STORY:
This month Julia and I had the privilege of
traveling with a dentist from America. The dentist is eighty-five years old and
has been to Nalerigu, forty-five times. Over the course of his time in
Nalerigu, he has pulled 1,000’s of teeth and shared the Gospel with scores of
people. His love for the Mamprusi people and the Lord is contagious. He goes to
bed every night at 7 and is up at 4 to begin working at the hospital. He sees
patients at the hospital until 8am and then travels to pull teeth.
When Julia and I went with him, we set up shop under
a mango tree. The tree provides shade for the patients and keeps the
instruments from becoming too hot. All of the patients sit on a bench under the
tree, a doctor goes down the line numbing each one, and the dentist follows
behind and pulls their tooth. Julia and I had the privilege of pulling a few
loose teeth. It’s not as easy as it looks, but it was quite an experience!
During our time in the village a large crowd of children gathered and I was
able to share a Bible story.
God impressed upon us that everyone is called into
their profession to bring glory to God. Everyone has been called by God to use
their profession, talents and skills to make much of Christ. No profession is
more important than another; whether you are a janitor, dentist, stay-at-home
mom, pastor, banker, engineer, or missionary; everyone must use their
profession, talents, and skills to make much of Christ. God is glorified when
we utilize our profession and talents to make his name known both in our
workplace and abroad.
Prayer Requests:
1) We are progressing in our understanding of
Mamprulli. We are fluent in Mamglish (a mix of Mamprulli and English). Julia is
able to hear more than I am, but, I am able to speak better. We make a great
team! Pray we would be diligent/determined to put in the hours necessary to
learn Mamprulli. Pray we would have ears to hear and tongues to speak
Mamprulli.
2) We are slowly but surely adjusting to life in
Nalerigu. We are getting used to shopping in market, ALWAYS being asked for
money, and having to explain why T only has one wife. Pray we would continue to
adjust to life in Nalerigu. Pray we would be as wise as serpents and as
innocent as doves in navigating culture. Pray we would have wisdom to navigate
the culture and humility to laugh at ourselves when we make a mistake.
3) We have entered hot season in Nalerigu. The
temperature is 110-115 during the day and 100 at night. In case you were
wondering, there is no air conditioning at our house or at the hospital. Pray
we would stay hydrated and our bodies would adapt to the heat. Pray for a cool
breeze at night to help us sleep. Pray we would have perseverance to push
through hot season.
4) The volunteer coordinator went back to America
and we have inherited new jobs. Pray for Julia as she begins teaching 8th
grade history and vocabulary. Pray for T as he purchases groceries for the
volunteers and welcomes them to the hospital. Pray God would send a volunteer
coordinator to Nalerigu.
5) Julia and I daily share our faith with people in
Nalerigu. Pray we would have boldness to proclaim the Gospel. Pray for the
salvation of the Mamprusi people. Pray God would take out the heart of stone
and replace it with a heart of flesh.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDanica and I enjoyed looking at the pictures of the teeth-pulling extravaganza! Glad to see you all got the hang of it. ;)
ReplyDelete