I believe the times we grow closer to God are when we are faced with trials and have no other alternative but to fully rely on Him. No doubt He allows situations to come into our lives for reasons that we often don’t understand. “He-She” a hermaphrodite baby caused my husband Jim & I to rely on God like never before.
I will never forget the day I was hailed down by a young mother longing for advice. Her anxious voice cried out for help. Not certain as to what sex her 10-month-old child was, she sought me for advice. I hesitated and longed to find an excuse to avoid this situation. With only 7 days left in Ethiopia, my eyes had seen enough.
Not able to escape the clutches of the panic stricken mom, I examined the wee one. I lifted up the tattered tunic that laid limply on the little one’s torso to discover that the male genitals were intact. Yet, I questioned. Upon closer examination, I did take note of how there seem to be an absence of the male organ within the folds of skin.
I was convinced my calling was to share the gospel but I knew I was not to shun this little one. A visit to a doctor deemed necessary.
After being examined, it was confirmed this wee baby was indeed owner of both female and male sex organs. He-She was in need of surgery.
Because of the culture, the Doctor decided that this baby would have a better chance if it were to become a he. With 7 days left in Ethiopia, we now faced a major time crunch and a financial problem.
The operation would cost $1,500 US. Both Jim & I knew we were not able to meet this cost. After much deliberation and discussion, the hospital and doctor agreed to donate their services leaving us with a bill of $500.00 US to pay.
Knowing we didn’t have the finances, we began to pray. The thought did come to my mind. What if we were to contact people back home to help out, but as one would know, God made it very clear that we were to place our trust in Him. A miracle was needed.
Days 1,2,3,4,5 and no finances. Not sure what God was trying to prove, we continued to pray. If HE-She was going to experience a life change, then God needed to bless us.
Day 6 came with the blessing. Not aware of the crisis at hand, an American couple provided the money. God answered! A miracle!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Mighty Man of God
I am awestruck by the people God places in our lives. Isn’t it amazing how He intrinsically weaves together a tapestry of different colors, culture and language for His purpose? It is through experiences like these that we were blessed to meet a “Mighty Man of God”.
We were first introduced on a hiking adventure that quickly disintegrated when we became lost on a mountain. Nightfall slyly approached, causing panic to set in amongst the hikers. No one that I can think of desired to be the lion’s next feast.
As we ran on snake paths to escape darkness, we were stricken by thirst. With only one bottle of Fanta Orange/ person, it was a given that a drop must not be wasted. The lack of a bottle opener could have caused a major obstacle. Without hesitation, Getinet placed his razor sharp crocodile teeth on the bottle cap causing it to loosen. Damage to the bottle or its contents were nil and as a result, Getinet was promptly given the name Dundee. Crocodile Dundee!
Dundee’s heart longed to know and please God. It caused him to care deeply about people, his country’s people. Whether it was through serving nationals or foreigners like myself, fulfilling the will of God was and continues to be his only motive. With God’s help and direction, Dundee freely ministered to the desirables and the undesirables.
What was meant to be six months of discipling on the streets has turned into nearly six years. Strong Hearts Ethiopia has been birthed giving way to ministering and educating children who suffer from the effects of leprosy. Women’s programs, home churches, health clinics, working with street children are but a few of the blessings that flows out from Strong Hearts under the direction of the Holy Spirit and Dundee.
God is indeed at work! His labor of love and commitment was and continues to be evident in the heart of this “Mighty Man of God”, Dundee.
Please check out this website www.strongheartsethiopia.com
We were first introduced on a hiking adventure that quickly disintegrated when we became lost on a mountain. Nightfall slyly approached, causing panic to set in amongst the hikers. No one that I can think of desired to be the lion’s next feast.
As we ran on snake paths to escape darkness, we were stricken by thirst. With only one bottle of Fanta Orange/ person, it was a given that a drop must not be wasted. The lack of a bottle opener could have caused a major obstacle. Without hesitation, Getinet placed his razor sharp crocodile teeth on the bottle cap causing it to loosen. Damage to the bottle or its contents were nil and as a result, Getinet was promptly given the name Dundee. Crocodile Dundee!
Dundee’s heart longed to know and please God. It caused him to care deeply about people, his country’s people. Whether it was through serving nationals or foreigners like myself, fulfilling the will of God was and continues to be his only motive. With God’s help and direction, Dundee freely ministered to the desirables and the undesirables.
What was meant to be six months of discipling on the streets has turned into nearly six years. Strong Hearts Ethiopia has been birthed giving way to ministering and educating children who suffer from the effects of leprosy. Women’s programs, home churches, health clinics, working with street children are but a few of the blessings that flows out from Strong Hearts under the direction of the Holy Spirit and Dundee.
God is indeed at work! His labor of love and commitment was and continues to be evident in the heart of this “Mighty Man of God”, Dundee.
Please check out this website www.strongheartsethiopia.com
Saturday, October 2, 2010
"Two Holes on One"
I have been looking so forward to writing this story as the memories I hold are as vivid as the day I met the man, “Two Holes on One”. Meeting him was a defining moment that changed my life drastically. It allowed me to work and minister to a people I never thought possible. I believe God purposed that moment.
Kate my surrogate daughter, Dundee my son/interpreter and I came upon this ram-shackled mud house where poverty and filth knew no limits. A tiny tin gate separated us from another world. An army made up of thousands of flies guarded the premise so that one wouldn’t want to enter. Yet there was something inside of me beckoning me to go in. It had to be God.
I distinctly remember the stifling smells. The sight of wee children scantly clothed and a mother coaxing me to go inside continue to be etched in my memory. Not sure of her motive, we took her up on her invitation.
Upon entrance to her home, a combination of no light and heavy smoke from the open fire caused a temporary blindness. Darkness gave way to an eerie feeling of abandonment, be it they or we.
As we settled in, a wooden plank became our seat. Our sight, now restored, took into account our new surroundings. It was not much different from other homes except for the curtain. It separated us from the unknown.
No time wasted, the maitre-d swung open the curtain and presented to us her husband. Affected by leprosy, husband did not resemble common man. He was without any resemblance of a nose and could claim only part of an ear. All he owned were “two holes on one” minute shriveled face.
Immediately God drew me to him. Without realizing, my arms enveloped this wee man. At once, tears began to stream down his face. I am not sure as to why, but my guess would be from the lack of touch he had experienced since showing signs of leprosy. It was here that God touched not only he, but God touched me.
As we walked home, fear began to grip my heart. Fear of becoming a leper myself or passing it on to my children / husband engulfed me. Ignorance on my part, yes, but that is how I felt.
Upon entering home, I found refuge in our bedroom. I immediately sought God and asked for His peace. For some reason I found myself reading Mark 1:40-42. The words jumped out at me. The scripture talked about how Jesus touched the leper and healed him. I experienced a freedom like never before. I now was released with the help of His spirit within me to do the same.
My restless soul was at peace. Without question, Jesus taught me how our arms, our hands, our feet and our lives are to be but an extension of Him. They, like He, had a purpose. That is, to reach out and touch those just like “Two Holes on One”.
Kate my surrogate daughter, Dundee my son/interpreter and I came upon this ram-shackled mud house where poverty and filth knew no limits. A tiny tin gate separated us from another world. An army made up of thousands of flies guarded the premise so that one wouldn’t want to enter. Yet there was something inside of me beckoning me to go in. It had to be God.
I distinctly remember the stifling smells. The sight of wee children scantly clothed and a mother coaxing me to go inside continue to be etched in my memory. Not sure of her motive, we took her up on her invitation.
Upon entrance to her home, a combination of no light and heavy smoke from the open fire caused a temporary blindness. Darkness gave way to an eerie feeling of abandonment, be it they or we.
As we settled in, a wooden plank became our seat. Our sight, now restored, took into account our new surroundings. It was not much different from other homes except for the curtain. It separated us from the unknown.
No time wasted, the maitre-d swung open the curtain and presented to us her husband. Affected by leprosy, husband did not resemble common man. He was without any resemblance of a nose and could claim only part of an ear. All he owned were “two holes on one” minute shriveled face.
Immediately God drew me to him. Without realizing, my arms enveloped this wee man. At once, tears began to stream down his face. I am not sure as to why, but my guess would be from the lack of touch he had experienced since showing signs of leprosy. It was here that God touched not only he, but God touched me.
As we walked home, fear began to grip my heart. Fear of becoming a leper myself or passing it on to my children / husband engulfed me. Ignorance on my part, yes, but that is how I felt.
Upon entering home, I found refuge in our bedroom. I immediately sought God and asked for His peace. For some reason I found myself reading Mark 1:40-42. The words jumped out at me. The scripture talked about how Jesus touched the leper and healed him. I experienced a freedom like never before. I now was released with the help of His spirit within me to do the same.
My restless soul was at peace. Without question, Jesus taught me how our arms, our hands, our feet and our lives are to be but an extension of Him. They, like He, had a purpose. That is, to reach out and touch those just like “Two Holes on One”.
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