Joy! say it again Joy!

The best way to convey the emotions that were surging through us all is South Africa, is to share a few of the entries from the journal I kept during our time there. God worked in so many ways, but the token I gleaned was joy. Joy, from the Zulu people and joy that the God we serve here is the same God they worship there. He is the same no matter where you choose to meet with him, and that is a beautiful thought.

Monday 6-25-07, eSikhawini, South Africa
It was awesome waking up on a Monday morning and finding myself in a beautiful country! No J.O.B. today! We had another clinic and, man, was it busy. There were so many more sick children here than in any of the other places we've been so far. I held a baby girl to try and make her eat. She was two months old and was the size of a newborn. She was so dehydrated. She would have fit perfectly in my carry on to bring home, but the rest of the team advised against it. We gave her mother some medicine for her baby, but only enough for tonight. The hope is she will be back tomorrow so we can follow up and we will give her the rest then. Working at an OB-GYN and seeing all of the couples struggling with infertility, I couldn't help but be a little angry that a 16 year old could have a baby and not know how to take care of it. Today's verse in my journal is Romans 8:28,

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Tuesday 6-26-07, eSikhawini, South Africa
Today was by far the most difficult day for me. Yesterday we had to turn people away, but told them to come back today. They came back, but we still turned away 125 people, mostly women and children. It was so emotional to see young women with babies on their backs, walking back to the other side of the gate. Mercy went out and picked up two vans full of "her kids" that were sick and in need of our care. The young girl with the dehydrated little girl came back! Praise God, her baby looks ten times better. She left with the medicine and the confidence she did a good job. Sharon did a great job of encouraging her. I hate that we're leaving soon, it feels like we just got here. It is raining tonight for the first time, it feels like the weather is reflecting the way I feel. I can only pray God will let me come back next year. Today's journal verse is Proverbs 15:30,

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."

Praise God we are going back! God answers prayer and I am so excited to see how he will challenge us.

"I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in him will I trust." Psalm 91:2

A message from Kristi
2007 & 2008 Medical Outreach Team