The Slow, Quiet Work of the Hospital
A few months ago, I listened in while Dr. McKenney, the founder and head doctor of Hospital Loma de Luz (http://www.crstone.org/), gave a tour of the hospital to a group of visitors. As we passed by Pastor Philipe, pictured here in his office meeting with patients or family members, Dr. McKenney commented that this was
where the slow, quiet work of the hospital took place. While doctors and staff often pray with and minister to patients, Philipe’s job is to be available to pray with people and answer question they have about spiritual issues. Day in and day out in the midst of the bustle of a busy hospital and clinic, 1-2 people/day are saved or rededicate their lives to Christ. Please pray for Pastor Philipe and this slow, quiet, and yet phenomenal work.
Pretty Cool Stuff
Anyone who has walked with God for any length of time has experienced seasons punctuated by God doing exceptionally cool stuff. As we have listened to others in the missionary community share what they have seen the Lord doing lately, we have been pondering anew the collective impact of all the “small” things the Lord is doing in our midst:
A few months ago, I listened in while Dr. McKenney, the founder and head doctor of Hospital Loma de Luz (http://www.crstone.org/), gave a tour of the hospital to a group of visitors. As we passed by Pastor Philipe, pictured here in his office meeting with patients or family members, Dr. McKenney commented that this was
where the slow, quiet work of the hospital took place. While doctors and staff often pray with and minister to patients, Philipe’s job is to be available to pray with people and answer question they have about spiritual issues. Day in and day out in the midst of the bustle of a busy hospital and clinic, 1-2 people/day are saved or rededicate their lives to Christ. Please pray for Pastor Philipe and this slow, quiet, and yet phenomenal work.Pretty Cool Stuff
Anyone who has walked with God for any length of time has experienced seasons punctuated by God doing exceptionally cool stuff. As we have listened to others in the missionary community share what they have seen the Lord doing lately, we have been pondering anew the collective impact of all the “small” things the Lord is doing in our midst:
For years my next door neighbor, Maggie, has hosted and led Bible studies in her home for Honduran women of all ages. In recent weeks, they haven’t even been making it to the actual lesson because the Lord has been working so clearly in all of their lives that it takes the whole time just to share it all and pray for each other. Doctor Rumbaugh, who actually does a lot more ministry than medicine, has been leading a weekly Bible study for hospital workers during the half hour right after work. A couple of men who have been employees for years but have never expressed interest in Christ have been attending this study. For about the past 4 years, various Loma de Luz missionaries have worked establishing and encouraging a church in the little community of Margarita. In the past year, the number of men attending rose from 1 to 4, and two of those men have married their common law wives in obedience to God’s decrees about marriage.
About 10 days ago, Dr. McKenney repaired a severed nerve in a young man’s shoulder. Like so many patients, Wilbur had been in a machete fight about 6 weeks earlier. The fight had left his right hand missing except for 1 finger and his left arm completely useless because the nerve running down the top of the shoulder had been severed. Dr. McKenney reattached the nerve and made a couple other minor repairs, thankful that the surgery had gone well by all medical standards. The next day, when Dr. McKenney checked on Wilbur, he had regained nearly full motion in his shoulder, as well as flexion and distension in his elbow, all of which are controlled by the one repaired nerve. This type of recovery normally takes place slowly over weeks and months, if at all, and to recover overnight is impossible, save a healing miracle from God! Wilbur is a believer, and we are praying that his gift of a functional arm will be used to greatly glorify his Savior!
About 10 days ago, Dr. McKenney repaired a severed nerve in a young man’s shoulder. Like so many patients, Wilbur had been in a machete fight about 6 weeks earlier. The fight had left his right hand missing except for 1 finger and his left arm completely useless because the nerve running down the top of the shoulder had been severed. Dr. McKenney reattached the nerve and made a couple other minor repairs, thankful that the surgery had gone well by all medical standards. The next day, when Dr. McKenney checked on Wilbur, he had regained nearly full motion in his shoulder, as well as flexion and distension in his elbow, all of which are controlled by the one repaired nerve. This type of recovery normally takes place slowly over weeks and months, if at all, and to recover overnight is impossible, save a healing miracle from God! Wilbur is a believer, and we are praying that his gift of a functional arm will be used to greatly glorify his Savior!
Construction and Teaching
With the rainy season pretty much behind us, construction projects have been going great guns. Josh has been dividing and framing the hospital’s library into several offices. One house under construction is nearly finished, and The Children’s Home, pictured below, has the first floor adobe walls up. A multipurpose space with a couple offices and bathrooms off the hospital will soon provide some much needed expansion room.
As our school year winds down, the kids are putting a great deal of energy into preparations for Living History Day in early May. All the kids, from the littlest to the high schoolers, have been studying early American history this year, so Living History Day will culminate their studies and display some of what they have learned to the rest of the missionary community in the form of speeches, skits, booths, and art work. It’s a creative and talented group!
Browning Briefs
In a nutshell, we're doing pretty spiffy, Gracias a Dios. Guildy is growing like a weed and keeping us entertained with her blossoming sentences and accompanying antics. We're enjoying our new apartment with it's wonderful view and breeze and great neighbors. More importantly, we're enjoying where God has us for this season and thankful for the opportunity to serve Him in such a great place with such great people.
Prayer Requests
Please be praying for us and the hospital ministry:
1. That hospital employees would be saved and discipled, along with patients they are serving.
2. That God would provide the resources, both financial and personnel, to keep the hospital running well.
3. That God would mightily bless the various ministries reaching out into the communities.
4. That the Holy Spirit would be changing hearts on the North Coast.
In Closing
Thank you all so much for supporting us! We couldn’t be here without you! Let us know how you’re doing and how we can be praying for you!
In Christ,
Josh, Linzy, and Guildy
Support for the Brownings
may be sent to:
CornerStone International
PO Box 192
Wilmore KY 40390
1-800-859-4578
carla@cornerstoneinternational.org
http://www.cornerstoneinternational.org/
Support for the Brownings
may be sent to:
CornerStone International
PO Box 192
Wilmore KY 40390
1-800-859-4578
carla@cornerstoneinternational.org
http://www.cornerstoneinternational.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment