For those who may not receive my updates via email, I've posted it here on the blog:
Don’t let the smile fool you, if I never have to set up
another swing set in my whole life, that’ll be fine by me…
Our hospital has the unique opportunity to interface
with other charitable organizations. Our
pediatric team has, for several years now, been working with a Catholic
orphanage to provide care for their children.
The orphanage is located about 25 miles from our hospital, but after
discovering the great care we provide, they have decided to always bring the
kids to us. We’ve gotten to know the
“sisters” well around the hospital, but it was also time to go visit them.
Our pediatrician, Jason, had made a visit to the
orphanage earlier in the year. He was
very touched with how well the kids are cared for but also noticed that there
were very few toys for the kids.
He ordered several toys and a swing set to come on a
shipping container that arrived in the beginning of July. Jason has returned to working in the States,
so he asked me to make sure the swing set got set up.
So the last day of July, we loaded up two vehicles with
our pediatric staff and our missionary team, the toys, and some tools and went
out to visit the orphanage. I, too, was
touched by the way the kids were cared for.
Though we say “orphanage” these kids still have families involved in
their lives. They come from at-risk
situations (typically mom has died in childbirth and family has no resources
for caring for the baby), and come to live for the first 2-3 years of life in
the care of this Catholic facility.
These formative years are essential for health, and at-risk families in
the absence of a breast-feeding mother typically can’t keep the child
nourished. Family members still come to
visit regularly, and when the child is old enough and healthy enough to
reintegrate into the family, they do.
The swing-set setup was my main responsibility, but
despite being called the “super fun swing assembly kit” it turned out to be
more of a challenge than I had hoped. It
was at points down-right frustrating, honestly. Happily, with the help of our
whole team, and more “redos” than I’d like to
admit, it finally came together.
As we left that day, I was meditating on Christ’s call to go out of our way to invest in those who are at-risk or disadvantaged by the circumstances of their life. Sometimes that call is challenging as we are put in uncomfortable situations. Other times, the Lord gives us the privilege of seeing the way in which we’ve blessed someone else. This was one of those times.
So I guess, I might consider doing another swing-set
after all…
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for the security situation here. Over the past couple weeks there have been several high profile, violent incidents. Rest assured that our team is not in imminent danger, but these attacks are concerning for us and for our national colleagues and friends. Pray for peace.
2. Pray for our hospital team. These are busy months as malaria season is in full swing. Our national staff and their families also often find themselves sick with malaria. Pray for strength, endurance, and good health for the whole team.
3. Pray for a new believer's Bible study that I'm doing on Sundays. The group has grown, and the discussions have been really great. Pray that every time we meet the Holy Spirit would lead.
4. Pray for an upcoming meeting with colleagues in the neighboring country to plan strategy for the upcoming months. We will be working together to reach a very unreached part of the country along the border. Pray that we would be led by the Lord.
5. We'd like to bring our national hospital director to the States to speak at a few churches. We've had some trouble getting his visa. His next interview is on the 24th of this month, please pray that the visa would be granted.
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