Well, we have been back on the ship for about 36 hours now....it is good to be back. Some things have not changed...some things have changed. Especially some of the short term crew. As I looked around last nigh,t as I walked around the ship, there were many new faces...oh ship life....
One of the real joys about being back is hearing some of the patient stories. Mike and I were taking a walk around the ship after dinner tonight and we stopped and talked with Allison. She told us of a few amazing patient stories that just reinforced why we flew half way around the world to Africa.
The first one was about one of the VVF ladies. She had been wet for many years. A man came to her and told her that he would be willing to wash her rags and care for her. She wondered why this man would be willing to do such a thing. They started to read the Bible together...and she came to believe in Jesus. She claimed the verse that talked about the woman that was bleeding for twelve year and by touching the hem of Jesus' robe she was healed. This VVF woman started praying to Jesus for healing. She came to the ship and received her healing-after praying for twelve years....God is amazing.
The second person, was another woman who had a fibroid tumor-she looked nine months pregnant. Normally we would not have had the surgeon on board the ship to be able to help her. Through events only masterminded by God, we had the perfect surgeon on ship for her. In the middle of July the surgeon removed a 37 pound tumor. Some people would say "coincidence" or "great luck"....on the ship we know this orchestration of events as God's sovereign hand moving.
Finally, this last lady is more a story of hope than healing. Once again it is about one of our VVF ladies. Unfortunately her surgery was not a success. But she remained on the ship for about 2 weeks after her surgery-still wet. Allison, would go down to the ward in the evening and read a Bible verse to the lady and then the lady would look the verse up in her Ewe Bible and read it to the rest of the women on the ward. Through these times God was working on this woman's heart. Before she left the ship, one of the other nurses had an opportunity to share the plan of salvation with this woman. Even though is still is wet, she is now plugged into a church. But more importantly, she knows she is loved by an everlasting God and will one day in eternity be healed.
Priceless....
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
"Final Thoughts..."
As we get ready to head back to the ship, our friends, our ministry, our passion-I have been reflecting on some of the things that we have seen in the last six weeks....things we will miss... but hold in our hearts...
Montana-Missouri River
Friends...
Rocky Mountains, Canada
Fort Rodd Hill-Victoria,B.C. Canada
Catching Fish-Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Moses Lake, Washington
Morning sunrise-Bainbridge Island, WA
Family time...
Most memorable moment..."Alisia and Joshua look...a bear! "A what?..." "A bear!" "A what?..." "A B-E-A-R...a BEAR!!!" "Oh, a bear...look a BEAR!!!"
Saturday, July 10, 2010
"VVF Ladies..."
While we have been on vacation, surgery for the VVF ladies has been happening on the ship. VVF is a tragic result of poverty. Where we in the west would get immediate medical attention for complications with childbirth, these women suffer for days in prolonged labor and as a result pay the consequences for a life time. "The words below are not of my own, but of the VVF ladies. At the dress ceremony we celebrate each of these ladies’ healing, it takes at least two translators to tell each of their testimonies. Words are spoken in Kotikoli, Moba, Tchokssi, Kabye’, and Ewe and finally translated into English." (Allison Green)
So, in her own words…
“When I sit, stand, and lie down- I was wet.”
"I could not even sit with my sister.”
"I did not know there were others like me."
“I have suffered until death.”
“It was my 6th child."
“I was in labor for five days and no one to help me.”
“The baby died inside of me.”
“Went to many hospitals with no help, I lost hope.”
“I had no child to give me drink.”
“Thought it would never happen to me.”
"I have leaked for one year.”
“Three months…
twenty years…
I cannot remember how long ago.”
"Hallelujah. Praise the Lord.”
“You have received us with love.”
“I know God because of you.”
“I am not the same before. I am beautiful now."
“My family will receive me now.”
“I heard there were angels to help us.”
“You saved my life."
Thursday, July 8, 2010
"Froid pt. 4..."
One of the amazing things about the women in Froid are the quilts they make. Part of the centennial celebration was a quilt show. Now, Froid in the winter time, lives up to it's name in french-meaning cold or frigid. When the winds get howling and the snow gets blowing the women get creative and quilt. As you can see from the following pictures there are some amazing quilters in the area.
I love this last quilt! Through quilt blocks, it shows different events in the life of a family.
Finally tomorrow, my favorite part about the Froid area...
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
"Froid pt. 3..."
Now, another part of the small town experience is a fashion show. This fashion show was extremely unique. It covered clothing from 1910 to present day. Most of the outfits were originals...
This outfit was worn by Mike's great grandmother in 1910. Her and her husband were one of the founding families in the Froid area in 1910.
This was another outfit, circa 1920's.
The town doctor's wife wore this outfit in the 1950's.
This wedding dress and flower girl dress were from the 1960's.
One of Froid's cheerleaders outfits...
A variety of outfits from the 1920's to present day...including a Michael Jackson outfit from the 1980's.
Stay tuned for the continuation of the Froid experience...
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
"Froid pt. 2..."
Then we moved onto the parade. I love small town parades. There is nothing fancy about the parade it is just down to earth and hometown. The above picture is the school mascot-the Froid Cardinal.
Followed by the school band....
Followed by the cutest kids in a mini antique car...
Followed by an antique tractor...John Deer of course!...
And yet another John Deer...
And the John Deers that would not run were towed...
And another one....there must have been at lease 20 tractors....
And an horse drawn hearse...
And another old car....
And then we had the token "new car"....
We had a great time looking at all the tractors and tractors and cars....tomorrow...the fashion show....
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