Happy belated Canada Day from Africa! Today I am reminded
how blessed I am to call such an amazing country my home! Every country has its
issues, and Canada is no exception. However, there is no question that God has
blessed it in many ways. I miss it tremendously when I am away, but I
thoroughly enjoy discovering a new culture and its unique beauty. Sometimes amidst
poverty and pain, beauty can be concealed. It’s easy to focus on “what’s wrong”
instead of what God has given. This week I particularly attempted to steer my
focus on the countless gifts He has given. Below I have composed a little poem expressing my thanks to God for some of the special moments that I have enjoyed here. It made me realize how much I
have to be thankful for!
For the dirty little hand that slipped into mine.
Belonging to a sweet little girl I didn’t even know.
For the man with leprosy, giving glory and praise to our
Lord,
Though his body bears the scars, and his sight is no more
For the patient who said “I missed you this morning,”
Just when you were beginning to think they didn’t even
care
For the thoughtful messages from family and friends back
home,
Who probably didn’t know how much it actually really
meant
For that word of encouragement after a long, difficult
day,
Spurring me on, just when I thought I couldn’t go on
For the smiles and giggles of all the little boys and
girls,
Who really don’t have much, but are happy just the same
For the little preterm baby who was lovingly named after
me,
Even though, poor thing, he happened to be a wee little
boy
For the amazing privilege to be apart of the miracle of
life,
When sometimes I wonder how this could be considered a
job
For the encouraging times when Emma and I sat down for
tea
And talked about our joys and struggles, and oh so much
more
For the incredible hospitality and friendship that Tanis provides
Her door is never closed, in fact, we never actually
knock
For the good humor and calmness that Doctor Gayle
displays,
Even though we can’t understand her Irish, we love her
just the same
For JR, and her abundant medical knowledge she gracefully
imparts,
Not to mention her example of what it means to have a
servant’s heart
For the chance to get to know someone who for years has
been an outcast
Just because his face is disfigured, reveals nothing of
who he really is.
For the amazing African sunsets that colors the evening
sky,
Reminding us of His faithfulness, the gift of another day
For all those who have prayed for me through this chapter
in life,
It wasn’t just a kind gesture; it was the power that
brought me through
So for all these incredible blessings, and so many more,
I give YOU the praise and thanks, My Savior and my Lord.
