I’ve written before about how much I love seeing the way God creates these interconnected webs of our lives in which each little detail plays a significant role in painting the bigger picture. We are often unable to make the connections ourselves until much after the fact, which is why for me, knowing there is one greater than me is comforting.
Part of our ministry this month is hospital visits. Our contact has a relationship established with a local hospital, and he makes weekly visits during which he, along with other fellow missionaries, lead a time of continuous worship while taking turns visiting patient rooms and praying for each person. I loved the way they have designed this. We had a steady flow of worship and prayer for those that were out praying with patients. The atmosphere of the hospital is changed when worship is taking place. Most people consider hospitals to be dark places and this is the very thing we are praying against.
Besides the fact that I feel at home in the medical world, this hospital was a long-term cancer treatment hospital. I didn’t know that until we actually began visiting patients and upon hearing this, I instantly felt more connected. Many of you probably remember that when John Michael and I moved to Charleston, I worked for a gynecologic oncologist doing chemo treatments for his patients. I only ended up being there for about 7 months, but I loved my time spent there! I cherished time sitting with the women and listening to their life stories and soaking up their wisdom. I loved that I was able to develop relationships with the patients because it wasn’t just an in and out clinic. It was the hardest emotional experience I’ve had in my nursing career, but without a doubt the most rewarding. Cancer is a terrible disease that robs so many of quality life, but I know that God is SO much bigger than a disease. I never considered that my time in that clinic could have been preparing me to better understand what these Romanian patients are experiencing.
Our team name is ignition, and that is just what I hope we continue to do here. My hope is to ignite a change in the spiritual atmosphere of this hospital, so that Jesus’ name will be proclaimed through patient’s lives being radically changed.
