While at the hospital one of our favorite things to do is paint nails! Most of the kids (tiny babies mostly) are there with their mothers so they love when we come and paint their nails. It brings me great joy to hear a mother say she thinks she looks beautiful or smart when her nails are done and to see the huge smiles on the faces of each woman. Isn’t it amazing how one small gesture can impact someone so greatly?
This Sunday at church we were discussing if faith alone can save us, or if works were involved. So, I would ask you to turn to James 2:14-26.
After you read this passage thoroughly, I would then direct your attention to verse 17, the main idea. Faith alone is dead, and from verse 14 we see it cannot alone save.
Next, I would ask you to look at verse 2:18—“works cannot be added to faith, but genuine faith will be made visible by our obedience.”
Do not get me wrong, I am definitely not saying that works alone save you. But, because of our true faith, or faith will be shown to others through or obedience to God. This involve things like caring for orphans and widows (James 1:27), to care for the hungry, sick and imprisoned (Matt. 25:42-43), etc. By loving others the way God love us, people will get a small glimpse of the never-ending, never-failing, extraordinary love of Christ. This brings me so much joy.
While we were at the hospital we met 3 sweet little boys; James, Issac and John. These little guys were our “tour guides” or at least they thought! They took us to all the rooms and told the ladies what we were doing and told us who wanted their nails painted (all of them). I enjoyed so much sitting with them, talking, painting their nails and praying for them. Thanks to these three boys we felt right at home and completely comfortable in an usually uncomfortable setting, like a hospital. I now have three sweet friends I look forward to seeing at the hospital!
While being at the hospital was a ton of fun and brought so much joy it was also very sad being with some of the kids, knowing that their situation was very bad and probably very painful. However, our God is the great healer (Matt. 10:8 or Mark 1:34) and He can heal even in the worst situations. He not only can heal physically but spiritually as well, this is such a great and perfect sense of hope.
I am grateful for the wonderful opportunities I’ve had this week to serve and show Gods love at Kijabe hospital and I cannot wait till I can go back and visit!
Ways you can pray:
The kids at Kijabe hospital. Pray for rest and comfort. That they would seek after the Lord, and know that He is the great healer and provider. That they would know and understand how much He loves them and how much He has already done for them!
Our friends John and Issac. John was having surgery today on his stomach and Issac will have surgery tomorrow on his legs. Pray for a fast and easy recovery! Also, pray for the doctors that will be completing the surgeries. Pray for endurance as some surgeries can be long and tedious.
For Page and I. Pray for us as we continue working throughout Kenya. Pray for endurance and rest when needed.
For the Hemphill Family. Pray for peace and comfort as they are missing family and friends back home and adjusting to a new culture and new people in their small community.