Random photos and perplexing thoughts

I have time this afternoon and was thinking, and thought it might be cathartic to put some of those thoughts, and pictures I have not had space for in other posts, here on the blog.

I often times have time to realize that everything going on here is much more than I can handle or comprehend. God is doing so much...I can identify with Job in chapter 40...I see everything going on around me and I feel I should put my hand over my mouth rather than speak before a God that (in 42)"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know"

It can be daunting sometimes to see people here or visitors look to me for answers about what is to be done, decisions to be made (sometimes involving people's lives, an entire Church body, and huge sums of money) and know who I really am and that what is in me is not up to such a task. I am reminded of Genesis 41:16 (how? Good question.) where Joseph is called to interpret the Pharaoh's dream...." "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." This world can be intoxicating by giving us the impression that we can do it, we have the answers, etc. but I praise God for the continued awareness that I can not do it, and need His guidance. Take Church this morning for example. I have a cold, and it was hot/humid, I was not feeling my best. They announced that after Church immediately we would sit back down for a 1/2 hour meeting about the Church selling the mission the property where our buildings are located. As the meeting was beginning, Manuel called me outside and Valerie came. He did not want us to have to hear anything negative that would be said at the meeting or any critical questions that might come up from the congregation, as well as that maybe our presence might hinder some from saying something they would otherwise say, and kind of hum hawed around and invited us to take leave...it was obvious it was not something that he was comfortable bringing up, in other words, not something required or some strong point of view, more looking out for us, at least, that is the way I took it...after all, everyone could be looking at us. Valerie expressed a strong desire to stay, that things should not be hidden, and that if something was going to be said at a congregational meeting, we should be there, and that since they have had other meetings in smaller groups several times before today in the different neighborhoods, if someone wanted to say something, they should say it. Manuel said of course that was fine, whichever way we wanted. Both of them looked at me...and I had another of those moments where I wondered what people are looking at, because surely I was not capable of reaching a decision. But of course I had to indeed make a decision, and we decided to stay. The meeting went well in terms of our participation, although of course it was a bit awkward for us to be there, almost all the comments were directed to the leadership of the Church, nothing really towards the clinic or the mission, and the vote was overwhelming to sell the property to the mission. The story behind the story is even more complicated and long, as stories involving people often are, but it is enough to leave it at that for the time being. Now they need to continue with figuring out how much property it is, and what price they are going to ask per vara.

I got this picture from a friend who works at the public hospital (also a scholarship recipient who will upon graduation will work as a doctor and hopefully pastor for the mission in possibly a new clinic/Church site...talk about another item on my long list of things that are a bit beyond my comprehension.) From what I see when I visit, things have improved greatly over 10 years ago, but he sent this picture with the subject line "this is the reality of our hospitals in Honduras." Just from a few conversations with him....just from talking to nurses, and brief two hour exposures to that atmosphere, it frankly amazes me that the staff and students are not overwhelmed more often.

He also sent me this picture..."this patient, I reconstructed their face" Needless to say, between studying and operating....anybody in this line of work keeps fairly busy...not to mention family who depend on your newly found medical care, and friends....and those same people when someone dies, for you to help with the preparation for burial, etc.









This last picture includes our friends Mark and Susan who were here last week...Susan made lasagna, which was awesome, and even brought Kroger garlic bread from the deli/bakery. Good stuff. Also pictured is Elizabeth, our latest intern. Fun meals like this are not commonplace around these parts very often, to the point where one of this caliber was certainly photo worthy.