When our contact in Tanzania told us that we would be doing hospital visits as part of our ministry, I think my first reaction was aversion. I’ve heard stories and read blogs about visiting African hospitals and I knew that they were nowhere as nice as American hospitals – and I don’t even liking going to American hospitals.
But I also knew that this is what I signed up for when I joined the World Race, going wherever God called me, especially in places outside my comfort zone. If I only did what I was comfortable doing, my life would be boring and selfish, and I probably would never have found myself in Tanzania doing what I do. As I’m sure most of you are aware, God does most of His character building when you are in difficult situations and find yourself relying on His grace to carry you through.
So, as usual, God decided that I needed a good push outside the old comfort-zone. And I might add in hindsight, it was much needed. We left our house and started the long trek down the hill to catch a local bus. Throughout this walk, I wrestled with the desire not to do this and maybe to make some excuse to avoid it. But I also knew that this was what God was calling me to do. Also, how could I return to my house and relax knowing that I had turned down an opportunity to minister to people who were truly struggling?
After about a half hour of travel, we finally made it to the hospital and split into groups with our respective translators. I walked into the first room with a feeling of dread but asking God for a spirit of peace as well as his eyes to see the hurting. All throughout the Gospels, when Jesus sees the sick and lame, it says that he had compassion on them. This word compassion in the Greek means more than just feeling sorry for someone. It means that he empathized with them – feeling their pain and sorrow. Jesus even wept at the tomb of Lazarus, even though he knew that he would raise him from the dead. “When Jesus saw here weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept.” (John11:33-35) Paul echoes this in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
During the first few minutes after walking into the room, I was quietly taking it all in – seeing the beds crammed together, hurting people covered with dirty sheets. The room was crowded – every occupied bed was surrounded by family and friends. As soon as we walked in, all heads turned toward us Muzungus (white foreigners). I felt as if I was intruding. I looked into the eyes of people who were sick and dying and felt so insufficient to help. If I didn’t have the Spirit of the Lord with me then I probably would have run out.
But God had other plans for me. Our translator led us to the first bed and we started ministering to the people – asking questions, giving encouragement, sharing the Gospel, praying for them, talking to the family and friends. I give full credit to God for giving me the strength to minister to these people – it certainly wasn’t anything I could have done on my own strength.
It was one of those experiences that brings both humility and thankfulness. It makes so many of my problems become small in comparison. These people have a lot more to complain about – yet so many were full of joy when they talked to us. It also makes me so thankful for the things I have, especially my health and the care I’ve gotten over the years. In America, I don’t have to worry about getting malaria or recovering from surgery in a dirty hospital bed while flies and mosquitos buzz around my head.
There was one person who stuck out to me and I wanted to share it with you. His name is Michael.
We walked into the final room before our time was up. As usual, there were about 12 beds in this room. Family members and friends surrounded each bed that held a patient. We started ministering to the sick but my eye kept being drawn to one man in particular. Like the other patients, he lay quietly in his bed. But unlike all the rest, there was no one around him. He was completely alone. We finally got around to him. He was an older man with silver hair. He was dressed in a faded red suit that looked like it had seen some travel. I wondered how he had gotten here and voiced this question to him. In Swahili, he told our translator. He was not from Mwanza (the town we were in). In fact, the rest of his family was miles away. This is the reason why he was completely alone – the empty space around his bed speaking volumes compared to the other patients in the room. He had ended up in the hospital because he was having problems moving his legs as well as some other issues with breathing.
We spoke to him a little longer and were able to pray for him. Before I left, my translator said something that shook me. “He hasn’t eaten lately.” I asked why not – doesn’t the hospital give him food? “No,” he replied, “it’s the duty of the family to bring food when they come and visit.” I was taken aback. Suddenly, I realized the Michael’s true situation: being old and infirm without family members in the vicinity means more than just loneliness – it means the loss of provision. Suddenly, I felt what Jesus felt – true compassion. My heart broke for him. I walked back to the bed and pressed some bills into his hand so that he could eat for another few meals. I prayed that God would heal him and bring his family back to him so that he would not perish alone in this hospital bed.
It reminded me of the importance of family and friends. This event showed me why God has put community in our lives. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
I’ve been very fortunate to have people around me in my life who have been there to help me when I fall. The question God is now asking me is this: “Are you going to be aware of those around you and willing to be there for those who fall and have no one? Are you going to have the compassion Jesus had on the sick and hurting?” Please pray that I’ll be able to return and see Michael again to both encourage him through words and provision. Pray that I can be family to him even for this short time.
Fundraising Update
I just wanted to give you guys an update on how fundraising is going. When I started this journey, I had to raise $15,500 for these 11 months. Thanks to you all, I have raised over $14,000! I only have $1,500 left to raise to be fully funded! The deadline to have this money in is by the end of February. Would you consider helping me to reach this? God’s done incredible things through me these past 5 months. I’m looking forward to continuing this amazing journey that the Lord has placed me on. You guys have been awesome so far and I’ve been so humbled by your giving!
The next country on the route is Mozambique!
