Hello to all! On Saturday evening Laura, Pat, Tanea and Pamela arrived safely in Sacramento after about 33 hours of traveling. Needless to say it is good to be home. I know we all left part of our hearts in Kenya with our new friends...
Please continue to pray for Jessica and Mary who remain in Kisumu through mid-August. Pray also for Anne and Marieke, our dear friends and awesome missionaries from Holland; for Desmond, Denice, Pastor Martin, Mama Joskey and all the other regular CHI staff, along with the national volunteers, patients and children.
We love you all!
Blessings,
Pamela
Monday, June 28, 2010
Another Brother
Last week a few of us went to a local market. I met a man named William. I bought a few crosses from him to give to patients. Him and I made a connection, so when we went back to the market a few days later I wanted to go say hi to him even though I wasn't going to buy anything. He asked me what I was doing in Kisumu. I told him about our OVC program, CTW, and the HIV patients that we work with. I proceeded to tell him that our main focus is to spread the Gospel of Jesus. I then asked him if he was saved. As many Kenyans he said he was Christian but he was very unsure of his salvation. I asked him if he would like to accept Jesus into his heart and he said yes. Just as we were about to do the prayer Tanea walked up. William accepted the Lord with Tanea and I by his side. We told him that there was a party going on in Heaven. He was so happy and full of the Holy spirit. He kept saying how happy he was that he did not have to wonder or worry anymore about what was going to happen if he died. He said he did not have to fear anything anymore. Tanea then gave him her cross that she was wearing and I gave him a pocket testament. All three of us were on a high like no other.
The Next Friday I went to see how William was doing. I brought him a New Testamate. He pulled out his pocket testamate and said, "I want to show you something." He pointed to John chapter 11. There was nothing written there but he was showing he how far he had read. William loved reading the word and was so excited to show me how far he had gotten. I wrote some verses in the front of the New Testamate bible and he also wanted me to write something, anything in the pocket testamate so he could refer to it. Another reason for my visit was to invite him to church. At our previous meeting he said he does really go to church and doesn't know of a good church to go to. The church we have been going to here is wonderful and reminds me a lot of Christ Community. I brought the form that the church gave us the week before with the name on it. I gave it to William and told him that we would be there and would love it if he came.
Sunday...After much prayer William showed up at church. There was no address on the form so he called the number on the paper and found out where it was. While we were there he told us that he has been telling his friends about Jesus and everything that he is reading. He said he enjoyed himself at church and would like to come back again next week. At the end of the service he wanted to find the pastor's wife, the woman he talked to on the phone. He gave her one of his crosses that he sells in his shop and another one for the pastor. God is amazing. He answered this prayer in such a huge way. William is the first person that I have met here with such little biblical knowledge and he has such a large hunger for the Lord.
Pray that William will continue to seek the Lord. Pray that he will continue reading the word and continue growing in his understanding of Jesus. The impact that he can have on the community is TREMENDOUS! More then we can even imagine. I have yet to meet someone here who is not open to the word of God.
PRAISE THE LORD GOD!
Jessica
William Tanea and I right after he accepted the Lord.
The Next Friday I went to see how William was doing. I brought him a New Testamate. He pulled out his pocket testamate and said, "I want to show you something." He pointed to John chapter 11. There was nothing written there but he was showing he how far he had read. William loved reading the word and was so excited to show me how far he had gotten. I wrote some verses in the front of the New Testamate bible and he also wanted me to write something, anything in the pocket testamate so he could refer to it. Another reason for my visit was to invite him to church. At our previous meeting he said he does really go to church and doesn't know of a good church to go to. The church we have been going to here is wonderful and reminds me a lot of Christ Community. I brought the form that the church gave us the week before with the name on it. I gave it to William and told him that we would be there and would love it if he came.
Sunday...After much prayer William showed up at church. There was no address on the form so he called the number on the paper and found out where it was. While we were there he told us that he has been telling his friends about Jesus and everything that he is reading. He said he enjoyed himself at church and would like to come back again next week. At the end of the service he wanted to find the pastor's wife, the woman he talked to on the phone. He gave her one of his crosses that he sells in his shop and another one for the pastor. God is amazing. He answered this prayer in such a huge way. William is the first person that I have met here with such little biblical knowledge and he has such a large hunger for the Lord.
Pray that William will continue to seek the Lord. Pray that he will continue reading the word and continue growing in his understanding of Jesus. The impact that he can have on the community is TREMENDOUS! More then we can even imagine. I have yet to meet someone here who is not open to the word of God.
PRAISE THE LORD GOD!
Jessica
William Tanea and I right after he accepted the Lord.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Leaving Kisumu...
It is bittersweet, writing this last blog from the living room of CHI-K in Kisumu. We have all had such an amazing time, serving the Lord and creating deep friendships (rafiki-ships!). Last Friday we had a dinner for many of the patients and yesterday we hosted a lunch for the local (National) volunteers. Here is a photo of our lunch table...it reminds us of the great feast we will have one day in heaven with all these precious people...
And just so you know...we learned how to dress smart, which means "African". This is what we wore to Church on Sunday! Several of us had beautiful new dresses made here in Kisumu. (For more details on the great day we had in Church see the blog entitled, "Another new sister in Christ".)
Love & blessings to all from the STARS over Kisumu team!
This is the Care & Compassion team in front of the Land Cruiser that takes them all over the region as they serve people with HIV-AIDS in their homes. (We've nicknamed the Land Cruiser, "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride", because it is ALWAYS a wild ride as we travel the roads of Kenya...)
And just so you know...we learned how to dress smart, which means "African". This is what we wore to Church on Sunday! Several of us had beautiful new dresses made here in Kisumu. (For more details on the great day we had in Church see the blog entitled, "Another new sister in Christ".)
Here is a video of the theme song for Choose To Wait. We LOVE this video and have lots more to share in the days and weeks to come...
Love & blessings to all from the STARS over Kisumu team!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Another new sister in Christ!
Jambo!
Yesterday we attended Christ Church of Kisumu, which was fantastic. It has a very similar feel to CCC...very loving and welcoming; great praise and worship and solid biblical teaching. Near the end of the service they did an altar call. I had been looking all around at each face and praying for anyone who didn't yet call Jesus their Savior, while at the same time trying to remember the faces of all these brothers and sisters in Christ. I noticed a young woman near the back of the Church. She had a small baby sleeping against her chest. I saw that she barely raised her arm (not above her head) when the pastor asked if anyone wanted to be prayed for to receive Jesus. But she didn't go forward. So when the service ended I made a bee-line for her!
The pastor had just reminded everyone to greet the visitors (they had us on stage earlier...) so she was very happy to meet me when I went to see her. I drew close to her and asked her if I had correctly seen her raise her hand. She said yes so I asked her if she wanted to give her life to Jesus. She nodded her head, yes, so I suggested that we find a spot to sit down and talk. It was so beautiful! We went through a bunch of scripture in the bible...so she would see that these were God's words, not just mine. Then she repeated after me as we asked Jesus into her heart. I can't tell you how amazing it was! Her name is Catherine and she was SO excited! The Holy Spirit filled her up immediately. She was glowing! I asked her if she had a bible at home and she said, no, so I found the local pastor and introduced him to my new sister in Christ and asked him if he could find her a bible. We hugged all around and I introduced Catherine to Mary and Jessica so they can follow up with her over the next 7 weeks. Then Jessica gave her the cross from around her neck, making her smile even bigger. God is so good.
This is so real. Life and death. Eternal life and death... I feel incredibly privileged to be doing this work. God is so good. Mungu Aku Bariki! (God bless you!)
My love to all...
Pamela
Yesterday we attended Christ Church of Kisumu, which was fantastic. It has a very similar feel to CCC...very loving and welcoming; great praise and worship and solid biblical teaching. Near the end of the service they did an altar call. I had been looking all around at each face and praying for anyone who didn't yet call Jesus their Savior, while at the same time trying to remember the faces of all these brothers and sisters in Christ. I noticed a young woman near the back of the Church. She had a small baby sleeping against her chest. I saw that she barely raised her arm (not above her head) when the pastor asked if anyone wanted to be prayed for to receive Jesus. But she didn't go forward. So when the service ended I made a bee-line for her!
The pastor had just reminded everyone to greet the visitors (they had us on stage earlier...) so she was very happy to meet me when I went to see her. I drew close to her and asked her if I had correctly seen her raise her hand. She said yes so I asked her if she wanted to give her life to Jesus. She nodded her head, yes, so I suggested that we find a spot to sit down and talk. It was so beautiful! We went through a bunch of scripture in the bible...so she would see that these were God's words, not just mine. Then she repeated after me as we asked Jesus into her heart. I can't tell you how amazing it was! Her name is Catherine and she was SO excited! The Holy Spirit filled her up immediately. She was glowing! I asked her if she had a bible at home and she said, no, so I found the local pastor and introduced him to my new sister in Christ and asked him if he could find her a bible. We hugged all around and I introduced Catherine to Mary and Jessica so they can follow up with her over the next 7 weeks. Then Jessica gave her the cross from around her neck, making her smile even bigger. God is so good.
This is so real. Life and death. Eternal life and death... I feel incredibly privileged to be doing this work. God is so good. Mungu Aku Bariki! (God bless you!)
My love to all...
Pamela
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Jambo from Punchinello (Tanea)
Well, as I was processing most of this trip I have countlessly asked what God's purpose was for me here. I have seen his hand working constantly, but with me, I am finding my plans are not always God's.
God has been working hard in my heart. I can feel him mending heartstrings as well as tearing some apart that have been hardened by nature.
I am finding blessings here in moments I never would have thought to be where I would find them.
I knew coming here that this trip was going to be for me, but I have to humble myself and accept that God wanted me to change more than I knew.
"The grass is greener on the other side"
My heart was broken and my eyes were opened this week when talking to Omondi, the Tuk Tuk driver. He asked me if I was ready to go home. He went on to tell me about how America is next to heaven and he wishes to one day get to go to America. This broke my heart because if he could only see through my heart at that moment he would know how much I truly saw the effects of Sin on these people. The children here play on the most beautiful playgrounds (Trees, hills... etc.) The people are beyond welcoming and so beautiful that I could only think that this place is closer to heaven then anywhere I have ever been. It was then that I saw the similarities and the effect Sin has on us people... (America)
I went on to tell Omondi about homeless in america (the tenderloin, and skid row... where Jr. high at CCC ministers to) and he found it really hard to believe what I was saying.
"Ignorance is Bliss"
America believes our grass is greener, and we want to share our green grass with the dying fields. I, as an "American", had the thought that I was coming to share my green grass and I would be bringing back a clump of dry dead grass to encourage more people to come to this country to share more green grass.
I have now found that in the midst of our ignorance I will be bringing back rich lush GREEN grass.
There is nothing here that I can't have in America... There is nothing in American that someone can't have here... For HAVING is not something that is perishable... For the Lord is SO good that he has presented us ALL with the oportunity to accept Him and be presented to him in The TRUE land of Oportunity one day.... For this is the reason I love him...
I love the Lord for the people here that I have met... I can only pray that if I don't get to come back to Kenya they will be at the feast in Heaven one day... Until then, I will wait upon the Lord.
I finished my conversation with Omondi and by the end I asked Him if he was going to be focused on getting to America... His reply, "No, just Heaven..."
I invited Omondi (who would usually sit in his tuk tuk waiting) to come in and help us with VBS. I pulled out my bible and he reached for it. I asked him is He had one and he told me not an English version which he really wanted. I told him I would give him mine before I leave. He sat reading my bible the whole time and then joined us for some games with the kids.
**********************************************************************************
I wanted to touch on the "You Are Special" skit we did. I was SO blessed to get to play Punchinello. These pictures are from the rehearsal and Pam got to videotape the actual version. During practice, when ELI (Laura) propped Punchinello on the work bench to tell him that all his dot's don't matter... I thought about the idea of truly looking into my makers eyes and hearing the same words. ELI (Laura) had tears streaming down her face and I could tell that this is truly how God sees his Children. He weeps over the terrible things we feel because of the pain others cause us. I love my maker!!!!
And here is Lillian teaching... (What she does so great!) This is my new BFF... She has told me countless times that she will cry when I leave... I think she doesn't realize how much I will miss her... She is such a beautiful woman with a heart of love for the Lord. (She calls me her mentor, but I would love to be more like her!)
God has been working hard in my heart. I can feel him mending heartstrings as well as tearing some apart that have been hardened by nature.
I am finding blessings here in moments I never would have thought to be where I would find them.
I knew coming here that this trip was going to be for me, but I have to humble myself and accept that God wanted me to change more than I knew.
"The grass is greener on the other side"
My heart was broken and my eyes were opened this week when talking to Omondi, the Tuk Tuk driver. He asked me if I was ready to go home. He went on to tell me about how America is next to heaven and he wishes to one day get to go to America. This broke my heart because if he could only see through my heart at that moment he would know how much I truly saw the effects of Sin on these people. The children here play on the most beautiful playgrounds (Trees, hills... etc.) The people are beyond welcoming and so beautiful that I could only think that this place is closer to heaven then anywhere I have ever been. It was then that I saw the similarities and the effect Sin has on us people... (America)
I went on to tell Omondi about homeless in america (the tenderloin, and skid row... where Jr. high at CCC ministers to) and he found it really hard to believe what I was saying.
"Ignorance is Bliss"
America believes our grass is greener, and we want to share our green grass with the dying fields. I, as an "American", had the thought that I was coming to share my green grass and I would be bringing back a clump of dry dead grass to encourage more people to come to this country to share more green grass.
I have now found that in the midst of our ignorance I will be bringing back rich lush GREEN grass.
There is nothing here that I can't have in America... There is nothing in American that someone can't have here... For HAVING is not something that is perishable... For the Lord is SO good that he has presented us ALL with the oportunity to accept Him and be presented to him in The TRUE land of Oportunity one day.... For this is the reason I love him...
I love the Lord for the people here that I have met... I can only pray that if I don't get to come back to Kenya they will be at the feast in Heaven one day... Until then, I will wait upon the Lord.
I finished my conversation with Omondi and by the end I asked Him if he was going to be focused on getting to America... His reply, "No, just Heaven..."
I invited Omondi (who would usually sit in his tuk tuk waiting) to come in and help us with VBS. I pulled out my bible and he reached for it. I asked him is He had one and he told me not an English version which he really wanted. I told him I would give him mine before I leave. He sat reading my bible the whole time and then joined us for some games with the kids.
**********************************************************************************
I wanted to touch on the "You Are Special" skit we did. I was SO blessed to get to play Punchinello. These pictures are from the rehearsal and Pam got to videotape the actual version. During practice, when ELI (Laura) propped Punchinello on the work bench to tell him that all his dot's don't matter... I thought about the idea of truly looking into my makers eyes and hearing the same words. ELI (Laura) had tears streaming down her face and I could tell that this is truly how God sees his Children. He weeps over the terrible things we feel because of the pain others cause us. I love my maker!!!!
And here is Lillian teaching... (What she does so great!) This is my new BFF... She has told me countless times that she will cry when I leave... I think she doesn't realize how much I will miss her... She is such a beautiful woman with a heart of love for the Lord. (She calls me her mentor, but I would love to be more like her!)
Here is Julie, I told her that God put me on 2 walks with her so that she could minister to me. I dound myself on a walk through the trees with her on the way to one of the schools. She reminded me that we are blessed to be able to walk to share what we love the most, the gospel. This woman is an AMAZING woman of God. She has 5 kids and I talked about her in my other blog.
Oh, Happy, happy birthdays!
No, that was not a "typo"!
Today we all went to the Nyahera Ministry Carepoint. We celebrated birthdays with 21 children! These are the OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) children that are ministered to regularly by Christ's Hope. And our Mary is twenty-one years old today!
Games were played by adults and children. Statue dodge ball is great fun! Then we gathered in one of the classrooms.
We had a wonderful time of singing led by volunteer Lillian. Introductions were made by Pastor Martin. The Stars Team acted out the story You Are Special from the book by Max Lucado read by Mary and interpreted by volunteer, Julie.
This is Tanea acting out Punchinello from the "You Are Special" story. She did a great job! You can also see her corn rows though here they are called, Obama Braids!
The children all received individual gifts of new clothes including shoes! They were very pleased and all of them put them on immediately! The clothes and shoes had all been selected by Mama Joskey and her helpers. And they all fit beautifully! Imagine the childrens' smiles and joy and pleasure in being made to feel special! And then we all shared a scrumptious meal of chapati, rice, kuku (chicken), pineapple and juice. This meal was also a gift to the children and was prepared on site by Mama Felista and some local women. Oh my! The smiles and full tummies were such a blessing to us! Blessed to be a blessing! Again! Below are photos of Mama Joskey with many of the children.
And after some of the team left for another Ministry Care Point in Manyatta, a suburb of Kisumu, the rest of us stayed behind to spend some sweet time with the children. Photo opportunities galore! Mama Joskey gathered them by family unit in all their finery. She has such a huge heart for OVC!
And now for one of the most remarkable updates about how God is working...
Remember R. that we told you about early on in our visit here? Well, talk about a faith builder! You will recall that she went to stay with Paul and Lydia at their lovely home. She was very "down" at the hospital in Maseno and I had helped Marieke care for her. Please look closely at the photo here taken by Pamela just in the last day or so. "A picture is worth a thousand words."
"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD, my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:1-5
Mungu aku bariki
Pat
Today we all went to the Nyahera Ministry Carepoint. We celebrated birthdays with 21 children! These are the OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) children that are ministered to regularly by Christ's Hope. And our Mary is twenty-one years old today!
Happy Birthday Mary! (taken the previous Saturday when she had her corn rows...but before Tanea got hers!)
Games were played by adults and children. Statue dodge ball is great fun! Then we gathered in one of the classrooms.
We had a wonderful time of singing led by volunteer Lillian. Introductions were made by Pastor Martin. The Stars Team acted out the story You Are Special from the book by Max Lucado read by Mary and interpreted by volunteer, Julie.
The children all received individual gifts of new clothes including shoes! They were very pleased and all of them put them on immediately! The clothes and shoes had all been selected by Mama Joskey and her helpers. And they all fit beautifully! Imagine the childrens' smiles and joy and pleasure in being made to feel special! And then we all shared a scrumptious meal of chapati, rice, kuku (chicken), pineapple and juice. This meal was also a gift to the children and was prepared on site by Mama Felista and some local women. Oh my! The smiles and full tummies were such a blessing to us! Blessed to be a blessing! Again! Below are photos of Mama Joskey with many of the children.
And after some of the team left for another Ministry Care Point in Manyatta, a suburb of Kisumu, the rest of us stayed behind to spend some sweet time with the children. Photo opportunities galore! Mama Joskey gathered them by family unit in all their finery. She has such a huge heart for OVC!
And now for one of the most remarkable updates about how God is working...
Remember R. that we told you about early on in our visit here? Well, talk about a faith builder! You will recall that she went to stay with Paul and Lydia at their lovely home. She was very "down" at the hospital in Maseno and I had helped Marieke care for her. Please look closely at the photo here taken by Pamela just in the last day or so. "A picture is worth a thousand words."
"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD, my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:1-5
Mungu aku bariki
Pat
Friday, June 18, 2010
New Experiences -- Posted by Laura
Where to Start???
|--Sharon--|
I met a woman in the hospital today, she’s about 30-years old. Her name is Sharon.
Like most others she’s quite ill and alone… no visitors… abandoned. We talked for a while about the emptiness she was feeling. I shared that there was a time in my life where I had felt empty, too… but, now I live with Christ in my heart and now I am full with the love of God.
I shared with her that God says in the Bible, "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice and opens the door, that God will come in with him and dine with him and he with me." (Revelation 3:20).
She asked Jesus into her heart and her face changed from hope-less to hope-filled. It was a beautiful time! When we left, she was smiling and saying "Praise the Lord!” :)
Next to her is another women that we’re ministering to… she was eating on the floor between beds. It’s no longer allowed to bring meals in to the patients… the reason for this is that they are sometimes poisoned by the person bringing the food. Her dish had a chicken leg with the foot attached. Not the part of the leg with meet, but the part below that. Nothing is wasted here.
|--District Hospital--|
Yesterday afternoon I spent some time at District Hospital. There where prisoners cuffed to their beds. They were along side three patients that I sat with and ministered to.
|--Patrick--|
The first one was Patrick, and his sister Benta (who was caring for him). I’m not sure exactly what was wrong, but he was afraid of some kind of spirits around him. He was swinging his fists in the air to try and keep them away. His tongue was out and he kept making sounds and noises like something was inside him.
What do you do in a situation like this? Nothing different than with the other patients… pray! So I prayed the name of Jesus over him again and again, saying Psalm 23, Matthew 6, The Lord’s Prayer, and Romans 8:38-39, which says, "Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Death can’t… life can’t… angels won’t… all the power of hell itself can not keep God’s love away… Our fears for today… our worries for tomorrow… no matter where we are, high above the sky or in the deepest ocean… Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God, which was demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for our sins."
At first he became more upset and his sister had to hold his arms and legs down. I asked her if I could give him a cross necklace, and she told me to put it around his neck while I was praying for him. So I did… and his tongue got further out of his mouth and he got even noisier.
Benta told me that just before I had done that, he had wanted me to leave. I couldn’t understand because it was not in my language… she just told me to keep praying. Then things calmed down some and I sat with and talked with her. I could have stayed all day, but it was time to see the next patient. I’m still not sure what to make of that whole thing; it was something new to me.
|--Austin--|
Austin was next on my “rounds.” His father. Lucas, was also needing to hold him down! Lucas’ wife was crying at the bed. Austin needed medicine to help him, which I was more than happy to help him with.
Austin was on his way to work one day and just collapsed. Ever since then, his mind and body are not working in coordination with each other and his mind is overcome with fear.
I prayed with Austin and his father, and during my prayer he was calm.
I often pray for patients with my eyes open… looking deep into their eyes and gently rubbing their head, face and arms. I’ve discovered that praying this way seems to make a connection for the patients here… Eyes meeting each other, and touch, helps bring peace and calm in the middle of the pain.
With Austin, I put a wooden cross necklace around his neck as I prayed for him.
Last year, I had given many of the same type of necklaces to patients as a reminder that God loves them, and is always with them, that they are valuable, and that they are never alone. I didn’t have as many this year to give away… I wish I had more.
|--Leonard--|
There was another thing that happened… I’m trying to understand.
There was a man named Leonard in another bed. His mother, Wilfred, and his father, Rofile, were sitting on the bed next to him. George (CHI worker) told me that Leonard was unable to walk and it was obvious that something was clearly wrong with his mind, too. He just kept saying numbers. 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 3 4 5… 5 5 5… 5 6 7 8 9 10… 11 12… on and on he would go…
After watching him for a while… I went over and sat with his mother and father. I asked them if I could pray with him and give him a cross necklace. They were very happy for that.
I went and sat on his bed with him and looked him right in the eyes… he just kept repeating 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 1 2 3… And I thought to myself, what do I do now? All this guy does is say numbers… So, I decided I decided to speak “his language” … and I joined in… and together we kept saying 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 1 2 3…
At this, Leonard smiled… and so did I. Well… he got louder and louder… and we went on together to 4 5 6… etc.
Then I broke away from the counting and said, “God loves Leonard” …and he smiled even more… then he repeated to me, "God loves Leonard.”
I said, “Leonard is valuable” … he smiled even bigger… and got even louder as he repeated back, “Leonard is valuable.”
And on it went through all of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepard” … “I shall not be in want...”
Then “Jesus loves me” … and he said it again and again. At this, he became more and more excited. I was pointing to the heavens as I said it… and Leonard pulled his arms out and did the same…
Then I crossed my arms… and he crossed his. Then I pointed to myself… and he pointed to himself.
Leonard and I became quite a scene… and quite the attraction… everyone in the ward was watching us at this point. And he was becoming more and more excited. At this point I took a step back because he began trying to move his legs and it was all becoming a bit much for me to be part of.
Suddenly, Leonard stood up and started walking around… saying "I am walkin’ in Jesus… I am walking in Jesus." He was so excited and moving around so much that I had to step back even further… a couple of beds away… and I sat down and watched.
My eyes were big… my mouth was hung open… and everyone in the ward was looking the same! To be honest, I didn’t know what to make of the whole thing… At this point I didn’t know what to do or what to say… I just sat there staring… and I was a little shaky, too, at this point… again, this was a totally new experience for me.
While I was sitting there staring, George (CHI) came and sent me to another man to pray for, Odero.
|--Odero--|
Odero’s daughter was sitting with him when I walked up to them… I began to pray for Odero's health and for his daughter Alice.
I was still in a bit of shock from the whole Leonard thing… and I wasn’t as focused on them as I usually am… but, it was a good time of prayer.
At this point I was suffering from “experience overload” and my head was still trying to take in my earlier interactions with patients.
It’s been a strange day for me. I feel a little funny talking about today’s happenings because it’s so outside of my "norm.” I even feel a little strange sharing the day with people here because what had happened was so different from anything I have known.
But, I feel like if I don’t say anything, I’m not being very true to God… and if I do say something, well, it could be very difficult for people to understand… (which I get, because I’m still trying to make sense of it all myself).
Soooo… I guess as we say… "it is what it is" and I thank God for the blessing of being a part of such things… even if they’re a bit overwhelming.
Thank you, God… thank you, God… that you are good. Thank you, God… that you are faithful even in ways that I don’t understand. Thank you, God… that you are awesome… huge… powerful… and amazing. Thank you God, thank you...
xoxo Laura
|--Sharon--|
I met a woman in the hospital today, she’s about 30-years old. Her name is Sharon.
Like most others she’s quite ill and alone… no visitors… abandoned. We talked for a while about the emptiness she was feeling. I shared that there was a time in my life where I had felt empty, too… but, now I live with Christ in my heart and now I am full with the love of God.
I shared with her that God says in the Bible, "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice and opens the door, that God will come in with him and dine with him and he with me." (Revelation 3:20).
She asked Jesus into her heart and her face changed from hope-less to hope-filled. It was a beautiful time! When we left, she was smiling and saying "Praise the Lord!” :)
Next to her is another women that we’re ministering to… she was eating on the floor between beds. It’s no longer allowed to bring meals in to the patients… the reason for this is that they are sometimes poisoned by the person bringing the food. Her dish had a chicken leg with the foot attached. Not the part of the leg with meet, but the part below that. Nothing is wasted here.
|--District Hospital--|
Yesterday afternoon I spent some time at District Hospital. There where prisoners cuffed to their beds. They were along side three patients that I sat with and ministered to.
|--Patrick--|
The first one was Patrick, and his sister Benta (who was caring for him). I’m not sure exactly what was wrong, but he was afraid of some kind of spirits around him. He was swinging his fists in the air to try and keep them away. His tongue was out and he kept making sounds and noises like something was inside him.
What do you do in a situation like this? Nothing different than with the other patients… pray! So I prayed the name of Jesus over him again and again, saying Psalm 23, Matthew 6, The Lord’s Prayer, and Romans 8:38-39, which says, "Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Death can’t… life can’t… angels won’t… all the power of hell itself can not keep God’s love away… Our fears for today… our worries for tomorrow… no matter where we are, high above the sky or in the deepest ocean… Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God, which was demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for our sins."
At first he became more upset and his sister had to hold his arms and legs down. I asked her if I could give him a cross necklace, and she told me to put it around his neck while I was praying for him. So I did… and his tongue got further out of his mouth and he got even noisier.
Benta told me that just before I had done that, he had wanted me to leave. I couldn’t understand because it was not in my language… she just told me to keep praying. Then things calmed down some and I sat with and talked with her. I could have stayed all day, but it was time to see the next patient. I’m still not sure what to make of that whole thing; it was something new to me.
|--Austin--|
Austin was next on my “rounds.” His father. Lucas, was also needing to hold him down! Lucas’ wife was crying at the bed. Austin needed medicine to help him, which I was more than happy to help him with.
Austin was on his way to work one day and just collapsed. Ever since then, his mind and body are not working in coordination with each other and his mind is overcome with fear.
I prayed with Austin and his father, and during my prayer he was calm.
I often pray for patients with my eyes open… looking deep into their eyes and gently rubbing their head, face and arms. I’ve discovered that praying this way seems to make a connection for the patients here… Eyes meeting each other, and touch, helps bring peace and calm in the middle of the pain.
With Austin, I put a wooden cross necklace around his neck as I prayed for him.
Last year, I had given many of the same type of necklaces to patients as a reminder that God loves them, and is always with them, that they are valuable, and that they are never alone. I didn’t have as many this year to give away… I wish I had more.
|--Leonard--|
There was another thing that happened… I’m trying to understand.
There was a man named Leonard in another bed. His mother, Wilfred, and his father, Rofile, were sitting on the bed next to him. George (CHI worker) told me that Leonard was unable to walk and it was obvious that something was clearly wrong with his mind, too. He just kept saying numbers. 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 3 4 5… 5 5 5… 5 6 7 8 9 10… 11 12… on and on he would go…
After watching him for a while… I went over and sat with his mother and father. I asked them if I could pray with him and give him a cross necklace. They were very happy for that.
I went and sat on his bed with him and looked him right in the eyes… he just kept repeating 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 1 2 3… And I thought to myself, what do I do now? All this guy does is say numbers… So, I decided I decided to speak “his language” … and I joined in… and together we kept saying 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 1 2 3…
At this, Leonard smiled… and so did I. Well… he got louder and louder… and we went on together to 4 5 6… etc.
Then I broke away from the counting and said, “God loves Leonard” …and he smiled even more… then he repeated to me, "God loves Leonard.”
I said, “Leonard is valuable” … he smiled even bigger… and got even louder as he repeated back, “Leonard is valuable.”
And on it went through all of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepard” … “I shall not be in want...”
Then “Jesus loves me” … and he said it again and again. At this, he became more and more excited. I was pointing to the heavens as I said it… and Leonard pulled his arms out and did the same…
Then I crossed my arms… and he crossed his. Then I pointed to myself… and he pointed to himself.
Leonard and I became quite a scene… and quite the attraction… everyone in the ward was watching us at this point. And he was becoming more and more excited. At this point I took a step back because he began trying to move his legs and it was all becoming a bit much for me to be part of.
Suddenly, Leonard stood up and started walking around… saying "I am walkin’ in Jesus… I am walking in Jesus." He was so excited and moving around so much that I had to step back even further… a couple of beds away… and I sat down and watched.
My eyes were big… my mouth was hung open… and everyone in the ward was looking the same! To be honest, I didn’t know what to make of the whole thing… At this point I didn’t know what to do or what to say… I just sat there staring… and I was a little shaky, too, at this point… again, this was a totally new experience for me.
While I was sitting there staring, George (CHI) came and sent me to another man to pray for, Odero.
|--Odero--|
Odero’s daughter was sitting with him when I walked up to them… I began to pray for Odero's health and for his daughter Alice.
I was still in a bit of shock from the whole Leonard thing… and I wasn’t as focused on them as I usually am… but, it was a good time of prayer.
At this point I was suffering from “experience overload” and my head was still trying to take in my earlier interactions with patients.
It’s been a strange day for me. I feel a little funny talking about today’s happenings because it’s so outside of my "norm.” I even feel a little strange sharing the day with people here because what had happened was so different from anything I have known.
But, I feel like if I don’t say anything, I’m not being very true to God… and if I do say something, well, it could be very difficult for people to understand… (which I get, because I’m still trying to make sense of it all myself).
Soooo… I guess as we say… "it is what it is" and I thank God for the blessing of being a part of such things… even if they’re a bit overwhelming.
Thank you, God… thank you, God… that you are good. Thank you, God… that you are faithful even in ways that I don’t understand. Thank you, God… that you are awesome… huge… powerful… and amazing. Thank you God, thank you...
xoxo Laura
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