Last week's medical clinics included a variety of Medical needs, but that wasn't exactly the point of it all. See, as Christians, we are Crist followers first, and humanitarians second. Any humanitarian thought or action comes from an overflow from the natural weights on the heart of Christ- to serve those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, sick, or in prisoned.
The real reason for clinics like this is to honor God first- then getting to care for the sick.
The real reason are for those whose needs are spiritual as much as physical.
The real reason is for people like Eva.
Eva is a young mother who came to the clinic with a variety of health concerns. As she shared with me her concerns through translation, she was unable to meet our eyes. Her voice was monotone and downcast and I don't need to speak Quiche to hear the utter defeat in every word she spoke.
Her symptoms were very real - heartburn, headaches, and tiredness. But it seemed clear that these were the best thing she could grasp at to explain why she felt off. She, so like many others, was depressed and did not know how to name it, so it must be these physical problems causing her hopelessness because what else could it be?
When it was her turn to be seen, she was welcomed by our team of two pastors. One translating, and the other providing medical expertise, but both could see that her struggle was more complex than tums and tylenol could fix.
They spent time with her.
They talked with her.
And the Prayed with her.
Eva received Christ this week.
That's why medical clinics are so much more than medical care given.
Eva will have heartburn and headaches again.
But the hopelessness that kept her from lifting her eyes, the weariness that ate into every word she spoke, the loneliness- these are no longer something she carries on her own. One of her pastor caregivers lives in her town and she has a community of believers ready to walk with her as she grows in faith.
Ok, I know HIPPA is not exactly a thing in rural Guatemalan villages, but I chose not to share Eva's actual name or photo out of respect.
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