Our final field day took us back to run a medical clinic in the second community we had previously outreached. Even though we had already experienced so much, it was hard to believe this would be our last day serving in this way. After another wonderful breakfast, we loaded up for the long drive to a more rural area.
Once we arrived, we set up tents and supplies for the clinic, and a couple of groups headed out to personally invite people from the community to come.
This clinic was a little quieter than the previous day's. Fewer people came, and it simply seemed to be a less populated area. I was able to serve in one of my favorite places, helping with the children's activities and supporting our youth as they led. Watching them interact with the kids brought me so much joy.
Children have a way of communicating without many words, and one little boy especially loved showing off his dance moves and literally bouncing off the walls.
Girls being silly!
Since attendance was lower, our ministry group never rotated into the gospel-sharing station, but there were others on our team that were able to do so.
One of the greatest surprises came when the family we had visited the day before, the same family whose laughter had left me discouraged, showed up at the clinic.
The older woman proudly showed us that she had completed all of the "homework" we had left with her, front and back. She had spent time digging into God's Word with the Bible we had given her. We were able to answer more of her questions, encourage her, and leave her with additional resources. I was blown away.
I had walked away from that visit wondering if anything eternal had happened. Yet God reminded me that He is always at work, even when I cannot see it. What I thought had been a disappointing visit had become the beginning of something much bigger.
After the clinic, we packed everything up and and had a little down time where we hung out with the locals, including much more playing with the children.
Then we joined the local church for their Sunday service. Before the service began, they graciously served us food, consisting of boiled vegetables along with either pig spine or pig hoof. It was certainly a memorable meal!
Several of our youth, including Zoe, shared their testimonies. Watching these teenagers boldly tell others what God had done in their lives was one of my favorite moments of the trip.
It was also such a gift to experience worship with this church family. Their service looked very different from what I was used to, and hearing them sing in their native language while wearing traditional clothing was beautiful.
The greatest surprise of the day, however, was seeing the elderly woman we had visited on the rooftop. Our interpreter had assumed there was no way she could make it to church because of her health and the steep stairs leading to her home. Yet there she was. With the help of two canes and assistance from others, she had made the journey.
I was able to sit beside her throughout the service. Because of the language barrier, we could only exchange a few simple thoughts through an interpreter, but she smiled as she told me she loved the music and that it was the reason she had come. Watching her stand and clap during a few of the songs was no small accomplishment.
I was simply so thankful she was there.
At the close of the service, we gathered to pray over the congregation and take a group photo.
In a moment none of us expected, someone handed Zoe the microphone and asked her to pray over a young boy who had been injured.
I was given the opportunity to pray over the elderly woman once more, tears came again. God had answered a prayer I didn't even know to pray. Throughout the week God kept reminding me that He is the one preparing hearts long before we ever arrive. Our role is simply to be faithful, while He does the work only He can do.
Hearts full as we headed off to dinner.....
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