Suffering and Strength

We started the day with a morning devotion on Psalm 10 led by Dr. Bill Rhodes. (An inspiring individual who has served here for 20 years...he reads the Psalms directly from his Hebrew Bible.) This was an appropriate Psalm for a day where we witnessed much suffering. The need is very great here as another nursing and doctor strike at the government hospitals has put so much strain on the mission hospitals like Kapsowar.

The surgical, medical, maternity and pediatric wards are overflowing with patients. There were 29 surgical cases to be completed by the end of tomorrow. The newborn unit has several very sick babies...one that was having seizures while we were rounding and another with high fevers, jaundice, and enlarged liver. The pediatric ward was nearly full and had 5 new admissions today.

One young boy, Godwin, has been here for 6 weeks. He was treated and recovered from a large head wound but no family member has come to visit him or take him home. He will likely be moved to the children's home nearby.

The long term missionary doctors are overwhelmed and in need of a break. Dr. Ashley McCurry was overwhelmed with tears when we offered to unload some of her burden in maternity, newborn, and pediatrics. (And as you all know I have the crying gene too so it was hard for me to hold back.) I already mentioned the surgical workload of Dr. Rhodes and that does too include outpatient visits he must see everyday.

Psalm 10 asks the question where is God in times of trouble or suffering. When the wicked appear to prosper unchecked as they "lurk to catch the afflicted." But God is near. He is a God of justice as described in Psalm 9. He is a personal God that has not forgotten those who are afflicted and He hears their cries for help. He strengthens the afflicted and the suffering.

Psalm 9:10
 The Lord will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in time of trouble.

Psalm 10:17
Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you strengthen them; and you listen to their cry, defending the orphan and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.

Please pray for...

Godwin and the loneliness he must feel and that he would know that he has a Father in Heaven who loves and cares for him.

The long term missionaries here that they would be strengthened and find rest.

The sick and the suffering we meet everyday that they would be restored to health and experience God's love and care for them.

For all of us to do our part in relieving the suffering we encounter and supporting the missionary doctors and families in Kapsowar.

God bless,

Jeremy

 The home we are staying in (The Jones' home - they are in the US on furlough) is such a blessing - a washing machine and toys for Josef alone make a huge difference in day to day life!!

 An incubator that Mike McCurry made to keep the NICU babies warm. Creativity is needed with sparse resources and Mike in an engineer who is using his gifts in many ways here in Kapsowar.