Making an Impact

Today consisted of swimming, sleeping, and relaxing at the hotel so we could be rejuvenated from the exhausting week of work at Anns Grove and prepare for the trek home. It gave me plenty of time to reflect on how amazing this week actually was. There were, as many posts have previously mentioned, struggles through the week ranging from sickness, fatigue, and luggage problems that we were able to put aside and stay committed to doing the work we set out to do.

I had the priviledge of working in the clinic the first three days. This was challenging for me as it breaks my heart everytime a person is sent away with an ailment that we are not equiped to treat. One boy had an infected toenail that had gotten so bad that he could possibly lose his entire foot. Such a simple problem that would be easily cured in the US, becomes very serious very quickly here. We unfortunately were not able to help this child and I pray he is able to receive the proper medical attention from a local hospital now that his young mother knows the severity of the situation. Another situation was for an elderly man that was experiencing severe intestinal problems. He told me it had been hurting him for over ten years and it was making it difficult to live his life. This reminds me of the woman in Mark who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years until she was finally healed by Jesus. I can only pray that God will heal this man someday. It is hard to fathom how amazing it must have been to witness all of Jesus’ healings.

The fourth and fifth day of the clinic I was blessed to do Bible studies. I studied mostly with women, the majority seemed to be young women often bringing their several children with them. I quickly realized that it was physically, emotionally, and spiritually challenging to do one Bible study after another. It is difficult to hear someone say they believe everything the Bible says is true, yet they are just not ready to become fully committed. Doing this work helped remind me that physical healing is not our main purpose in Guyana. We came to seek and save the lost, to preach unto all the nations. I did most of my studies on Friday with Jessie. There came a point of complete frustration when it felt that we had several almost successful studies, where the people seemed to be so close to “getting it,” yet something seemed to be in the way. Like a wall that someone just needed to give them a boost to get all the way over. Jessie reminded me that we are planting the seed. As I thought about that I realized how true that is. We are planting the seed and God must be the one to make it grow. Who am I to judge what a “successful” study is? We did the best we could to teach about our faith and now all we can do is pray for these people.

Finally, I want to make a comment about making an impact. Often when I think about mission trips I think about the impact the missionary will have on the natives. While I have found that to be true, I’ve also realized that it is a two way street. I have been deeply impacted by the people here. I met a woman in my study named Tessa that is an active member at the Plaissance Church of Christ here in Guyana. As she sat down to study with me I prepared to share my faith with another faithless person.  It was at a time in the day when I was feeling a bit discouraged from a lack in interest from several other people. Isn’t it funny how God seems to send us little messages just at the perfect time? I began by asking her about what she believed and soon found out that She had been baptized for several years and had several Christian children and grandchildren that attend church with her every Sunday. She then started sharing her faith with me. She told me how she is seeking to live for the Lord every day even though it is often hard with her failing health or when sometimes it is easier to stay home instead of go to church (walking is her source of transportation). That puts an entirely new perspective on how “hard” it may be sometimes for me to get out of my comfortable bed, choose from several outfits, eat a good breakfast, and drive in my air conditioned car to church. She then asked for my prayers of encouragement. I’m not sure she’ll ever realize the amazing example she set for me as a Godly woman making the necessary sacrifices to serve our Lord. Many other people, especially members from Anns Grove Church of Christ, made such a strong impact on me as well. They were at the clinic before us every day to set the chairs up and then they would stay to help the clinic run smoothly. One member, named Mark, was a severe diabetic who recently had his arm amputated. He  was at the clinic the first two days to receive medical attention as well as help with the crusade at night. His strength and faith through these troublesome times are a testament to his character and when asked to lead a song he chose “Sing and Be Happy.” He “gets it.” Another woman poured water into the toilet to keep it working every time someone used the restroom, every day…all week. A job that most people would be disgusted to do, she did with a smile. She “gets it.” They trully had the heart of a servant. I will take these lessons and examples with me as I go home this week and I pray that I will never forget the amazing faith of our fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters.

Kristin