The wounded

We are in a time of waiting. Our family has been called to missions. Called to go to Kenya and serve the people at and around Tenwek Hospital. Yet we wait right now. Wait for funds, wait for provision of another doctor at the practice here, wait for the right time. And though we don’t understand why, we wait with purpose. Maybe part of the purpose is something we need to learn. Probably some “things” actually (plural).

A lot of people commend us for being willing to take our family to Kenya. While that is so kind, let me be the first to say that there is nothing inherently good or courageous in me that makes me want to go. As we’ve explored missions more and learned through much reading and training and listening and living, missionaries are just as flawed as the rest of the world. We struggle. We have brokenness in our hearts and our lives. But it is in this brokenness that we serve. We are obeying a calling that God has on our lives. It is only because of Christ that we can go. He is transforming us just as much as He is working in the lives of those we serve.

When we were in Kenya last year I remember feeling embarrassed when I thought my kids or our family were not representing the “missionary” title very well. I still am tempted to feel that way at times. But I think the Lord is slowly breaking me of that, humbling me to realize that we are all in need. If our kids were perfect, if we were perfect, then what grounds would we have to be traveling the world to proclaim our need for a Savior?

I never want lose focus that He is the Savior. He is the healer. He is the sovereign One, who knows how everything will unfold. I want to remember that our need for Him should be ever before us. I should not go through even one day where I say that I am fully there, I’ve got everything I need, I can keep doing this thing and helping others on my own. If that happens, there will be a lot of trouble!

I saw this quote recently and found it to ring so true:

“It is the process of confronting our pain and knowing our stories that allows us to serve people from a stance of mutuality. In this space where suffering meets suffering, there is the potential for true transformation to be born.”

~Ryan Kuja, www.alifeoverseas.com

We all have pain and woundedness in our lives. It may be more outward at times, or ever deep within the soul. Either way, it is the common condition. It is the level playing ground. May it be the humbling place that we are able to minister, to reach out in love, and to share the truth of Jesus Christ. The gospel reveals that our pain can be transformed by the wounds of our Savior. He came to take our pain fully upon himself, to redeem us completely. What a glorious truth!

*As I write this, Tenwek and the patients there are in need of our prayers. Not all details are known, but the nurses have gone on strike and walked out. Please join us in praying that a peaceful solution can be reached and the patients will be cared for, and most of all that the name of Jesus will be lifted high. Thank you.

*UPDATE on nursing strike: Thank you for praying! God has brought the nurses back to Tenwek as of 8/10/18. Continued prayer for reconciliation and healing is appreciated. Praise the Lord that He heals the wounded.