The past few days have been an exciting part of our journey! The doctors and nurses are in full swing with their work. What has been especially encouraging, beyond relating to the patients, has been the special friendships built between our team and the staff dot ors and nurses at the hospital. As Steve makes his rounds with the cameras for interviews and actions shots, it is more and more clear how special our time together has already been.
This morning Andrew preached a sermon at the tabernacle (chapel) and felt incredibly supported by the local community, the mission team here, and everyone back home praying. He spoke on Romans 12 and emphasized God's joy in seeing one body of believers from two parts of the world loving and serving each other in harmony.
After the service Steve and Paul met with the Congolese worship team to plan a few worship sets for the rest of the trip and to draw on each others knowledge. Steve came away with a vey neat learning point. While practicing a song, he noticed one singer was particularly out of tune. He realized that even at home it's challenging to correct someone with love. Whether in the content of worship or elsewhere, nobody want to be corrected. He was amazed by the way another woman leaned over to correct her, and how gentle and encouraging the tone of her voice was. A cool moment, and a great example of how are team comes also as learners, and can surely learn about the love of God from the African people.
Afterwords, Andrew and Steve were thrilled to be able check in on Patricia, Judy, and Chris. Chris was between surgeries and helped get Andrew and Steve 'smocked up'. Judy and Patricia were in the middle of a thyroid surgery. A neat experience for the ministry team, who were 'doctors for a day'.
Melissa and Ali were hard at work. Melissa currently has four baby's in her neonatal unit. She has a very special relationship building with her co-nurse, Judy.
Alson's skills as a hospital consultant for supply chain and logistics has proven to be invaluable. He seems to be everywhere! He could stay for months and be busy everyday. A true blessing to the ministry that is happening here.
Today the ministry team is continuing field visits, going out to the city of Goma where past patients are now living in community and are able to therefore sustain and provide for themselves. Tomorrow, the whole team is looking forward to a meal with Harper, a past CPC liaison, as well as a potential soccer match with the staff Heal Africa.
Please pray for continued strength, safety, and wisdom while we are here. Pray for the women at healing arts, a craft and clothing shop at the hospital empowering women at the hospital to earn an income. Pray for the doctors and nurses in their roles, specifically that they would continue to 'be creative' with limited resources.
No comments:
Post a Comment