Medical Missionaries:

Last night several of us from our hospitality small group (Josh and Marcella W., Chris and Amy M. and our hosts Nathan and Kristin S.) went out to a fundraiser for MedSend, a group that sponsors doctors to go into the mission field. A wonderful story of a missionary's personal conversion (spurred by his pre-school daughter) was followed by a series of equally miraculous healings among a tribe in Nigeria where he has dedicated his life over the last 15 years. Surrounding Muslim tribes have accepted him as a friend and leader, opening up that part of the world to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It was great to hear doctors and professionals pray together, one of whom from Nigeria recalled an ancient prayer I had not heard recently from St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.