Voices......Part 2

Together!

During this recent journey to Niger, for economy, Paul and I decided that emailing and texting each other would be fine. The trip was only two weeks. We would avoid the cost and frustration of dropped calls, voice-mail, and time zone confusion. Who wants to get called at 3:30 AM for a cheery check-in or romantic tête a tête? The deal was that I would call Paul as I was leaving the USA from JFK in New York and when I arrived back there again. Meanwhile we would communicate via cyberspace daily. Simple, right? Everyone texts and emails all the time. Who needs to actually talk for most communication? Of course, this may be fine for some but......I missed the sound of Paul's voice sooooooo much. The first thing I wanted when I cleared US customs and took care of rechecking my bags, was to get a Starbucks? (NO!!) It was to call Paul on the phone and hear his voice! Words cannot describe the delightful sound of my precious husband's voice on that call. It was sweet, kind, gentle and reassuring. He promised to meet me at the Cincinnati airport in a few hours. Paul's voice was full of love and appreciation of our relationship. It was full of hope for our reunion and a special weekend trip to Atlanta for a friend's wedding. How could I get all that from a few moments on my iPhone? I know Paul well. Our first date was October 19, 1974....since then I have been learning his use of words and what each voice inflection, tremor, and tone means. For me, this is a reminder of my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ......

Do I long to hear His voice through scripture and the Holy Spirit's promptings?

Do I get excited to talk to the Lord in prayer regularly and often?

Are my communications to My Heavenly Father like text messages--abbreviated? 

Do I recognize the tone of intensity, urgency and love of my Savior as I read the Bible?

Does His name thrill me?

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole and calms the troubled breast:

'Tis manna to the hungry soul and to the weary rest.

Dear name! The Rock on which I build, 

My Shield and Hiding Place,

My never failing treasure filled with boundless stores of grace! 

(Public Domain)

Yes, coming home to hear Paul's voice has been so exciting and reassuring! Better still, what a blessing to know and hear the voice of the Almighty God of all nations as He speaks graciously and personally through the scriptures. What about the times when I am too tired, too lazy, too jet lagged, too distracted or have a hard time getting into God's Word? This is when I must recall Philippians 4:13.....'I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength'.....no wonder His voice is so winsome!

Shine the Light!

Rick helping with packing of Bibles

The count-down is getting closer and closer! In yesterday's blog, I shared about the many team players who have helped the GO Team get ready.  You saw the Bible Story telling panels....what are we going to do with this huge display?  One of our team members, Kasie, is organizing our team into groups so that we can not only tell Bible stories to the caregivers...but teach them to tell the stories. It is quite a challenge with those who are illiterate. The symbols that we colored represent various aspects of God's character and specific Bible stories.  Kasie and I talked this morning and we are pumped!
Fortunately there are staff members and others who are able to read English. It is such a joy to bring Bibles that have been donated by loving Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Bibles are heavy! Rick is bringing his second bag almost full of Bibles and helps for the Spiritual Life Center of the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda. We have had a few frustrating interesting moments trying to keep our bags at the 50 lb. limit. I appreciate Rick's patience and muscles as he hoists the bags on his shoulders to weigh them. Rick assembled a bunch of mini flashlights for us. I asked him to 'Shine the light'....to make sure they were working before we packed them.  That is what he did. In reality, 'shining the light' is what we are going to do.....Shining the light of Jesus Christ! Bringing the Light of the World, Jesus to dispel ignorance, darkness and discouragement.

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins...Colossians 1:13,14 NIV

Rick checking out the flashlights!

All of this is so exciting!  Those of us who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, are to be reflectors of  His light. What does that mean? 
Light shows the way....Jesus is the Way John 14:6
Light dispels darkness-reveals truth...Jesus is the Truth
Light is cheerful, giving warmth, encouraging growth etc....Jesus is the Life!

The GO Team is joining the CURE staff to share the Good News with caregivers at the hospital site and Mbarara mobile clinic. We hope that we will 'shine the light' of Jesus Christ with those we leave behind, our fellow travelers and people we meet in Mbale. May we...let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our heavenly Father...paraphrase of Matthew 5:16
May we shine the light of Christ's love to the hospital staff and each other too! We are growing into a team!
I can hardly wait to see Derek, the hospital Executive Director, Miriam the Spiritual Life Director, Florence the Nurse Manager and Elisha her assistant nurse manager, Juma, George, Joseph, Nelson, Collins, Katherine, Justin, Rachel, Rose, Esther, Corrett, Angela, Alex, Stephen x2, Nathan x2, David, John, Simon Peter, Immaculate, Moses x 3, Zephaniah, Sebby, Bonney, Annette, Angela, Helen, Bernard, Dorcus, Mary, Martha, Regina, Monica, Fred, Elizabeth (Betty), Peter Paul, Jonathan, and dear Yocolum.....and so many others.
Do I sound excited? Hope so!

Little children brought to Jesus

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.....Matthew 19:13 NIV

Everyday at CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda, caregivers are bringing their babies for medical and surgical intervention of Hydrocephalus, Spina Bifida and other conditions. What dear and precious babies/children! I love having the opportunity to cuddle them and speak with the mothers and caregivers. Their minds are so full of: why my baby....why now....what am I going to do....how can I manage? Is this a curse for my sin, someone's sin? Is this a punishment?

 Everyday these dear caregivers and their little ones are brought to the Lord Jesus in prayer. These troublesome questions are listened to and answered honestly based upon scriptures. There are no pat or simple answers to suffering and disease, especially with the sweet little newborn babies. We try to communicate through the gospel story of the man born blind that their situation has the potential to honor God...His goodness, faithfulness, salvation and provision.  Even in the darkest moments there is a faint shadow of our Lord's very present help in time of trouble. The Spiritual Life staff make their 'rounds' daily to share the gospel, the love of Jesus and hope in God's provision for their situation. We pray that each one comes to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Savior and Lord.
Standing in this picture is Immaculate, one of the hospital chaplains (pastors). She loves the families and children who come to CURE and communicates Christ's love and plan of salvation in several languages! Immaculate is always ready to share Bible stories and pray with each one. Can't you see the joy on her face?!
The CURE GO Team Uganda will have the opportunity to see this emotional support and spiritual care in action at the hospital. When we go to Mbarara in western Uganda, we will have the opportunity to share Bible stories and the good news gospel message so, in turn, caregivers can tell their families about Jesus who desires to transform their lives!  What a privilege!