Mercy Came Running...

The team was not able to get to the blog this morning, but Kindra forwarded yesterday's post to me via email and the message follows:

Mercy Came Running

Words cannot express the challenges and blessings of the day…physical or emotional. As I prayed to God to give me the words to share with you in the blog today, I felt led to read some of the quotes from team members in years past to reminisce about why we come to this far away land, leaving loved ones, responsibilities, and the comforts of home. I read “we watch eyes and hearts begin to be opened to the truth”, “how will they know if no one tells them… how will they hear if no one goes”, “our work in the flesh does not last long, but what we do for Him lasts for an eternity”, “I know the sacrifice is big, but it must come from obedience of God and your love for Him”, and “I saw Him today.” And see Him today, we did.

We arose to re-pack the trucks and vans and be on the road by 6am from Kaolack for the drive ahead. Sleep was minimal, though our accommodations comfortable. It is hard to “turn off” our minds for the days ahead, and exhaustion is not always enough to bring the zzzz’s. Larry shared a time of devotion, reading scripture reminding the team that in each moment, we should acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, and He lives in us. This is where we will find the strength to endure the trials of this trip, and He is in whom we should ask, “Why do you have me here, Father?” Morning devotions are and will continue to be an integral part of our time together. We were off for the grueling day of travel on the rut-filled road to Sedhiou. The day definitely met its sufferings, with several team members succumbing to “African road- induced van sickness”- otherwise known as the “barf and go.” Sorry to share that with you, but the humor of the “barf and go” somehow made us laugh through the queasy hours endured. Please don’t worry; everyone affected is feeling better and hopeful for a restful night’s sleep. And please hear me that God was SO GOOD today for the trip- we had no problems at border crossing, the vans held up nicely, with no flat tires or break downs, and team morale remained high (AND, we did put aside some medicine for the ride home.) It also came to our attention that monkey the pillow, though alive, did suffer some damage during his suicide mission yesterday, however, with the proper medical supplies, his wounds will be sutured, and he should return to as good as new!

Our arrival in Sedhiou was long awaited, but we wouldn’t stay for long. The team’s first task was to set up for clinic in Bamacounda, which starts tomorrow. All of our bags and belongings appear to have made it safely, and the team was very efficient in its set up procedures. We received a true African welcome- loving, excited, and hospitable. We saw many familiar faces! Sara- I saw your beautiful baby girl today, held her and gave her hugs and kisses from you. She is such a big girl- she laughed and giggled as I tossed her into the air. Her mama came to the pharmacy window looking for you within just a few minutes of our arrival. I am so proud of you- you touched that mama and her baby for God last year, and it was evident today. Your Daddy will make sure and see to it that she gets all her stuff- we will try to take a picture of her in some of it for you! Miss you girl.) Our beautiful Rosa brought tears to many eyes today, as answered prayer and evidence of God’s mercy illuminated in her eyes as she came RUNNING down the street into Cindy’s arms. I know that there are many people at home praising Jesus for the miracle that happened in and through her. She is a real-life example of why we come. Although we have not officially assessed the status of her scars or wounds, now more than 1 year post burn, it is obvious that His mercy abounds in her! This little girl suffering with pain and severely limited mobility last year came running into the arms of her American mama today. Imagine how beautiful she will look running into the arms of her Savior some day!

We so enjoyed our time in the village with the chief and his community. He wonderfully acknowledged the work of Christ through us, as well as his appreciation for our return. I know that for those of you who have never been, it is hard to imagine: sitting in that dusty “front yard”, surrounded by our African family and friends; the way the kids crowd in to touch you, hold your hand or crawl on your lap, the smile of a face that tells you somehow that you have made their day, just by coming to visit. Words cannot express the emotions of the experience, and I pray that either through my words and your imagination, or a specific call upon your heart to experience it first hand, you can see and feel it! Following our meeting with the chief, the women of the village, in true African fashion, welcomed us with song and traditional dance. The team participated, some willingly, some not so much (laughing), and there are pictures to prove that all team members danced today (even if they try to tell you they didn’t like it, the smiles that abound on all of our faces in the pictures show a different story!) The children of the village contributed by spontaneously singing “God is so wonderful!” and “If you’re happy and you know it!”. What a wonderfully amazing way to celebrate! The ladies of the team had the immense privilege of walking to the garden with the village women. They are so proud, as they should be, of this small plot of land where they invest countless, backbreaking hours sewing, tending, and harvesting onions. They reflected on the abundance of their harvest this year, and gave much credit to our prayers for such. What a special symbolic gift our Christ shared with us in that garden as well. Many seeds of hope in Jesus have been planted in that village, my friends, and just as with the onions, His harvest promises to be great!

We were able to get settled in tonight to our lodging, eat a wonderful dinner from Nene, and prepare for the needs of tomorrow. Just as I was finishing the blog and was heading for my long awaited shower…I hear a whispered scream from Cindy!! A GECKO? WHERE? RIGHT THERE!? RIGHT WHERE? OUR BEDROOM YOU SAY? OH! WHAT DO WE DO? DO WE HAVE A BROOM? STICKY TRAPS YOU SAY, OK- WHAT DO WE DO, THROW IT ON IT? NERVOUS LAUGHTER…WHERE DID HE GO? THE BATHROOM YOU SAY? GO IN AND SHUT THE DOOR SO HE DOESN’T COME OUT SHE SAYS- I WILL WAIT OUT HERE! OH MY- NO GECKO IN SITE! So much for the enjoyment of my long awaited shower or any hope of sleeping the remaining 5 hours until the alarm goes off…only in Africa.

Thanks for sharing the journey of today with us. I look forward to reflecting with you tomorrow on the successes of God’s work through us in clinic day 1. Your continued prayers are being answered and are coveted- for the health, safety, rest, and sustenance of the team; for the preparation of the hearts of the African people to receive the love and Word of Jesus Christ through us; for the general health needs we will be addressing amongst the people; for our family and loved ones at home pulling the plow without us! We love you all so much. Missing you is tough, but we are right where we are supposed to be today. See you tomorrow.

Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade- kept in Heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 3-7