The medical brigade consisted of the doctor Sorto, his wife Betty the nurse, the missionaries (us) and workers at the school. GPC team members, Tom and Anna, worked as a pharmacy team organizing and dispensing medicine with the help of other high schoolers. Susie shared a touching moment of prayer with Tom, Anna, Luke, and Betty over an elderly lady, who cried after her discussions with the doctor. "When she came over in tears and asked for prayers, we all just stood up and prayed for her at the same time! She joined in our prayers as we began, and it was so cool! She stopped crying and thanked us afterwards. I felt blessed to be part of that blessed moment. Prayers are more powerful than any medicine that you can dispense!"
Emilie and a few others setup a station to help weigh and measure children's heights before they were seen by the doctor. As the waiting families filled up the room and spilled over onto the tiny porch, they led children to a table of art supplies. Kids brightened up at the sight of crayons and stickers and and coloring pages, and moms smiled despite of their obvious fatigue and anxiety at this.
Later, Marjolein setup a prayer station next to the make-shift "pharmacy". I sat down with her and our translator, listening to the stories of the families seeking prayers. "This will be one of the treatments, just like a prescription." Soon we met Liliam, a young mom with three children in tow, one at home, and pregnant with another boy. Her prayer request was for protection, as drug dealers were circling the area next to her home. Her face seemed tied up in knots of worries and concerns, and I could feel a wall of fear rising up among us. But as we began speaking verses of prayers and sought the protection of the LORD, thanking Him for bringing us together in prayers and trust, words flew for several minutes without a pause. As we lifted our heads in final Amens, Liliam smiled and thanked us.
After they finished sorting the medicine, the high schoolers moved outside to paint another coat onto the mural wall, and began cement the fence posts. They entertained the kids by taking turns playing with them -- soccer, hand games, or jump ropes. The small yard soon became lively with laughters, conversations('Lavente Me!"), and occasional shouts of surprises. Cementing was hard work, as the wheel barrel and the equipments were very heavy, but the boys secured several posts quickly. Not to be left behind, Marjolein and Susie marched up to Kyle (aka, Project Manager) to ask for the women to build the last post. Zoe, Kristen, Susie and Marjolein picked up two wheel barrels to mix the cement. "It was hard work, but the boys gave the girls feedback as they did a great job. In the end, we got to take photos showing our strength by the finished post and we made hand and foot prints of ourselves in the cement. Be strong and courageous, as the bible says, don't be intimidated, and it will be a good thing." Marjolein recounted with a smile.
It was a long day, and few people ended it with the colors on their shirts unchanged (Conner's shirt has gone from white to a mix of pearly gray, bluish and orange mud). However, God really provided for us and revealed himself throughout the day. I've heard that God is never late, but He is rarely early. As we were struggling to find lumber and material for the outside projects, God sent us free lumber and materials (though Don & Lauri's old landlord) in a typical 11th hour rescue fashion, showing us he was always in control and looking after the mission with great care. Throughout the day, as we prayed, we saw tears dry up, peace and smiles emerge. As we played with children, we saw language barriers disappear, and connections built through hugs and smiles and spins and lifts (levantes).
It was difficult to say goodbye at the end but we promised to return tomorrow, with a fresh dose of the Spirit, God willing.
Stats of the Day
============
89 kids (+ 9 adults) seen
4 fence posts built
10 prayers prayed
15 wall sections painted
250 stickers distributed
1000 smiles shared
24+ lives changed
Verse:
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
PS: We are in the middle of our trip now, and the days have been long so please continue to pray for us to keep healthy and strong throughout the trip.
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