Monday, May 31, 2010
What does it mean to love?
I have seen things in Africa that have helped me to understand what it is to truly love. Not the kind of superficial love that only deals with the pleasant things in life but the love that speaks to the hard places in life.
There is a woman here by the name of Lydia who cares for her grandchildren who are orphans as well as an older woman with leprosy (Ania). Lydia herself is a grandma, she isn’t young. She should be enjoying her “golden Years” and instead of receiving care she is busy giving care. She gives of her time, her energy, her “wealth” and most of all, she gives of her love. Ania struggles with leprosy, she has no fingers and most of her toes are gone. She has open wounds where the flies love to nest. She has broken her hip and can hardly get around. She isn’t one of the lovely by the world standards and I’m sure there are many days when Lydia wants to rest, to take life easy. But she doesn’t, she works so that her grandchildren can have a better life. She works so her friend can have food to eat. She shares all she has with others in a way I’m not sure most of us would be willing to do. She inspires me to look beyond myself and see the needs of others. To share what I have with those around me.
She makes me realize how much I have been given and how little time I spend giving to others, even to those I love let alone to those who are “unlovely”. I don’t know if Lydia knows God but she exemplifies the love the Lord has for us. She teaches me what real deep love looks like. What it means to be Jesus to another human being.
I have realized how much I look out for “#1” and how little I look beyond myself and what I need or want. These people who have nothing freely offer what they do have to a neighbor or a friend or a stranger for that matter. We have everything we can ever really need and yet we hold onto our little stashes with all our might. Why is that? Why is it that those who have so much share so little really and those who have so little share all they own? They understand how much it means to someone to just simply sit, offer yourself to them by offering your time. Today we are going to visit an orphan family and I get the privilege of going to spend time and work for a family. The head of this family is an older woman, a grandma who has lost one leg to a landmine. She cares for her daughter who is blind. She gets firewood, water, and tends the garden everyday with her one leg and her crutch. She gives her all she has and today we get to care for her just a little. I pray I can practice the Gospel of presence with her. To love her deeply even if it is just for a little while. I pray that the Lord will show her how much he loves her through what we do today and that he will let me be there, truly be there with her today.
I wrote the above last night. Today we spend time with this grandma and her blind daughter. The blind daughter had gone early in the morning to walk a long way to get firewood and then find her way home again. I couldn't believe it. The grandma didn't really want us to do much. We ended up sitting with her. It was actually very hard to sit and not do. This gospel of presence is hard work. I want to do, to fill the silence, to do something tangible. Yet she wanted us to be there with her...just to be present. It was hard and yet beautiful. I learned that this means a lot to her. At the end of the day we prayed for her and then Jean asked if she would pray for us. I was so close to tears during that prayer. I have never felt the power of God so clearly or so deeply as I did today. I won't ever forget that. Tomorrow we are going back and even though I learned a lot today about the Gospel of presence my humanity still says "I want to DO something for her". I'm not sure what to pray for except that we would be open to what the Lord wants to do in and through us.
practicing the Gospel of presence
Shannon
There is a woman here by the name of Lydia who cares for her grandchildren who are orphans as well as an older woman with leprosy (Ania). Lydia herself is a grandma, she isn’t young. She should be enjoying her “golden Years” and instead of receiving care she is busy giving care. She gives of her time, her energy, her “wealth” and most of all, she gives of her love. Ania struggles with leprosy, she has no fingers and most of her toes are gone. She has open wounds where the flies love to nest. She has broken her hip and can hardly get around. She isn’t one of the lovely by the world standards and I’m sure there are many days when Lydia wants to rest, to take life easy. But she doesn’t, she works so that her grandchildren can have a better life. She works so her friend can have food to eat. She shares all she has with others in a way I’m not sure most of us would be willing to do. She inspires me to look beyond myself and see the needs of others. To share what I have with those around me.
She makes me realize how much I have been given and how little time I spend giving to others, even to those I love let alone to those who are “unlovely”. I don’t know if Lydia knows God but she exemplifies the love the Lord has for us. She teaches me what real deep love looks like. What it means to be Jesus to another human being.
I have realized how much I look out for “#1” and how little I look beyond myself and what I need or want. These people who have nothing freely offer what they do have to a neighbor or a friend or a stranger for that matter. We have everything we can ever really need and yet we hold onto our little stashes with all our might. Why is that? Why is it that those who have so much share so little really and those who have so little share all they own? They understand how much it means to someone to just simply sit, offer yourself to them by offering your time. Today we are going to visit an orphan family and I get the privilege of going to spend time and work for a family. The head of this family is an older woman, a grandma who has lost one leg to a landmine. She cares for her daughter who is blind. She gets firewood, water, and tends the garden everyday with her one leg and her crutch. She gives her all she has and today we get to care for her just a little. I pray I can practice the Gospel of presence with her. To love her deeply even if it is just for a little while. I pray that the Lord will show her how much he loves her through what we do today and that he will let me be there, truly be there with her today.
I wrote the above last night. Today we spend time with this grandma and her blind daughter. The blind daughter had gone early in the morning to walk a long way to get firewood and then find her way home again. I couldn't believe it. The grandma didn't really want us to do much. We ended up sitting with her. It was actually very hard to sit and not do. This gospel of presence is hard work. I want to do, to fill the silence, to do something tangible. Yet she wanted us to be there with her...just to be present. It was hard and yet beautiful. I learned that this means a lot to her. At the end of the day we prayed for her and then Jean asked if she would pray for us. I was so close to tears during that prayer. I have never felt the power of God so clearly or so deeply as I did today. I won't ever forget that. Tomorrow we are going back and even though I learned a lot today about the Gospel of presence my humanity still says "I want to DO something for her". I'm not sure what to pray for except that we would be open to what the Lord wants to do in and through us.
practicing the Gospel of presence
Shannon
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sadness inspite of hope.......
Our hearts are heavy as a team today as we heard of Horacio’s death this morning at devotions. Our team had been visiting him every day and I knew when I saw him yesterday that it wouldn’t be long. Horacio had developed sores on many of his bone due to the complete wasting of his tissue, and his pain was worsening by the day. Despite the families excellent care, lying on the dirty floor in his small hut, Horacio was becoming more and more weak. We were able to go yesterday afternoon to pray with the family, and as Shannon closed in prayer for Horacio and our hands touched his frail, broken body, we prayed that God would take him and end his suffering. His small child was lying sleeping beside her dad, just as many of the children that I love so dearly at home cling to their fathers, and I knew that for Horacio, the presence of his child was ministering to his heart much more than our pain meds. God does answer prayer, and despite the deep sadness that entered my heart when I heard the news, I am thankful that Horacio had heard about Jesus and how much He loved him. I believe that Horacio is in heaven today where there is no pain, no tears, and no suffering.
Our thoughts and prayers now go to his family. His older sister Graca, who has been a piller of strength caring for his brother and family. His young wife…who now joins the many widows known to this place. His other family members who will be mourning the loss of a son, brother, and friend. My thoughts go to his small child who is just starting out life at the age of 2 who will not have a father to cling to. That child will not have the strength and protection that a father can provide, and will grow without the relationship of a father that many of us take advantage of having. I think to my family at home and how much I love them and I imagine the extent of the grief that they must be feeling. I can’t imagine watching my brother die slowly from a disease that is completely preventable. I can’t imagine the feelings of hopelessness, anger, desperation, and fear that would enter my heart. What is even more tragic, is that all over Africa, and throughout our world, there are countless fathers, mothers, and children that are lying in a hut or in their home dying from a disease that could be stopped. My grief that I feel for this family is such a minuscule fraction of the grief that God must be feeling as He looks that the world that He created and sees the pain that has been caused. I know that God has not forgotten this place, I know that He loves every person so much, and I whole heartedly believe that one day…. This pain will all stop. We are blessed as Christian to have that hope to cling to in seemingly times of hopelessness. My heart is breaking today for those that don’t have that hope, and the fear that they must face. Please pray for the family of Horacio, and please pray for our team as we go today to offer our support and love. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers now go to his family. His older sister Graca, who has been a piller of strength caring for his brother and family. His young wife…who now joins the many widows known to this place. His other family members who will be mourning the loss of a son, brother, and friend. My thoughts go to his small child who is just starting out life at the age of 2 who will not have a father to cling to. That child will not have the strength and protection that a father can provide, and will grow without the relationship of a father that many of us take advantage of having. I think to my family at home and how much I love them and I imagine the extent of the grief that they must be feeling. I can’t imagine watching my brother die slowly from a disease that is completely preventable. I can’t imagine the feelings of hopelessness, anger, desperation, and fear that would enter my heart. What is even more tragic, is that all over Africa, and throughout our world, there are countless fathers, mothers, and children that are lying in a hut or in their home dying from a disease that could be stopped. My grief that I feel for this family is such a minuscule fraction of the grief that God must be feeling as He looks that the world that He created and sees the pain that has been caused. I know that God has not forgotten this place, I know that He loves every person so much, and I whole heartedly believe that one day…. This pain will all stop. We are blessed as Christian to have that hope to cling to in seemingly times of hopelessness. My heart is breaking today for those that don’t have that hope, and the fear that they must face. Please pray for the family of Horacio, and please pray for our team as we go today to offer our support and love. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Special time for Shannon with Horacio
Thursday of this week I had the incredible opportunity to visit with Horacio again. This time it was just Keren, myself, and Rick and we were going with the intention of sharing with him about the love of Jesus. Normally I work with Christians and so it isn't an every day occurrence for me to really share from my heart about the God that I love. At least not with the hope that they will embrace Him for the first time. This time, I went there hoping beyond hope that he would want to know Jesus because I knew he was suffering and in deep need of the Savior. We arrived and were warmly greeted again by this amazing family. Families here seem to include the entire village and often times when we meet with Horacio there are various family members present and it isn't always easy to tell who is who. On this day, everyone came to listen to what we were talking with him about. We arrived and he was laying on a mat outside his mother's hut with a couple of blankets over top of him. Not comfortable for a man in his condition but I thought perhaps that the fresh air felt good to him and so I thanked God for the sunshine and prayed that it would make his body warm.
We sat along one side of him on small benches or stumps carved into chairs. The family was surrounding us. Keren spoke with them through Rick about his medical condition and once this was complete I was asked to share with him what I had come to say. I was nervous and afraid. This was so important...perhaps the most important words that would ever come out of my mouth. I had prayed all along that they would not be my words but God's words so I hadn't really prepared anything. I started out telling him that I had been thinking about him since we last met and how I could best help him. I told him that I was not a nurse and so could not help him in this way but that I knew of someone who could help him. I then told him about the Lord and how just like he is a father who loves his child, God is our Father and he loves us even beyond how much he loves his child. As our Father, he doesn't desire for us to suffer and so he has created a place for us where there is no suffering and there is no pain. I spoke about a few things but before I could get very far he wanted us to pray. I was taken a back but I don't claim to know God's plan and so I prayed.
I wanted so much for Horacio to understand and to seek God but as Rick says...this life with God isn't so much about a day and a time but rather it is a journey towards Him. We in North America like to nail it down to a specific moment or this big magical experience but it often isn't that at all. After I prayed Rick spoke and told of his brother who had suffered for many years until the Lord took him home and how he now has confidence that he is in heaven with Jesus and now he is strong and can dance again! I could see a change coming for Horacio and the entire family was agreeing as he spoke. I am so thankful to God for allowing me to be there at this moment in time to watch him work and to perhaps be some of God's words and His hands to Horacio. After Rick spoke we again prayed for Horacio and I count this one of life's greatest privileges. I don't think I will ever think of prayer in the same way again. It is an honor to come before my God and to know he hears not only my words but my hearts desire. I desire more than anything for Horacio to know God intimately and for him to no longer suffer.
After the prayer we had a chance to show the family some exercises for them to do with him to help with circulation etc... As I knelt at this man's feet and touched them gently I realized that his feet were so cold. After my father's stroke I would often rub his poor cold feet and it would make them feel so much better. It was one of the ways I could really show him I loved him. God prompted me to do the same for Horacio, to show him love just as I had shown my Dad so I leaned over and held his cold feet in my hot hands and began to rub them a little. I took each one and held them and smiled my brightest smile. I wanted to, in some tangible way to show him I cared about his suffering and so does our Heavenly Father.
While I can't be sure Horacio has made a decision to follow Jesus, I do know that God gave me a true sense of peace that day. I know God heard our prayers and knows his heart. Today we visited him again and that same sense of peace was there. Before when I would look into Horacio's eyes I saw nothing but despair. Total despair. Instead today there was this brightness to his eyes that wasn't there before. As we emerged from his hut Heather pointed out a huge rainbow that was overhead. The colors were so bright! We all felt that this was sent to us for this time. I don't believe Horacio will be with us long and my heart is deeply grieving for his wife and little child and the rest of his family. He is so young. But I rejoice in the knowledge that God sees our hearts and knows us intimately. He knows Horacio and I pray I will see him in heaven, strong and dancing!
Shannon
We sat along one side of him on small benches or stumps carved into chairs. The family was surrounding us. Keren spoke with them through Rick about his medical condition and once this was complete I was asked to share with him what I had come to say. I was nervous and afraid. This was so important...perhaps the most important words that would ever come out of my mouth. I had prayed all along that they would not be my words but God's words so I hadn't really prepared anything. I started out telling him that I had been thinking about him since we last met and how I could best help him. I told him that I was not a nurse and so could not help him in this way but that I knew of someone who could help him. I then told him about the Lord and how just like he is a father who loves his child, God is our Father and he loves us even beyond how much he loves his child. As our Father, he doesn't desire for us to suffer and so he has created a place for us where there is no suffering and there is no pain. I spoke about a few things but before I could get very far he wanted us to pray. I was taken a back but I don't claim to know God's plan and so I prayed.
I wanted so much for Horacio to understand and to seek God but as Rick says...this life with God isn't so much about a day and a time but rather it is a journey towards Him. We in North America like to nail it down to a specific moment or this big magical experience but it often isn't that at all. After I prayed Rick spoke and told of his brother who had suffered for many years until the Lord took him home and how he now has confidence that he is in heaven with Jesus and now he is strong and can dance again! I could see a change coming for Horacio and the entire family was agreeing as he spoke. I am so thankful to God for allowing me to be there at this moment in time to watch him work and to perhaps be some of God's words and His hands to Horacio. After Rick spoke we again prayed for Horacio and I count this one of life's greatest privileges. I don't think I will ever think of prayer in the same way again. It is an honor to come before my God and to know he hears not only my words but my hearts desire. I desire more than anything for Horacio to know God intimately and for him to no longer suffer.
After the prayer we had a chance to show the family some exercises for them to do with him to help with circulation etc... As I knelt at this man's feet and touched them gently I realized that his feet were so cold. After my father's stroke I would often rub his poor cold feet and it would make them feel so much better. It was one of the ways I could really show him I loved him. God prompted me to do the same for Horacio, to show him love just as I had shown my Dad so I leaned over and held his cold feet in my hot hands and began to rub them a little. I took each one and held them and smiled my brightest smile. I wanted to, in some tangible way to show him I cared about his suffering and so does our Heavenly Father.
While I can't be sure Horacio has made a decision to follow Jesus, I do know that God gave me a true sense of peace that day. I know God heard our prayers and knows his heart. Today we visited him again and that same sense of peace was there. Before when I would look into Horacio's eyes I saw nothing but despair. Total despair. Instead today there was this brightness to his eyes that wasn't there before. As we emerged from his hut Heather pointed out a huge rainbow that was overhead. The colors were so bright! We all felt that this was sent to us for this time. I don't believe Horacio will be with us long and my heart is deeply grieving for his wife and little child and the rest of his family. He is so young. But I rejoice in the knowledge that God sees our hearts and knows us intimately. He knows Horacio and I pray I will see him in heaven, strong and dancing!
Shannon
A Perfect Reminder to End the Day
I am sitting here covered in dirt from head to toe after a very eventful day. I will blog later about the amazing church service we went to, the families we visited and I can't wait to tell the story of the tire blowing and how Keren and I met the task of changing the tire in the Africa bush......so funny.
I did want to give you an update on the three people that we have been seeing. I went to check on them this evening and for the most part was encouraged. Bachageza wasn't feeling any worse, and his pain seemed to be getting better. We still don't know exactly what is going on there, but we are trusting God for healing and doing are best to care for him. He seemed to be walking a bit better, and I think the swelling is coming down in his legs, so that is a bit encouraging. His entire family came out to greet us which always blesses my heart, and his newest daughter is only 3 weeks old, I think I had said 2 months prior to this. I am going to be taking some of the students to the clinic tomorrow, so we will make the rounds to see these people and I will let you know how they do. Please continue to pray for them.
The little Grandma that has been having Abd pain was also a bit better today. She didn't have fever and some of the medications that she has been taking are starting to work. I was such a blessing to sit beside her and listen as the nursing students prayed for healing and peace. She is such a strong woman and she teaches us all so much through her example of perseverance.
We also checked in on Horacio and his family and that situation continues to remain grave. His pain was a little better after some of the medication, but what I noticed even more was the sense of peace in the room. Even though the family is still anxious.... how could they not be, Horacio didn't seem as desperate or to be begging me with his eyes as much. As I was assessing him, I noticed though that he has now developed a bad case of thrush throughout all of his mouth and most likely down his throat....which again further supports our suspician of AIDS. I sometimes have to stop and take a deep breath to release the tension in my heart as I think of this man.... but God knows all and I believe He is holding Horacio through all of this. Tonight as Shannon prayed again for peace, healing, and relief from the pain... it was so evident that God was there. As we left the tent, we were given such an amazing reminder through a beautiful rainbow in the sky.... a sign of God's promise to us all. It was as if God was telling our team that He is there with us, He knows all that is happening, He is in control, and that He knew that we needed some encouragement. What a great God we serve. Horacio's days are numbered, but I believe that he will be in heaven where there is no pain, suffering or tears. Until then, we will continue to love him as best as we can.
Thank you for your prayers, Shannon and I will try and get some pictures up so that you can see the experiences that are touching our hearts. The students are doing so well, and they laughter is often heard despite their sadness. I know that this is challanging all of us in so many ways, but I also know and have seen over and over how their presence here with these people is blessing so many.
Must run and shower... much love to you all..
Andrew...... you would have been proud of me today as crawled under the van and jacked it up to change the tire...... miss and love you!
Suzanne
I did want to give you an update on the three people that we have been seeing. I went to check on them this evening and for the most part was encouraged. Bachageza wasn't feeling any worse, and his pain seemed to be getting better. We still don't know exactly what is going on there, but we are trusting God for healing and doing are best to care for him. He seemed to be walking a bit better, and I think the swelling is coming down in his legs, so that is a bit encouraging. His entire family came out to greet us which always blesses my heart, and his newest daughter is only 3 weeks old, I think I had said 2 months prior to this. I am going to be taking some of the students to the clinic tomorrow, so we will make the rounds to see these people and I will let you know how they do. Please continue to pray for them.
The little Grandma that has been having Abd pain was also a bit better today. She didn't have fever and some of the medications that she has been taking are starting to work. I was such a blessing to sit beside her and listen as the nursing students prayed for healing and peace. She is such a strong woman and she teaches us all so much through her example of perseverance.
We also checked in on Horacio and his family and that situation continues to remain grave. His pain was a little better after some of the medication, but what I noticed even more was the sense of peace in the room. Even though the family is still anxious.... how could they not be, Horacio didn't seem as desperate or to be begging me with his eyes as much. As I was assessing him, I noticed though that he has now developed a bad case of thrush throughout all of his mouth and most likely down his throat....which again further supports our suspician of AIDS. I sometimes have to stop and take a deep breath to release the tension in my heart as I think of this man.... but God knows all and I believe He is holding Horacio through all of this. Tonight as Shannon prayed again for peace, healing, and relief from the pain... it was so evident that God was there. As we left the tent, we were given such an amazing reminder through a beautiful rainbow in the sky.... a sign of God's promise to us all. It was as if God was telling our team that He is there with us, He knows all that is happening, He is in control, and that He knew that we needed some encouragement. What a great God we serve. Horacio's days are numbered, but I believe that he will be in heaven where there is no pain, suffering or tears. Until then, we will continue to love him as best as we can.
Thank you for your prayers, Shannon and I will try and get some pictures up so that you can see the experiences that are touching our hearts. The students are doing so well, and they laughter is often heard despite their sadness. I know that this is challanging all of us in so many ways, but I also know and have seen over and over how their presence here with these people is blessing so many.
Must run and shower... much love to you all..
Andrew...... you would have been proud of me today as crawled under the van and jacked it up to change the tire...... miss and love you!
Suzanne
Ministry of Presence and Compassion
Hello Everyone, it has been a very busy week here in Mozambique and our team have been faced with many different things. After the initial shock of being in Africa, the team has settled into their new home and it has been a fun adventure getting used to all of the changes. The staff at the camp is so welcoming and makes us feel like family in so many ways which has helped the transition to be much easier. One of my most favorite times is when we all gather in the mornings to have devotions with all of the staff, workers, and visitors. One of the local Pastors, and very good friend, François shared early this week about the importance of the ministry of presence as we care for others. He challenged us to seek out the opportunities to look each other in the eyes and truly see what struggles were weighing heavy on our neighbors hearts. He spoke of compassion and love for the needy and sick, and as the week continued, that has resonated so many times as our team has been given many opportunities to care for the people we are in contact with.
The week started with our team touring the different communities, schools, clinic, and being able to be part of a women’s meeting. In Africa, women are not given the opportunity to go to school like they are in Canada, and the education of women is not valued. One of the passions of ASAM is to support the education of women, and so many different communities have been blessed with the Thursday morning education sessions. It was such a blessing for our team as we sat on a matt on the dirt and watched the women walk in to meet us under a tree. These women were of all ages, even a 62 year old Grandma came to try and learn to read and write. School is a bit different for them though, as they come with their babies on their back, a small tattered notebook and some broken pencils. But as I sat there and watched I was amazed at the concentration on their faces and the strong desire to learn. Despite the huge obstacles in their way, these women meet under a tree once a week, to learn to read and write bible verses with eager hearts. The nursing students were able to share some of their information, but I know that these women taught all of us so much more through their example of dedication and the warm loving spirits that each of them displayed.
Our team was met with much joy this week as we toured the school and preschool. The children although a bit hesitant at times quickly warm up to the students and are eager to hold hands, laugh, and play games. Despite their obvious hunger and need, they are the same kids as what we see in Canada and desire to be loved and cherished. It is hard to express in words what it is like to have a little child with a dirt stained face look at you and smile and quietly slip their little hand in yours. It especially blessed my heart as I saw little faces that I recognized from last years trip and heard them quietly whisper “Suzannah” as they pointed to me. It reminded me of the responsibility that we have as a team to these children and the impact that our visits make in their lives. We aren’t able to remove them from their circumstances, and we aren’t able to take away their entire struggle. But we have been given the opportunity to share love with them, laugh with them, and communicate how precious they are…. That is an honor that I cherish and one that can easily be overlooked. It was so great to see the faces of the students as they were able to experience this relationship for the first time. Their laughter joined with the children as they played soccer, or looked at the wall paintings, or just stood holding hands. I could see the passion building in the students lives which excited me as I know that God has brought each of them here for a purpose.
After the school, we were able to go and see the clinics that have been running now for years. The students were able to meet the three Soccarista’s – nurses that have been working and training here, and also get a feel for their environment. I am always amazed at how hard these men work, and how much they care for the people in the community. Even though this is my fourth visit to these clinics, it always shocks me at the contrast between their little rooms and the huge ER I work in at home. Their medication and supplies are low and they have many sick people to see, and yet they are excited and smiling while they work. We are excited as a team to be able to help in these clinics. As we were leaving the clinic, we were greeted with I would call God’s reminder of hope in a place that is often hopeless. A brand new baby, her mother who had delivered her throughout the night, and a local birth attendant were bringing the baby to be weighed. The mother, although tired, stood with pride holding the little girl and as I peeked through the blankets and saw the little lips and nose, and head of hair, I praised God for his blessing of new life. All babies are precious and I am blessed to be part of deliveries back home in Canada, but somehow in Africa, where death and new life are so raw…. The presence of a new little one spoke of God’s faithfulness and joy so loudly to my heart.
Our team was also faced with many difficult struggles this week….. The reality of Africa hit like a ton a bricks to all of us.
We met a Grandma from the community that has suffered with her health for many years. Recently she has broken her hip, and now is struggling with Abdomen pain and digestion difficulties. As we walked up to see her, we found her lying on a cold cement pad outside of her house with blankets around her shoulders. It was obvious that she was in pain and not doing well as she moaned quietly as I assessed her. What struck many of us the most was that she was a Grandma lying on a cold hard floor, by herself…… and it was hard to see? I have met this Grandma many times in the past, and I know that she isn’t alone. She is part of a community, and I have learned time and time again in Africa how much they value Community. This Grandma has a neighbor woman that cares for her and is always looking after the needs of the children, and the other members of their community. I was challenged as I thought back to my own neighborhood, and reflected on how limited my view of community is. In Africa, these people depend on each other, work together to raise their children, and are eager to help each other and despite their own needs, care for each other. What a great lesson and example they set for us all. We will continue to support this little family and care for this woman in any way that we can while we are here.
Difficult seems like such an understatement as I think about the next man that we met. We were told by one of the health workers that a man wasn’t doing very well and by the sounds of his condition, I knew we were walking into a difficult situation. As I walked and heard a little of the story of this man’s condition, my stomach dropped, and I tried to prepare myself for what we were going to see. We were told that this man had been feeling poorly for a while, that he had been struggling with TB, and has been hospitalized many times, and was again feeling sick. As I walked into the community and between the huts, the anxiety was very evident in the faces that I saw. We were welcomed warmly and I stepped into the hut where this man was and as I looked at the mat and saw Horacio, my heart sank. I looked at sunken face, his arms that were thinner than my wrist, his protruding bones and I knew I was in the presence of one of the worst diseases known. I struggled between stopping my tears and my turning stomach as I reached out and held his hand and began assessing his very frail body. His family quickly moved to get us all chairs, which broke my heart….. even in their state of crisis… they were serving me. I sat in the hut with some of the team members, and as I listened to the family tell the story, I stopped to see Horacio looking up at me with a longing that I have never seen. Perhaps he was longing for pain relief, or maybe he was longing for his the unknown future of his baby that was crying beside him. Maybe he was thinking about his young wife, and wondering what was going to happen to her and his other family members. His eyes were pleading, searching, and so full of pain and I felt such strong feelings of helplessness. His family was anxious to tell me that they knew this wasn’t AIDS, because he had been tested and they were told he was negative. They were clinging to hope, the only hope that they knew which came in the form of paper that had been given to them from the hospital.
We asked them to bring us the papers, offered some medication for the pain and promised to return to support them however we could. Shannon, my co-leader sat across from me in the hut, and her heart spoke the same desire that we all wanted - for this man to know Jesus. Thankfully, she and some of the team have been able to speak with him about God’s love and the hope that comes through knowing Jesus, although we don’t know for sure what decision this man has made we are believing that the prayers that have been made in that tent have been heard. On my last visit to Horacio prior to writing this, the family brought out a little bag holding the papers from the hospital. As Heather – a local Missionary – and I opened the papers we discovered that the test results the family was clinging to as a negative for AIDS was in fact the results of the TB test. I felt so frustrated and saddened on many levels…. How could this happen. But it does. AIDS, a preventable disease continues to rob people of the lives that were intended for them. I sat in the hut and looked into the eyes of the young wife that most likely would become a widow, I looked at the small children that may lose their father, and I held the hand of Horacio who is very possibly dying as we prayed. It was so hard for me as I looked around at this family, the presence of death in the hut was so heavy, his childs cries into the night, his young wifes face….. it was so hard. We have no idea of this kind of devastation in Canada, no idea……We tried to make him comfortable, and then left the family to huddle together around the fire in the African night……..I am unsure what will happen, but I am sure of the God that I pray to and His goodness, sovereignty and promises that one day this will all end.
Further challenges have met the team in another family of a worker on the farm named Bochageza. He also is a young man that seems to have a mass growing in his upper abdomen about the size of a small nerf ball. He was hospitalized, but we heard that he wasn’t receiving any care and so he was brought home. We were thankful to hear that he had received some IV fluids but puzzled at the report that on his chest x-ray they saw a big white circle. As a team, we are very limited in the medical care that we can give without a physician, x-ray results, CT scans, medications and all of the other health care that is so readily available in Canada. But, we are determined to do our best with what we have. The future is very uncertain for this young man, and as I held his new little baby girl, and looked around at his family, I was again challenged by how young these people are and how great their suffering is. As a team, our desire was to be the hands and feet of Christ as we came to Africa, and we have so many opportunities to do just that. The medicines, although helpful, can’t solve this problem. The local hospital wasn’t able to offer any help, and the options for other medical care are very limited. It seems hopeless, and it could be very easy to just feel like we are here watching people die. But, I believe there is a bigger purpose and I know that my understanding is not God’s understanding. In the Bible there is much testament of God’s healing but along with the healing was compassionate loving care that we as a team can only hope to try and model. The first thing that Jesus did when he went to see the ones with leprosy, was to touch them and we want to try and love the way that Jesus did. We aren’t able to heal, but we know the God who can and we are praying for those miracles to happen. Our hearts break for these people, we cry because of the pain that we see but we are determined to touch these people so they know that despite their pain, Jesus loves them so. Please continue to pray for our team as we continue to walk through the opportunities opened to us to minister to the people here. I will update you on these and other stories soon.
Much love to all of you back home.
Suzanne
Hello Everyone, it has been a very busy week here in Mozambique and our team have been faced with many different things. After the initial shock of being in Africa, the team has settled into their new home and it has been a fun adventure getting used to all of the changes. The staff at the camp is so welcoming and makes us feel like family in so many ways which has helped the transition to be much easier. One of my most favorite times is when we all gather in the mornings to have devotions with all of the staff, workers, and visitors. One of the local Pastors, and very good friend, François shared early this week about the importance of the ministry of presence as we care for others. He challenged us to seek out the opportunities to look each other in the eyes and truly see what struggles were weighing heavy on our neighbors hearts. He spoke of compassion and love for the needy and sick, and as the week continued, that has resonated so many times as our team has been given many opportunities to care for the people we are in contact with.
The week started with our team touring the different communities, schools, clinic, and being able to be part of a women’s meeting. In Africa, women are not given the opportunity to go to school like they are in Canada, and the education of women is not valued. One of the passions of ASAM is to support the education of women, and so many different communities have been blessed with the Thursday morning education sessions. It was such a blessing for our team as we sat on a matt on the dirt and watched the women walk in to meet us under a tree. These women were of all ages, even a 62 year old Grandma came to try and learn to read and write. School is a bit different for them though, as they come with their babies on their back, a small tattered notebook and some broken pencils. But as I sat there and watched I was amazed at the concentration on their faces and the strong desire to learn. Despite the huge obstacles in their way, these women meet under a tree once a week, to learn to read and write bible verses with eager hearts. The nursing students were able to share some of their information, but I know that these women taught all of us so much more through their example of dedication and the warm loving spirits that each of them displayed.
Our team was met with much joy this week as we toured the school and preschool. The children although a bit hesitant at times quickly warm up to the students and are eager to hold hands, laugh, and play games. Despite their obvious hunger and need, they are the same kids as what we see in Canada and desire to be loved and cherished. It is hard to express in words what it is like to have a little child with a dirt stained face look at you and smile and quietly slip their little hand in yours. It especially blessed my heart as I saw little faces that I recognized from last years trip and heard them quietly whisper “Suzannah” as they pointed to me. It reminded me of the responsibility that we have as a team to these children and the impact that our visits make in their lives. We aren’t able to remove them from their circumstances, and we aren’t able to take away their entire struggle. But we have been given the opportunity to share love with them, laugh with them, and communicate how precious they are…. That is an honor that I cherish and one that can easily be overlooked. It was so great to see the faces of the students as they were able to experience this relationship for the first time. Their laughter joined with the children as they played soccer, or looked at the wall paintings, or just stood holding hands. I could see the passion building in the students lives which excited me as I know that God has brought each of them here for a purpose.
After the school, we were able to go and see the clinics that have been running now for years. The students were able to meet the three Soccarista’s – nurses that have been working and training here, and also get a feel for their environment. I am always amazed at how hard these men work, and how much they care for the people in the community. Even though this is my fourth visit to these clinics, it always shocks me at the contrast between their little rooms and the huge ER I work in at home. Their medication and supplies are low and they have many sick people to see, and yet they are excited and smiling while they work. We are excited as a team to be able to help in these clinics. As we were leaving the clinic, we were greeted with I would call God’s reminder of hope in a place that is often hopeless. A brand new baby, her mother who had delivered her throughout the night, and a local birth attendant were bringing the baby to be weighed. The mother, although tired, stood with pride holding the little girl and as I peeked through the blankets and saw the little lips and nose, and head of hair, I praised God for his blessing of new life. All babies are precious and I am blessed to be part of deliveries back home in Canada, but somehow in Africa, where death and new life are so raw…. The presence of a new little one spoke of God’s faithfulness and joy so loudly to my heart.
Our team was also faced with many difficult struggles this week….. The reality of Africa hit like a ton a bricks to all of us.
We met a Grandma from the community that has suffered with her health for many years. Recently she has broken her hip, and now is struggling with Abdomen pain and digestion difficulties. As we walked up to see her, we found her lying on a cold cement pad outside of her house with blankets around her shoulders. It was obvious that she was in pain and not doing well as she moaned quietly as I assessed her. What struck many of us the most was that she was a Grandma lying on a cold hard floor, by herself…… and it was hard to see? I have met this Grandma many times in the past, and I know that she isn’t alone. She is part of a community, and I have learned time and time again in Africa how much they value Community. This Grandma has a neighbor woman that cares for her and is always looking after the needs of the children, and the other members of their community. I was challenged as I thought back to my own neighborhood, and reflected on how limited my view of community is. In Africa, these people depend on each other, work together to raise their children, and are eager to help each other and despite their own needs, care for each other. What a great lesson and example they set for us all. We will continue to support this little family and care for this woman in any way that we can while we are here.
Difficult seems like such an understatement as I think about the next man that we met. We were told by one of the health workers that a man wasn’t doing very well and by the sounds of his condition, I knew we were walking into a difficult situation. As I walked and heard a little of the story of this man’s condition, my stomach dropped, and I tried to prepare myself for what we were going to see. We were told that this man had been feeling poorly for a while, that he had been struggling with TB, and has been hospitalized many times, and was again feeling sick. As I walked into the community and between the huts, the anxiety was very evident in the faces that I saw. We were welcomed warmly and I stepped into the hut where this man was and as I looked at the mat and saw Horacio, my heart sank. I looked at sunken face, his arms that were thinner than my wrist, his protruding bones and I knew I was in the presence of one of the worst diseases known. I struggled between stopping my tears and my turning stomach as I reached out and held his hand and began assessing his very frail body. His family quickly moved to get us all chairs, which broke my heart….. even in their state of crisis… they were serving me. I sat in the hut with some of the team members, and as I listened to the family tell the story, I stopped to see Horacio looking up at me with a longing that I have never seen. Perhaps he was longing for pain relief, or maybe he was longing for his the unknown future of his baby that was crying beside him. Maybe he was thinking about his young wife, and wondering what was going to happen to her and his other family members. His eyes were pleading, searching, and so full of pain and I felt such strong feelings of helplessness. His family was anxious to tell me that they knew this wasn’t AIDS, because he had been tested and they were told he was negative. They were clinging to hope, the only hope that they knew which came in the form of paper that had been given to them from the hospital.
We asked them to bring us the papers, offered some medication for the pain and promised to return to support them however we could. Shannon, my co-leader sat across from me in the hut, and her heart spoke the same desire that we all wanted - for this man to know Jesus. Thankfully, she and some of the team have been able to speak with him about God’s love and the hope that comes through knowing Jesus, although we don’t know for sure what decision this man has made we are believing that the prayers that have been made in that tent have been heard. On my last visit to Horacio prior to writing this, the family brought out a little bag holding the papers from the hospital. As Heather – a local Missionary – and I opened the papers we discovered that the test results the family was clinging to as a negative for AIDS was in fact the results of the TB test. I felt so frustrated and saddened on many levels…. How could this happen. But it does. AIDS, a preventable disease continues to rob people of the lives that were intended for them. I sat in the hut and looked into the eyes of the young wife that most likely would become a widow, I looked at the small children that may lose their father, and I held the hand of Horacio who is very possibly dying as we prayed. It was so hard for me as I looked around at this family, the presence of death in the hut was so heavy, his childs cries into the night, his young wifes face….. it was so hard. We have no idea of this kind of devastation in Canada, no idea……We tried to make him comfortable, and then left the family to huddle together around the fire in the African night……..I am unsure what will happen, but I am sure of the God that I pray to and His goodness, sovereignty and promises that one day this will all end.
Further challenges have met the team in another family of a worker on the farm named Bochageza. He also is a young man that seems to have a mass growing in his upper abdomen about the size of a small nerf ball. He was hospitalized, but we heard that he wasn’t receiving any care and so he was brought home. We were thankful to hear that he had received some IV fluids but puzzled at the report that on his chest x-ray they saw a big white circle. As a team, we are very limited in the medical care that we can give without a physician, x-ray results, CT scans, medications and all of the other health care that is so readily available in Canada. But, we are determined to do our best with what we have. The future is very uncertain for this young man, and as I held his new little baby girl, and looked around at his family, I was again challenged by how young these people are and how great their suffering is. As a team, our desire was to be the hands and feet of Christ as we came to Africa, and we have so many opportunities to do just that. The medicines, although helpful, can’t solve this problem. The local hospital wasn’t able to offer any help, and the options for other medical care are very limited. It seems hopeless, and it could be very easy to just feel like we are here watching people die. But, I believe there is a bigger purpose and I know that my understanding is not God’s understanding. In the Bible there is much testament of God’s healing but along with the healing was compassionate loving care that we as a team can only hope to try and model. The first thing that Jesus did when he went to see the ones with leprosy, was to touch them and we want to try and love the way that Jesus did. We aren’t able to heal, but we know the God who can and we are praying for those miracles to happen. Our hearts break for these people, we cry because of the pain that we see but we are determined to touch these people so they know that despite their pain, Jesus loves them so. Please continue to pray for our team as we continue to walk through the opportunities opened to us to minister to the people here. I will update you on these and other stories soon.
Much love to all of you back home.
Suzanne
Friday, May 21, 2010
And it begins
And it begins……
It is hard to believe that I am writing you again from Africa, I am so blessed to have returned to this place again for the fourth time. As the team got settled on the plane leaving Calgary, I sat looking out the window at what I call my “world” and had a sense that God was going to challenge that view in many ways again this year. I spent some time thinking and praying about my loved ones, and opening my heart to what God wanted to teach me. One thing I have learned about God is that if I am willing to be open and soften my heart to what He wants to teach me, it is often a difficult but essential time of discovery. However, another fact that has remained is how faithful our God is in supplying all of our needs and walking…even carrying us through those learning times. I left Calgary with much anticipation in my heart to see what God has planned for this time, what He was going to teach all of us through this experience, and for the opportunities He as going to open for us to care for people.
We arrived in Beira a few flights later quite tired but praising God for the many mercies we were given over the trip. The customs officials through all of the stops were incredibly simple, even at one point when our team was separated. Despite the long flights, and little sleep the girls were remarkably chipper and remained excited despite the exhaustion that was inevitable. We sat as a team and prayed prior to our flight to ask for the safe delivery of the precious cargo of medications and medical supplies that we were carrying, and God answered that prayer very promptly. Only one bag was searched, and despite a few raised eyebrows by the somber faced official, he gave a quick nod and then smiled saying “welcome to Mozambique”. What a relief…….. Praise God for his provision. The journey ended after a four hour drive to the camp site in which in darkness of the African night seemed to engulf us. But I felt that the true journey just began as the team settled into their tents. I remember finally lying down and listening to the Africa night and my thoughts remained asking God what He had in store for us……. It didn’t take long for that answer to come.
Challenges come in every size, shape and color especially in Africa. This became very real to many of the team members as the first night in Africa brought many things. Despite the countless bugs, unidentified flying objects that would making a “whooshing” sound as they flew close to our heads, animals digging at the tent throughout the night….the team has settled in with screaming as the main coping style. I chuckled to myself one evening as the screams came from the bathroom thinking how we must sound to the witch doctor that lives across the river. Often the beating of the drums and the sounds of their singing echo down the river bed, but image what we sound like to them? I am happy to say the screaming has lessened, and the team has become a little more accustomed to their new “friends”.
There have been many things that have caught my eye and my heart already while I have been here. The poverty that is an everyday reality here always shocks me, and I am thankful for that. In Canada, I am blessed with so many things, and coming here to see what other live with is a perspective that I hope will cure my lips and tongue of any kind of complaining. Seeing the dirt stained smiling faces, the partially standing huts, the rags that children are wearing and the hunger in the eyes of almost everyone I see rocks my emotions to the core. I have found Mozambique to be a land of stark contrasts though, as the beauty of God’s creation acts as a background for the devastation that is so blatantly clear. I know that as the days continue, and the team starts to venture out into the community that even more will be seen and our hearts will be torn between the joys and suffering that is present every day.
Thank you all for praying for us as we travelled. We know that God is leading this trip and has called each of us here for a purpose. We also know that we couldn’t do this type of trip without the prayers and support from back home, and we are so grateful. I will try to post more stories and pictures as the days continue.
Blessings on all of you.
Suzanne
It is hard to believe that I am writing you again from Africa, I am so blessed to have returned to this place again for the fourth time. As the team got settled on the plane leaving Calgary, I sat looking out the window at what I call my “world” and had a sense that God was going to challenge that view in many ways again this year. I spent some time thinking and praying about my loved ones, and opening my heart to what God wanted to teach me. One thing I have learned about God is that if I am willing to be open and soften my heart to what He wants to teach me, it is often a difficult but essential time of discovery. However, another fact that has remained is how faithful our God is in supplying all of our needs and walking…even carrying us through those learning times. I left Calgary with much anticipation in my heart to see what God has planned for this time, what He was going to teach all of us through this experience, and for the opportunities He as going to open for us to care for people.
We arrived in Beira a few flights later quite tired but praising God for the many mercies we were given over the trip. The customs officials through all of the stops were incredibly simple, even at one point when our team was separated. Despite the long flights, and little sleep the girls were remarkably chipper and remained excited despite the exhaustion that was inevitable. We sat as a team and prayed prior to our flight to ask for the safe delivery of the precious cargo of medications and medical supplies that we were carrying, and God answered that prayer very promptly. Only one bag was searched, and despite a few raised eyebrows by the somber faced official, he gave a quick nod and then smiled saying “welcome to Mozambique”. What a relief…….. Praise God for his provision. The journey ended after a four hour drive to the camp site in which in darkness of the African night seemed to engulf us. But I felt that the true journey just began as the team settled into their tents. I remember finally lying down and listening to the Africa night and my thoughts remained asking God what He had in store for us……. It didn’t take long for that answer to come.
Challenges come in every size, shape and color especially in Africa. This became very real to many of the team members as the first night in Africa brought many things. Despite the countless bugs, unidentified flying objects that would making a “whooshing” sound as they flew close to our heads, animals digging at the tent throughout the night….the team has settled in with screaming as the main coping style. I chuckled to myself one evening as the screams came from the bathroom thinking how we must sound to the witch doctor that lives across the river. Often the beating of the drums and the sounds of their singing echo down the river bed, but image what we sound like to them? I am happy to say the screaming has lessened, and the team has become a little more accustomed to their new “friends”.
There have been many things that have caught my eye and my heart already while I have been here. The poverty that is an everyday reality here always shocks me, and I am thankful for that. In Canada, I am blessed with so many things, and coming here to see what other live with is a perspective that I hope will cure my lips and tongue of any kind of complaining. Seeing the dirt stained smiling faces, the partially standing huts, the rags that children are wearing and the hunger in the eyes of almost everyone I see rocks my emotions to the core. I have found Mozambique to be a land of stark contrasts though, as the beauty of God’s creation acts as a background for the devastation that is so blatantly clear. I know that as the days continue, and the team starts to venture out into the community that even more will be seen and our hearts will be torn between the joys and suffering that is present every day.
Thank you all for praying for us as we travelled. We know that God is leading this trip and has called each of us here for a purpose. We also know that we couldn’t do this type of trip without the prayers and support from back home, and we are so grateful. I will try to post more stories and pictures as the days continue.
Blessings on all of you.
Suzanne
Friday, May 7, 2010
On Our Way....
Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for supporting our teams as we have been so busy preparing to go to Mozambique. We are so blessed to have so many loved ones and friends that are joining us in this journey through their prayers. The first team of students will be leaving on May 16th followed by the second team a few weeks later. We covet your prayers for safe travel for the teams. Please come and visit this blog as I will endevour to update at least weekly with stories and pictures of our time here.
Blessings !
Suzanne
Thank you so much for supporting our teams as we have been so busy preparing to go to Mozambique. We are so blessed to have so many loved ones and friends that are joining us in this journey through their prayers. The first team of students will be leaving on May 16th followed by the second team a few weeks later. We covet your prayers for safe travel for the teams. Please come and visit this blog as I will endevour to update at least weekly with stories and pictures of our time here.
Blessings !
Suzanne
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