Tuesday, May 12, 2009

To cry or not to cry...that is the question

Today was a tough day for our team. We arrived to the clinic and the line of people was already out the door. We saw over 200 patients in 7 hours today. We also started doing more HIV testing and were met with mixed blessings. It was difficult to tell so many people they had HIV but rewarding to know that without us testing them, they probably would have never known, never sought treatment, and continued to fuel the epidemic. It was also rewarding to be able to offer them some hope, both in the free HIV medicine available in Africa, and by sharing with them the healing powers of Our Healer. We are blessed to call 20 members of the community new brothers and sisters in Christ. YAY GOD! A few of our team members made a house call to a young man in the community who was too weak to walk. After visiting with him and his family, we soon realized he was dying of AIDS. Though we were not able to offer him much medical help, we were able to minister spiritual healing to him and his family. Though today was a tough day emotionally, we know that God was glorified and people were healed.

Today was our last full day of clinic with our dentist, Chris. He's pulled half the teeth of Africa in 2 days. He's a machine. We were so thankful to have him on our team, even for a short time. Please pray for his safety as he returns to the States tomorrow.

Our children's ministry is quickly learning exceptional crowd control skills as the number of children coming to the clinic multiplies by the second. Their corralling skills definitely surpass
the best cowboy, but you'd be hard pressed to find a child without a smile on their face. God's love is being poured out on these precious children.

(Amanda and Brittany)

11 comments:

  1. Wow, What a day you had. I am certain God is with you every step of the way. The children's smiles are such joy!! We keep praying that everyone stays healthy and not too sleep deprieved. Sending refueling hugs to all. Mama Hicks

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  2. It sounds as if you definitely put in a full day's work! You must have been somewhat overwhelmed by the line that awaited you at the start of your day. Even though you had difficult things to tell some of your patients, you also were able to help them with both medication and spiritual guidance. Easing the suffering of an individual is an admiral goal. We will continue to keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

    Thanks, Katie H., for the beautiful Mother's Day card with the nice note inside. I loved the flowers on the front (you know me and flowers!) I'll bet there are some unusual flowers in Africa. How are the temps there?

    Best wishes to all of you as you embark on your next day's work.

    In Christian Love,
    Sue and Wayne

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  3. I am moved to tears by each post. You are all such a blessing to the South Africans. May God continue to renew your strength and endurance.

    God Bless, Kristen

    Gal. 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

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  4. You folks are doing great work! Please tell Sallie McWhorter her mother and father are doing well, Holly and Wayne miss her, and we all love her. Also tell her I would have sent something sooner but I needed some tec. help. We are praying for all of you.
    Wayne

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  5. Hey Sissy: Wow! Sounds like one busy, spiritual, life changing day. I'm sure you feel the same. I'll bet all of you want to snap your fingers and make everything better. Bless all of you to continue your strength,optimism,love and positive outlook on humanity. I wish I was there to watch you in action! I can only imagine. I sent a blog yesterday from work, and I see it was not posted,O.E. It had to do with Sunday's activities. I said that Madeline and i went to see mom and Pumpkin and Jim Jam on mothers day. Suprised that you did not lasso a zebra and lure a lion to eat out your hand. That's just the kinda girl you RRRRR! Continued success to you and the TEAM. I LOVE YOU, DAD.

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  6. Wow, what an amazing day for you all! The beautiful faces of all the children must be so energizing and serves as an inspiration to keep you all going. Jessica, you are always in our thoughts and prayers. Keep fighting the good fight, girl! We love you so very, very much. Mom and Dad

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  7. With every post I read, I feel I'm there with you. May God continue to bless you with strength and wisdom and to see each person with His eyes. To my sweet Amanda....thanks for the mother's day card sniffs....they were wonderful...give a mamma hug to all those beautiful children as you minister God's love to them...they are beautiful! I'm so proud of you and all the team for the work you're doing to change lives....continually in my prayers....

    Dee Prillaman (amanda's mom)

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  8. You guys are doing amazing things out there. You keep getting tested more and more each day with more and more challanges. Keep up all that hard work. Jodi, I miss you like crazy and you know you're in my thoughts. I love you tons.

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  9. Wow, you are all doing such wonderful work, I know God's hands are with each one of you. I cant wait for each post, spreading the word of God and helping so many people each day. I am so prould of everyone of you!!! Brandon and Jena I love you and cant wait to hear and see all of the pictures. My prayers are with you and our church is praying for each one of you and all of the people you are helping.

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  10. Amanda: I am so thrilled at what you'll are accomplishing there. I have been checking in on the blog often and am in awe of the love, hope, and healing God is bringing to the people of Badplaas through your work there. I am so proud of you...all of you! Please know there are many back here in SC praying for you'll daily.

    Lots of Love and Prayers,
    Misty (Amanda's cousin)

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  11. Hey Courtney, I am so proud of you and the fact that you went on this mission trip. That's just the way you are and I know that God is blessing you. The people must know that Jesus is coming back soon, maybe in the next couple years. They must be ready to go home with Him. Let them know how important the 4th commandment is to Jesus. They must REMEMBER that Saturday is the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week and that is the only Holy day of the week. I can get free literature for any one who needs it. I would love to do what you have done, Courtney. God is so thankful for your work. We can only get into heaven by Jesus' grace. We can not work our way into heaven. Jesus gives His grace to us. I love you Courtney and your sister. Tell all who were on this mission trip that I said Thank You for a job well done and may God bless each and every one. Thank you baby and I love you. Lots of prayers and love go out to everyone. Daddy

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