do you see JESUS

Several weeks ago I was going through one of the hardest things I'd felt for quite awhile. I had been asked to visit someone in the village. The problem was that the wound this patient was struggling with smelled bad. Like really bad-- and, in a mud-sauna-like-house, "No, thank you, I'd rather not." Like all his family and the community around him, I'd rather not.

Finally I relented and said yes. And while I was there, even though every ounce of "me" wanted to run and never return, I knew stronger than my fleshly desires, that this is exactly where Jesus would spend his time! I knew without a doubt that we HAD to visit regularly.

As the weeks went by, each day I didn't want to go visit, I never knew if my stomach would be able to cope or not. But, of course, after each visit, my heart grew more fondly of the person. Of the soul that was so desperate and suffering.

Do to logistics,  currently we're not allowed to do much medically but, we continued visiting faithfully and WE WERE PRAYING.

And, dear friends, accept this with utmost humility, my husband just called me. He called me to say that one of his workers came to him this morning to say how much better this patient in the village is. The village is talking about how much better this man is! He has been out scooting around in the wheelchair that someone got him. He is out and about and everyone knows that this is miraculous.

It is my friends, I put yogurt on the wound! Yes, yogurt! And it's healing, it no longer smells and there is fresh pink flesh! Get this Loved ones, he lives in a mud hut. He drinks water from dirty cups. He washes and cooks for himself with paralyzed legs and with only what's within arms reach. His nutrition is minimal. There's nothing significant that has changed to bring about healing. And now, a few weeks later, he's scooting himself around in a wheelchair without having had a single prescription medication.

I don't care that the village is talking about what "we're doing".  Because hear me again, we did nothing more than yogurt, visit and prayer!!!! What I want the village to talk about is Jesus! I want them to SEE JESUS! Because, I thought this one would need an amputation if death didn't come first. I thought it was beyond hope. Do you see it friends? Do you see that this was Jesus? When's the last time that you heard of a wound, exposing bone, that was healed by a bit of yogurt?

Do you SEE it? Do you SEE that it was Jesus?

Let's talk about that!

imagine. real love.

He's only 8 years old.
Most probably he sat along side as his father died.
Then his mother.
In the meantime, I would assume, there was no one there to care for him.
Maybe it was because of fear of the "spirits" of death that had already taken the father.
Maybe it was simply fear of "the disease".
Whatever the cause, he was in "a state."
He was suffering.
Now, thanks to the Lord's healing, he's better.
Not great but definitely better.
And, if you sat with me for just even a few minutes, I'm confident, you'd look into his eyes and feel what I feel.
Feel the need to love him.
Feel the need to do whatever possible to alleviate his pain.
He'd wriggle his way into your heart and you'd be here with me.
And just imagine this being his requests from life.
I asked him, "What can we pray for you when we're at home?"
No toys.
No trips to Disneyland.
Not even ice cream and Fanta.
Nope, plan and simply.
"Pray that God will help me grow well and that I can stop drinking these pills."
No smile.
No selfish desires.
Just the simple request to be average, to grow well and be without disease.
It's sure not fair.
But, I feel so blessed to know him.
So fortunate to love him.
So grateful to look deep in his eyes where, at times, I'm sure I see a reflection of Jesus.
I'm sure of it.
Come, come with me and look deep into wounded eyes.
Because this is real.
This is life
And.
This.
 is.
Love.

standing against pain

And this is why we're here...

So, so similar to life in Mozambique.
Mvura Ya Upenhu (Living Waters) Palliative Care. We want change! Pray for our baby steps.

happy new year

Happy New Year!!

Yesterday Chad and I were asked to share our "story" with a team visiting from South Africa. I couldn't believe the butterflies I felt as for the first time, we shared our life stories together. As we wrapped up I realized that was just the way I needed to start the new year. It forced me to sit down, reflect on what God has done and, through my emotions and tears of the story I realized, again, how good God has been to us. This past year so much happened. There was so much good that happened. There were struggles but it always ends good. As we start a new year, we anticipate much good. Likely many struggles also but, we must always remember that when the time comes when we get to look back, we always see. Always. That it was good! Loved ones, Happy New Year. May you be able to see all the good in 2015!!! xoxo
-Our love