The Balm of Music

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.
 

Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.
 

(Chorus)
If you cannot sing like angels,
If you can’t preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.

Liz and Chuck Kopp brought their music and loving concern to the patients waiting to have their wounds dressed.

This dear little one wanted to snuggle and cuddle.....so precious!

Music and songs with Liz, Chuck, Josh and Julie Kopp helped amuse and soothe those waiting in the clinic.

The above hymn was sent to me by a dear friend this morning. Little did she know the significance that it would be to us today as we went around greeting, praying, singing, dancing and encouraging patients and caregivers today. As I looked at the faces of the little ones with burned hands, crooked feet, cleft lips and palates, I saw stress, distress and deep sadness. Oh, that we could make everyone better with just a little salve or balm!
What a joy to have the privilege of imparting encouraging words and truths in songs this morning.....

• YES, JESUS LOVES ME--THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO
• DEEP AND WIDE-THERE'S A FOUNTAIN FLOWING DEEP AND WIDE
• JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN-ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD
• THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!

What a privilege to have grown up in a Christian home where I learned these songs and hymns that teach truths about our GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! What a privilege to encourage others today with singing! Go ahead.....sing praises to the LORD! Today,  as you sing; may you bring truth and comfort to someone in need of God's marvelous saving grace.

Life Saving Classes at CURE NIiger

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this Martha?"  John 11:25, 26 NLT

God created everything through him and nothing was created except through him.  The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:3-5 NLT 

These words from the Bible and many others related to God giving life swirled through my head this week as I began to give CPR classes to all the non-medical staff at the hospital.  It has been so much fun! The staff are so pleased and proud to be included in these training sessions. I can only handle a maximum of 6 at a time so the classes are repeated over and over. Each time I lead these classes I am reminded that these techniques are a common grace like medicines to help people. Yet, I know full well that 'our times are in his hands'....I cannot give life or resurrect it, only God can do that. At the beginning of each class I prayed with the staff asking the LORD to help them understand and succeed in practicing the techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). I also prayed that each one would know the LORD who gives life, sustains life and gives the life eternal. The men and women who were in each session were delightful! We worked hard together and laughed and laughed. My French is not wonderful but the classes were so patient and attentive to explanations. I am excited for next week for more classes. Here are a few pictures......

Adult mannequins are ready!

Infant mannequins are ready!

Sefi from housekeeping practicing CPR

What a wonderful, enthusiastic class!

These three male employees were great students and learned quickly and very well.

Women wanted me to have a baby on my back....it's just a mannequin!

Look how precious these men are in learning the techniques for a choking baby? What joy!

Friday--catching up! What's going on in Niger?

The rhythms of life in Niger are so different to my life in the USA:

• The regular call to prayer five times per day....it can be very loud depending where one is situated (this reminds me-Am I praying regularly?)
• The early morning greetings on the street and at the hospital (my mornings are often alone at home-never seeing anyone!)
• The hospital routine has a rhythm of its own that is familiar and satisfying for me....patient rounds, staff devotions, prayer rounds, departmental work....some days in the ward, the classroom, the Spiritual Center, the operating room...paperwork! (Different from housework, travels...)
• The rhythms of nature in the desert-sunrise, sunset, dust storms, heat during the day, cool at night....lizards skittering up the wall, lizards skittering along the walkway....
• The road outside the hospital has a rhythm of donkeys, camels, taxis, trucks, pedestrians....laughter, shouting, begging, selling, silent movements of men, women and children slipping by....

 

King Solomon in Ecclesiastes talked about life rhythms....he observed that many of these are futile.Yet he wisely observed in 

 

Ecclesiastes 2:24, 25 

There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God's hand, because who can eat and who can enjoy live apart from Him?

Ecclesiastes 3:1ff

There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven;
a time to give birth and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to uproot;
a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to tear down and a time to build;
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing;
a time to search and a time to count as lost;
a time to keep and a time to throw away;
a time to tear and a time to sew;
a time to be silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace....

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.... 

What a joy that the rhythms of life, in Africa or America may, at any moment be interrupted by a new rhythm...new songs!

Songs of salvation
Songs of the redeemed
Songs of joy
Songs of celebrating our Great God
Songs of forgiveness
Songs of healing

What is the rhythm of your life today? Does it make you dance or sing for joy before the LORD?
Who will you invite to join the dance?
Who will you invite to join the song?  

Why are so many children born with disabilities in Niger?

This dear little boy is 16 months old. He was born with cranial and facial malformations as well as all fingers and toes are fused together.  His mother brought this precious one to have the fingers and toes released so that as he grows he will be able to feed himself, work with his hands and walk normally. The fused toes are a problem as most people here where thong type sandals. Our surgeon at CURE Niger is very practical in helping each parent in understanding the probable course of a child's disability. Parents are offered appropriate surgery for their children and realistic results.
What remains for many parents, patients, nurses, doctors and the ministry of health are the questions....why or how did this disability occur?  It is the same worldwide, when a child is born with a disability the natural questions are how? Why? Could this have been prevented?

In John 9, Jesus was asked a similar question by His disciples. They assumed that blindness from birth,  in a man, was caused by personal or parental sin. They were trying to rationalize and justify the condition that the man was experiencing. Isn't it the same today.....we try to rationalize a condition in terms of the world that we understand, whether it be medical, scientific or theological? Even as Christians we try to put God in a box and try to explain everything as if we understood His ways.
I am so glad that Jesus' response to the disciples' question was very simple yet very profound. John 9:3 says, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," Jesus answered. "This came about so that God's works might be displayed in him." We don't have to have all the answers!! We can trust God's character and ways.
Each precious child that comes through CURE Hospital gates is affirmed as God's creation. The restorative surgeries display not only a surgeon's skills but demonstrate the wonderful love of the LORD Jesus Christ. The wound care provides more than physical healing. Each encounter with the child and caregiver is an opportunity to demonstrate, the love of the LORD Jesus Christ. This love profoundly affects those who come here. Those who have been marginalized due to disabilities receive acceptance. Those who have been rejected are welcomed. Those who are wounded emotionally and spiritually receive a comforting balm derived from the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Oh, I know there are physiological, environmental and genetic factors which seek to explain why a child is born with physical challenges.  None of these explanations satisfy, so I must rely on God's character of faithfulness and goodness. My prayer is that somehow, some way, God's works will be displayed at CURE each time a child comes to us!!

Precious Children at CURE Niger

This gal with me had her nose reconstructed after part of it was destroyed by infection..all smiles now even with arms splinted to prevent her touching the wound and reinfecting it. Love my babies! Please pray for them!

These three children were quite a team as they used their splinted arms to swat flies off each other...true cooperation!

Miss C with her splints to prevent poking at skin graft hidden under her head dressing...so adorable! So many of our patients have been burned and require frequent surgery as they grow.

Ibrihim is about 11 years old and recently had his cleft lip repaired...upon discharge to the hostel, his mother dressed him in his 'Sunday suit'!! (Splints and all!)

Grasshopper Pie Never Tasted Like This!!

Yes, these are the real deal folks!

Yohann and Elodie fixed these for our dinner on Sunday evening...a sweet couple from France serving the LORD!

That's me eating a grasshopper...they kind of grew on you...I ate several!

Many years ago, I remember some missionary friends Mark and Deb Fairchild and their children Jake and Hannah gave me a book called something like,  "Eating Goat Parts for the Glory of God"....I thought about that as I ate my grasshoppers. However, I like my sister Ruth's grasshopper pie better :)

Niger-Day 2 Musings & Barrier Busters

My dear team of nurses gathered on Friday morning to hear Angele's testimony and official announcement that she is leaving at the end of January. Angele clearly explained the gospel and the way that God led her through His Word in the Bible, the Holy Spirit and godly counsel, It was a powerful message. Angele lives with integrity and passion for all people...patients, caregivers and staff! God bless your next step, Angele!! We also got to meet Elodie the next Nurse Manager for CURE Niger. It was a double blessing!

Barriers...everywhere you are in Niger, one experiences barriers!! There are many barriers for security at the hospital.  On the home front there are barriers on windows and doors for protection too.  I must say that I do not feel unsafe here at all. Perhaps the barriers give a sense of security...being hedged in?

However, the barriers that are not material are the ones that are the most difficult to get through. What do I mean?

• barriers of language....French and many tribal languages
• barriers of culture...European, Canadian, American, Nigerien, Mali, North Africa...
• barriers of economics....poverty and wealth
• barriers of clothing.....uniforms, burkas and various African costumes
• barriers of education.....educated and uneducated, professional, laborer etc.
• barriers of position....nurse, doctor, taxi driver, security guard, kitchen worker, patient
• barriers of religion....Muslim, traditional religions, Christianity and denominational divisions, too!

What can one break down these barriers? How can one have a coming together of people when there are so many seen and unseen barriers to relationships?

• opening doors-hospitality
• shaking of hands to greet one another even if I don't know the words
• conversation in my broken French...any effort on my part is rewarded with kindness and respect
• food...nothing breaks down barriers like free food!
• understanding, acceptance and honest inquisitiveness
• sharing similarities like motherhood and care for children, grandchildren and the elderly
• playing a game.....cars, pitch and catch, tag, dollies....
• mutual projects....a task, a nursing skill.....building, operating, fixing, cleaning
• communicating...with words if necessary!
• giving gifts
• art and music 

These are barrier busters that I have seen which open the door for relationships to develop over time. It is easy coming from the USA to want to blast in and breakdown the barriers in our efficient way.....after all aren't we so intelligent and have the answers to most world problems....or at least we throw some supplies and money at the barriers and hope that all will be well?

You know me, it is my desire to develop relationships and partner with people to obtain and sustain a mutual goals with respect to nursing education and patient care. In this sense, I am trying to break down barriers every day at the hospital here in Niger. It is normal in every culture to have barriers to break down to facilitate working relationships. Some obstacles for coming together are harder to break down than others. It is such a blessing to be received joyfully and respectfully in spite of these many barriers.

The Bible talks about barriers that are humanly speaking impossible to break down. In the book of Ephesians the apostle Paul speaks of a wall of hostility between two people groups...the Jewish People and Gentiles. The great gap between these people was closed by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. His death on the cross broke down the barrier between Jewish and Gentile people. More importantly, Jesus Christ bridged the gap, broke down the barrier between sinful people and Holy God. This is true and wonderful reconciliation at its finest!!

For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us....He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups....Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought the Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from Him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done.  (Ephesians 2:14-18)

This fuels my passion! Please pray for God's strength to do this work His way and for His honor....to make His name great at CURE!!