Saturday, 23 May 2009

 

Since we have arrived, I have done hundreds ultrasounds on pregnant women. I knew that the time would come when I would find a dead baby. Today was that day. A young lady presented about 17 weeks pregnant with three days of bleeding and pelvic pain. It was obvious that something was wrong. The ultrasound showed a wonderfully formed 17 week-old baby--with no heartbeat. Telling an expectant mother that the baby she is carrying has died and that she can expect to finish miscarrying him or her in the next few days is not very fun, but it's part of the job--the dark side of O.B. some call it. Areli and I prayed for her and her family. She left crying but with hope.

 

Since we have arrived, in some ways, we have felt the pressure to abort our ministry before we really get going. Various problems, church politics, culture shock, and spiritual attacks have not made for an easy time--but we continue on by His grace and His strength. Really it's the same for all of us. What is the end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Apart from Him we have no good thing (Ps 16:2). Our help comes only from Him. Please pray for us as we seek to follow our Lord here in Guatemala.

 

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Ps 121:1-2)

 

I will delay giving the answer to the poll until the next post to give more people a chance to participate (hint, hint).