Do people still get stoned? Yes. Do mobs with sticks, guns, rocks, and spears still exist? Yes. Are there places where such punishment is accepted and considered normal? Yes. Are there places where desperate parents think more medicine is better and go from one place to another seeking help and ignorantly give a deathly amount of medicine? Yes. Do children still die of simple, preventable diarrhea? Yes. Are there people who happily and joyful dance to the Lord then take their loved ones to the witch doctor for poison and believe in superstitions? Yes. Are there places where sex between family members is considered normal? Yes. Are there places where a child is raised thinking that lying is an acceptable normal part of life and it becomes so second nature they never think of consequences? Yes. Can someone truly believe HIV can be caused by shaking someone's hands, sharing sleeping quarters, or is a curse from an evil spirit or witch doctor? Yes. Are people truly still shunned because they have a sickness that happens to be called HIV? Yes. Are there young children who call sex, innocent "playsex" and suffer the consequences from this accepted past time the rest of their lives? Yes. Do girls drop out of school at age 12 because they don't know what to do about puberty changes? Yes.
20 years of war can result in a lot of unimaginable norms. These are just a few we see here. Many people are moving back to their villages since there has not been an attack from the LRA recently. They have moved back before. We pray this will be the last time and that they are not forced to flee back. There still is no peace treaty signed and talks continue. When Pastor Walter shows a Jesus film they all come back ready. I believe up to 700 came just to Opeta and many came to know the LORD! The constantly changing dynamics and the extreme rawness, (like the sound of a gun shot followed by vision of a mob, or watching a baby take its last breath), can make it difficult to work. We are rewarded, however, by so much thankfulness and love. The people are grateful and the harvest is ripe.
Is there anything that is impossible? No, the word of God says "What is impossible with man is possible with God" Luke 18:27
Let me tell you a story. The story begins with a 5-year old girl named Winnie. Winnie's mother went to our medical clinic for help last Thursday. Dr. Tom knew she needed immediate help and asked that she be transferred into town. Winnie looked so tired, so sick, so miserable and was so easy to love. Your heart goes out to her instantly. She, her baby brother, little sister, and Mom went to the best hospital in Lira. We arrived on a cool, rainy dark late night. I sang praises as we waited in the dark until someone came to help us. We were able to continue to visit with her and her family through this past week, provide for their needs while she received care, and love on them. Our wonderful Jackson always takes such good care, checking on anyone that is brought to the hospital and helps provide for their needs. Wednesday, when I went to check on little Winnie, she continued with no improvement and struggled even with the effort of breathing. There was not much else we could do but pray for her. I talked with her mother, Ester, through a staff member at the hospital who translated. I was able to share the gospel to them. Ester with her beautiful grace-filled eyes, told me she decided last night she wanted to be saved. She told me how some people came and prayed with her the night before. During that morning visit she prayed a prayer to repent, accept Christ and give her life to Christ. We also prayed healing for Winnie. We got word the next morning that little Winnie had passed away. Her suffering had ended. Sometimes God does not bring healing, but He is still sovereign. Sometimes understanding for the reasoning of a child dying is not there. Sometimes what we ask for does not happen. We still praise God, we still give Him glory and honor. He gives and takes away but blessed is the Name of the Lord. Jackson helped arrange the details of obtaining a casket, food, and other basic necessities for the family during this hard time. When we arrived the next morning Ester started crying. I tried to sing a song of comfort to the mother and stayed by her side. Our tender-hearted driver and mechanic, Okelli, helped place little Winnie into a casket and take the family on the long ride back home. On the drive the mother verbalized how love was made evident. Pastor Walter, with his quiet, strong, compassionate, caring heart, escorted the family home and prayed for them. On the drive home that day, it was obvious we were rocked; life is so fragile here. We were not able to save Winnie, but we were able to love on her family at least a little. We were able to share the gospel and through God's ordination, Winnie's mother came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her savoir. becky
20 years of war can result in a lot of unimaginable norms. These are just a few we see here. Many people are moving back to their villages since there has not been an attack from the LRA recently. They have moved back before. We pray this will be the last time and that they are not forced to flee back. There still is no peace treaty signed and talks continue. When Pastor Walter shows a Jesus film they all come back ready. I believe up to 700 came just to Opeta and many came to know the LORD! The constantly changing dynamics and the extreme rawness, (like the sound of a gun shot followed by vision of a mob, or watching a baby take its last breath), can make it difficult to work. We are rewarded, however, by so much thankfulness and love. The people are grateful and the harvest is ripe.
Is there anything that is impossible? No, the word of God says "What is impossible with man is possible with God" Luke 18:27
Let me tell you a story. The story begins with a 5-year old girl named Winnie. Winnie's mother went to our medical clinic for help last Thursday. Dr. Tom knew she needed immediate help and asked that she be transferred into town. Winnie looked so tired, so sick, so miserable and was so easy to love. Your heart goes out to her instantly. She, her baby brother, little sister, and Mom went to the best hospital in Lira. We arrived on a cool, rainy dark late night. I sang praises as we waited in the dark until someone came to help us. We were able to continue to visit with her and her family through this past week, provide for their needs while she received care, and love on them. Our wonderful Jackson always takes such good care, checking on anyone that is brought to the hospital and helps provide for their needs. Wednesday, when I went to check on little Winnie, she continued with no improvement and struggled even with the effort of breathing. There was not much else we could do but pray for her. I talked with her mother, Ester, through a staff member at the hospital who translated. I was able to share the gospel to them. Ester with her beautiful grace-filled eyes, told me she decided last night she wanted to be saved. She told me how some people came and prayed with her the night before. During that morning visit she prayed a prayer to repent, accept Christ and give her life to Christ. We also prayed healing for Winnie. We got word the next morning that little Winnie had passed away. Her suffering had ended. Sometimes God does not bring healing, but He is still sovereign. Sometimes understanding for the reasoning of a child dying is not there. Sometimes what we ask for does not happen. We still praise God, we still give Him glory and honor. He gives and takes away but blessed is the Name of the Lord. Jackson helped arrange the details of obtaining a casket, food, and other basic necessities for the family during this hard time. When we arrived the next morning Ester started crying. I tried to sing a song of comfort to the mother and stayed by her side. Our tender-hearted driver and mechanic, Okelli, helped place little Winnie into a casket and take the family on the long ride back home. On the drive the mother verbalized how love was made evident. Pastor Walter, with his quiet, strong, compassionate, caring heart, escorted the family home and prayed for them. On the drive home that day, it was obvious we were rocked; life is so fragile here. We were not able to save Winnie, but we were able to love on her family at least a little. We were able to share the gospel and through God's ordination, Winnie's mother came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her savoir. becky
1 comment:
becky
life is really hard there. you are making a difference in SO many lives. keep staying strong and passionate for everyone around you. thank you for your hard work and love you show to others.
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