BLOWN AWAY

I can't even begin to explain how blown away I am by God right now. If I were to just sit back and look over the past couple months and all that He has done it brings tears to my eyes and makes my hair stand on end. I can't help but praise God. When I came back from Christmas, my feet moved one in front of the other, but my heart lagged far behind. And the worst part of it was I had no way to explain the reason for the feelings in my heart. But Gods word says the heart is deceitful and beyond cure, who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 God didn't give me understanding of my own heart, but He gave me something far better; His peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding. And that, is enough for me. God is daily changing my heart and showing me so many reasons why here is where He has my heart for this time. I'm so glad He knows my heart better than I do.

Last week we had a group of doctors and dentists from a church in Seattle, Washington that came to Tanza to pull teeth, check rashes, do minor surgeries, hand out antibiotics, and so many other things. And one of the best parts of the whole thing was I got to do it with one of my best friends Chelle. It was so awesome to see how God orchestrated all of it. In two days time nearly 500 people were seen for aches and pains ranging from a cough, to a rotten tooth, to a 5 year cyst that needed removed. In one day alone, one of the dentists pulled 36 teeth. One of the doctors commented that Tanza was one of the poorest most diseased areas they had been to.
I'm so thankful God allowed so many people to get medical attention, I only wish we could have seen them all. While the people were waiting the gospel was shared and invitations to accept Christ were given. Only in heaven one day will we know the number of hearts and lives transformed from those two days. But God was glorified!


One of the greatest miracles of the two days was in the life of a little girl named Jerilyn. Her mom Rosie came walking onto the basketball court holding a little bundle wrapped in a blanket. At first glance I have to admit three things that happened: I realized the bundle was a little tiny baby, my heart dropped to my stomach, and I thought the little girl had died in the mothers arms on the walk over. Jerilyn was grey in color, had sunken cheeks, only skin hanging from her arms and legs, little hair falling out, open sores on her head, and a little chest that was barely rising and falling. Rosie informed us that Jerilyn was 3 1/2 months old and weighing only 4 lbs. She was 6 lbs when we was born, and has had pneumonia since she was about two weeks old. I couldn't stop the lump in my throat and the tears in my eyest. One of our Dr's examined her and decided she needed to be admitted to a hospital asap. They said her heart was strong but her lungs were failing.


A couple of us missionaries took her to a hospital where they have a special ward for the rehabilitation of severely malnourished babies and children. The doctor who first treated her said she was in critical condition. It has been so awesome to see God take care of this little girl since then. She was admitted last Thursday, and from formula we've provided and breastmilk from a good friend of ours, Jerilyn is showing signs of improvement. She is smiling at us, has better color, is crying (its a good thing), and the sores on her head have healed.

Jerilyn's dad Jeri works six days a week, ten hours a day, and is making 250 pesos per week; which is roughly 7 US dollars. Jeri and Rosie have four kids older than Jerilyn. There are three families living in their home consisting of 11 children and 7 adults. Please pray for the health and salvation of all of them.

Because Gods word commands us to help the poor and to have compassion for one another, we've committed to helping Jerilyn's family by paying the medical bills for whatever care she needs. And when you look at this beautiful little girl you can't help but want to do whatever you can to help her. Another example of God is that most of the doctors that have attended to Jerilyn have waved their medical fees because they are thankful for our help. It's such a huge testimony for us to share why we are doing this.....it's all about God, and He gets all the glory. I just can't believe He has allowed me to be a part of it.


Since the second I laid eyes on Jerilyn, I haven't gone hardly an hour without praying for her and her family. Not only for the health of Jerilyn and for God to spare her life, but for her salvation and the salvation of her entire family. God has already starting answering those prayers. The first night in the hospital, Jerilyn's mother Rosie accepted Jesus as her Savior... I have tears just thinking about it and how amazing God is. Had it not been for the medical mission and Gods perfect timing, we probably wouldn't have ever found Jerilyn. And I wouldn't have gotten the chance to see her beautiful little smile. God is so good. His grace still amazes me.

Needless to say by the end of the week with driving, directing foot traffic, me having walking pneumonia andsinus infection, Chelle with bronchitus, broken down vehicles, getting stuck in traffic, getting lost, early mornings, late nights, etc....Chelle and I were wiped out....but would do it again tomorrow in a heartbeat.