We have all seen it. The blog that just sits. This is not 'that blog'. Honest, I lost my power cord somewhere in Africa the day after my last post and just got mentally home enough to consider what to say. I know, I know... lost power cord, somewhere in Africa... a lame excuse. But this time it is the truth. Please forgive.
So, my last post was just after the visit to the dormant hospital. That was hard to witness and I have processed the ideas and had dozens of conversations regarding the possibilities already. A hospital that closes at night because they do not have staff. All the patients are sent home for the night or if they are too sick they are transported to another hospital in Kafue, about 40km away. (Not sure how that is paid for, but know that this little hospital does accept in-kind payment such as chickens, grain or vegetables in exchange for care.) The hospital had a dental chair, not used for a looooong time, because of no staff. The labor and delivery suite door was locked and all the equipment put in storage because it had not been used in such a long time. The need is extremely evident and all around to clearly see. My mind is flooded with the names and faces of friends, colleagues and students and partners that would jump at the opportunity to serve here. Lord, please do that thing you do and use me in any way you see fit to make something happen here. I have prayed it everyday since and will continue. Friends, please pray with me on this one, and btw... if your name is Joey, Paul, Teresa, Regina, Sheila, Robin, Dianna, Kate, Jordan, Michael, Allie, Timmie, Katie, Lydia, Brett, Dan P. or Dan B., and about a dozen others....you might have come to mind as someone that is just perfect for spending some time at this hospital or in the mobile clinic that could potentially come out of this partnership. The mobile clinic effort that we have been developing over the past year has so much potential working out of this location. God, it's all you.
The good-byes at the work site are never fun, and Chipongwe was no different. On Friday afternoon we gave gifts and sang and prayed and took pictures... and said our goodbyes with many promises of returning to work together again. What you can't help, is to take the memory of our friends and co-workers home and tell their stories. They are hard-working people, trying to take care of their families, trying to make ends meet and stay strong when life gets tough. But life is always tough in Africa. There does not seem to be any other way to say it. Life is always tough in Africa. What confounds anyone that visits there is the deep joy, love and reliance on God that permeates every relationship. They seem to have a deeper understanding and deeper value for what is important. God, family... relationships. You can't say hello to a friend without being asked "how is your family?" I can't help myself, and have asked this question several times since returning home. It feels so good to care enough about someone to care about what is important to them. Try it. How is your family?
On Saturday we drove in a bus, with a governor beep-beep-beeping all the way down to Livingstone. Road trip! Good times... sleeping sitting up, eating muffins at a roadside stand, hitting our heads on the roof of the bus a few times and of course... seeing the countryside. I love it.
Our last two days in Livingstone are always one of the highlights of the trip. Of course seeing the Falls, the bridge jumping, the game drive and this year, a sunset on the Zambezi complete with the devil-eyed croc, the hippo playground and the mommy and baby elies! .... are things that we will never forget. But... worship with Pastor Smoke and our Livingstone church is one of my utmost fav times in Africa. The music is like none other and they friendship is so precious to me that I hurt when they hurt. Pastor Smoke is discouraged. He was not feeling well and feared that he had malaria, again. He shared with me his struggles and his frustrations... and I did my best to encourage him with the best pep talk I could muster on the spot. But in my heart, I know that anything I said would be inadequate. This is the Lords work to do in him. Lord, continue to give my friend Smoke everything he needs to love his parish and the passion he will need to continue the work you have for him to do. It is not pastor frustration like money, theology, politics and personality stuff... but real-life stuff like water, food and AIDS. Lord, help my friend and let him know that it is YOU who has called him and YOU who will not forget him.
The 2010 team was without a doubt, unforgettable. Each one with gifts and energy that God turned into wonderful ministry in partnership with our African brothers and sisters. This just never gets old. Two 2011 teams are already in the works. One work team at Chipongwe, including medical and dental projects and one special ops visit to nail down all the details of our Community School Partnership.
God is so good and faithful and patient... to honor us with his presence and provision and protection on so many levels. I remain humbly amazed and awed at the way he works and weaves us into his purpose for his children. He takes something so feeble as our plans, and makes it something even more beautiful than we can ask or imagine... a friendship and a shared love for him that goes deeper than our understanding.
This God is love and love is good.
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