Shine Bright. Hold Firm.
Here's a story you might find interesting....
Just outside the hospital compound runs Hospital Road. On this road, several boutiques have opened up selling essential items like food, charcoal, gas, fruit etc to the employees. The newest boutique is a little barber shop. (A quick aside. Nate got his hair cut and beard trimmed at this shop the first week we moved here. The barber had an apprentice who cut Nate's hair but got a little carried away with his beard. Nate left the shop looking a little too much like a certain German historical figure with a tiny moustache, so he ran home and shaved it off. Now he looks more like Abe Lincoln, but it's still a better option.)
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| The Barber Shop |
A man from a nearby city recently plopped himself down outside the barber shop and intends to stick around for a while. But not for a good reason. He's here to intervene. Our hospital has too much Light.
This man has come from Dapaong, a bigger town than Mango and about 45 minutes away. He's been sent on a mission by his head witch doctor to specifically sit outside our hospital and do incantations against the Light. According to his boss, there is just too much Light being emitted from our property. I'm not talking about light pollution or cascading light that is bothering his eyes. I'm talking about Light - the Light of Jesus Christ emanating from our property that is far too disturbing for those who prefer the darkness of evil.
This man has approached our patients and visitors, attempting to warn them and offer incantations that will save their souls from the Light. It's hard to believe but it's true.
One of our missionary friends was able to speak with this man and tell him that there is no way that he will be able to stop the Light. He can sit there all day, speaking curses and incantations but the victory belongs to the Light. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness..." Our friend shared the good news of Jesus with this man, sharing that in Jesus is life, and his life is the Light for all mankind. This light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
That's why we're here.
The darkness is also here. But it cannot overcome the Light. Oh, there is so much darkness. Regularly our friends (both Togolese and missionary) find voodoo offerings outside their homes, on their pathways, at street corners. (Things like bowls of chicken heads or feathers, sea shells, bits of bone and cloth). The darkness doesn't want us here, but that's because it knows it's losing. Evil will not prevail. Our job is to shine the Light so that all may see.
I hold onto what the Bible says in Philippians 2:15, "...then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life."
Please pray that we would shine bright and hold firm.
What a wonderful story. You, Nate and your boys will surely be a bright bright light to the people you encounter along the way. It is wonderful that you have so many opportunities to share, as you come across so many people. You sound like you are two busy people, but that is who you both are. You are truly servants of God, and you show that wherever you are. We love you a whole lot and will wait for the next "link". Don had a slight stroke two weeks ago to-day, but he is doing well-just needed some extra attention I guess-you know he doesn't get much. haha He had to have a ride in an ambulance-oh yes, first he sort of slid down the wall in the lobby and went from there. We are so thankful to God for protecting him, as he had been down in the parking garage and could have fallen outside and been really hurt. He is a wonderful patient and really has no signs of what some strokes really look like. He has some weakness in his left side, but that is already much better and his face is as sweet as ever. God Bless you all and we love you.
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