I just returned from leading another medical team to Ethiopia, specifically Korah and Shashamane to work along side of my daughter Emily, who runs a small clinic in Korah.
Some experiences never get easier. Medical trips are the hardest. Some patients and their situations swirl around my mind like a tornado with no exit get out. Trying to find solutions to their sickness, words that will encourage and comfort. The cases that swirl in my mind aching to get out have not worldly solutions, only heavenly hope, and I need to remind my self to let go and let God. It is thru prayer and petition answers will come and hearts will be changed.
I could feel the air being sucked out of the small room in Korah where we were doing clinic. In the back right hand corner of the room I saw Bobby, one of our doctors on our team, sitting at his station with a tall lanky father and his son, I headed to the bench and sat next to the father, the son sitting directly across from me, Bobby next to the son, and Mastee our translator sitting on the other side of the father. The air was heavy, emotions were evident thru the eyes and posture of all sitting on the the little wooden benches. The sons frame fragile despite multiple layers of clothing hanging from his lean body. His legs were crossed, shoulders drooped, engery non-exsient, and his eyes, those piercing brown bulging eyes begging for life. Deep breath in, exhale. Bobby holding a set of x-rays, held them up to the light, he began to explain that the boys heart was as big as his entire chest cavity. The father had heard of american doctors in Korah and had brought his son our little clinic, on a mission to find life for his son. The Father nor the son spoke english, we were able to speak freely, in front of them. Harsh. Truth. Reality. Bobby explained that no surgery could save this boy. That most likely he will die in the next year. The x-rays and prescription drugs the father carried were from Black Lion Hospital. The death hospital, as the locals call it. Next, the words came, they hit hard in my chest, like the wind was knocked out of me, my stomach turned..... Muslim.... The father and the son are both practicing Muslims. We pulled our benches closer together. Desperation seemed thicker. In that moment we all realized God had brought this father and his son to our clinic, not for drugs or an operation that would heal an earthly body, but for live saving truth that gives eternal life.
Lord give us the words. how does the conversation start? The father and the boy need to be told death is close. This could be the only time they hear of Jesus. Time is crucial. Hope can be found. His presence surrounded us. We prayed, for understanding, for boldness, for the words.... God provided, words came, truth was spoken. Eternal Separation, Heaven, Hell, Eternal Life, Forsaking all other gods. Jesus. Love. Ask.
The father and son sat, listening to every word.
We prayed again, hugs and smiles were exchanged. We had shared, they listened, we continue to pray that the father and son will both receive Jesus before the son dies. Pray that others will cross their path to share of Jesus. That one day the father and son will be reunited in Heaven.
Thru divine timing, prayer, and persistence, by team members before we left the USA, just the day before the father and son came into our clinic, Emily, Bobby and John (doctors on our team) traveled to Hilina foods to purchase 12 cases of plumpy-nut. Plumpy-nut is a life saving food pouch that is made in Ethiopia, but mostly exported to other third world countries to treat severe malnutrition. Emily has been trying for a year to purchase plumpy-nut for the clinic. We had brought the life saving food pouches that day to our clinic. We are now praising God for his perfect timing. We were able to provided the father with enough plumpy nut for his son for a week and told him to come back each week to receive another weeks supply. This life saving food pouch may help to extend the sons life. Extend his life long enough until he asks Jesus into his heart. God's timing once again is perfectly perfect.
The clinic is also providing plumpy nut to a little boy in Korah, Abraham, who is awaiting a medical visa. He is a candidate for life-saving heart surgery here in the USA. He also has downs syndrome. The plumpy nut will help to nourish his body helping him to stay strong as he awaits his visa.
At the end of our time in Ethiopia, our medical team decided to start a plumpy-nut fund. We committed to raising funds to insure that Plumpy-nut will continue to be purchased and given out at the clinic. I am asking my friends to help save lives in Korah. 100% of all funds given will be used to purchase life saving plumpy-nut. One box of plumpy nut feeds one child for 2 months at a cost of $70. Any amount you can give offers hope and a chance of life..... can you help?
Prayer Warriors Needed!
If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:10
Oh my word the time has gone by so fast. So much has happened in the last year I'm not sure where to start. Here are some of the highlights... Judah's adoption was finalized in January. Our oldest child, Emily was married in June to a beautiful Ethiopian man in the ministry she works with, his name is Berhanu. Our family, all flew to Ethiopia to be a part of the celebration. Emily and Berhanu were able to travel to the states in July where our entire crew enjoyed 2 weeks in Hawaii. In September and we had a beautiful wedding reception for Em and Berhanu here in Salem. Our family continued to grow when Weoldu (19) from Ethiopia, joined our family in June and we are expecting the arrival of another young Ethiopian (18) to also join our family in January. Jack our son who is 21 proposed to his girlfriend Amy, and will be married in August. We enjoyed fellowship with two other friends over the sumer from Ethiopia, Mastee and Bizzy. Trips to Ethiopia in Febuary, June, and Medical Trip in October. I know there is more, but it is late and I must head to bed.
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