Whenever anyone is planning a trip there is always a measure of expectation and anticipation. The LORD has reminded me from the start that I needed to keep both to a minimum and be open to whatever came my way. Every day has held its surprises and by His grace I have been enabled to roll with it for the most part. Even in the times of real challenge He has brought me through. Praise His Holy Name!
Every person and their ministry is unique. All show His heart for those in need of a Savior, those who are lost and hurting. His heart of compassion was never more evident than today.
'The Glory Hut' (the name of Sandy's ministry) had hired a van to pick us up at 7:15 this morning. At 7:30 we were at the beach gathering up those who needed to be brought to the hospital to be tested for HIV. Not everyone that had been invited to come showed up. There were three men and one woman in our van as we headed to the hospital. These people are homeless and live on the beach.
Sandy has a foundation, which means her ministry is registered with the government. It affords her more freedom to minister, but also means a lot of paperwork! There must be a form filled out for each person, which includes basic information, along with their basic story. Their work experience and skills are also noted. Down the line Sandy might be helping them find a job. Pictures (eight copies!) must be taken of each person and of the hospital.
The individuals needed to be walked through each step of the hospital visit. There were hospital forms to complete, of course! The next stop was the nurses' station, which was also the place to wait to see a doctor. A visit to the lab followed to have blood drawn. After this we all headed back to the previous stop to wait and wait we did! During this time we got bits and pieces of their stories. The tsunami was mentioned a few times, as it affected many. They are far from family, if there is one at all. All are dependent upon meeting a 'friend' on the beach for income.
As I spent time with these needy ones I experienced such a love for them. Jesus showed me how He sees them, as lost sheep, helpless lambs. There is not a person anywhere, no matter their condition, that is not valuable to our Savior. Every one counts!
Of all those who are in need in this world I think this particular group can be most overlooked and often despised. One person's comment recently was that they have brought their trouble upon themselves. Who hasn't to some measure?
Yesterday I spent some time at a ministry run by YWAM. Tamar is an outreach to the prostitutes in the area. Often girls leave their villages after hearing that they can come to this place and meet a rich man who will marry them and rescue them out of their poverty. What they encounter is more poverty, poverty of the soul.
Tamar goes into the bars and 'buys' a prostitute for the night. The cost? Between seven and ten dollars! The women are given a meal and lovingly presented with an alternative to the life they live. They hear that there is One Who loves them and seeks to redeem them. Some take the offer and come to live at the center. There they learn more about their Savior and also are taught a trade. This ministry has plenty of support.
Meanwhile, the outreaches to those affected and infected with HIV often are overlooked. Even today in the hospital it was evident on many faces that our group was being viewed through the eyes of prejudice.
It was a long day - eight hours sitting in the hospital. What was accomplished apart from finding out that one of the men is now HIV positive and that the woman needed medication to deal with scar tissue on her brain? I believe that we had the opportunity to demonstrate the love, grace and patience of our LORD. It was obvious that Sandy and her helper, Meow, are committed to these people and desire to help meet their needs. All four expressed gratitude and obviously felt comfortable in our company. How often does that happen for any of them?
On the beach they are used, abused or ignored. The police routinely confiscate their meager belongings and demand a fee to redeem them.
How will they find a way, The Way, out if no one takes the time? For me it was a privilege to be able share in some small way the ministry of our LORD for 'the least of these'. Hey we all have a limp, it is just more obvious in some of us!
No comments:
Post a Comment