I've Got Joy, Peace, and Happiness in My Soul

Grab a coffee and settle in, people...this is going to be a long one...

Today was our first day at the care center who's mission it is to care for those sick, and often times dying from, HIV/AIDS. As I sat listening to Sharon tell us about the mission, the patients, the staff, the highs, the lows, it was all I could do to just keep it together. And everything she said came back to one central theme...prayer! When they are faced with leading people home to God, they do it through prayer. When a hurdle presents itself as being too large to jump over, it is met with prayer. When the impossible seems ...well, impossible....it is met head on with prayer.

Sharon is an amazing leader, and her staff are amazing caregivers...to the patients, to each other, to the building, to the grounds, to the cleaning, to everything! What stood out to me was the fact that everyday they must go about their work, and they are faced with the same danger we all are faced with in believing Satan's lies. That we are not good enough for the job, that it's too much, that things can't be done, that we are not strong enough. And these are all once again met with prayer! Deep, honest, surrendering, soul-baring prayer!

Oh and the God moments that came out of those prayers! One story in particular gave me goosebumps. Some of the staff approached Sharon with a need...a need for additional space, a new building. Sharon said "Well, we don't have the money so let's start praying". Having had a particularly rough day, she headed to the the grocery store after work carrying what she described as a not-so-Christian attitude (I can relate) and as she was standing in line, the woman in front of her asked what she did for a living. Sharon did not feel like getting into it, but she told her anyway. The woman explained that she was from a Belgium agency that seeks to sponsor global causes and did Sharon's organization have a need? (Oh yes people...I'm sure you can see where this is going!). Sharon said "well I quickly repented for my attitude (haha) and proceeded to tell her more". She asked Sharon for her contact information and said she would be in touch. Uh-huh, yeah...she called her the following week and we walked passed the additional building today! God is Good, All the Time! Lol.

There are so many things Sharon shared with us that I want to share wih you, so I may come back later and do so! But what I will take from her is the power of prayer! I know in my heart how powerful prayer is, and I want very much to grow my prayer life in my work. Praying for my kids, my families, my agency, my bosses, my co-workers! I need to bring faithful prayer to God daily...even hourly...to help me carry the burdens in my work. The things that break my heart for my families, the things that bring stress to my bosses, the things that burn-out my colleagues, the challenges that grip my kiddos. Because we all need help, we all need hope, and we all need someone to pray for us! And sometimes we all need a miracle!! This is what I hope to take home with me!

Our morning continued with worship...and I mean worship! Nurses singing, pastors singing and playing accordion, people clapping, people dancing. All to give thanks and praise to a God who meets us in our pain and in our suffering! Who weeps for these sick individuals! And I tell you what...you haven't seen worship until you've seen the bones of a frail woman waving from her arms in praise to God! And when I say that, I mean that was all you could see of this woman..she was too weak to lift her head. But she gave all she could to her God!! It was amazing!!

I had the opportunity to wrap up the morning by making some purchases from the hand made store...beautiful products made by the patients at the care center. I also had a chance to talk with Gail, another staff member. She said something that I felt compelled to validate for her. As she was talking more about the care center she said, "sometimes we want a pond but only get a splash"...referring to wanting to do more than what they thought they were doing. But I said Gail, all morning we have seen and heard a thousand splashes...WE SEE YOUR POND!! You DO have a pond!!! Remember that people! You are probably doing way more for your families and your jobs than you think! It was wonderful to be able to be on the outside looking in and be able to help her see it a well! I think this would give us all encouragement if we could have others looking in on that for us!! Just some food for thought...

Okay, now for the afternoon! We returned to Murchison where I got to see "music therapy" at its rawest...lead by the most passionate young man..Mbo!! Listen up here, fellas!! This young man was a leader!!! He began with a devotional to encourage these young boys to never lose hope! That there is a God bigger than any problem we face. He drove this point home in so many ways. You could just feel how it important it was to him that every boy in there felt the love of Christ!! That every boy should know how much value they have and how much they are valued!! That there is a God who loves them to pieces and believes in them no matter what they've been through or perhaps what they've done!! And allllllll of this was followed by more worship through playing guitar and singing! And these boys could play! I had the pleasure of singing with them, and oh my gosh it was so much fun I almost spontaneously combusted!!! I'll try to post some video!

Aaaaaahhhhh...what an awesome day!! I leave you now with some scripture/reflection. The following verses were shared by each member of our team during morning worship. These verses are near and dear to us. Goodnight everyone!! Be blessed and be a blessing!!

Susan- Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)

Courtney- You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13 NLT)

If I ever find myself questioning my purpose or worth, I remember I was crafted by the hands of the God of the universe and He doesn't make mistakes (Courtney)

Sharon- Sing a new song to the LORD,
for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
his holy arm has shown his saving power! (Psalm 98:1 NLT)

Brian- No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NLT)