Presence

Thomas's question in John 14 is much like mine: "Lord, we don't know where You are going, so how can we know the way?" In my own words, "I can't see what's next . . ." And the way? Jesus replies "I am the way."

This past week, God has been calling me to lift up my eyes to Him, to look at and to Him. (Psalms 121 and 123). In the midst of changes and my ever present questions about the future, my eyes need to look at Him who is my Way.

Rod says that God is a sending God. So, as we are sent, we experience the reality of the gospel in a deeper, fuller way (Philemon 1:6, NIV). And therefore, without being sent, we cannot experience the fullness of the gospel . . .

Ivorians are very present people. They are with you - whether in the simplicity of an everyday greeting or in the depths of grief. They are present.

Last Saturday, news of a great tragedy reached the church courtyard where I was attending a women's meeting. The 3 year old girl I saw in her aunt's wedding one week prior, along with 2 other 3 year old boys (Muslim), had been found dead inside an abandoned car not far from home. People flooded to sit in the courtyard with or near the family. They just sat. Came to be, not to speak.

Likewise, in clinic this week, the RN, interpreter and myself sat with a pregnant gal who had just received the news she was HIV positive. She was stunned. Sat silent a bit, then burst into tears. Touch, presence, prayer and encouragement. Linda said "God will give you the strength to bear this."

Since Monday, I have been in Ferkessedougou at the Hopital Baptiste working mostly with maternity patients, which I love. I am learning so much from Linda, who has lived most of her life here and by experience is far more than an RN! She is a midwife, anesthetist, family practitioner/nurse practitioner. One veiled Muslim woman came in, 3 months pregnant and suffering from the results of an axe blade swung at her head by a rival wife. She is one of 5 wives married to what she calls a "complicated" husband. She has 4 children already. Two women gave birth today in the clinic room - no time to move back into the labor room!

A Fulani gal came in this week on her 10th pregnancy at 25 years old. She lost the last 5 babies, dead at birth. I stayed with her for part of her labor - until the contractions paused - and attempted to communicate without a common language. An answer to prayer, she had a live little girl during the night! On Friday, I met her baby and spent 3 hours in the room with her and another mom and baby who I had met the day prior(I didn't run fast enough to make that delivery!). Those 3 hours were precious. I was able to help the first-time mom learn to feed her baby as well as share the gospel with her in French. Both mothers and grandmothers offered me the babies!

Continue to pray for health, strength and quick grasp of the language and that I will be full of His Spirit in the everyday moments with people here.