Intercessions

The day I went hiking with Hannah I found out we may be going to the clinic for a labor that they ended up transferring. Julie and I were not in agreement with the management, but it wasn't our call. I usually kept my thoughts to myself on the injustice around but I felt indignant at the lack of sense in the matter. She would have to endure a lot of unecessary discomfort (in addition to the discomforts of labor) not to mention added costs. Plus the hospital there doesn't exactly have a good reputation for people doing better having been there. We took out our frustration in prayer. I asked people at home to pray for her. From our tent we also prayed on behalf of her. Not for hours. Just one long, passionate prayer releasing our (lack of) control, acknowledging His ability, and pouring our hearts out to the One who hears and is able. My attitude: well, if we can't be there in person to help guide her through her labor with compassion and honor, then we will just intervene on behalf of her through prayer. We were grateful to hear the next morning that the Lord had led her through a safe delivery giving her peace and instructing her regarding decisions.

Another occasion, Julie was really upset by the injustice of the government's decision making regarding the health care system. She was being denied certain privileges at one of the clinics. I was also denied privileges. The difficult part was when privileges were given to a short term student nurse and non health care provider who are not qualified. Their organization gives a lot of money. Her anger wasn't due to being offended. It may have partly had to do with the fact that she has given up her entire life to LIVE and work there for FREE to provide appropriate care and share the gospel. But, it just plain isn't right. How can you put the well-being and lives of mothers and babies in the hands of inexperienced, untrained people while denying trained, skilled providers? Unfortunately this is a common pattern in Africa. This was just my upclose and personal experience with it. I could tell she was having a really difficult time that day, so on the way home I asked if she wanted to pray. So, we pulled over on the side of the dirt road and prayed to the One who works righteousness for the oppressed believing that He will in fact intervene in His timing and ways. One hand lifted in praise and surrender and the other holding our coke bottles, we lifted intercessions on behalf of these precious lives. We finished with tears in our eyes and a hug. Then, we drove back home.