Prayer

“Intercessory prayer can penetrate the hearts of those we cannot open -- and shield those we cannot guard -- and teach where we cannot speak -- and comfort where our hearts have no power to soothe. Prayer with its unseen hand, can enter where we may not.”

'...Because the risen Lord Jesus can enter where we may not.'

 

Happy Birthday to Grandmother! Thanks for praying for me.

"Mama Doctor"

Goodbye Dr. Laura

After two and half years in Impfondo, Congo Dr. Laura is heading home... She has done amazing work here and will be greatly missed by all the people. I've been living with her since I got here April 12th, so I've gotten to know her and I'm going to miss her a lot too! She has a way of seeing patients, making rounds and doing thorough care and instruction like no one else. I've learned a lot from her and have enjoyed getting to see her in action: following her on rounds, watching her performing various surgeries, teaching the staff and interacting with the local people here in Impfondo. She has a great sense of humor, is an excellent cook and seamstress, and loves to grow flowers...Below I posted some pictures. We love you, Laura!

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." -Jn 16:33

One Thing...

...Can change someone's life.
What would it be like to spend 18 years crawling around in the dust on hands and knees because your legs don't work?

What would it be like if someone gave you something that could totally turn your life around?

In a way, we know exactly how this man feels, because we were just like that - crawling in the dust, our faces turned from God.

And, thanks be to God, we know what it's like when Someone gives us Something and our lives are forever changed.

Just a Thought

When I was at the Samoutous' the other day, I picked a book off their shelf and glanced through it briefly. One paragraph in particular stood out to me, so I copied it below:

"God didn't call you or me to be 'successful'; He called us to be faithful. If God calls you to become a medical doctor, you better do it because that's where you'll be able to fulfill His highest purposes for your life. If God gifts you to be a mechanic, an attorney, a truck driver or a teacher, then you will never be fully fruitful doing something else. God doesn't measure success by sacrifice, salary or university degrees; He measures it be obedience and faithfulness. The world, and even some in the church, may look at you; shake their heads and sigh, "What a waste!" But in the end you will enjoy God's smile, His fruitfulness and His reward."

-From A Passion for Jesus

Daily Life Once Again

 Dr. Henri - transformed into "The Elephant King" for Cherissa and Karis's birthday party. The Samoutous put on a big birthday party and invited a whole lot of people. It was quite fun, and we watched Tom and Jerry - the perfect thing for people of multiple languages. :)  

Lauren and I attempted to make our own peanut butter, and it turned out very well! Before this we'd bought our peanut butter from our neighbor, but now we know how to do it ourselves.

 Encouraging words...just at the right time.

One of the many faces I see every day in the truck, at the hospital and along the roads.

We made ice-cream! There are advantages to having a freezer that freezes and a bag of m&ms sent from the States. It was a delicious treat at the end of a long, hot day at the hospital.

Where else but in Congo can you get more than five quarts of honey for 18 dollars? The Aka people find the honey in the forest and bring it into town to sell.

Handing Over the Keys

And If You Fall, You Get Up

Saturday afternoon soccer games at the hospital…the teams are made up partly of hospital staff and other friends and relatives. This week James and some of the girls from the Cedarville group joined in.

 

Elise (left) and Malia (right), ready to start! 

Some of the spectators: 

Julia with Raphaella and Mariana, who are always ready to welcome another visitor!

 Helena and I enjoyed watching and talking. I also became the “water girl” and made several trips back to Olga’s house to get water for the tired, sweaty players.

Father and son – Jean de Dieu and Dulce are both nicknamed after the same famous soccer player with the French words for ‘father’ and ‘son’ tacked on after his name to distinguish between them.