We went to a hospital for evangelism one day. I hate going
to hospitals for several reasons. 1.
Being a partial hypochondriac, hospitals aren’t the ideal environment and 2. I never know what to say to people at
hospitals. They’re always hurting, or
hurt for their hurting loved ones. So
we arrive at the hospital, walk all the way around to the other side to get
in. After talking to a gate guard for a
bit, we enter the grounds and split up.
My group found our way to the children’s ward and two of our translators
went inside to talk to the doctor. They were gone for a bit and came out to
tell us that we wouldn’ tbe able to enter, because they’ve been having issues
with people coming in and taking children that aren’t theirs. Valid excuse to not let some random Americans
in, no matter how noble we look carrying our Bibles. We weren’t discouraged though, and walked
around to the front side, where we sat on the lawn with other patients and
visitors and talked for a bit. John and Sam decided that it was a prime place
to evangelize and began to talk to the people that were waiting on the grass,
inviting us to join them. That’s when we met Mercy.
Her mother told us that she was very sick with malaria. Via
poor translation, we’re not completely sure of the details, but we understood
that because of the malaria, or another illness, she had a disease in her blood
that affected her brain. She has trouble
moving her right arm and leg, and she hasn’t spoken since the illness, which we
understood to be a year and a half ago.
We prayed over her, praying for physical restoration, and that she would
be able to speak again. She didn’t say
anything while we were there…this isn’t some “we saw a miracle” stories (though
read Shaun’s blog that wrote about the man he saw regain the
ability to walk), but I walked away with a happy heart.
It was because of her smile.
She had the most beautiful smile.
And as we walked away, something inside me said I’d see that
smile again. Not only the smile, but I would hear her singing praise to our
Lord God for all of eternity. We told
her that one day we would have a big party in Heaven with her, and we would
sing and dance for our King like we were created to do. Thank you, Mercy, for reminding me of what
this trip is all about.
