A baby is born!

[Editor's Note: When Kindra refers to the "sale of tickets" she is using this as an analogy. The team did not literally sell tickets to the clinic, but are alluding to the atmosphere outside the clinic being very similar to a sold out show.]

Wow. What a day that the Lord has made. I think don’t think that there are words to describe the array of emotions that accompanied the team today. Fatigue, anxiety, tension, eagerness, thankfulness, merciful, only to name a few. I first want to thank you all very much for the many prayer and encouragements that were added to the blog over the past few days. We have not been able to print them for the whole team, but those that have been able to read them are passing the comments along to the others. Words cannot express our thankfulness. I want to be sure to reinforce that we know that you are praying, and even at specific times that we know you are praying, we see God guiding our team as an answer to your faithfulness.

Back to the beginning… We arrived to the normal flood of people. Things were, of course, a little tenser today, as we were limiting the sale of additional tickets, so that we could be sure to see everyone that had been promised (or at least we hoped). We actually had to shut the clinic doors to calm the crowd until they got the picture that we would not work until they could get in order. The rest of the day was much the same. In fact, Larry has a new name- King of the Whispering Tribe… (Cindy, meet your new King!) as he lost his voice trying to maintain order for so many hours.

The tension of the day caused treatment to be a little more difficult, as the clinic was very noisy. We could not shut the doors, as we needed the light, so instead, we just prayed for more grace! Everyone was cookin’ again today, and God was GOOD! as the numbers climbed to nearly 175, although we do not yet have a final count (and we will not likely have an exact count, as there were many barriers that are too difficult to explain). I cannot express how wonderfully this team works together.

The day was filled with many interesting cases. We had two significantly sick people today, one young girl with Malaria, whom Jeania nursed to health all day, and a young, postpartum woman with a severe infection. Dr. Ray decided that she needed to go to the hospital, or she would be at risk for death. Because the infant’s father had died, the family did not have the money or transportation to travel to the local hospital. As a team, we decided that we would have our drivers take them, and we gave them the money for her care. Please pray for her specifically, as her health is at risk. Besides all the excitement, there were many of the same…STD’s, goiters, hypertension, stomach aches, joint pain, neck pain, headaches, dehydration, malnutrition, malaria, and so on… There were not as many children today, as they moved back down the totem pole with it being our last day.

We started to wrap up the day between 5 and 6 pm, and Rhonda put it best when she reassured the team that God parted the Red Sea and let the people pass, so too that He will part the West Africans to let the Americans leave with their suppliesJ As Gary and Brandon started to pack up the pharmacy, Jeania and I (Kindra) had the privilege of sharing in the birth of a newborn baby boy that was in the clinic for the help of the Doula (Bobo). What a wonderful ending to our day. It was a wonderful painting of the picture of God’s mercy and grace. That in the midst of (seemingly) heartache and hopelessness, a child is born. A child, born in the likeness of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

We packed up the vans and joined in a circle with the elders of the community. What a joy… they are such humble men, very thankful and gracious. Their prayer is that our relationship and partnership may grow, and that next year we may come back with 20 or 30 team members, and that we may see everyone that comesJ ! Now THAT is something to pray for. Tomorrow we are heading back to Zig for the night, but not before we join Gnor in his church, an Assembly of God church in Sedhiou, the only evangelistic church in town. Are we excited, as Brother Sam is going to preach! We will let you know more about that tomorrow… Until then… I will share how Gary has visualized our mission…

Jesus sent the twelve apostles with these instructions… ”Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received.” Matthew 10:5, 10:7-8

What a wonderful association between our team and the disciples that went out to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. (There are twelve of us with Cindy!) It is the greatest job that any of us have under heaven, and the most important. Let us be sure to give God all the Glory forever and ever. Amen!

Submitted by Kindra York