April 22, 2006

  • Two Stories

    Written April 19, 2006

     

     

     

    I have two more stories to catch you up on.....

     

     

     

    This is the first one.......

     

     

     

    On the heels of those last three patients, an elderly man named George arrived. He came in the back of a pick up truck, brought by six family members.  They had been at Katapazi Clinic, (another rural health center some distance away) with their brother and/or uncle  who was having stroke symptoms.  They had kept him for two days at the other clinic and had given him Penicillin injections. (Don't ask...it's probably all they had). Upon exam, George was found to have tremors only on his left side involving just his arm and leg.  There was no facial involvement whatsoever nor any speech impairment. His blood pressure was normal. With the history and exam, Sal admitted him in an attempt to control the twitch.  He went home after two days on Depakote with instructions for strengthening exercises. When they initially arrived at the clinic it was after dark  and I was in Lusaka.  Sal and JoAnne both came out to greet them and while Sal took the patient into the clinic, JoAnne spoke with the family outside.  What I want toshare most with you is what they told her.....They said; "We brought him here to Sons of Thunder Clinic because we heardthat miracles are happening here!"  

     

     

     

    People are being drawn to this place and not because it's free. Every government clinic in Zambia is now free!   Oh no, my friends.... there is so much more going on here.  People are being drawn to this place because there is something different here....there is a hopehere.....Jesus is here.

     

     

     

    You be glorified God!!!!

     

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    Last....but by no means least was Thursday April 13th.........

     

     

     

    After months of individual meetings with the Thursday HIV patients, we had a gathering in the church with the entire group.  This Thursday, instead of going into town to the hospital, we met all together to share the Word, praise the Lord, have a time of prayer, eat a meal and provide all necessary direction to be followed during our absence in order that they would continue to receive their medications.

     

    The meeting was opened in prayer by Reverend Mwiicheza and I shared the Word out of Romans regarding sin and its consequences.   I started by sharing how until they were given the diagnosis of  HIV, they were unaware that they needed a cure.  They didn’t know what was wrong.  If you didn’t know you had a disease, you wouldn’t know that you needed a cure or a healing.....the same is true of your spiritual state.  Until you become aware that you are dead in your sin, you never know that you need a cure. So we talked about the wages of sin being death but the gift of God being eternal life.  There is no one righteous, not even one.  But Jesus offers a complete cure though His amazing grace.  Once you know you are sick….it’s there for the asking.  They were asked if they died tonight (and many of them had been close to death), where would they go?

     

     

     

    After the word, there was a sweet time of praise and prayers of repentance for salvations and rededications.  Thirty Tonga Bibles were distributed to those who did not have a Bible.  It was sweet to see them hover over the Word, talking to each other.  Now after they were given time to make their relationships right with God, they were encouraged to pray for their healings  as Sal and I agreed with them in prayer. 

     

     

     

    The informational portion of the meeting came next beginning with introductions to Jha, (the Clinical Officer), Christopher, (the driver), Anna and Janet (the staff) and another Christopher (who helps us out when we are at LivingstoneHospital). They were each given a written personal schedule of medication collection and review dates.

     

    The rest of the day was spent in fellowship as they shared a meal of nshema (corn based mealy meal), cabbage, beans and kapinta (small fish about 2 inches in size with the eyes still looking at you!)

     

    When it was over, hugs and goodbyes were exchanged before they loaded onto the lorry for Sal to take them home. 

     

     

     

    Please keep our patients in prayer during our furlough.....

     

     

     

    Gathering in the Church

     

     

     

    Time of Prayer

     

     

     

    Sharing a Meal and Fellowship

     

     

     

    Wilson...holds a special place in my heart

     

     

     

    Sal and Staff

     

    (Anna, Christopher, Bertha, Christopher, Janet and Jha)

     

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    I want to thank you all for accompanying us on this part of the journey....for staying faithful in interest and prayer....for your words of encouragement....for your support....for your love.  I will probably not be writing much while we are on furlough.  We will be busy with family and friends, catching up and having fun, but you can still reach us by e-mail and I will  be sure to answer.  We will be returning to Zambia in mid-late July.  Until then, be safe, stay in God's Word, and may God Bless.....

     

     

     

    In our prayers,

     

    Sal and Renee 

     

     

     

    PS....Our grandchildren remembered us!!!!!!!