“My” girls (Jana/Sarah) and I have been having some sleepless nights of late – for no very good reason. Tonight before heading off to “my dungeon” (that’s just how we refer to my room downstairs – didn’t want any of you to think I was a dragon) we discussed that we must be battling the enemy in some way, shape or form for all of us to be not sleeping at the same time. I reminded Jana and Sarah that we were probably doing something right for Christ – which the Devil does not appreciate. So anyways the girls knew just what to do. We prayed for Jesus to cover our “mansion” with his blood protection. After tossing and turning the whole of last night – Jesus blessed me with this devotion.
“A sensitive, timid little boy, long ago, was accustomed to lie down to sleep in a low ‘trundle bed,’ which was rolled under his parents’ bed by day and was brought out for his use by night. As he lay there by himself in the darkness, he could hear voices of his parents, in their lighted sitting-room across the hallway, on the other side of the house. It seemed to him that his parents never slept; for he left them awake when he was put to bed in the morning. So far this thought was a cause of cheer to him, as his mind was busy with imaginings in the weird darkness of his lonely room.
After loving good-night words and kisses had been given him by both his parents, and he had nestled down to rest, this little boy was accustomed, night after night, to rouse up once more, and to call out from his trundle-bed to his strong-armed father, in the room from which the light gleamed out, beyond the shadowy hallway, ‘Are you there, papa?’ And the answer would come back cheerily, ‘Yes, my child, I am here.’ ‘You’ll take care of me tonight, papa, won’t you?’ ‘Yes, I’ll take care of you, my child,’ was the comforting response. ‘Go to sleep now. Good night.’ And the little fellow would fall asleep restfully, in the thought of those assuring good-night words.”
By: Henry Clay Trumball – Keep A Quiet Heart - Author: Elizabeth Elliot
Psalm 4: 8 “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 63: 6-8 “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”
Psalm 121
“I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over (Jena, Jana & Sarah) will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over (Jena, Jana & Sarah) – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over (Jena, Jana, & Sarah’s) life: the Lord will watch over your (our) coming and going both now and forevermore.”
For the record – you would think that after spending two years alone in Uganda this girl would be use to spending sleepless nights alone but– ummm NOPE! Don’t get me wrong Jesus has been the perfect companion for me - but there is something very comforting about the fact that I am going home to be in my own bed on Hill Road in Youngsville in only 34 DAYS. (That’s only thirty- three nights) Just sayin…. Holla at you later gang! MMMMMMMMMWAH
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Happy Birthday Daddy!
Hey Puff Daddy! Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday! Hope Momma takes good care of you! Guess what I will be home in like 41 days and we can eat pizza and wings until we are sick to our stomachs! We can also go to Sheetz and get diet coke and cheesy pretzels :) CANT WAIT!!! I could almost swear I am so excited...ummm but I won't ...folks may not look tooo kindly on a swearing Missionary -A Marine might be able to pull it off....JK....Nways LOVE U MEAN IT!!!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
TREVOR
I don't really know where to begin when I mutter this child's name out of my lips...but I feel led to share his story - Please bare with me family - and Holy Spirit give me direction. Recently - I have been making weekly visits to Mulago Hospital here in Kampala with Andrew and Christina Berry. Lately we have been ministering to a lady named Brenda and her son Trevor. Trevor is very sick -in fact he has tb (tuberculosis) on the brain which has caused cerebral meningitis and we also just learned that he has hydrocephalus( cerebral spinal fluid in the brain) . He's chances of survival are not good. And to be honest with you I am not happy about the care this young boy is receiving. Trevor is currently sharing oxygen with a child next to him and is not getting any medicine (such as morphine) for pain. The doctors were denying him treatment because his father told Mulago that the "child was the government's responsibility." So this put a bad taste in the doctors mouth towards Trevor. Nway, the Berry's and I were able to get the child a cat scan to reveal what truly was the matter. (120,000/=) shillings which is equivalent to like sixty bucks...Often times -people here in the city are very quick to ask for 'assistance' but Brenda never asked. This woman's character is so amazing to me. Her heart so is genuine - not fake. The scan revealed the hydrocephalus - We prayed with the mother and headed out. I guess what tugs at my heart the most is the incredible faith the mother Brenda has. After praying over her son that day - she gave us 'a push' and just put out her hands to embrace mine. "God bless you", she said. I had nothing to say in response to that. ....All my peanut brain could think of was - Why in the world are you telling God to bless me??? Your son is going to die any day now - and your not asking God to bless him or you rather? On the way out - Christina asked the doctor whether it was possible to schedule surgery for 'our boy' asap. She wondered because of the Easter holiday if that is why they were delaying. The doctor walked away - Brenda shared that she would be able to talk to a neurosurgeon on Tuesday. Tomorrow we will go see if Trevor is still fighting for his life.
I talked to John Mark(my friend who is a 5th yr med student)over the weekend and I was encouraged to learn that Mulago does offer shunt insertions. A shunt is a device used to drain the fluid from the brain. He also told me of another hospital option nearby that specializes in hydrocephalus. Although, this news is refreshing to hear I am concerned that our little man may not hold on much longer...
I must admit watching Trevor and his mother suffer -has been an experience I will never forget- With 48 days remaining on this continent I can't help but think of all that God has done within my own heart while here in Africa. Ohh God, I am not happy that this child is in pain but I am so grateful that you have given me the opportunity to hold Trevor's whithering fingers, rub his sweaty brow, and pray over him. How precious this life is to you. I was talking to Momma about how comforting it is to just say YOUR name out loud. Oh Jesus, may I never forget Trevor or the faith of his mother. I pray that if its your will that Trevor may live to one day mutter your sweet name....but God if you decide to take his life from this earth may his mother choose to 'sing of your mercy that will leds her through valleys of sorrow to rivers of joy.'
I use to tell Cor that things will get better in the morning - That is not always true - things may not get better in the morning for Trevor - the reality is they may get WORSE - he may perish or in reality he may not even be alive as I am typing this ....
" I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol: you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment and his favor for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes with the morning. As for me, I said in my prosperity, 'I shall never be moved.' By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face: I was dismayed. To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy. ' What profit is there in death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!' You have turned my mourning into dancing: you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! "
Psalms 30:1-12
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