Bible Verses

Today is Wednesday the 21st.  I haven’t been recording the date and realize now that at the end of this adventure it may be difficult to make out.

On Wednesdays, the entire hospital staff has chapel at 7am.  There is a chapel building at the top of the hospital buildings.  The buildings are like stair steps going up a hill. The chaplain leads the service and his helper strikes a large metal object like a bell to call everyone to chapel.  Some students and I were the first to arrive and unfortunately picked a bench in the shade and not in the sunlight and it was very chilly this morning. I know for those of you in Texarkana sweating it out it is hard to believe.

The service starts with prayer and then has hymns in Chichewa and then English.  Again, the singing is amazing. They all boldly sing and it is beautiful. The picture is of the English hymn we sang this morning.  Then the last song has the words: God’s word has something to say, God’s word has something to say, LIsten, listen, listen, pay close attention, God’s word has something to say.  Then the chaplain points at you and you stand and quote a verse of scripture. In the US, we would be slumping down in our pews trying to be invisible. Here, they pop up, sometimes mess up and giggle, but raise hands to be called on and clap for each other.  Really an incredible picture of their devotion to God’s word and the joy it brings them. I love that spiritual disciplines are expectantly encouraged.

Today, I got to work alongside one of the full time missionary doctors in a follow clinic of sorts.  The small babies and those with malnurishment issues and cerebral palsy are seen and given formula and supplements.  The family dramas some of these little ones come from make prime time dramas look tame. One of the most rewarding parts is that a tiny baby came in with poor weight gain already on formula.  We were suspicious of a cleft palate making feeds difficult and sure enough the back of the palate had a cleft. But thanks to the TLC class at Highland Park Baptist, I was able to purchase some special cleft palate nipples and bring them here.  The picture shows the nurse explaining how to use it to mom. Hopefully, this will make the difference for this precious baby!

The morning went quickly and the afternoon was spent working up some difficult patients.  One little guy with liver failure and a severely malnourished infant. There was also a delivery with a baby requiring a long resuscitation and I pray he will make it through the night.  He is on our maximum support we can give here.

I was able to spend a little time on some mission issues back home while dinner was prepared.  One sweet friend from the orphanage likes to sit with me whenever I am on the porch, and she joined me for this.  She calls it “school”. Another child, adopted by the director of the children’s home practiced her Bible verse for the week.  She will be greatly prepared for chapel service!