Monday, August 17, 2009

Physical & Spiritual

It didn't take long to get back in the routine of bush life. Clinic numbers have been a bit down over the last couple of times. One reason is that the government sent a car from the nearest medical clinic (about a 2 hour drive) with some medical personnel and medicine. They were concerned about the flu epidemic that seems to be sweeping the area. (Since we are south of the equator, our seasons are opposite those of the US, so this is the same flu season that you see during your winter months.) I was thrilled that the government took the initiative to provide the medical care, but of course, that impacted my clinic attendance. They only had one day of clinic though, so I'm sure things will pick up again soon. Today two ladies came with their newborns. Both ladies had come for prenatal clinic, so I was able to give them baby packs. It was a lot of fun for everyone to check the babies over, dress them in the new clothes from the packs, and get pictures of them. One lady had twins, so there was 1 boy and 2 girls.

On Friday, my clinic helper Alice told me of an older man that was sick down in the village. She suggested that the 2 of us go down and see him to give him medicine and also witness to him. I was thrilled to do it, but even more pleased that she came up with the idea. We went down to see the man and gave him medicine. (I think he may have congestive heart failure.) Then I was able to go through the gospel with him as Alice translated for me from Pidgin into the local village language. (Many of the older people don't speak Pidgin well and understand the local language much better.) What a blessing to minister to physical and spiritual needs simultaneously. Lord willing, this will be only the first of many such visits. Please pray for a clear understanding of the gospel, conviction of sin, and a genuine heart response.

By the way, we have been having a number of email issues and some messages may have been lost. If you have emailed me in the last week or so and have not gotten a reply, please resend your message.

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