It Looks Like Rain

Monday afternoon flew by as we served five more families by fitting their loved one with a wheel chair.

Sveta

There were two adults who came through our station in the afternoon.  The first was Sveta, a woman who had taken a fall two years previously and was confined to a wheel chair.  While Cindy and Ura were looking for a chair, Angela and I visited with Sveta and she told us her story.  Sveta was a psychologist who lost her job when she became disabled.  "I'm useless to anyone" she said.  Even in her dismal circumstances she was hopeful that she would walk again because feeling was starting to come back in her legs.  I shared pictures of my family with her which included photos of my friends who adopted 3 children from Ukraine.  Sveta was so moved by their big hearts to take in 3 brothers, one of whom has CP, she went and bought chocolate bars and brought them back later asking me to send them to the boys.  Sveta also mentioned her 10 year old daughter wanted a sibling so she and her husband are considering having another baby when she recovers from this injury.  Once again, Sveta was not wallowing in her circumstances but looking forward to the future.  She smiled a lot and said she loves the way Americans smile!

Alexander with his matching bag & seat cushion

Alexander was our last patient of the day.  He struggled painfully to walk with a cane across the parking lot.  His hips were so tightly locked he could barely sit in a chair.  Cindy suggested a walker but he really wanted a wheel chair so he could go to the store by himself.  She  fitted him with a wheel chair for which he was extremely grateful. Being able to go to the store, alone, would give Alexander independence and a sense of value. Alexander had been an accountant until he started having problems with his legs, then he was let go by his employer because of his disability.  Although his wife and family were very supportive, he struggled with the why questions.  He asked me why God punishes good people.  That lead into a deep theological discussion and Angela and I did our best to answer him with Biblical references.  He said every person he asks these questions to says the same thing and they all quote the Bible.  I explained that the Bible is our way of knowing God's heart and that He speaks to us through His Word.  My parting words to Alexander were that God doesn't promise life will be easy but He does promise to be there with us through the good times and the difficult times.  Please pray that God would become very real to Alexander and that he would come to know the incomprehensible love of his Creator. 


Clouds were forming by the time our last patients were leaving.  There was rain in the forecast for Tuesday and I wondered how the clinic was going to function in the rain.  God was already at work and as we were leaving a big military truck pulled up to the parking lot with several soldiers and a huge tent!  When we arrived the next morning, the three sided tent was up and we worked in its shelter for the rest of the week.


Soldiers unloading the tent

When we arrived back at the hotel there was much rejoicing because the 7 lost suitcases had been found and brought to Sumy! Yea God!  Now everyone had their clothes and the much needed tools and supplies to custom make the remaining wheel chairs.

After being on my feet most of the day, running back and forth to the building, I was exhausted!  The delicious evening meal was truly savored and we sat at the table sipping tea afterwards reflecting on all the wonderful experiences of the day.  Yes, there were some challenges, one being the room where the bulk of the wheel chairs were kept was in the same hallway as the bathroom the waiting families used.  As they walked by the open doors, some were tempted to go in and pick out what they wanted.  This was difficult because the therapist has the final say in which chair is most appropriate for the patient.  By God's grace, there were two sets of doors to the room so we were able to lock the set that opened to the public side of the hallway and that solved the problem for the remainder of the week.

Our "covered" clinic

Sound sleep came easily after a hot shower. When my head hit the pillow, I knew nothing until right before the alarm went off on Tuesday morning.  The predictions of rain were correct, it was cloudy, rainy and cold but our hearts were warm and we couldn't wait to see what God had in store for us.  I was reminded of Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  The tent was a reminder that we were dwelling in the shelter of the Most High, being His hands and feet; bringing the Light of Christ to those in need.