"For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). In a much needed email, I received these verses this past week and was gratefully reminded how temporary the pains of this world, Kipkaren village, and my own life really are. This is not to deny the reality of the present suffering; on a daily basis, I see that it is all too real. There is hunger, sickness, and struggles of many kinds that surround. But in the midst of pain, it is easy to lose heart and forget that the burdens will soon be over and replaced by unending joy. So as I write this, I find myself thankful that God’s heart is for the broken & oppressed but also hope-filled that someday the suffering will altogether end.
Childbirth is a perfect analogy of this process of struggle & pain preceding joy. Jesus described it as this: “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour of suffering has come; but as soon as she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish for she is filled with joy that her baby has been born into the world” (John 16:21). I experienced this very thing today. On the floor of a mud hut, I sat with a friend as she labored for an intense 16 hours. There were no medications to numb her pain; and with great courage, she labored. Without immediate relief, she struggled & cried out to God. After many hours, she asked: “will this baby ever come?” Although I wondered the same thing, I encouraged her that the painful process would soon end and would be worth it. When the long awaited moment arrived, a greater joy indeed replaced her pain. There was a little baby boy who filled her arms. As I delivered the baby & he drew his first breath, I was reminded of the incredible miracle & gift life truly is. Although it’s indescribable, I witnessed this mystery that “pleasure, coming after the pain, absorbs it” (Yancey).
For the present time, within each of us, there will remain unfulfilled desires and a longing for what is broken to be restored. But I am learning that, in the midst of pain, God is still deserving of my praise. There are lyrics to a song entitled “When the Tears Fall” that express what it is that I am trying to share. They say:
“I’ve had questions without answers. I’ve known sorrow, I have known pain. But there’s one thing, I will cling to: You are faithful. Jesus, You’re true. When hope is lost, I’ll call you Savior. When pain surrounds, I’ll call you healer. When silence falls, you’ll be the song within my heart. In the long hour of my sorrow. Through the darkest night of my soul, You surround me and sustain me. My defender, forevermore. I will praise you, I will praise you. When the tears fall, still I will sing to you. I will praise you, Jesus praise you. Through the suffering, still I will sing”. – Tim Hughes
More to tell…
Over the past months, I have shared stories about various aspects of ELI’s health ministry taking place within the community and wanted to give you the latest updates.
Orphange: There are now 90 children living in the ELI Children’s Home. They are doing very well as they remain in an environment with structure & love. Please continue to pray for the parents, teachers, and all of the other workers who have full-time jobs investing in these little ones.
Community Health Program: A major target of ELI’s efforts are geared towards the prevention of disease. It is clear that preventing is always better than treating a disease; and within the clinic, our health team meets weekly to develop & implement strategies for the prevention of illness within our community. Some of our efforts are currently targeting the following areas:
Immunization of infants & children- Easily preventable childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps & polio continue to seen due to the lack of immunizations. Because of this identified need, immunizations and monitoring the growth & development of infants and children are now available to the community on a bi-weekly basis.
Solar water purification pilot project- Water borne illnesses are a leading cause of illness and even death within the region. A pilot project has been launched targeting 10 families within the community utilizing 1 liter plastic bottles. The bottles are filled with water & left in the sun for 6 hours. The UV rays from the sun kill the disease causing organisms & offer hope of reducing illnesses related to dirty water. With time, we plan for this strategy to be introduced into the larger community.
Malaria Prevention- Within tropical & sub-tropical regions throughout the world, malaria causes more than 300 million acute illnesses & at least 1 million deaths annually (WHO, 2004). The World Health Organization reports that malaria kills an African child every 30 seconds. In 2004, the ELI Health Ministry treated 786 adults & children with malaria. Ongoing education is being offered in ways to prevent the transmission of malaria. Also, we are pushing to sell mosquito nets treated with insecticide at discounted rates to the community.
Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA’s)- Within the Kipkaren community, we estimate that at least 80% of births in this community are conducted in homes by untrained traditional birth attendants (TBAs). TBAs are women who have learned delivery methods through the experience of older women. Because there is a greater risk for the health of both mother & child in delivering at home, the need to empower TBAs with more knowledge was identified. A 16 week TBA training was taught by the clinic staff with 35 women successfully completing the course in December 2004. In June of 2005, another 16 week training will be conducted for other TBA’s within the community as well as continued follow up for those previously trained.
Home-Based Care (HBC)- As reported within my last update, the HBC program continues to grow quickly and in incredible ways. Currently, there is HIV testing & counseling available within Kipkaren, HIV medications & treatment within the neighboring town of Turbo, & routine follow-up home visits made by the members of our HIV/AIDS Awareness Committee. We are also regularly visiting orphans & widows that fill our community to encourage and assist them where possible. This week, we have begun a 6 week training for caregivers on home-based care. It was exciting as 27 men & women came for the first session. I truly believe this will be a great means of allowing members of the community to become aware of the realities of HIV/AIDS that will enable them to reach out to their neighbors & family members with the love of Christ.
Thank you again for your continued prayers, love & support. They allow and enable me to do what I love and have been called to do. I pray that this update has been a reflection of what is occurring within my heart as well as the greater ministry in which I serve and will be an encouragement & blessing to you.
