"worth the separation..."

From Dave:

Today was an amazing day, especially for those of us on the construction team. They let us out!

This morning we left at 7:30 for a trip to a village about 40 km out of Libreville. On the way we joined up with the  OSPAC team (CMA’s medical group that runs their clinics) on the side of the road, where we held hands, sung and prayed. We arrived at the village about 9:30 and had a brief church service with the local pastor and the OSPAC pastors. There were about 50 villagers in attendance, mostly women. During the service John Wager shared his testimony, which was translated into French by Tim. It was awesome. God was clearly present in this concrete block church with a tin roof and open windows.

Then we cleared the area and set up the medical mission. We had a sign in station where weight and blood pressure was taken. I was privileged to be taking their blood pressure using an automated pressure meter like those found in America. I was familiar with the process since my wife was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and I had practiced on her. That station was followed by 2 medical stations, manned by Brian and Dr. Mike. The last station was the pharmacy, manned by John III and helpers. In another building Eric and Kevin were assisting in an eye clinic. We saw about 60 patients.

As the last few people were being attended to I was asked by one of the Gabonese pastors to follow him to the side of the church. There was a woman there who had been a Christian, but had visited a witch doctor to get a potion to bring to her son in jail. It was supposed to free him, which it didn’t. She was struggling to regain her faith and asked us to pray for her. The pastor asked her to pray for repentance and then asked me to pray over her, which I did. It was a very moving experience to pray for someone in a language she didn’t understand, but to know that God understood!

After all the patients left we shared a meal with the medical team, a total of about 25 of us. Again I had the privilege of saying grace. After lunch we held hands, sang and prayed prior to leaving there about 4:00. It took about 2 harrowing hours on the road to get back to where we are staying. Some of the guys went out to play soccer at the Bible School with some of the kids but I opted to spend time writing this blog and taking a much-needed shower. Actually, we could use a shower every hour or so.

On a personal note to Mary, I miss you very much but am having an encounter with God which will be worth the 10 days separation when I return. Thanks for your notes stuck deep in my suitcase, which I actually didn’t find until day 3. I love you.

Dave

From Fred:

So WOW!  It the first word to describe our experiences all the Men have had, and what each has shared.   From working construction with half the men, to the medical clinics (I got to be a nurse to Dr. Mike one time), to the Orphanage and all the lovable children yesterday, and the fellowshipping we done with the Gabonese, including a pick up soccer game tonight (the guys wanted me to mention in my blog, I did great on the field and we kept the score close at 2-1 until the last 5 minutes when it was getting dark), with mostly high school kids, and our men at FAC, and the women helping run the Envision Center, it has been a blessing to be a small part of it.   I recognized my love for these men before boarding the plane ride to come here, based on the trust built up, from our activities at home. Now, I see all of the men opening up and sharing their love for the other men.  I hope others reading won't be offended for mentioning this, but it is a great process to see other men become vulnerable to other men.  TRUST.   

Also, I see what God is doing in the hearts of the Gabonese people.   Last night during our devotional time, Erik gave me the opportunity to lead the men in the devotion time.  One thing that has struck me, is that in Joshua 3, where we have been focusing this week, when the nation of Israel was crossing the Jordan, the Ark of the Covenant represents Jesus being at the center of our lives, Jesus is described as Living Water as scripture says in Jer 2:13 and John 4:10.   I related this to physical water which is necessary for life, but many don’t recognize their spiritual needs they have, nor the connection.   We take for granted, water that is generally accessible 24/7 back in the States.  Here, water is shut off by the city at 7PM, and comes back on around 6:30AM.  For other African nations, water is only accessible from wells miles away.  Some nights it has rained, and the sound of it hitting the tin roof on the house we are staying in, is a source of joy for myself.    The refreshment God provides both physically and spiritually is something I am noticing more and more.  It was great today to have sugar cane treat!!

Tomorrow AM, we are going to PK 27 to set in concrete stakes on the four corners of a property.   The drive over and back, once again, goes thru Libreville, which is slow due to traffic and pot holes on some of the roadways.   Overall, I’m very content with where God has me at this time in Gabon. It has changed me!

I love you all, including the families of the other men.   Everyone is getting along well with each other.

Love, FRED