Angel of Mercy

Hospital ministry can be glorious or depressing. Today when I went into QwaQwa for the first time it was to visit one of the two hospitals. To go and see the children, take them coloring books and crayons and pray for them. There were only a few children really but LOTs of babies. Very tiny little ones hooked up to IVs with their mother's looking on,helpless and looking hopeless. Hopelessness that is what I sensed all throughout the city....no direction or vision or hope for the future. Sure hopelessness exists all over the states as well, but when I am overseas, especially here I see it more. I think that at times, we American's have thought that the answer to the hopelessness lies in money, so we strive for more and we give aimlessly, even dropping boxes out of planes to give "humanitarian aide" to countries. However today as I was at the hospital I was reminded by a nurse I met, Fedile, that it isn't about money. Fedile told me that they were in much need of nurses there (short staffed just like American hospitals)because many of those coming out of the nursing school were going overseas because they could make more money. Fedile said, that she came back to her community because she knew it was better to serve and use the little money she had wisely rather than leaving her home always looking for more. Rebecca and I encouraged Fedile and spent time talking to her and praying for her for wisdom, strength, and courage. After spending time talking with her, I saw that she is a light in a dark place and she is an angel of mercy.

I have gotten out of my funk and even understand a little more as to why I was so introspective. It is one thing to SAY you are going to do something, but it is another thing entirely to DO it. This is what I was contemplating, this and the ramifications.....I am not an island and my decisions affect those around me....but I think it might be time to take my light to a new place...a place that is darker than I have been in a long time.