Help for the Poor

One doctor + 3 nurses + 2 volunteers = 6 hearts of GOLD!   Even though this was our first medical outreach since arriving on the field and had no idea what we were doing, we knew that God would be faithful to use us as long as we were willing.  Would the people get the message we were coming?  Would they come?  What would their needs be?  As the time approached, we knew that we had done all we could to plan and prepare for the team  and now, we would have to leave the rest to God.

When our medical team arrived early the first day, we were overwhelmed by the numbers of people already standing in line.  They were there hours before we were scheduled to open the clinic.  We scrambled to get things set up and ready so there wait would be as short as possible.

There were so many of them with a wide range of needs, but there was one child in particular that stood out that day.  This child had a rash all over his body with sores that were oozing and bleeding.  The frustration and pain was evident on his and his parents faces.   They hadn't been to a doctor.  It is too far and expensive for their family.  The child and his sister who had the same rash was forced to suffer with the constant pain and itching.   You could see the sadness on the faces of the nurses and doctor as they saw cases such as these, that were so easy to fix, yet go untreated because of location and financial inability. 

What a blessing it was that day to see our medical staff professionally calm those who were suffering and bring a smile to the faces of those who were so grateful to finally receive some medical attention.  They saw patients who were sick with the flu, had tumors, blindness, foot conditions, boils, I could go on.  Many of them they were only able to comfort with their words and give them something that would help them get a good nights sleep that they hadn't gotten in years, while others received the medication that they needed in order to receive the relief they had been so desperately needed.  The best thing of all, all of them that were willing, received the gift of prayer and a smile.    

So what happened to the boy you ask?  Two weeks later, we were ministering in the same Ahka village with a Childrens team.  The boy and his parents came forward with a testimony of God's goodness and how He had healed their two children.  There was no sign of rash on their kids and they were all beaming from ear to ear.  Was it a miracle - or medicine?  Does it matter?  God touched that boy and his family that day.  They are changed.  They LOVE God and are giving HIM all the glory...and isn't that what really matters!  THAT's why we do what we do!!!