“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
I would be a liar if I told you that everything is well and that life among the poor is glorious. These past few months with InnerChange have found me swaying back and forth like a tall blade of grass in the wind. Not in regards to my devotion to God, but to my health.
It seems as though I continue to get sick, rest, recover, and then repeat the cycle all over again. One might say to me “Well, that’s life and it’s normal.” But it is the frequency of the sickness that has frustrated me most. I am doing all I can to help my body, such as eating fruits and vegetables as well as taking vitamins and adding a regiment of exercise. Of greatest importance, I am praying.
Recently, I went to see a doctor as fatigue and fever had anchored me to my bed for about a week. They ran several tests and discovered that I tested positive for mononucleosis. “Mono” as some call it, is a virus that has no cure other than time. Symptoms of mono include pain in the joints and inflammation of the spleen and glands, as well as serious fatigue. It is transferred by saliva via kissing (no, I have not kissed anyone like that) or utensils, cups, or plates. Since no one on my team has been diagnosed with mono, it would be safe to reason that I somehow contracted the virus from our friends on the street, since we often have them over for meals. The news was a little disconcerting at first, but through prayer I am learning to accept it with grace. I believe it to be a God-given trial that has caused me to deeply ponder the scriptures above.
I never imagined that my “ministry” among the poor would cost me my health. A little ignorant and narrow minded, wouldn’t you say? Now I look to the Lord Jesus to understand what He would like me to learn from this new trial. Something tells me He knows a little something about suffering…
As I think about the rest of the world, I realize that even through this, I know nothing of real pain and suffering. Perhaps it is as someone told me: “We Americans think that health is something owed to us, while the rest of the world endures hardship and suffering on a daily basis on levels we seldom are able to comprehend.” You may disagree, but I find this to be true in my heart. After all, God does not promise us perfect health. He does however promise us “life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
I receive this from the Lord as meaning that life is full of tears and laughter, smiles and frowns, sickness and health, hunger and satisfaction. I know that through all of it, He is with me and is lovingly taking care of me and attending to my needs. My final thought is a question; How would I learn to appreciate the mountain tops if I did not know the valleys? This particular valley, though several months perhaps in length, surely will have a beautiful mountain to climb at its end, that I might look and see the goodness of our Lord, and rejoice.
Michael Browne
Wants to go to Africa
Loves good coffee
Believes hope is the most important thing
Still waiting to be married
