This weekend was the second Saturday of the month. Once a month Sony and Sowmya, who run the Light of Love School, provide a 2-hour free health clinic to the local Tuni people, followed by a worship service and sermon for those in attendance. At the clinic, they provide a free check-up as well as basic commonly prescribed medications.
Mom and I have been fortunate to attend for the last two months. The health clinic began a little busier than usual. Sowmya’s sister, who usually volunteers as well, could not be there. With only one doctor to see nearly 200 patients, the line never let up as the evening wore on. While many families awaited their turn, I had the opportunity to interact and hear some of the stories. One grandmother stopped me to share hers. An older student volunteering his time at the clinic acted as our translator. The woman was there with her daughter, son-in-law, son and daughter-in-law along with their three teenage children. The daughter and two sons are mute. They have not been able to walk on their own since a very young age, suffering from a disease in their joints. Their mother is deaf and their aunt experiences chronic severe stomach pains. After the grandmother had shared their story, I was able to pray over the family. In situations such as these, I know their only hope is in the grace of God.
After I prayed, the grandmother stood beside me to hold my hand. She continued speaking although my translator had left. I only understood bits and pieces of the Telugu I have picked up over the months, but the sorrow in her voice said it all. I held her while she wept. I have nothing more to give them than my blessings, my love and my shoulder. I pray that it’s enough to get them through the moment. A small hope to cling to, assuring they are not alone in this world. Before she left, the grandmother came to find me. There was an exchange of smiles and words; meanings lost in the language barrier. Then she hugged me the way I do the ones I love. I hope the connection we shared at that moment was rooted in Christ.
This family unfortunately, is like so many others in India. Seeing their pain made me wish I had went into the medical field (only briefly of course as anything with blood and needles is far from my calling!). There is such a need for good and honest doctors, especially those like Sowmya who are willing to give their services for free when there are people in need. I have spent many hours speaking with her and listening to her dreams. She has such a gift, but no place to use it. Sowmya is able to care for the kids in the orphanage and once a month provide her services through the clinic, but she desires to give even more of herself. She hopes to one day have a hospital on or near campus to provide her health services on a daily basis to the local dalits. Even her students have begun praying to see her dream fulfilled within the next year. I know the children of Light of Love feel blessed by all that Sowmya has done for them and would love to see her sharing her gift with others. A heart of service such as hers should not go to waste!
As the patients cleared, it was time for the service to begin. This week, Sony surprised us by giving the message for the night in English, translated to Telugu for everyone else. He did a wonderful job of delivering the message and there is no doubt God was speaking through him that night. The sermon was on “salt.” ~Matthew 5:13-16~ A similar message from WFC inspired me a couple months ago, but it is always valuable to hear several perspectives on the same passages. Bottom line.. We are on earth to restore, preserve, and influence those around us both Christ-following and not. We are responsible for the lives around us, those who we interact with on a regular basis.
Then today, God challenged me once again. Some time ago, I signed up for KLove’s Encouraging Word daily emails. While the verses always give me something to think and pray about, I opened today’s email to see the same lesson staring me in the face.
Monday 9/12/2011
You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?
~ Matthew 5:13, NLT
Perhaps God has decided subtle doesn’t work for me. “If I have to say it twice in two days you should listen, Kim!” Now I have to ask myself. Am I like salt? Whether in India or America, God has a purpose for me. It doesn’t matter where I am as long as I stay salty, living for and sharing Jesus. He has a purpose for us all. Are we fulfilling it or living for ourselves? Do I add flavor to those around me? And most importantly, does my life reflect Christ? Anything else is artificial flavoring. My actions and words are empty if not centered in Him. I think as Christians, we should hope to leave a lasting taste of Jesus everywhere we go. Our friends, family and coworkers should feel changed or benefited in some way for having us in their life. Every day in all that I do, I need to make sure I am being salty.
Last night, Mom and I were able to get online and connect with the live campus. It was so nice to interact with fellow Westsiders again and see Troy and Dan onstage. The downloaded, slow buffering podcasts and videos just don’t do it justice! I am so thankful to Jason for helping to make this online service happen. The series on “How to Get Rich” hits so close to home where I am now. The very people who make up the poorest of the world surround me. Even without my job, it is clear in India that I still fall into the top 5%. The faith of these people and the way the children so freely give of themselves is changing my heart. I see what real trust in God looks like. What real giving is. Even Sony and Sowmya have taken on the expense of about $500 for the medications provided at their monthly clinic from their own salaries. Being in the field of social work in India, they are by no means wealthy. As they feel led by God to follow the clinic with the message of Jesus, acquiring funding has become a challenge. Organizations are less willing to support a health clinic when religion is involved. Their trust in God to provide amazes me. Neither Sony nor Sowmya know from where or when the money will come, but as long as there are people to serve, they keep giving. I send out their prayer request to you. God willing, funds to build a hospital of their own would allow them to make an even bigger impact in Tuni.
To try to summarize what I have learned from all of this:
Let us share all that we have... our resources, hearts, God-given gifts, time, service and the message of hope through Christ.
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