Pray for Pascaria: Part III

Since my posts in June I’ve been involved in helping Pascaria (yes, the one I called fat a couple posts ago) get the medical attention needed. It’s just been so confusing and… indefinable, that I haven’t posted an update.

So many things kept going wrong... Surprising diagnoses were considered. (The symptoms weren't currently visible, so doctors thought 7 years of reoccurring pain might be psychological.) Multiple doctors were seen. Appointments were waited for, and missed, and waited for again. Money and a phone was stolen. Sister Suzana, our friend the nun, was helpful on multiple accounts. Lots of letters and phone calls happened (in Swahili).

And, prayer continued among many people (thank you!), until… Pascaria left this morning for surgery, which is to take place on Thursday! Praise for God's guidance in getting this far. Please pray for the surgery to go well, for Pascaria's complete healing, and for God to be glorified.

Draw Near

I'm enjoying a study of Hebrews with my friends in Musoma, TZ. We came to chapter 10 this week, which is a place of summing up and focusing on the major points. I wanted to review the previous chapters first, and ended up with these two drawings.

The first shows how Jesus is presented in the opening of Hebrews: The Son of God made human, higher than the angels.

The second shows how Jesus ushers us into God's presence. He obtained the promises that God had given to Adam & Eve, Abraham, Moses, David, and Israel... the promises to make them His people, in their hearts and not just by heritage, despite their sin.

And the promises are for us, so Hebrews exhorts:

Pay attention...

Consider Him...

Draw near...

Hold fast...

It's not always the easiest thing to do, because there are lies that draw me from fully believing that God loves and accepts me... Even when I'm confused, even when I don't want to help a friend, even when I don't see how I'm useful... But then He provides His word and friends to remind me that He's the faithful one... So I keep remembering to have faith in His faithfulness... and somehow my thoughts and the actions straighten out in that experience... That's what I hear in Hebrews.

I Called Her Fat... And She Smiled

I don't have a photo to prove it, but my friend Pascaria gained weight this week. She spent the week away, waiting for a doctor's appointment (which yielded positive things! ...If you've been praying for her, I'll have more to share in the next few weeks... it's a bit of a long story...). So, she didn't have to worry about kids and cooking and all her normal tasks. She's just a little plumper than when she left, which suits her well.

The fun thing is, in Tanzania it's culturally a positive to gain weight; it shows you're doing well. So, if someone calls you fat it's just an observation, or a compliment. It took some cultural-mind-over-matter for me to do it, coming from a different culture, but I got up my nerve and told Pascaria that she'd gained weight. She smiled and told me how she'd enjoyed the rest that led to the fat.

Strange but True

When I was last in the States I casually said something about "my guard." Whatever I was actually saying was immediately forgotten in the surprise my listeners felt at my having a guard. A body guard?! No, I'm not that famous.

We have three guards for different shifts during the week. They take care of the dogs, watch the house/property, and take care of the yard. It's pretty common here, because of theft and to provide jobs in the community. It's become so second nature to me that I forgot to preface it in my conversation in the States.

Last week our guards asked to have a meeting. We were a bit nervous that there might be a problem. However, it turned out that they wanted to thank us for the work, for helping them when they're sick, and for giving raises and loans. We wanted to thank them for taking such care in their work and watching out for us and for teaching us about living in Musoma. Then we talked about training our dogs, which is quite another story (a comedy or a tragedy?!). We talked about plans that two of them are making to marry in the near future! We drank tea and laughed.

It's just fun to see how God has given these relationships for mutual blessing.

Good Walks

In Musoma we have many options for a good walk. Need something close by and don't mind a little mud? The rice paddies behind our house are just the ticket (top left). Up for something longer and want a good view of the lake? Matvilla Rock is the walk for you (top right, bottom left). In town for errands and just want a little green? We have a town park (bottom right). I'm thankful that God always gives me places with natural beauty near where I live.

Pray for Paskaria... Part II

Thank you to all who have been praying. It's update time, but not yet the end of the story.

Paskaria and her sister traveled 4 hours from home for the first time in their lives. They went to the hospital and learned about the wonderful world of Mzunguko (The Run Around). You go to one desk to register, another to initiate your payment card, another to put money on the card, another to pay, and another to print your receipt. Then you do it all again if you are really tired out and accidentally leave all your cards and papers in the taxi on the way to the guesthouse (a couple stories, about God's providence, here). Then you wait for the doctor, and wait for the tests, and go back to all the desks a few times in between.

During all this I was trying to help remotely, but they were getting discouraged and I was worried Pascaria would miss out on the care she needed.. So one friend kindly covered my classes and many others prayed as I went to help out.

I was glad I went because, being a little more pushy and task-oriented, I got Paskaria in to see the doctors Wednesday (instead of waiting for Friday). Then we were able to get all the preliminary tests done, so the results will be ready when she returns next Wednesday to finish up the evaluation, and surgery if the doctors decide that's the answer. (I think they are good doctors.) I also got Pascaria connected to Sister Suzana who runs accounting who will help with logistics in the future. Really, I was glad I went because it was so fun to see how the hospital works and to travel with my friend (LOTS of other stories here... but our dinner out photo will have to suffice)!!

And, of course, it was God who provided all these things and enabled me to help, and I think Paskaria knows that. We returned yesterday... And I think the second photos showed how we felt. Do pray for the next visit. This is the verse one friend is praying for Paskaria:

May you be strengthened with all power, 

according to his glorious might, 

for all endurance and patience with joy.

Colossians 1:11

Pray for Paskaria

My friend set out on a journey today. She's had a medical problem for 7 years... and she is going for treatment, hence the smile!

The hospital here is not equipped to help her, so she's traveling 4 hours by bus to Mwanza, south of here. It's taken a lot of God's providence to even get to this point; she needed a letter from a doctor and we needed to figure out all the ins and outs of going to/staying in a new town and paying for services.

But today's the day. She and her sister are on the bus now. (You always need someone with you at a Tanzanian hospital, because the nurses aren't in charge of all the services, like meals. Family is.)

Please pray for Paskaria. Pray she receives what she needs for her healing (most likely an operation), and that she looks to Christ for her confidence. Also pray for her family (6 kids and an elderly mom) while she's away, that they would be safe and also trust in Christ, as they are worried about the prospect of an operation.