bearing our burdens....

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burden." Psalms 68:19

There are days when I, like everyone, don't feel the strength to do what is in front of me for the day. This morning as I looked out to the clinic waiting area full of people lined up for numbers, that is exactly how I felt. And yet, as we gathered together to pray before we started, I felt as if my burden lifted, and as we began to see patients, I began to feel like maybe I could do this today. We saw over 75 people with the help of Dr. Sherwood, Areli, Brad, Christy and Chris who all came to work alongside of us. Here in Canilla, we continue to serve lots of pregnant women and today was no exception as we did over 40 ultrasounds.

This week we were pleased to have Pastors Phil, Micheal, Vinny and Wade visiting from our home church in St. Louis. They ministered in 5 different churches, encouraging the local pastors and leaders. We know so many of the people in the various churches from the clinics - we know their stories. In the first church was a woman who had told me just the week before that she was so sad, she just wanted to die. In another, was a woman whose husband beats her regularly. And in another, an unmarried woman of 2 small children cried great sobs as the pastors prayed for her. We know the pain that so many suffer here and yet we know that in Christ they will find the strength and the love that they so desperately want and need. The pastors were a great blessing to us as well as we fellowshiped together. Pastor Phil has such wisdom not just as our pastor but as the father of 10 children, he also encourages us as parents. We were blessed to have them here.

On Thursday we, along with the pastors, were able to visit our good Guatemalan friend Victor's new drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. It was not only a blessing to be able to bring the men there a meal and minster to them through some worship music and preaching, but it was also such a joy to see Victor working in the area God has called him to. We have watched him pray through this for many years, waiting for God's timing, and many of you have joined us and him as well in this prayer and support. Despite the challenges, it is always a blessing to see a friend fulfilled in His calling - not only for him but for the men who are being set free from their addictions as a result of his obedience to that call of God.