. I previously wrote about another girl named Cecilia and how God also brought her back to see me two years later--another divine crossing of paths. The man and I talked about how God may be tugging at his heart to know Christ and to be saved by God's grace, not by works. He grew up as a Christian, but wandered from his faith and became a muslim. I asked if he was truly satisfied. He's not, but his heart is not yet ripened either. We agreed to pray for him and that God will reveal Himself to him.
The work is plenty. The workers here are few, but in the end The Worker is sufficient. This is a venue for transformation.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Man Watching the Miracle Next to His Son's Bed
I have written several times about Ayishetu, the little girl who miraculously was healed throughout the weekend after coming in unconscious on Good Friday. Then, the biggest miracle of all occurred, her muslim mother got saved on Easter. Well, at the next bedside, a father has been diligently tending to the needs of his ill son. The man also closely observed every development with Ayishetu. As her mother accepted Christ, we were aware that the man was keenly peering into our eyes during our prayer.
Today, while Rachel and I were rounding on his son, we were moved by his efforts as a steadfast, loving father, more like a soldier dutifully trying to protect his son. Just because of his actions, Rachel asked me if the man was a Christian. For some reason, I knew he could be a muslim. We talked about it and then went through a translator to inquire about his belief. We complimented him on what a remarkable father he has been and how he has had opportunities to witness the power of Christ in this room. It turns out He was a muslim. When we asked if he wanted to know the same love that our Father has for His Son--so much that He sent Him into the world to save us, this man acknowledged that he did. We brought him to the hospital pastor who prayed with him and now the father is saved! Later today, Rachel saw the man and said he had the most remarkable smile on his face. The old was gone and the new has come!
God is good. Many are witnesses to what He's doing here. May He continue to be glorified!
Today, while Rachel and I were rounding on his son, we were moved by his efforts as a steadfast, loving father, more like a soldier dutifully trying to protect his son. Just because of his actions, Rachel asked me if the man was a Christian. For some reason, I knew he could be a muslim. We talked about it and then went through a translator to inquire about his belief. We complimented him on what a remarkable father he has been and how he has had opportunities to witness the power of Christ in this room. It turns out He was a muslim. When we asked if he wanted to know the same love that our Father has for His Son--so much that He sent Him into the world to save us, this man acknowledged that he did. We brought him to the hospital pastor who prayed with him and now the father is saved! Later today, Rachel saw the man and said he had the most remarkable smile on his face. The old was gone and the new has come!
God is good. Many are witnesses to what He's doing here. May He continue to be glorified!
The Mangos Will Have Power
We had a child who fell from a mango tree the other day. To put things into perspective, mangos grow on very large trees. Children routinely climb high up the trees to collect mangos as a staple food item for their families. During my last trip to Ghana, we had several incidences of children being severely injured due to falls from mango trees and amazingly almost all of these kids were miraculously healed.
This child came in with loss of consciousness and was unable to move. We have been seeing him and praying over him daily. Praise God that this child is gaining strength and is now alert, eating, answering questions appropriately, still just weak in walking. I consider him another mango story miracle.
This morning after talking about having almost two days of cooler weather, Cheney, the man who works on property taking care of the mango trees, etc., remarked how he loved the rain and "now my mangos will have power."
If the physical rain is good enough for the mangos, then a spiritual rain is more than good enough for us. Thank you, LORD, for Your Spirit's work here.
This child came in with loss of consciousness and was unable to move. We have been seeing him and praying over him daily. Praise God that this child is gaining strength and is now alert, eating, answering questions appropriately, still just weak in walking. I consider him another mango story miracle.
This morning after talking about having almost two days of cooler weather, Cheney, the man who works on property taking care of the mango trees, etc., remarked how he loved the rain and "now my mangos will have power."
If the physical rain is good enough for the mangos, then a spiritual rain is more than good enough for us. Thank you, LORD, for Your Spirit's work here.
In Need of Grace
Yesterday was a clinic day for us. We saw anyone who came after Easter, so the missionaries could take a break. Jodi, Rachel, and I all saw patients in the same room and it was great that we could share with each other. Jodi and I were scheduled to have call, but she was not feeling well. Even though we had cool weather, our bodies were starting to weaken. Rachel came with me to round in the evening and the afternoon to finish up the new admissions. We prayed for our own physical healing as well as for others. We are doing so much better and already thank those who are praying for us back home.
Early this morning while finishing our call, Jodi and I headed toward a 56-year-old woman who had come in with right-sided weakness. She had already been unconscious since yesterday. By the time we got to her bedside, her symptoms were showing signs of herniation in her brain. Doris, my second mom in Nalerigu, was there and immediately asked that we pray for the woman. We were able to do a few things, but mainly we prayed as her family stood closely by. This woman died shortly thereafter. Her family is in need of grace.
After doing some procedures and treating several patients in the clinic, I passed through the pediatrics ward with Rachel to see how things were going. Rachel is the 4th year medical student graduating in one month and moving to Houston to do Pediatrics residency there. She is on call today and was called to a bedside because of a 3-year-old boy named Timothy who had 8 seizures last night. As I walked up, I recognized his situation was so grave. This was another boy in need of a miracle. He was already showing signs of his brain herniating, which is basically irreversible, anything short of a miracle. We did everything in our human strength to help, given the resources available here, and prayed over the patient for God's grace according to His will for healing here or in heaven. The family was in complete agreement for the prayers even though they were non-believers. Now, we need to pray for eternal healing for this family.
Just as I glanced toward the bed next to Timothy, I saw a baby I had seen yesterday who was breathing extremely hard and looked critically ill. The baby then started having seizures. Jodi, Rachel, and I went back and forth between the two beds for about 2 hours as all of the nurses in the ward also stood by both beds. Both children were barely hanging on to life. This baby was prayed over as well. Again, we beg for God's will in the lives of these children. It was a powerful time of dependence on the Lord in the ward. We still lift these little ones up for they have been and always will be in God's hands.
Later this afternoon, we made a quick trip to the market. I enjoy that everyone in the market knows each other and it seems like such a gathering of the local community. You will see everything from mangos to flip flops there. Tonight we are going to have dinner with the missionaries, the Dickens. It should be wonderful.
Early this morning while finishing our call, Jodi and I headed toward a 56-year-old woman who had come in with right-sided weakness. She had already been unconscious since yesterday. By the time we got to her bedside, her symptoms were showing signs of herniation in her brain. Doris, my second mom in Nalerigu, was there and immediately asked that we pray for the woman. We were able to do a few things, but mainly we prayed as her family stood closely by. This woman died shortly thereafter. Her family is in need of grace.
After doing some procedures and treating several patients in the clinic, I passed through the pediatrics ward with Rachel to see how things were going. Rachel is the 4th year medical student graduating in one month and moving to Houston to do Pediatrics residency there. She is on call today and was called to a bedside because of a 3-year-old boy named Timothy who had 8 seizures last night. As I walked up, I recognized his situation was so grave. This was another boy in need of a miracle. He was already showing signs of his brain herniating, which is basically irreversible, anything short of a miracle. We did everything in our human strength to help, given the resources available here, and prayed over the patient for God's grace according to His will for healing here or in heaven. The family was in complete agreement for the prayers even though they were non-believers. Now, we need to pray for eternal healing for this family.
Just as I glanced toward the bed next to Timothy, I saw a baby I had seen yesterday who was breathing extremely hard and looked critically ill. The baby then started having seizures. Jodi, Rachel, and I went back and forth between the two beds for about 2 hours as all of the nurses in the ward also stood by both beds. Both children were barely hanging on to life. This baby was prayed over as well. Again, we beg for God's will in the lives of these children. It was a powerful time of dependence on the Lord in the ward. We still lift these little ones up for they have been and always will be in God's hands.
Later this afternoon, we made a quick trip to the market. I enjoy that everyone in the market knows each other and it seems like such a gathering of the local community. You will see everything from mangos to flip flops there. Tonight we are going to have dinner with the missionaries, the Dickens. It should be wonderful.
Monday, April 13, 2009
A New Day After the Rain and Ayishetu
Last night we had an amazing surprise of rain. I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of loud thunder and flashes of lightning and said something out loud to everyone about how amazing rain is in Africa. :) It is a truly sought after blessing in people's prayer lives here. The heat can be absolutely scorching here with no air conditioners. If it rains, it helps the farmers, increases water supply, and drops the temperature from over 100 degrees every day to what seems like a perfect 70 degrees at least for a short time. Because of it, everyone was so giddy today at the hospital. It is truly answered prayer and to me always symbolizes renewal here.
In addition to the physical rain, the spiritual rain of mercies followed hospital rounds this morning. I was making my way through the pediatric ward, seeing all of the babies and wonderful children with cerebral malaria, burn wounds, pneumonias, or malnutrition, then I headed into the next room to start seeing patients. As I was seeing a little boy with a snake bite, I felt a tug on my skirt. I looked down and, to my surprise, it was Ayishetu--the miracle child who was unconscious and critically ill when she was brought in on Good Friday! She was wearing a little dress and joyfully displayed such a big smile on her face as if to show her Easter healing and her new self. I was in amazement. Everything stopped for me and I just savored what God has done for this family. I glanced at Ayishetu's mother, who just yesterday professed to be a new Christian after her child was healed, and through a translator I asked her to visit with a chaplain today to really ensure that she understands the magnitude of how her life has been changed by her accepting Christ and to offer spiritual support with a local church in her hometown. Without delay, the nurse brought them to the pastor or chaplain. I signed the discharge papers knowing there was no reason to keep a well child in the hospital after such a miracle has occurred! I walked over to the chaplain's office to explain the family's powerful story to the pastor. As I did so, he had already been chatting with the mom and said that everything I just told him was exactly what the mother had confirmed. Yes! She understood she was saved and was excited about it! Praise God! Just a rain of mercy to my soul today and the new life that is to blossom. I'm so thankful!
In addition to the physical rain, the spiritual rain of mercies followed hospital rounds this morning. I was making my way through the pediatric ward, seeing all of the babies and wonderful children with cerebral malaria, burn wounds, pneumonias, or malnutrition, then I headed into the next room to start seeing patients. As I was seeing a little boy with a snake bite, I felt a tug on my skirt. I looked down and, to my surprise, it was Ayishetu--the miracle child who was unconscious and critically ill when she was brought in on Good Friday! She was wearing a little dress and joyfully displayed such a big smile on her face as if to show her Easter healing and her new self. I was in amazement. Everything stopped for me and I just savored what God has done for this family. I glanced at Ayishetu's mother, who just yesterday professed to be a new Christian after her child was healed, and through a translator I asked her to visit with a chaplain today to really ensure that she understands the magnitude of how her life has been changed by her accepting Christ and to offer spiritual support with a local church in her hometown. Without delay, the nurse brought them to the pastor or chaplain. I signed the discharge papers knowing there was no reason to keep a well child in the hospital after such a miracle has occurred! I walked over to the chaplain's office to explain the family's powerful story to the pastor. As I did so, he had already been chatting with the mom and said that everything I just told him was exactly what the mother had confirmed. Yes! She understood she was saved and was excited about it! Praise God! Just a rain of mercy to my soul today and the new life that is to blossom. I'm so thankful!
Easter Night
After an amazing Easter worship service yesterday, we planned on having a potluck dinner with all of the full-time missionaries who are serving here with their families. There was a total of 17 of us. It was so encouraging just to share our experiences from our various church services. Several went to a Fulani church and some went to First Baptist, while we attended the service at Second Baptist. Everyone in unison said that the music and praise on Easter was exponential. We had an American-style meal together and, again, it was a pleasure to not forsake the gathering together of the people who are serving here as one body.
Ater that, we went to the hospital and did night rounds. I checked on my little girl who was healed and she was still doing well. They were very worried about a man in the isolation ward (usually for infections), who possibly had meningitis or tetanus according to the person who screened him. I went to visit this 45-year-old man who was surrounded by other men. They did not know much of what happened to him that day except that he became unconscious, started shaking, and could not speak. I examined him and his jaw was clenched with foam at the mouth. His body was moving and tense, but he could follow commands, which confirmed to me that it was not a generalized seizure. I was concerned that he had tetanus or rabies. While here two years ago, I saw a man with rabies who foamed at the mouth and died within seconds right in front of me. We had this man treated for meningitis already and I quickly went to the pharmacy to grab the medicine for tetanus. Just as I returned, he died. That makes me think even more so that he had rabies. Pray for his family. Last night we had another patient die as well. Meanwhile, Jodi and Dr. Dickens were helping bring life to the place by doing a c-section to usher in a healthy new baby.
All extremes on an Easter night. Still much to praise Him for in spite of the suffering. All the more reason for us to have an eternal hope, right?
Ater that, we went to the hospital and did night rounds. I checked on my little girl who was healed and she was still doing well. They were very worried about a man in the isolation ward (usually for infections), who possibly had meningitis or tetanus according to the person who screened him. I went to visit this 45-year-old man who was surrounded by other men. They did not know much of what happened to him that day except that he became unconscious, started shaking, and could not speak. I examined him and his jaw was clenched with foam at the mouth. His body was moving and tense, but he could follow commands, which confirmed to me that it was not a generalized seizure. I was concerned that he had tetanus or rabies. While here two years ago, I saw a man with rabies who foamed at the mouth and died within seconds right in front of me. We had this man treated for meningitis already and I quickly went to the pharmacy to grab the medicine for tetanus. Just as I returned, he died. That makes me think even more so that he had rabies. Pray for his family. Last night we had another patient die as well. Meanwhile, Jodi and Dr. Dickens were helping bring life to the place by doing a c-section to usher in a healthy new baby.
All extremes on an Easter night. Still much to praise Him for in spite of the suffering. All the more reason for us to have an eternal hope, right?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
True Worship This Morning at Easter Church Service
After rounding at the hospital, Jodi and I have been waiting for the opportunity to wear our new Easter dresses made for us here in Nalerigu, Ghana by a godly woman named Joyce. She is the wife of Yissa, who prepares our food. Joyce has her own sewing shop with beautifully-colored native fabrics available at a nearby mud-structured shop. Over a week ago, Jodi and I browsed through the fabrics and made selections for the perfect Easter dress to wear here. I chose fabric that is mainly white with some dark green and lavender colors on it. Jodi chose a darker purple with red and white on it.
So, after work today, yes, we looked African! We walked in our festive dresses to Yissa's house to meet him, his wife Joyce (the seamstress), and their two daughters for church at Second Baptist. Yissa walked us to church and we saw our other friend named Joyce (the nurse who runs clinic), who was sitting nearby. Dr. Dunn kept writing in his emails during his last trip a few weeks prior to ours that the worship at Second Baptist was tremendous and not quite like the stagnant worship we have at home.
Well, imagine an Easter service here!!!! I am telling you the worship was through the roof! Voices were singing louder than I have heard here and everybody was dancing for most every song whether in a circle up at the front or in the aisles or by their seats. Most were in Mampruli and some were in English. I loved it when we sang "Trading My Sorrows." It's an uplifting and lively worship song about laying down our sorrow, sickness, and pain and instead receiving the joy of the Lord and having the attitude of "yes, Lord!" As I have praised Him before, He is a capable God! Just this morning I saw a woman saved and rejoiced in it here with everyone else at the Easter service. The Ghanaians' smiles are so big and they were using them for praise.
The sermon was from Luke 24 and Mark 16 about the resurrection and how Mary Magdelene and Mary, mother of James, came to annoint Jesus' body for burial. These two women were probably wondering how they could roll away the huge stone that blocked the tomb. The great thing is they did not have to. An angel had already done it for them. They saw the angel sitting inside the empty tomb, who immediately told them not to be afraid and that Jesus was risen and was on His way to the Galilee to meet Peter. The coolest thing was that they went in the morning at sunrise so eager to properly annoint Jesus' body. According to Jewish practice, the sabbath was the day before (from sunset Friday through sunset Saturday), so they could not go to the tomb during that time to annoint Jesus' body. On the sabbath, they were not allowed to work or walk beyond a very short distance, much less travel to see His body. God clearly foreknew the timing of the sabbath as part of His plan for Jesus' crucifixion on Friday (prior to the start of the sabbath) to the discovery of the empty tomb on Sunday morning (following the sabbath). So, of course, it was no coincidence that on the 3rd day they found the empty tomb. Resurrection morning just simply had to wait, according to custom, until the sabbath had ended. God spoke to me, and I think to everyone else, in the service today.
What a glorious Easter! I am so thankful for the gift of salvation and for the honor of seeing someone else receive salvation today!
So, after work today, yes, we looked African! We walked in our festive dresses to Yissa's house to meet him, his wife Joyce (the seamstress), and their two daughters for church at Second Baptist. Yissa walked us to church and we saw our other friend named Joyce (the nurse who runs clinic), who was sitting nearby. Dr. Dunn kept writing in his emails during his last trip a few weeks prior to ours that the worship at Second Baptist was tremendous and not quite like the stagnant worship we have at home.
Well, imagine an Easter service here!!!! I am telling you the worship was through the roof! Voices were singing louder than I have heard here and everybody was dancing for most every song whether in a circle up at the front or in the aisles or by their seats. Most were in Mampruli and some were in English. I loved it when we sang "Trading My Sorrows." It's an uplifting and lively worship song about laying down our sorrow, sickness, and pain and instead receiving the joy of the Lord and having the attitude of "yes, Lord!" As I have praised Him before, He is a capable God! Just this morning I saw a woman saved and rejoiced in it here with everyone else at the Easter service. The Ghanaians' smiles are so big and they were using them for praise.
The sermon was from Luke 24 and Mark 16 about the resurrection and how Mary Magdelene and Mary, mother of James, came to annoint Jesus' body for burial. These two women were probably wondering how they could roll away the huge stone that blocked the tomb. The great thing is they did not have to. An angel had already done it for them. They saw the angel sitting inside the empty tomb, who immediately told them not to be afraid and that Jesus was risen and was on His way to the Galilee to meet Peter. The coolest thing was that they went in the morning at sunrise so eager to properly annoint Jesus' body. According to Jewish practice, the sabbath was the day before (from sunset Friday through sunset Saturday), so they could not go to the tomb during that time to annoint Jesus' body. On the sabbath, they were not allowed to work or walk beyond a very short distance, much less travel to see His body. God clearly foreknew the timing of the sabbath as part of His plan for Jesus' crucifixion on Friday (prior to the start of the sabbath) to the discovery of the empty tomb on Sunday morning (following the sabbath). So, of course, it was no coincidence that on the 3rd day they found the empty tomb. Resurrection morning just simply had to wait, according to custom, until the sabbath had ended. God spoke to me, and I think to everyone else, in the service today.
What a glorious Easter! I am so thankful for the gift of salvation and for the honor of seeing someone else receive salvation today!
Salvation Came on Easter!
This Easter morning was glorious. The first part of our day was spent at the hospital, rounding on all of our patients. I always go first to Ayishatu's bed, since she has been my sickest patient. She is the one who came in unconscious and has been a miracle for us to behold. Today we found the translators who could talk to the mom in her tribal language. I prepared the nurses that we had some serious talking to do with the mom.
Up to this point, Ayishatu's mom was a muslim but she understands that Jesus Christ healed her child. I asked her if she would like to accept Jesus as her Savior and be made a new person today and have a home in heaven one day. She immediately asked if she could go to church on Easter. We prayed and she accepted Christ. I cannot think of a more significant day than today to be saved. Praise God. Thank you, LORD, for the physical and spiritual healing that has taken place with this family. Thank you for letting us be bystanders in this process of Your greater will for others. I wrote in the hospital orders for "mom to see chaplain for followup." I also wrote in the plan of my note for the girl, "mom accepted Christ today." What beautiful words to write in medical documentation. The nurse is helping assure as will the chaplains that she has followup in her town with churches to attend. I pray her entire family comes to know this grace that is so freely given and it is nothing we can ever "work" our way into doing or becoming. God's Holy Spirit clearly came to them and they accepted His invitation.
Up to this point, Ayishatu's mom was a muslim but she understands that Jesus Christ healed her child. I asked her if she would like to accept Jesus as her Savior and be made a new person today and have a home in heaven one day. She immediately asked if she could go to church on Easter. We prayed and she accepted Christ. I cannot think of a more significant day than today to be saved. Praise God. Thank you, LORD, for the physical and spiritual healing that has taken place with this family. Thank you for letting us be bystanders in this process of Your greater will for others. I wrote in the hospital orders for "mom to see chaplain for followup." I also wrote in the plan of my note for the girl, "mom accepted Christ today." What beautiful words to write in medical documentation. The nurse is helping assure as will the chaplains that she has followup in her town with churches to attend. I pray her entire family comes to know this grace that is so freely given and it is nothing we can ever "work" our way into doing or becoming. God's Holy Spirit clearly came to them and they accepted His invitation.
Nakpanduri Easter Egg Hunt
Yesterday after rounding at the hospital in the morning, we had some time to rest and then planned to ride to the village next to the escarpment where we visited on Palm Sunday. Denise and John are two missionaries who have been in Ghana since the 70s and in Nakpanduri since the 80s. They host an Easter egg hunt for missionary families in nearby regions. We had a potluck dinner overlooking northern Ghana. The site is at the escarpment, so the view was beautiful. The younger kids find their eggs in safer places like gardens, while the older kids get the challenge of doing some rockclimbing to find theirs. It was many of the same families whom we saw last weekend, plus another one. They come for different reasons and missions, but they are all united in Christ when together. Some come hours away from places with no electricity, while others have electricity. The kids really enjoyed the fun and fellowship, as did the parents. A new development had occurred--Sally, the baboon that we saw last weekend, had given her adopted baby goat back to the real mother goat. I guess she saw that was for the baby's good.
We arrived there late afternoon, stayed for dinner, and were able to see the sunset before Easter. When darkness fell, there were "city lights" from afar in the view. Actually, these were fires sprinkled throughout the region on the flat land below us, since it was time to burn the remains of the crops to prepare for the next agricultural season. It was kind of like a purification of the land or getting rid of the old before putting on the new. Very timely for Easter with the promises of salvation that it brings. It was a sweet time together.
Ayishetu, the child I have been following, who has miraculously improved since her unconscious state upon arrival, was doing great yesterday morning. She is still recuperating but is so much better. We did not have a translator for her mom's tribal tongue yesterday, so I knew we would wait for today or Monday in order to discuss the miracle that occurred with her child and the importance of Jesus Christ in our lives.
We arrived there late afternoon, stayed for dinner, and were able to see the sunset before Easter. When darkness fell, there were "city lights" from afar in the view. Actually, these were fires sprinkled throughout the region on the flat land below us, since it was time to burn the remains of the crops to prepare for the next agricultural season. It was kind of like a purification of the land or getting rid of the old before putting on the new. Very timely for Easter with the promises of salvation that it brings. It was a sweet time together.
Ayishetu, the child I have been following, who has miraculously improved since her unconscious state upon arrival, was doing great yesterday morning. She is still recuperating but is so much better. We did not have a translator for her mom's tribal tongue yesterday, so I knew we would wait for today or Monday in order to discuss the miracle that occurred with her child and the importance of Jesus Christ in our lives.
Friday, April 10, 2009
A Miracle
I'm so thankful to write this update on Ayishetu, the little girl who earlier today was literally about to take her last breath right before our eyes. She came in unconscious and we stayed by her bedside giving her everything we could humanly and spiritually with prayer. I just went with Jodi to do night rounds at the hospital and to bring good news. Earlier in the evening we checked on the little girl and her parents had her sitting up in the bed and eating. The child was still very limp but alert and able to talk and move everything equally. Now, after stopping by her bed, I saw she was continuing to improve. Neurologically and pulmonary-wise, she was doing significantly better. Even the night nurse who was given report on the way the child came in agreed this was incredibly better.
I am pressing on in prayer that this child will continue to heal. As of now, I can say this is a complete miracle for the turnaround that she has had. God is good and everyone in her ward has been watching the chain of events unfold, including the prayer. She could hold both hands up and wave as if she were praising Jesus.
Thank you, LORD, for this incredible day and night of blessings in the midst of the reminder of the unconditional love You continue to pour over us.
I am pressing on in prayer that this child will continue to heal. As of now, I can say this is a complete miracle for the turnaround that she has had. God is good and everyone in her ward has been watching the chain of events unfold, including the prayer. She could hold both hands up and wave as if she were praising Jesus.
Thank you, LORD, for this incredible day and night of blessings in the midst of the reminder of the unconditional love You continue to pour over us.
A Fireworks Display of Rainbows
After that touching story of the child whom we just spent the afternoon taking care of, we had a few more admissions at the hospital. Afterward, we wandered on the main dirt road outside the hospital through the town of Nalerigu, strolling past a few mud-structured stores before we headed back to our house on the hospital property. We spent some time on the porch as we usually do with the village kids and then headed across the field to the room where this computer is located. On our way here, I looked up at the sky as I often do and was dumbfounded, as the girls here have learned, at the sight of multiple rainbows canvassed in patches under the sun.
I thought of God having many promises under the sun or under the Son. This is the time of day that 2000 years ago "it was finished." Of course, why not see such brilliance in the sky here in Ghana for us to be completely baffled by what our Creator has done for us. Christ is the very fulfillment of a "promise" or a new covenant, which is what God used a rainbow to symbolize for Noah many years ago.
I stood in amazement, and so did Rachel and Jodi. Just under the brilliant sun light shining through the several patches of rainbows came Cheney walking toward us. We pointed for him to look up and all he could say was "Hallelujah!" The rainbows disappeared and kept re-appearing in different shapes. I really have no idea, but simply accept and share what we saw.
We have an amazing Savior who, with such love for us, did something that nobody in the universe, except Him, could possibly accomplish.
I thought of God having many promises under the sun or under the Son. This is the time of day that 2000 years ago "it was finished." Of course, why not see such brilliance in the sky here in Ghana for us to be completely baffled by what our Creator has done for us. Christ is the very fulfillment of a "promise" or a new covenant, which is what God used a rainbow to symbolize for Noah many years ago.
I stood in amazement, and so did Rachel and Jodi. Just under the brilliant sun light shining through the several patches of rainbows came Cheney walking toward us. We pointed for him to look up and all he could say was "Hallelujah!" The rainbows disappeared and kept re-appearing in different shapes. I really have no idea, but simply accept and share what we saw.
We have an amazing Savior who, with such love for us, did something that nobody in the universe, except Him, could possibly accomplish.
Good Friday
Today has been a unique Good Friday for me. This morning I meditated on the words in Matthew and Mark about the hours leading up to and through the crucifixion of Christ as He took on the ultimate sacrifice of death. Being moved by the solemnity and indescribable love that scripture portrays to us, I sat humbled and honored to believe in and know Him. My eyes moved to subsequent verses sharing the victory of Christ being raised from death. As we ponder the gravity of today, we also delight in the celestial resurrection that is to follow as we celebrate this Sunday.
I wondered how God would unfold this day in Nalerigu, Ghana in remembrance of His holy Son suffering and dying on the cross.
Well, first, this morning we rounded on the patients in the hospital. Then, we moved over to clinic to take in all the patients who had come from afar, since they did not realize today was a clinic holiday. Jodi, Rachel and I offered to see all of those patients, so the missionaries could have a break. It was as if it was pre-ordained that a pediatric neurolgoist would be there. Person after person filed in with a history of seizures and in need of further medical management. One was newly diagnosed and we initiated treatment. Another medical officer working at the hospital had to take care of a person exposed to rabies. One girl had a very telling smile from having taken Dilantin, an anti-epileptic drug, for many years. She had the side effect known as gingival hyperplasia that we usually read about but don't actually see. Again, these are things we can only hope God brings to our minds from the pictures we've studied, yet we have never had the opportunity to see back home, where the illness or disease would have been caught much earlier and prevented this stage of progression.
One 3-year-old boy came in with intractible seizures. He has over 6 a day with no seizure medicines ever having been started. He has suffered this way for 8 months of his life. He keeps falling on his face during the seizures and has infections growing in the sites of the scrapes. Thankfully, he started treatment for his seizures today.
One child had a hard black thickened area over her anterior fontanelle or soft spot. The girls asked me if it was a birth mark. After closely looking at it, I knew it was a birth mark I've never read about. It was as if it was stuck on the head. I just happened to ask if folk medicine had been used on the baby and, sure enough, the mother had put tree sap on the baby's soft spot to cover it for months of protection. Only here....
Now, for the moving afternoon that has so captivated our thoughts for most of the day. Just after imagining that Jesus had endured much torture by this point in the day 2000 years ago, we recall according to the Bible that He was crucified and dead by around 3 pm. At approximately 1:45 pm today, we received notice since Jodi and I are on call that a girl was unconscious at the hospital. My first questions were from past experience here, "did she fall from a mango tree?" or "did she have a seizure?" No, in both instances. They didn't know why she was unconscious.
We drove the truck up to the hospital and ran to the bedside. Ayishetu is the girl's name. She is one of the sickest patients I have treated here. She was seriously a critically ill patient needing the best of best intensive care units. I did not even know if she would make it before our eyes. I quickly examined her, while Jodi and Rachel tried to take the history. She lay there limp and sweating profusely. I pinched her skin on all her extremities to see if I could get her to respond and she only moved the right side initially. We got a little more history and found out she had abdominal pains earlier, then stiffened three times today and suddenly became unconscious. Because her symptoms localized, I initially thought she could have a mass in the right side of her head and I did not want to do an LP (lumbar puncture) for fear she would herniate her brain. Her pupils were still equal, so there were no signs of herniation yet. Her neck was not stiff, but she definitely had what we call encephalopathy and likely sepsis. It was just us at the bedside with many nursing students and two nurses. I quietly asked God to give us wisdom for what to treat, since we did not have the means like back at home of scanning her brain or finding out what was wrong. We treated her with all the strong antibiotics here and gave her steroids in case she had swelling in her brain, along with oxygen, fluids, and some meds to help clear her pulmonary edema. Too much medical lingo, but it was a situation where every second mattered. We asked the mom if she was a Christian and she was not. However, she immediately said she was open to us praying. I asked the nurse to translate, "About this moment 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ suffered greatly and died for us, since He loves us so much. Because of what He did for us, we have the ability to be forgiven for our sins." We went on to say, "3 days later He arose from the dead and is currently alive, and that is why we can believe in Him and ask Him for this kind of help right now. We know He chooses to heal in different ways either with Him or here on earth." We all continued to pray for His will with healing, while believing in His miraculous power. We didn't leave the bedside for over an hour and we continued to see improvement with Ayishetu gradually moving more, including the left and right side of her body. Finally, another hour passed and the mom was holding her daughter in her lap with the child's eyes open and looking at us for us to take a picture.
Ayishetu is still critically ill, but she is completely and has always been in God's hands. Pray for her, please, tonight and for her family's salvation. What a way to spend Good Friday in remembrance of Him. It's more like, He did this for us. Wow.
I wondered how God would unfold this day in Nalerigu, Ghana in remembrance of His holy Son suffering and dying on the cross.
Well, first, this morning we rounded on the patients in the hospital. Then, we moved over to clinic to take in all the patients who had come from afar, since they did not realize today was a clinic holiday. Jodi, Rachel and I offered to see all of those patients, so the missionaries could have a break. It was as if it was pre-ordained that a pediatric neurolgoist would be there. Person after person filed in with a history of seizures and in need of further medical management. One was newly diagnosed and we initiated treatment. Another medical officer working at the hospital had to take care of a person exposed to rabies. One girl had a very telling smile from having taken Dilantin, an anti-epileptic drug, for many years. She had the side effect known as gingival hyperplasia that we usually read about but don't actually see. Again, these are things we can only hope God brings to our minds from the pictures we've studied, yet we have never had the opportunity to see back home, where the illness or disease would have been caught much earlier and prevented this stage of progression.
One 3-year-old boy came in with intractible seizures. He has over 6 a day with no seizure medicines ever having been started. He has suffered this way for 8 months of his life. He keeps falling on his face during the seizures and has infections growing in the sites of the scrapes. Thankfully, he started treatment for his seizures today.
One child had a hard black thickened area over her anterior fontanelle or soft spot. The girls asked me if it was a birth mark. After closely looking at it, I knew it was a birth mark I've never read about. It was as if it was stuck on the head. I just happened to ask if folk medicine had been used on the baby and, sure enough, the mother had put tree sap on the baby's soft spot to cover it for months of protection. Only here....
Now, for the moving afternoon that has so captivated our thoughts for most of the day. Just after imagining that Jesus had endured much torture by this point in the day 2000 years ago, we recall according to the Bible that He was crucified and dead by around 3 pm. At approximately 1:45 pm today, we received notice since Jodi and I are on call that a girl was unconscious at the hospital. My first questions were from past experience here, "did she fall from a mango tree?" or "did she have a seizure?" No, in both instances. They didn't know why she was unconscious.
We drove the truck up to the hospital and ran to the bedside. Ayishetu is the girl's name. She is one of the sickest patients I have treated here. She was seriously a critically ill patient needing the best of best intensive care units. I did not even know if she would make it before our eyes. I quickly examined her, while Jodi and Rachel tried to take the history. She lay there limp and sweating profusely. I pinched her skin on all her extremities to see if I could get her to respond and she only moved the right side initially. We got a little more history and found out she had abdominal pains earlier, then stiffened three times today and suddenly became unconscious. Because her symptoms localized, I initially thought she could have a mass in the right side of her head and I did not want to do an LP (lumbar puncture) for fear she would herniate her brain. Her pupils were still equal, so there were no signs of herniation yet. Her neck was not stiff, but she definitely had what we call encephalopathy and likely sepsis. It was just us at the bedside with many nursing students and two nurses. I quietly asked God to give us wisdom for what to treat, since we did not have the means like back at home of scanning her brain or finding out what was wrong. We treated her with all the strong antibiotics here and gave her steroids in case she had swelling in her brain, along with oxygen, fluids, and some meds to help clear her pulmonary edema. Too much medical lingo, but it was a situation where every second mattered. We asked the mom if she was a Christian and she was not. However, she immediately said she was open to us praying. I asked the nurse to translate, "About this moment 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ suffered greatly and died for us, since He loves us so much. Because of what He did for us, we have the ability to be forgiven for our sins." We went on to say, "3 days later He arose from the dead and is currently alive, and that is why we can believe in Him and ask Him for this kind of help right now. We know He chooses to heal in different ways either with Him or here on earth." We all continued to pray for His will with healing, while believing in His miraculous power. We didn't leave the bedside for over an hour and we continued to see improvement with Ayishetu gradually moving more, including the left and right side of her body. Finally, another hour passed and the mom was holding her daughter in her lap with the child's eyes open and looking at us for us to take a picture.
Ayishetu is still critically ill, but she is completely and has always been in God's hands. Pray for her, please, tonight and for her family's salvation. What a way to spend Good Friday in remembrance of Him. It's more like, He did this for us. Wow.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Eve of Good Friday
The surgery to skin graft the man with the burned hands was not done today as I wrote earlier. It will likely be Saturday. Please keep him in your prayers.
This afternoon, we have the pleasure of the arrival of a new volunteer 4th year med student named Rachel from Michigan. She will actually be starting her pediatric residency in Houston this year, so it's more than a coincidence that Jodi and I are here with her for a while. Her time will overlap with ours for the rest of our trip. Please lift her experience up in your prayers.
This evening we had a wonderful time gathering together with all of the missionaries who are serving full-time here with their families--the Failes, the Hewitts, and the Dickens, as well as Tommy Harrison. The family from Belgium and serving in medical missions in Burkina Faso was also here for their last night. This family is so musically talented. Their daughter played the violin for us, while Dr. Peter led worship using a keyboard. It was so wonderful singing about what we observe as the reason for our faith and what we respectfully observe tomorrow on Good Friday with Jesus' death and then proclaiming the victory that we know happens 3 days later when He is risen. It was such an instrumental time of fellowship, devotion, and reflection with Him. I'm so thankful that everyone here does not forsake gathering like this. If this was not enough, the evening began in such a spectacular way, too.
Before our time of worship and as the sun was setting upon the sea of red dirt with silhouettes of mud huts in the distance, I noticed several large fires were burning brightly against the setting sun and approaching darkness. I heard tribal songs and Mampruli being spoken from these far away mud huts. It was truly a spectacular moment when you realize you are in Africa. Seeing the fires set for either cooking or tribal purposes inspired me to think about gaining a zeal or fire for God while here and to bring it home. After all, this is a spiritual journey. Then, I was so impacted by the fact that tomorrow is Good Friday and the realization of what I am doing the night before, just gazing into the beauty He has created here. I am so thankful to be here, blessed with an eternal security, while praying for those living in the mud huts with the glowing fires that they may have an igniting passion for our same Savior.
Moments before the sight of such a scene, I was out on the porch again talking with the local children who seem to gather nightly outside our house. They always have telling faces, if something pressing is on their minds that they need to talk about. Cheney came as well and had great conversation before he was off raking more leaves. He is the man I wrote about two years ago who is full of the Holy Spirit almost as if intoxicated but not on alcohol. He was healed from tuberculosis after living in the TB colony and has been working on property for years. I still wonder if he's an angel. Hmmmm. It is truly unbelievable what a Christ-like example he is at any given moment. As we walk the red dirt path toward the hospital, out from somewhere behind a bush or a tree in the far distance is a voice calling out to us, "Hallelujah, Amen!" or "God is good all the time!" Whatever thought you might have as you are walking, it is instantly boosted multi-fold as you head to serve God here. The Lord has mysterious ways of encouraging His workers through His workers.
I'm so thankful for this day and for the reflections on what Christ offered us and His victory in our lives so many years ago as well as how to be more like Him.
This afternoon, we have the pleasure of the arrival of a new volunteer 4th year med student named Rachel from Michigan. She will actually be starting her pediatric residency in Houston this year, so it's more than a coincidence that Jodi and I are here with her for a while. Her time will overlap with ours for the rest of our trip. Please lift her experience up in your prayers.
This evening we had a wonderful time gathering together with all of the missionaries who are serving full-time here with their families--the Failes, the Hewitts, and the Dickens, as well as Tommy Harrison. The family from Belgium and serving in medical missions in Burkina Faso was also here for their last night. This family is so musically talented. Their daughter played the violin for us, while Dr. Peter led worship using a keyboard. It was so wonderful singing about what we observe as the reason for our faith and what we respectfully observe tomorrow on Good Friday with Jesus' death and then proclaiming the victory that we know happens 3 days later when He is risen. It was such an instrumental time of fellowship, devotion, and reflection with Him. I'm so thankful that everyone here does not forsake gathering like this. If this was not enough, the evening began in such a spectacular way, too.
Before our time of worship and as the sun was setting upon the sea of red dirt with silhouettes of mud huts in the distance, I noticed several large fires were burning brightly against the setting sun and approaching darkness. I heard tribal songs and Mampruli being spoken from these far away mud huts. It was truly a spectacular moment when you realize you are in Africa. Seeing the fires set for either cooking or tribal purposes inspired me to think about gaining a zeal or fire for God while here and to bring it home. After all, this is a spiritual journey. Then, I was so impacted by the fact that tomorrow is Good Friday and the realization of what I am doing the night before, just gazing into the beauty He has created here. I am so thankful to be here, blessed with an eternal security, while praying for those living in the mud huts with the glowing fires that they may have an igniting passion for our same Savior.
Moments before the sight of such a scene, I was out on the porch again talking with the local children who seem to gather nightly outside our house. They always have telling faces, if something pressing is on their minds that they need to talk about. Cheney came as well and had great conversation before he was off raking more leaves. He is the man I wrote about two years ago who is full of the Holy Spirit almost as if intoxicated but not on alcohol. He was healed from tuberculosis after living in the TB colony and has been working on property for years. I still wonder if he's an angel. Hmmmm. It is truly unbelievable what a Christ-like example he is at any given moment. As we walk the red dirt path toward the hospital, out from somewhere behind a bush or a tree in the far distance is a voice calling out to us, "Hallelujah, Amen!" or "God is good all the time!" Whatever thought you might have as you are walking, it is instantly boosted multi-fold as you head to serve God here. The Lord has mysterious ways of encouraging His workers through His workers.
I'm so thankful for this day and for the reflections on what Christ offered us and His victory in our lives so many years ago as well as how to be more like Him.
The Victory in Victoria
Two years ago I was able to blog about an amazing woman of God whose name is Victoria. Dr. Dunn and I had the pleasure of getting to know her during the last trip. She is a chaplain at the hospital and her story has had such an impact on my life that she was one of the first people I hoped to find here. I've been waiting, because I heard she had been gone due to illness.
Yesterday, I glanced at the hundreds of people in clinic. You can't even see the building structure when the clinic is this full. All you see is a sea of bodies with needs on their perspiring faces as they are dressed in beautiful bold-colored garments. Yesterday, I decided to listen to the devotion that the people in clinic hear everyday at 9:30 am. That is a time for everyone who comes for the day to hear the Good News of the Gospel. As I turned the corner to standing room only, I saw the face of a woman passionately inspired by the Holy Spirit as she spoke of this Good News available to all. She spoke with love and true excitement. As I stood behind rows of people and comprehended not a single word of their language, I found myself smiling from ear to ear. I somehow knew from our common bond as Christians that the woman was giving them the greatest news they have ever heard. Victoria was back--with victory in Christ.
She shared her testimony with Dr. Dunn and me two years ago that at a young age she grew up worshipping spirits as her father did. One night she had a dream that an evil man was saying "you are mine" and held a gun toward her. In her dream she was fearful, when suddenly a calm voice came from some light behind them saying, "no, child, you are Mine." She took this dream to her dad the next day who said that light was obviously the spirits trying to help her. It wasn't until she went to a church and happened to tell the pastor about the dream that he clarified no, it was Jesus. She surrendered her life to Jesus then and even more so later in her life. Since then, she has been a chaplain ushering thousands into eternity with Christ as she daily shares with them.
Today, Victoria was used again. I, as Dr. Hewitt has at times, have been following a child suffering from severe malnutrition. The skin was peeling off the child's body and he had horrible sores over his mouth. They have even had him on experimental tuberculosis meds here in hopes that he would get better. I knew his skin was getting super-infected, so I added more antibiotics. He has not been eating, so we added nutrition by tube feeds through his nose today.
This morning between procedures, I was talking with Astrid and heard a loud cry from a woman. We ran to the crying woman who was standing near the bed of this child in the pediatric ward. It was his grieving mother. The child died this morning. It was sudden. If we were at home in the U.S., someone would have intubated him or put a breathing tube in. However, the child did not recover, when the nurse put blow by oxygen over his nose. I knew this child was literally living by a thin thread. It still hurts, though. This is what we see here. He gives and takes away. Either way, we praise His name and are blessed to be here. I found myself saying this two years ago many times. Today, Jodi and Astrid were blown away by the news and how tragic things can turn so quickly. We cling to God, trusting His plan that we cannot change, and we know He is infinitely good and infinitely God.
I later found Victoria praying over the child's mom. Thank you, Lord, for using Victoria here. Again, I heard her speaking Mampruli to the mom. Of course, I was clueless about the words yet I was confident about the context of what she was trying to relay to this hurting mom. The mom is a Christian and knows her child is in heaven. As expected, she is still in much pain. Please pray for this family.
Yesterday, I glanced at the hundreds of people in clinic. You can't even see the building structure when the clinic is this full. All you see is a sea of bodies with needs on their perspiring faces as they are dressed in beautiful bold-colored garments. Yesterday, I decided to listen to the devotion that the people in clinic hear everyday at 9:30 am. That is a time for everyone who comes for the day to hear the Good News of the Gospel. As I turned the corner to standing room only, I saw the face of a woman passionately inspired by the Holy Spirit as she spoke of this Good News available to all. She spoke with love and true excitement. As I stood behind rows of people and comprehended not a single word of their language, I found myself smiling from ear to ear. I somehow knew from our common bond as Christians that the woman was giving them the greatest news they have ever heard. Victoria was back--with victory in Christ.
She shared her testimony with Dr. Dunn and me two years ago that at a young age she grew up worshipping spirits as her father did. One night she had a dream that an evil man was saying "you are mine" and held a gun toward her. In her dream she was fearful, when suddenly a calm voice came from some light behind them saying, "no, child, you are Mine." She took this dream to her dad the next day who said that light was obviously the spirits trying to help her. It wasn't until she went to a church and happened to tell the pastor about the dream that he clarified no, it was Jesus. She surrendered her life to Jesus then and even more so later in her life. Since then, she has been a chaplain ushering thousands into eternity with Christ as she daily shares with them.
Today, Victoria was used again. I, as Dr. Hewitt has at times, have been following a child suffering from severe malnutrition. The skin was peeling off the child's body and he had horrible sores over his mouth. They have even had him on experimental tuberculosis meds here in hopes that he would get better. I knew his skin was getting super-infected, so I added more antibiotics. He has not been eating, so we added nutrition by tube feeds through his nose today.
This morning between procedures, I was talking with Astrid and heard a loud cry from a woman. We ran to the crying woman who was standing near the bed of this child in the pediatric ward. It was his grieving mother. The child died this morning. It was sudden. If we were at home in the U.S., someone would have intubated him or put a breathing tube in. However, the child did not recover, when the nurse put blow by oxygen over his nose. I knew this child was literally living by a thin thread. It still hurts, though. This is what we see here. He gives and takes away. Either way, we praise His name and are blessed to be here. I found myself saying this two years ago many times. Today, Jodi and Astrid were blown away by the news and how tragic things can turn so quickly. We cling to God, trusting His plan that we cannot change, and we know He is infinitely good and infinitely God.
I later found Victoria praying over the child's mom. Thank you, Lord, for using Victoria here. Again, I heard her speaking Mampruli to the mom. Of course, I was clueless about the words yet I was confident about the context of what she was trying to relay to this hurting mom. The mom is a Christian and knows her child is in heaven. As expected, she is still in much pain. Please pray for this family.
Moniyabit
Moniyabit is a friendly and always smiling nursing student who translates for Jodi and me at times in clinic. Yesterday, we discussed his name and he told us that it means "truth is plenty." That is just the thing we are looking forward to growing closer to here in Ghana--the truth. Spending time in His absolute truth, the Word, is the principle for everything we can believe and share with others here. I was so thankful that Moniyabit's name can be such a witness to what everyone's needs are. We just need more truth and thankfully it is plenty. So easy to access. It again makes me think of John and how "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This absolute truth was made evident in the body of Christ as He paid with His life for our sins so that we might be saved by simply believing in Him. Again, a reminder of tomorrow, Good Friday.
I think when Satan whispers those lies of fear and insecurities, we should think "moniyabit"--truth is plenty. Amen.
I think when Satan whispers those lies of fear and insecurities, we should think "moniyabit"--truth is plenty. Amen.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
I might not be able to post this photo one day due to the graphic details, but I can explain for your prayers. Astrid, the visiting Belgian nursing student who is only here with us one more night, used my camera yesterday to take a picture of a man who had a severe burn injury on both of his hands. Basically, he burned them off. I was so sad to see the picture and my next question was how did it happen? Here's where I am so attuned....
Astrid said it happened when the man had a seizure while cooking at the fire stove. Wow. Back at home we actually do warn patients with seizures, or at new onset when the medicine is not completely adjusted, to be careful and not to drive, cook alone, swim alone, etc. At any one second if someone loses consciousness with a seizure, hot water or cooking could cause a serious burn or even a fire. This man's hands are in His hands. The patient is doing well, but imagine the excruciating pain he endured yesterday while trying to change his dressings on his hands to keep them clean from infection. That is a daily routine of pain that he has to endure. I keep thinking about Jesus being stricken on his back with those tails of stones and how beyond painful it was when they yanked off His own flesh as well as the torture of His crown of thorns. We will truly be able to reflect on that this Good Friday in Ghana. Today, every attempt will be made to restore some skin to what is left of the man's hands. We will assist with the surgery on his hands, which is scheduled this afternoon. I wanted to blog this for you and ask you to lift him up in prayer.
By the way, I understand the man was off his seizure medicines, because he ran out. Wow.
Astrid said it happened when the man had a seizure while cooking at the fire stove. Wow. Back at home we actually do warn patients with seizures, or at new onset when the medicine is not completely adjusted, to be careful and not to drive, cook alone, swim alone, etc. At any one second if someone loses consciousness with a seizure, hot water or cooking could cause a serious burn or even a fire. This man's hands are in His hands. The patient is doing well, but imagine the excruciating pain he endured yesterday while trying to change his dressings on his hands to keep them clean from infection. That is a daily routine of pain that he has to endure. I keep thinking about Jesus being stricken on his back with those tails of stones and how beyond painful it was when they yanked off His own flesh as well as the torture of His crown of thorns. We will truly be able to reflect on that this Good Friday in Ghana. Today, every attempt will be made to restore some skin to what is left of the man's hands. We will assist with the surgery on his hands, which is scheduled this afternoon. I wanted to blog this for you and ask you to lift him up in prayer.
By the way, I understand the man was off his seizure medicines, because he ran out. Wow.
Two Women with Something in Common
Yesterday, Jodi and I were seeing patients in our usual clinic room that we have set up. The first patient came in to see me and she lifted up her shirt to show me a rash that was burning and itching and wrapped around the side of her waist. I looked at it and it was in one dermatome, suggesting something we see a lot in neurology--shingles. Some of you know the pain this can cause people. If the rash wasn't painful enough, now imagine it being completely infected. Hers was an infection on top of shingles. The next thing I knew, Jodi was seeing her next patient who started motioning a rash on the side of her waist. We both looked at each other in dismay that both of our patients in the room together could possibly have the same thing. However, that was a divine appointment. Jodi's patient did have shingles, too, in the same distribution over the waist on one side, but hers was not as progressed or infected. Both patients received the correct anti-viral medicine and the best part was that they could relate to each other's pain.
This type of divine appointment happened to me two years ago in Ghana. As I would see a patient with a particular condition, Dr. Dunn would have a patient who would then minister to my patient with similar stories. It's great to see God work in many ways here.
This type of divine appointment happened to me two years ago in Ghana. As I would see a patient with a particular condition, Dr. Dunn would have a patient who would then minister to my patient with similar stories. It's great to see God work in many ways here.
Pray for Princess
Yesterday was a very busy day in clinic. I apologize for getting behind in updating the blog. I was profoundly impacted by a little girl yesterday who came in after seeing Dr. Hewitt. He referred the patient to me, since she is a child. She is 3 years old and her name is Princess. The most obvious thing you notice about her at first sight are her swollen cheeks on her face. She was terrified of seeing more doctors, so it took a while to calm her down. Her mom actually knew great English and we were able to communicate pretty well without translators. On examining Princess further, she had enlarged lymph nodes pre/post-auricular (around her ears), axillary (under her arms), and in her groin. Basically everywhere you can put a lymph node, hers are enlarged. The first thing I thought of when seeing only her cheeks was the mumps. At the sight of the enlarged lymph nodes, my heart grew sad. I knew the differential included lymphoma that was widely spread. After seeing how enlarged her abdomen was and feeling her enlarged liver and spleen, it was obvious that she had a very progressive disease. This is just not what you normally see back at home. You only read about diseases like this stage of progression. Thank you, Lord, for the intuition after only reading about it this far progressed. Even at MD Anderson, I don't see it like this. I asked Princess' mom if she believed in Jesus and she did, so I offered to pray. Jodi and Astrid were with me, so we prayed together, holding hands with the nurses. It was the highest medicine we could give. I did refer them to a city, Accra, to see an oncologist.
This Princess in the eyes of our Lord needs our prayers. She is an heir to the throne!
This Princess in the eyes of our Lord needs our prayers. She is an heir to the throne!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
"All the teeth is outside!"
Yesterday at the hospital, our nurse and translator was Agnes--I mentioned before that she has worked here 22 years. She is wonderful and has brought much laughter and joy to our room while we are seeing patients. Like so many Ghanaians, she is so excited to be in photos. They are even more elated when you show them the instant gratification of the digital screen that captures their image. I took a picture of Agnes and Hannah, the nursing student working with her. When I showed them the picture, Agnes got so excited and tickled. I didn't know exactly what she was excited about versus the usual excitement of taking pictures. She said, "no, look, 'all the teeth is outside!'" I looked at the photo and, sure enough, the photo showed her smile was so wide that all of her teeth were "outside." What a great definition of a smile. That is the beaming joy here that I am talking about.
We soon applied it to a sad little boy who came to see me, because Dr. Hewitt had seen him earlier in the morning for a possible seizure. The little boy's right arm had been twitching, but Dr. Hewitt was unsure whether it was real. From my porch fire-side chats with the neighboring boys, I knew they all had exams this week. This young man had been having his right arm twitch intermittently for two weeks. When we examined him, it was suppressible and not true seizure activity. Nevertheless, it was induced by anxiety. We had the chance to talk about prayer and how Jesus can give us peace. I loved that Astrid, the nursing student from Belgium, played a spider game with him and suddenly after all of our interactions, there was a transformation in him. He went from being a sad, anxious child who was worried about his school tests and had a physical manifestation to a child with a glow on his face.
As Agnes puts it best, "All the teeth is outside!" Mission accomplished.
We soon applied it to a sad little boy who came to see me, because Dr. Hewitt had seen him earlier in the morning for a possible seizure. The little boy's right arm had been twitching, but Dr. Hewitt was unsure whether it was real. From my porch fire-side chats with the neighboring boys, I knew they all had exams this week. This young man had been having his right arm twitch intermittently for two weeks. When we examined him, it was suppressible and not true seizure activity. Nevertheless, it was induced by anxiety. We had the chance to talk about prayer and how Jesus can give us peace. I loved that Astrid, the nursing student from Belgium, played a spider game with him and suddenly after all of our interactions, there was a transformation in him. He went from being a sad, anxious child who was worried about his school tests and had a physical manifestation to a child with a glow on his face.
As Agnes puts it best, "All the teeth is outside!" Mission accomplished.
Monday, April 6, 2009
A Boy Named Wisdom
So, on Saturday several children from Nalerigu wandered around the hospital grounds and, as they did two years ago, they love interacting with visiting volunteers. I remember meeting a boy named Wisdom. Who would forget that name? Well, on Sunday morning as we were rounding at the hospital, a nurse introduced herself as Wisdom's mother. She had a story to tell me confidentially later. Her son had supposedly told some visitors that his mom had died and he was hoping for some play toys. The nurse thought maybe it was me he told and she wanted to apologize for him lying.
Wisdom did not tell me, but I am thankful to be included in what was to follow....
It was very important that the mom apologize and she asked when I would be free to meet with Wisdom. So, we set up a time for today after work. We finished work around 7 pm tonight and who was there to meet me at the hospital? Wisdom and his friend, Assani.
Wisdom apologized for telling the lie. I told him that he was not in trouble with me since he didn't lie to me, but I was thankful he was talking about it with me. I asked him why he felt he needed to say that. He humbly and in his precious child-like voice said, "because I thought if I said my mom died, I'd have a better chance of getting to go to America."
Wow. The Holy Spirit spoke through me telling him that America is not always better--that home is where his family is. We talked about forgiveness and how we don't need to make up big things to get a big kind of help. God loves us so much that He will always provide for our needs even without embellishment to others. He is a very capable God. He has plans to prosper this child and his family, not to harm them, but to give him a hope and a future. We had this chat at nearly sunset as we walked under the trees down the red dirt road on the way back to the house. I even asked Wisdom at the begninning if he wanted to talk tomorrow instead, since it was so late. He said, "No, I want to talk tonight." Okay then. Do not let the sun go down on your anger.... The sun was setting and this boy had to get right with God. What a courageous boy. We talked about the meaning of his name, Wisdom, and how God was giving him lessons to put his name into practice. We gathered in a circle outside the house and prayed over Wisdom and Assani. It was fantastic and truly touching. Before I went inside the house, Wisdom still looked concerned. I came back to him asking what else was bothering him. He humbly said, "I am thirsty." My heart broke and I quickly ran in the house to get them both some water.
My mind went straight to John 7:37, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." and Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
Wisdom learned about wisdom and so did I.
Wisdom did not tell me, but I am thankful to be included in what was to follow....
It was very important that the mom apologize and she asked when I would be free to meet with Wisdom. So, we set up a time for today after work. We finished work around 7 pm tonight and who was there to meet me at the hospital? Wisdom and his friend, Assani.
Wisdom apologized for telling the lie. I told him that he was not in trouble with me since he didn't lie to me, but I was thankful he was talking about it with me. I asked him why he felt he needed to say that. He humbly and in his precious child-like voice said, "because I thought if I said my mom died, I'd have a better chance of getting to go to America."
Wow. The Holy Spirit spoke through me telling him that America is not always better--that home is where his family is. We talked about forgiveness and how we don't need to make up big things to get a big kind of help. God loves us so much that He will always provide for our needs even without embellishment to others. He is a very capable God. He has plans to prosper this child and his family, not to harm them, but to give him a hope and a future. We had this chat at nearly sunset as we walked under the trees down the red dirt road on the way back to the house. I even asked Wisdom at the begninning if he wanted to talk tomorrow instead, since it was so late. He said, "No, I want to talk tonight." Okay then. Do not let the sun go down on your anger.... The sun was setting and this boy had to get right with God. What a courageous boy. We talked about the meaning of his name, Wisdom, and how God was giving him lessons to put his name into practice. We gathered in a circle outside the house and prayed over Wisdom and Assani. It was fantastic and truly touching. Before I went inside the house, Wisdom still looked concerned. I came back to him asking what else was bothering him. He humbly said, "I am thirsty." My heart broke and I quickly ran in the house to get them both some water.
My mind went straight to John 7:37, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." and Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
Wisdom learned about wisdom and so did I.
A New Day's Work
Bright and early this morning--at 7:00 am, we met for a morning devotion with all of the hospital staff members. What a great way to start the day. We still reflected on Palm Sunday. Next, we rounded at the hospital working our way through the Pediatrics, Women's, Men's, and post-Surgery wards. One of the highlights of my morning was returning here two years later and seeing my second mom named Doris. This is the nurse I met the last time who claimed me as her daughter, given that my real mom's name is also Doris. On that trip, she gave me a chicken as an expression of her esteem or really as an honor. It was so generous of her then, knowing how precious that meat is to them. Doris was glowing and so was I. We hugged and she couldn't stop talking about the chicken from two years ago. I'm so thankful to be back. These are true friendships and siblings in Christ here.
My first patient in clinic blew me away. They have paper cards that serve as their "hospital charts" here, so I glanced at her name, Cecilia, and at the only prior written note, which happened to be dated April 2007. That was her last visit here. I was then blown away to see my name as the physician who took care of her. She has only been to this hospital that one time in April 2007 and her second trip was today in April 2009. If that's not divine, I don't know what is. Thank you, Lord, for Cecilia. She came in with abdominal pain. We talked about how meaningful the timing was.
I saw a multitude of patients today, while sharing an exam room with Jodi as she saw hers. Astrid, the Belgium nursing student staying with us, was in the exam room with us for a while. Our translator was Agnes, who has worked here 22 years, and I remember her from my prior trip as well. We saw people with hypertension, tinea capitis, congenital adrenal hypoplasia, a child with bilateral basal ganglia hyposxic injuries who was stiff (like the child from the first day), many people with abdominal pain, malaria, migraines, seizures, pneumonias, newly diagnosed breast cancer, typhoid fever, tropical splenomegaly, urinary tract infections, pregnancies, developmental delay, and somatiform disorders. All in a day's work and it's still not done. We were able to pray with several of the patients today, especially the stiff baby and another boy I diagnosed with hydrocephalus based on clinical findings. He needs neurosurgery and will have to go to Accra, but at least we were able to facilitate that diagnosis and encourage them to go there. It really is a ticking time bomb with that.
Thank you, Lord, for the people and their needs. Thank you for the missionaries who beyond pour every drop of themselves into this place. If a person empties himself that much, he or she just must have no where to go but to be so completely filled with the Holy Spirit.
My first patient in clinic blew me away. They have paper cards that serve as their "hospital charts" here, so I glanced at her name, Cecilia, and at the only prior written note, which happened to be dated April 2007. That was her last visit here. I was then blown away to see my name as the physician who took care of her. She has only been to this hospital that one time in April 2007 and her second trip was today in April 2009. If that's not divine, I don't know what is. Thank you, Lord, for Cecilia. She came in with abdominal pain. We talked about how meaningful the timing was.
I saw a multitude of patients today, while sharing an exam room with Jodi as she saw hers. Astrid, the Belgium nursing student staying with us, was in the exam room with us for a while. Our translator was Agnes, who has worked here 22 years, and I remember her from my prior trip as well. We saw people with hypertension, tinea capitis, congenital adrenal hypoplasia, a child with bilateral basal ganglia hyposxic injuries who was stiff (like the child from the first day), many people with abdominal pain, malaria, migraines, seizures, pneumonias, newly diagnosed breast cancer, typhoid fever, tropical splenomegaly, urinary tract infections, pregnancies, developmental delay, and somatiform disorders. All in a day's work and it's still not done. We were able to pray with several of the patients today, especially the stiff baby and another boy I diagnosed with hydrocephalus based on clinical findings. He needs neurosurgery and will have to go to Accra, but at least we were able to facilitate that diagnosis and encourage them to go there. It really is a ticking time bomb with that.
Thank you, Lord, for the people and their needs. Thank you for the missionaries who beyond pour every drop of themselves into this place. If a person empties himself that much, he or she just must have no where to go but to be so completely filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Baboon Loves the Goat
I know that title seems crazy, but how awesome is this? On our way back home from the village on Palm Sunday, we stopped by some German missionaries' humble abode in a remote area. I met them in 2007. They are amazing people and are self-made vets here. They have a baboon named Sally who hangs out in their front yard and a monkey in the back, who has a new baby monkey that stays attached to her at all times. The unique thing about this situation is that there is also a family of goats.
For a few days now, the baboon, Sally, has decided she is the real mother of one of the baby goats. She held her like a baby, rocked her back and forth and ever so cautiously picked all of the ticks and fleas off of her baby goat's fuzzy white hair. What's different about this picture? Yes, a baboon is doing this for a goat! The real mom of the goat gets to come by every now and then with special permission from the baboon to actually nurse the goat for nutrition. Thoughtful, right? :)
There has to be some connection here. I think it is that there is neither Jew nor Greek.... see what I'm saying? God doesn't want physical or cultural boundaries for those who are to be in his Kingdom. Yes, these missionaries have completely opposite upbringings from these natives here, yet they mother them like the baboon and deeply care for them. The missionaries are not here to transform the natives' culture, but they are here to enhance their culture. They pray these people will know our Savior for a more meaningful life. Amazing day, really quite surreal.
For a few days now, the baboon, Sally, has decided she is the real mother of one of the baby goats. She held her like a baby, rocked her back and forth and ever so cautiously picked all of the ticks and fleas off of her baby goat's fuzzy white hair. What's different about this picture? Yes, a baboon is doing this for a goat! The real mom of the goat gets to come by every now and then with special permission from the baboon to actually nurse the goat for nutrition. Thoughtful, right? :)
There has to be some connection here. I think it is that there is neither Jew nor Greek.... see what I'm saying? God doesn't want physical or cultural boundaries for those who are to be in his Kingdom. Yes, these missionaries have completely opposite upbringings from these natives here, yet they mother them like the baboon and deeply care for them. The missionaries are not here to transform the natives' culture, but they are here to enhance their culture. They pray these people will know our Savior for a more meaningful life. Amazing day, really quite surreal.
Palm Sunday Village Trip
Palm Sunday was so special for us here in Ghana. A group comprised of two of the full-time missionaries, the Dickens and the Hewitts, brought us along for an adventure down the dirt roads to a village named Nassuan just over an hour away. Their kids came and so did three of the teachers for the missionary kids here. We all went to support a missionary named Nathan and his wife Sarah, as Nathan preached on Palm Sunday. The service was held in a humble concrete bulding with a few old wooden pews. It was packed with lively colored dresses worn by the Ghanaian women and the lively spirits that resided within that room. The women sat on one side and the men on the other as is customary here. There were two palm branches displayed to remind us of how humbly our Lord entered Jerusalem as King. The sermon kept relating to Jesus being like an African chief. Normally, a chief would promenade into town being lifted up on others' shoulders, carrying a nice new stick and even wearing a nice new smock over his shoulders. That is the respect the Ghanaians would show for a chief. Now, how much more respect would we have for our King and Savior, Jesus Christ! He set the royalties of kingship aside and entered humbly on a young donkey as it is told that he would in Zechariah 9:9-12. Then, we were reminded of Philemon 1:5-11 as well as the rest of the story in Mark 15:1-47. Yes, they read all of these verses out loud with no rush during the service. I sat there thinking this may be the only Bible stories they hear. Not everyone has the written version of the Bible here. That is exactly what those missionaries, Nathan and Sarah, are here to do. They are Bible translators in that village.
Last year on Palm Sunday, I had the privilege of walking the same path on which Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem as King of kings. We carried palm branches as people from literally all over the world paraded together singing "Hosanna in the highest!" in remembrance of His humble entry to be our King, to sacrifice Himself for us as our Savior, and to redeem us from our sins. This year, I reminisced about the same story and how much Christ sacrificed Himself even for these seemingly almost forgotten people here who are in desperate need physically and spiritually. They humbly gathered together and adored their Savior in this church. They played the old blue beaten, crumpled drums, which nevertheless were used as an instrument of praise. Then the voices sang in unison as loud as possible for worship of their Lord in this small concrete worship hall. One by one, the women were convicted to form a circle at the front of the hall to dance and sing while moving forward in a circular formation. I know Jesus must have appreciated their worship.
Afterwards, it was as if we gathered together as one body of Christ. All of the five missionary families, who do not live in the same place in Ghana, gathered after church for a picnic outside one of the missionaries' homes. These people live here full time with four children and have no electricity. God is good. You would have never known that they even needed it. Their lives were so full of gratitude and appreciation for serving here.
The afternoon grew into evening but before the sunset, we made it to an escarpment or ridge overlooking northern Ghana. It was just spectacular. It made you think of that scene in the Lion King (everyone thought this, not just me :)) Then I gazed from that cliff and thought about the Lion of Judah--the King, Jesus Christ. We do have a King worthy of praise and worthy of our worship. Thank you, LORD, for Palm Sunday this year and for the remembrance of You!
Last year on Palm Sunday, I had the privilege of walking the same path on which Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem as King of kings. We carried palm branches as people from literally all over the world paraded together singing "Hosanna in the highest!" in remembrance of His humble entry to be our King, to sacrifice Himself for us as our Savior, and to redeem us from our sins. This year, I reminisced about the same story and how much Christ sacrificed Himself even for these seemingly almost forgotten people here who are in desperate need physically and spiritually. They humbly gathered together and adored their Savior in this church. They played the old blue beaten, crumpled drums, which nevertheless were used as an instrument of praise. Then the voices sang in unison as loud as possible for worship of their Lord in this small concrete worship hall. One by one, the women were convicted to form a circle at the front of the hall to dance and sing while moving forward in a circular formation. I know Jesus must have appreciated their worship.
Afterwards, it was as if we gathered together as one body of Christ. All of the five missionary families, who do not live in the same place in Ghana, gathered after church for a picnic outside one of the missionaries' homes. These people live here full time with four children and have no electricity. God is good. You would have never known that they even needed it. Their lives were so full of gratitude and appreciation for serving here.
The afternoon grew into evening but before the sunset, we made it to an escarpment or ridge overlooking northern Ghana. It was just spectacular. It made you think of that scene in the Lion King (everyone thought this, not just me :)) Then I gazed from that cliff and thought about the Lion of Judah--the King, Jesus Christ. We do have a King worthy of praise and worthy of our worship. Thank you, LORD, for Palm Sunday this year and for the remembrance of You!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Sunday School on a Saturday out on the Porch
I just got back from sitting out on the porch doing a new Bible study about the names of God. Today was Yahweh (YHWH)--in other words, the holy name describing attributes of God being self-existent, self-sufficient, self-directed, eternal and consistent. Then to my surprise, three wonderful young men from the ages of 8 to 13 came and sat with me. They live nearby in the village. Jodi joined me on the porch to do her Bible study, too. The boys were intrigued and one thing led to another. Well, one of them is named Solomon, so, of course, we had to talk about Kings David and Solomon. Then we were able to talk about the meaning of Easter next week. I love these divine, unexpected visits that bring about such meaningful conversation. Each of them knows Jesus as their Savior. See the fruits of the labor by God using those before us. Praise God! I pray they grow to be mighty leaders for Him. Their names are Solomon, Baba, and Gunu.
Tomorrow, we are going to go to a village and will have a worship service for Palm Sunday there. A couple from about an hour away will come with two sets of the missionaries here, the Dickens and the Hewitts, and we will all ride along to hear the husband of this couple preach. The couple's full time job in their village with no electricity is to translate the New Testament of the Bible in tribal languages that the people here can read. They were here two years ago and I recognized Sarah. I'm thinking next Sunday we may go to Second Baptist church here in Nalerigu for Easter worship service. I'm ready for the celebration!
Tomorrow, we are going to go to a village and will have a worship service for Palm Sunday there. A couple from about an hour away will come with two sets of the missionaries here, the Dickens and the Hewitts, and we will all ride along to hear the husband of this couple preach. The couple's full time job in their village with no electricity is to translate the New Testament of the Bible in tribal languages that the people here can read. They were here two years ago and I recognized Sarah. I'm thinking next Sunday we may go to Second Baptist church here in Nalerigu for Easter worship service. I'm ready for the celebration!
Saturday Encounters
This morning Jodi and I woke up and made some coffee that we brought from home with the french press donated by my friend in residency. Thank you, Nubia! We met at the hospital and rounded immediately with the pediatric patients. We started first with the sickest patients on IV drips. Several of the children are suffering from malaria on IV anti-malarial meds. One child has such severe malnutrition that we are keeping him on protein rich diets until he strengthens. One child had a meningocele that Dr. Faile repaired. Hello, brain surgeon! It's more like he can be a neurosurgeon when duty calls. :) By the way, Dr. Faile's father was the first missionary physician here, who helped start the BMC over 50 years ago.
I was so blessed to see all of the nurses and spend time with the patients. After that, we gave Mona (Hewitt) all of the Easter gifts for the missionary children that they need for next week. Mona was so absolutely touched and thought this was more like a Christmas celebration with the gifts. I can't wait to see the children's faces next week, when they get their Easter baskets. Thank you immensely to Jodi's mom, my mom, and the wonderful girls in my growth group!
Then we met with Yissa, the cook for all of the volunteers. We went to his house and his wife is making us some traditional Easter dresses to wear next Sunday. I am so excited! Her shop is in a mud framed building right beyond the perimeter of the hospital. Their home was a bright pink painted stucco house nearby, where we were invited in to watch TV. The people in the village do have electricity, but only one or two appliances to use it. They had a TV and were watching a channel called Emmanuel TV. Yissa had a teacher with him, so Jodi and I joined them. We watched a pastor from Lagos, Nigeria preach on TV to people in Singapore! Yes, that's right. This is the wave of the future. The Africans are preaching now to the rest of the world. Go God! Help us, Lord, for needing missionaries to come to places like America. The Nigerian pastor was filled with the Holy Spirit and preached powerfully. What a wonderful thing to watch on a lazy Saturday after we had finished our work at the hospital.
The day was then filled by meeting with the girls who came to visit. Some work here as full-time teachers for the missionary kids. We are planning on visiting more after dinner tonight. Each of them works as a missionary either here or in nearby villages. Pray for them.
Jodi and I also met a missionary named Peggy from Tamale, who is here for the night with her husband, Pat, and some friends who are being shown Nalerigu as part of their tour of Ghana. These friends are considering working here full-time. Peggy is full of life and simply oozes her ministry. I soaked it all in so that I can then pass it on to others. She is so thankful for the most natural things like rain, wind, and going to the villages to do God's big work. We will probably have dinner with them tonight.
This is the thing about Nalerigu--people just pass through but leave behind lasting stories of His work here. Thank you, God, for these encounters.
I was so blessed to see all of the nurses and spend time with the patients. After that, we gave Mona (Hewitt) all of the Easter gifts for the missionary children that they need for next week. Mona was so absolutely touched and thought this was more like a Christmas celebration with the gifts. I can't wait to see the children's faces next week, when they get their Easter baskets. Thank you immensely to Jodi's mom, my mom, and the wonderful girls in my growth group!
Then we met with Yissa, the cook for all of the volunteers. We went to his house and his wife is making us some traditional Easter dresses to wear next Sunday. I am so excited! Her shop is in a mud framed building right beyond the perimeter of the hospital. Their home was a bright pink painted stucco house nearby, where we were invited in to watch TV. The people in the village do have electricity, but only one or two appliances to use it. They had a TV and were watching a channel called Emmanuel TV. Yissa had a teacher with him, so Jodi and I joined them. We watched a pastor from Lagos, Nigeria preach on TV to people in Singapore! Yes, that's right. This is the wave of the future. The Africans are preaching now to the rest of the world. Go God! Help us, Lord, for needing missionaries to come to places like America. The Nigerian pastor was filled with the Holy Spirit and preached powerfully. What a wonderful thing to watch on a lazy Saturday after we had finished our work at the hospital.
The day was then filled by meeting with the girls who came to visit. Some work here as full-time teachers for the missionary kids. We are planning on visiting more after dinner tonight. Each of them works as a missionary either here or in nearby villages. Pray for them.
Jodi and I also met a missionary named Peggy from Tamale, who is here for the night with her husband, Pat, and some friends who are being shown Nalerigu as part of their tour of Ghana. These friends are considering working here full-time. Peggy is full of life and simply oozes her ministry. I soaked it all in so that I can then pass it on to others. She is so thankful for the most natural things like rain, wind, and going to the villages to do God's big work. We will probably have dinner with them tonight.
This is the thing about Nalerigu--people just pass through but leave behind lasting stories of His work here. Thank you, God, for these encounters.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Well-watered Ground
We made it to Accra safely last night and spent the evening at the Guest House there with the Hueys (missionaries). We had a fun time and it was so great to see them again. Jodi and I got up early today to head for Nalerigu. It was such a beautiful sight in Africa. We arrived at the airport and walked onto the plane with the new sunrise. Glorious! Once we landed in Tamale, we had a 2-hour drive to Nalerigu, our final destination.
Issa Aku drove us and his name means Isaac. He told me that the name "Nalerigu" comes from the root word "king" and "cares for." So it is a place where our King takes care of people. Amen. How true. On the ride to Nalerigu, I was in amazement of all the green grass along the roads and the blossoming trees. They just had rain, so I kept thinking about this place being spiritually ripened and as if they are coming well-watered by our Lord. We have the honor of seeing the work of those before us and seeing the fruits of their labor here with the people. We met another resident traveling to Saboba who is going to be blessed there, I'm sure.
Then, I was amazed as we drove from Tamale to Nalerigu to see more paved road than there was 2 years ago. Praise God! We still had a bumpy dirt ride for a part of it, but what a great sign of improvement as God continues to provide a paved road. I kept thinking about preparing the way for Jesus and how we need to lay out a smooth road ahead for His return. I loved the flamboyant trees next to the road that I saw a few of last time. We were then reminded of the mud huts along the way and how could I forget every person we drove by waving at us with inexplicable smiles. These people know how to love.
At the BMC (hospital), we went straight to work in clinic. My first patient was a baby who was in a postured position completely stiff. The patient is 9 months old and for four months has been this way likely secondary to cerebral damage from cerebral malaria and subclinical seizures. We added antibiotics and continued the seizure meds, but I knew damage had already been done and it was time to pray. We had our first prayer with the first patient of the trip. What a blessing it is to be here.
I loved seeing the same people I met two years ago, who work at the BMC. Joyce runs the clinic and I could tell she was different this year than two years ago. She was surprised that I recognized the pain. She lost her husband and dad within the year. Her husband was a prince here. She is seeking God in everything and desperately trying to be filled in spite of her grief. Please pray for her joy.
I beamed today as I encountered all of the children and their radiance.
Anyway, my take home message after the spiritual rain they receive here is that we are standing on well-watered ground. Just as quickly as it rains here, the ground soaks it up. There are tremendous needs here to continually be replenished like with a nice cooling rain.
I am so thankful to be here. As we drove by the tall termite mounds (larger than humans), I thought of how my trip 2 years ago was beyond anything I could hope for or imagine. Now, I see them again and think of "great expectations." God is good and He will provide for these precious hearts.
Tomorrow we will round in the morning and then prepare for Palm Sunday. I loved seeing Cheney, the man from the TB colony who many years ago was healed and still hangs out on property constantly filled with the Holy Spirit singing "Hallelujah, Amen." I can't get enough of these spirit-filled faces.
We are so thankful to be here and covet your prayers.
In the name of Yissa Messiah,
Zsila
Issa Aku drove us and his name means Isaac. He told me that the name "Nalerigu" comes from the root word "king" and "cares for." So it is a place where our King takes care of people. Amen. How true. On the ride to Nalerigu, I was in amazement of all the green grass along the roads and the blossoming trees. They just had rain, so I kept thinking about this place being spiritually ripened and as if they are coming well-watered by our Lord. We have the honor of seeing the work of those before us and seeing the fruits of their labor here with the people. We met another resident traveling to Saboba who is going to be blessed there, I'm sure.
Then, I was amazed as we drove from Tamale to Nalerigu to see more paved road than there was 2 years ago. Praise God! We still had a bumpy dirt ride for a part of it, but what a great sign of improvement as God continues to provide a paved road. I kept thinking about preparing the way for Jesus and how we need to lay out a smooth road ahead for His return. I loved the flamboyant trees next to the road that I saw a few of last time. We were then reminded of the mud huts along the way and how could I forget every person we drove by waving at us with inexplicable smiles. These people know how to love.
At the BMC (hospital), we went straight to work in clinic. My first patient was a baby who was in a postured position completely stiff. The patient is 9 months old and for four months has been this way likely secondary to cerebral damage from cerebral malaria and subclinical seizures. We added antibiotics and continued the seizure meds, but I knew damage had already been done and it was time to pray. We had our first prayer with the first patient of the trip. What a blessing it is to be here.
I loved seeing the same people I met two years ago, who work at the BMC. Joyce runs the clinic and I could tell she was different this year than two years ago. She was surprised that I recognized the pain. She lost her husband and dad within the year. Her husband was a prince here. She is seeking God in everything and desperately trying to be filled in spite of her grief. Please pray for her joy.
I beamed today as I encountered all of the children and their radiance.
Anyway, my take home message after the spiritual rain they receive here is that we are standing on well-watered ground. Just as quickly as it rains here, the ground soaks it up. There are tremendous needs here to continually be replenished like with a nice cooling rain.
I am so thankful to be here. As we drove by the tall termite mounds (larger than humans), I thought of how my trip 2 years ago was beyond anything I could hope for or imagine. Now, I see them again and think of "great expectations." God is good and He will provide for these precious hearts.
Tomorrow we will round in the morning and then prepare for Palm Sunday. I loved seeing Cheney, the man from the TB colony who many years ago was healed and still hangs out on property constantly filled with the Holy Spirit singing "Hallelujah, Amen." I can't get enough of these spirit-filled faces.
We are so thankful to be here and covet your prayers.
In the name of Yissa Messiah,
Zsila
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