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.
Friday, April 17, 2009
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
