Sunday morning blessings

Waking up at 4 am may not seem like a blessing, but it was for me today. I got up early to finish some grad work and completed everything by 5 am. The building still quiet, which is uncommon around here with 17 college students. So I headed outside to the table to spend some quiet time. My reading today started in 2Timothy. The students were on my heart. I was feeling burden to give them direction for these last 3 weeks here in Zambia. God reminded me again that it is through His power that all things will be done according to His will here in Zambia. I had almost 2 hours before anyone else was up. I spent time in His word, walking the grounds, singing, and just feeling so thankful for the blessings in my life.

And that was all before we even left for church. We attended a small village church and again was just reminded of Gods love and faithfulness. After the service, it is tradition to greet each person and shake hands. The bigger the attendence, the longer the line. A picture of Gods' people making relationships a priority.



I know whom I have believed and am convinced

that he is able to guard

what I have entrusted to him for that day.

2 Tim 1:12

commodities

 The highest commodity in Africa right now: drink packets. You know, the little packets of flavoring that you can add to your water bottles. They are being traded, exchanged, and bartered for. The  students, after being in Africa for 8 weeks, struggle with the idea of another bottle of plain water. It amazes me at what things become the most desired.  The most tempting of things when you are immersed in another culture without the amenities we are accustomed to can be surprising. They include bite size cliff bars, a half of a cookie, a cool breeze, a few minutes of alone time, quietness, and these drink packets.

 My devotions this morning came from1 Timothy 6. Paul is warning against the love of money. My first thoughts on this for the African culture is “what money?”.  As I continued to read through the chapter I came to verse six: But godliness with contentment is great gain. Contentment. A very big word. I am not sure that it would be used to describe my character at times.

 So, I am checking myself today. Are there any “things” that I desire that have come between me and God? Is there a deep desire in me to get to the next level, earn the next degree, or purchase the next thing that is crowding out God? As I watch the students work out their contentment here, often being faced with challenges like drink packets, I am continuing to reflect on my own life.

I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time- God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen ! Tim 6:14-16

Independence Day

Today is Independence Day in Zambia. A day to celebrate freedom and a future. Early this morning, I got up and went outside to get some quiet time before the rest of the team began to stir. I was standing at the edge of our compound looking over the African plain reading from Psalms 103…

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies yur desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

And listening on my ipod to a worship song, Break Every Chain.

http://youtu.be/d7r0ULg7CbU

A promise for me. A promise for them. A promise for all of us. There is a God who rescues us. Remembering this today in a new way.

My Joy

Church. I don’t even know how to express my deep joy that I felt worshiping with the people of the Mochipapa community. We were able to share in the service with one of the nursing students preaching about the life of Joseph and singing as a group for them, one song led in the Tonga language. That was good. I sat next to a young woman with her baby, who was cooing and smiling at me throughout the service. That was good. An older woman across the aisle who could barely get into the church in the morning due to her physical ailments, was dancing and worshiping. That was also good.

But the best part this morning was the prayer time. The church choir led a prayer song and as they continued to sing the congregation began to pray. Not led from the front like our churches back home, but individuals began to lift their heart cry to the Lord. The rumbling became louder and louder. One young woman could be heard above the rest, yelling out to the Lord, distressed and in deep pain. I was standing, listening to the cry of God’s people when I began to hear a soft voice, an African voice singing...

“Then sings my soul, my savior God to me. How great thou Art, How great thou Art. Then sings my soul, my savior God to me. How great thou Art, How great thou Art”.

What a incredible moment of worship. What a privilege to be in the presence of a loving, compassionate God whose mercies are absolutely new each day.

“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” Thessalonians 2: 19-20

Qualified

What really frustrates me is not being able to fix things. Not things like hinges or cupboards, but people. I have spent almost 9 years so far as a student learning how to recognize, diagnose, manage, and treat the medical conditions that people suffer from, and still at the end of the day, these problems sometimes are still not fixed. This has never been so evident than the times I have spent in developing countries. Today has been no different. Malnourished women lying in beds all around me wasting away with AIDS and what can I do. There is nothing here to give them. No treatment. Nothing to relieve their suffering. I feel helpless and wondering if what I have, what I know, is it enough? Can I really speak a word of hope? Can I show love that they will understand? Do I have the ability to make a difference?

A student bent over listening to heart sounds of a women who is in her last stages of active AIDS, wondering what to do. The lady reaches up to stroke the head and hair of the student. The student is overwhelmed thinking that she was there doing her best to show love and this woman was loving her back. So grateful merely that these nurses just “showed up”.  

This is really it. Sharing hope by showing up. And when I don’t feel qualified I am reminded that…

“ I am being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you”

Where my strength and ability end, God can finally begin. When I run out of skill, God in his infinite wisdom can work. When I have nothing to give, God can pour out his immeasurable mercies. I am overwhelmed at the incredible God who loves me.

Renewed concern

I rejoice in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. Philippines 4:10

Sometimes things just wear out: my favorite pair of running shoes, those jeans that fit just right. Some things run out: laundry detergent with 5 loads still left, peppermint ice cream that I was saving to eat… but what about my concern. I am concerned for the person in front of me when I am hearing their story or seeing their pain, but what happens when they leave? Is my concern wearing out? Am I empty of acknowledgement of the injustice that is happening around me?

This week we are staying at the Macha Malaria Institute where we have had the opportunity to care for a family that has gone through tragedy. A young woman, eight months pregnant, and her 2 year old were locked in her home by her husbands’ girlfriend and the home was set on fire. The students cared for the child and his second and third degree burns last week. He passed away over the weekend. The young woman lost her 8month old fetus and does not yet know the fate of her other child. She has little support and no means to obtain justice. I am wrecked; broken by her pain and at a loss for words to express my deep sorrow for her.

How long will this last: 6 months, a year. How long before I forget about my brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe and their deep suffering?

I am rejoicing at the opportunity to “show concern” to those in Zambia who have such great suffering and I am determined with this renewed concern to not forget.

In all things

I was walking down the dirt path to meet up with the students today and passed a young woman who had a gray t-shirt on that said, “Hungry? I Was…”. My son has this same shirt which he received after doing a 24 hour fast with his youth group a few years ago. Seeing on this young African woman, who was pregnant, malnourished, with three kids in tow brought new meaning to this phrase.  She had known and felt hunger pains on daily basis, and not just to “experience it” but because that was her life. Our food is limited in portion, as well as protein. Some of the students have struggled with this over the last few weeks. I still have a bit saved up on the hips to live off of, but I must admit I did wake up hungry this morning. I was brought back to the vision of the woman yesterday when I started reading my bible this morning.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.  Philippians 3:11-13

More important than the physical circumstances, it is about ALL things. Having then not having. Loving than losing. Health to sickness. Energy to fatigue. Joy to sorrow. Peace to pain. In all things, it is God and God alone that gives us the strength.

fly faster...!

My Saturday afternoon in DC was nice, quiet, and relaxing...then the delays began. 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes...finally 55 minutes behind schedule we began to bored the plane. On most days, this does not bother me. Today, flying alone to Africa, I am a little worried. I realize I will have 15 minutes to get off the plane, clear customs, and run the halls of Johannasburg Airport to make my connection to Zambia. If I miss this, I get to stay the night in South Africa.
So, apparently, God can even push the planes along. Despite stormy weather and another 15 minute delay during our refueling in Senegal, we landed 35 minutes earlier than our original scheduled time. I am remembering that He can do More than all we Ask or Imagine...
So after 2 days of plane travel and 1 day of road travel, I have arrived in Choma, Zambia. I will be leaving in the morning for Macha to meet up with the nursing students and jump into clinical, teaching, and all the other fun.
But for tonight, quietness of the African sky, a little homemade guacamole, and me and my mosquito net!
First stop in capitol city, Mugs and Bean...for Carmel Lattes!

A day for reflection...

Catching tadpoles in the pond behind Walshes store with Julie. Riding my banana seat sunshine bike down Virginia Avenue. Roller skating to journey. My Charlie Brown tennis shoes. Grape bubblegum. Having my picture hanging at the local mart when I went missing for a few hours in Tammy's basement. Breaking my tooth on my desk in 3rd grade. Hamburger patties, Lays potatoe chips, and dried appricots. The grape stuff for allergies. Scrapped knees, swimming at night with the girls, and making clay furniture for my strawberry shortcake dolls. Barbies in the basement, the play house, and playing dentist in the garage (with a little help from the gas can). Dad laid off from the mill, mom doing birthday parties at McDs, and Vivian getting that green Honda. Chicken pox, strep throat, missing school, my sisters funeral, dads back surgery, moms back injury, and Vivian moving to Japan. Jr. High, pants so tight I have to pull them up with a hanger through the zipper loop, and walking with friends til late in the night. Cheerleading, drivers license, working at Ponderosa, and taking care of mom. Meeting Thad, Meeting God, and Changing Directions. HS, graduation, getting married, finishing school, having babies, finishing school again. Africa, Philippines, Guatemala, Africa, Marysville, Marion, Gas City. Moving, ministering, following where God leads. My kids growing, driving, girlfriends, graduating, college, and making their own choices. Today is my 40th Birthday. I look in the mirror and can't believe I am 40. So today is my day of reflecting. Reflecting on my joys, as well as the trials. This year has been filled with incrediable changes for me and my family. It seems we have had our share of loss and pain. Looking back over the last 40 years of my journey, it's hard to imagine what more God has for me...for us. I am so grateful to look back and see God's hand through it all: guiding, loving, sometimes pulling me back in line. Just an incrediable journey and sometimes it feels like its just begining. Living life with no regrets. As E. McManus would say...I am Chasing the Daylight! 24 hours and I will be leaving for Zambia. But for today, its me and Thad hanging out, doing normal stuff, and enjoying this life that God has blessed us with.

four days and counting...

I have four days left before I leave for Zambia, Africa. I have done personal journaling for all of the trips I have taken, but decided this time I would try it live. We will see if the internet in Africa will cooperate with me. In just a few days I will be flying from Indy to Lusaka to meet up with 17 nursing students from IWU, clinical faculty, and staff to teach the second half of their semester abroad. I have been following their blogs and FB, sometimes stalking...and know that God has already been at work in their lives. So it begins and I am excited for you to join me in this journey. My prayer is that God would use this time that you read to stir your heart for things that break His.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...Eph 3:20