Gary, Ginny and I make quite a team!! We laughed so hard over dinner last night that my ribs hurt today!! Gladys will be happy to know that we revisited her 'ribs' place, and had an equally interesting dining experience!!  Gary, the techno geek keeps us all on our toes with his wise words and sense of humor, and Ginny with her servant's  heart, is willing to do ANYTHING needed at any moment!! She even listened to me babble until midnight last not after a really long day...  What a friend!! 

Nearly every visit contains a story of grief or despair if enough time is spent digging deep. A 21 year old teacher with chest pain when she lies down at night. She can run and play with the children without symptoms. She is otherwise thin and healthy. Her exam completely normal. I reassure her and go on to the next patient who happens to be her mother. She reports headaches for 2 years...'what happened 2 year ago', I ask?  (I had also asked the daughter with no significant response). Her son, who was also a teacher, was murdered while walking to school one day. They don't  know why...but 'the susta' (extreme worry and despair) has overtaken them. 

A woman who hasn't slept for 8 days... 'What happened 8 days ago?'  It  was the 1 year anniversary of the death of her husband in a moto accident.  She and her 4 children barely survive on the money she makes doing odd jobs. 

My goal was to tell every person I saw that God loves them and cares about them. I was overwhelmed by some of the responses. Many told me that they would pray for me. One woman told me that she always prays for all of the people in the United States because she knows we can help her people. A few looked away, not wanting to meet my eyes, but hopefully the words will ring again in their heads as they close their eyes tonight. 

Nearly every visit can contain a moment of hope if enough time is spent... There is always something for which to be thankful, and tonight I am thankful for the opportunity to serve Christ, for friends who are willing to serve beside me, and my family who is understanding and  willing to let me be away at this time I the year!!

Can't believe tomorrow is Friday!