Journal - September 8, 2022

I got back home a week ago. I've spent the week dusting the apartment that was empty for 5 weeks, catching up with friends, and meeting a sweet little newborn. 

It seemed extra special to hold this little boy. His mom spent the last 5 months in the hospital on bedrest. 5 months is a long time to be over an hour away from home and away from your family. I was able to visit her several times whenever I would have some work to do up in Bonne Fin at the hospital. Her beautiful face lit up with a smile each time I would walk into the room to see her.

When we were talking the other day I commented on how well she handled the situation. She shared that the first few weeks were really difficult. But then one day the pastor came into the hospital room (shared by 8 women in the same situation) and reminded her that God had a plan, and that plan included her, even if she didn't understand why she had to lay there for months. God gave her life and a healthy baby boy, while so many other moms in this country don't get the chance to hold their babies. And because of this she never once complained after that day early on in her hospital stay. I can testify that this is true and I pray that her attitude was a witness to those other moms, nurses, doctors, and anyone else she spent her hospital time with. 

My time in the states went well. It was great to see family and friends and to meet my baby niece. Throughout my time back I was reminded of God's faithfulness. From smooth travels, a caring prayer family, a quickly renewed passport and so much more, God is so good.

“I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able to honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done.” ― Elisabeth Elliot