What a blessing we have been given this year as our home
church, Parkwood in Gastonia, brought us to the US for an on missions
conference. We took an extra two weeks
to visit family. It has been a whirlwind
trip, but so sweet to see family and friends.
I got to put my feet under my grandparents table for the
first time in two years. I even got the
coveted seat at the table, the one beside Grandma’s chair, but she’s not here
to sit in it any more. I could throw
myself a pity party, and seriously thought about it, but the disease that stole
the essence of my precious grandmother long before she took her last breath,
was the means by which her wise heavenly father chose to call her home. Maybe someday I’ll get used to going to her
house without her there, but I certainly miss the calm, steady joy of my
grandmother who was always patient, always kind, a blessing to all that knew
her. She lived a long, joyful life. The influence that she has been and will
always be in my life is immeasurable.
May God grant me wisdom and grace to impact others as she did.
It has been so neat to get to see new babies that have been
born in our absence, meet new significant others, and reconnect with all of
those that we love. We miss so much
while we are in Africa. I can easily do
without some of the cultural mess that goes on, but we also miss babies growing
up, family graduating and getting married, last days and family
gatherings. It’s all worth it to follow
Jesus wherever he leads us, but that doesn’t mean it is easy.
We are on our way to North Carolina to talk to people about
our work, what it is like to serve, how others can be involved in our work or
in missions in general. So often we don’t
have the words to explain the sights, the sounds, the emotions, just the
normalness of our life, but hopefully God will use us as He wills this week.
We got word this morning that dear friends have been
involved in an accident. We don’t know
the extent of their injuries, but I am so reminded of the brevity of our life
here. We have so few days to do what God
has called each of us to. More and more
I am finding that the excuse that I will tell someone “next time” isn’t
realistic.
We are getting ready for medical clinic in Abidjan. The preparations are crazy! For the week to go off smoothly every detail
to care for 2400 people has to be thought through and set in motion. The clinic days themselves seem endless, from
set up to the end of each day, we have to run here and there and use all of our
thinking ability to solve problems and work through issues. Evangelists will share with each and every
person before they see the doctors. No
matter how many waters we go through, dehydration sets in as the hot sun beats
down and the sweat rolls. So often mid
to late afternoon arrives before we can even think of eating. How can we best show love, give quality care
and help the hurting as the hours tick by is a constant question. Pray love, patience, endurance and strength
as we prepare and do medical clinic this year, April 9-14. May each and every care giver and volunteer
spur one another on to love and good works.
We’d love to talk to anyone that might be interested in clinic 2019.
With love,
Heather
