Kenya holds a special place in our hearts. Our team has gotten to spend 2 out of the last 3 months there with Team Kikundi and we have really grown close to our family there. We had the opportunity of serving alongside Pastor Patrick in January, and we helped him plant his church called “Releasing Destiny Worldwide Ministries”. That month we helped prepare for the start of the church by leading crusades in nearby town centers, where we would lead worship, then preach/teach to the crowds about Jesus. We also led services for Sunday morning worship.
Our family there was made up of Patrick, Emmy, Jeremy, Irene, Sheila, Steve, and other helpers. Everyday we all took turns doing chores around the house, cleaning the “bathrooms” (squatties and showers), cooking, sweeping the loose dirt around the house, cleaning the rooms, cleaning the dishes, etc. We got to be part of the family, and we really were loved there. We will miss them all.
Patrick is an incredible man of God, and we were truly blessed to have the opportunity to live and work with such a servant for the kingdom. He worked so hard just to help take care of the needs of both of our teams. He has been a spiritual father to us and has interceded so much on our behalf, especially for me. God has been doing a work of healing in my life. And he and his wife have battled for me a great deal to break the spiritual bondage that has been placed on me to hindered God’s healing of me. And I truly believe that I will be able to leave this race claiming that “I am free from the chains of Narcolepsy.” Praise God!
Danielle, Lauren, and I also grew close to Dr. Isaac, a local physician who allowed us to take part in his clinical practice as he tended to his patients, treating malaria, typhoid, aids, gangrene, and any common illness common to man, woman or child. A lot of times they couldn’t treat the patients that came in and would have to send them to a local hospital because their resources were limited. But he lovingly cared for all of his patients needs whether it was a medical need or even counseling, maybe a word of encouragement or wisdom that a patient desperately needed to hear. When you are a single mom, a wife to an abusive husband, or maybe a young man with HIV, there are very few people who can sympathize or even understand what you really need. And I have learned that a lot of times, that can be as simple and as important as love. Selfless, Pure, Accepting and Honest love. The world is lacking so much REAL love. That is what Christ came to bring, and he was serious about it:
“And He said to them, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” John 15:12,17
“All the commandments are summed up in this word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself . Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. ” Romans 13:9-10
I am still praying to see whether God is leading me in to medicine for the future, but I have definitely grown to appreciate certain practices within medicine. Working with Dr. Isaac gave me also a better appreciation for my own Dad’s methods of treatment. There are very few doctors who are willing to take the time and actually love their patients. It may be a challenge to a busy practice, but I have a high respect for any doctor who has truly figured out what life is about, and has weighed the value of caring for your patients heavier than just treating their patients. I am extremely thankful for that lesson that God opened my eyes to.
