A couple of weeks ago I posted a picture of a woman named Tené… She came to the ship for plastic surgery because her hand was quite deformed and her neck was contracted causing her chin to be attached to her chest. The other night she told me, through a translator, her story:
“When I was three days old, I was burned by an oil lamp. My mother was sleeping so she didn’t know that my face was on fire. The whole family thought I would die. They kept a pot on the fire so that they would be ready to wash my body and bury me. After ten days, I had my first bowel movement, and my family celebrated! They were so happy that I would live.
On the Africa Mercy, we take care of patients who know hardship, who have felt pain. They have lived in poverty; they have worked in the trash filled streets of Conakry. They have been mocked and disgraced for a deformity. They have lived with the constant dribble of urine down their legs, the smell and the shame. They have lost children. They have been told that they are demon possessed and cursed. They have been banished from their homes or chosen to live far away from others, secluded. In some cases, their whole life has been a struggle.
I have suffered too. I have grieved the deaths of friends and family, I have mourned relationships; I have been told some hurtful things. I won’t pretend to know what it is like to suffer the way some of my patients have. However, I can relate, in a small way because I have suffered. Haven’t we all? And when we’re hurt and broken, we have a series of choices. Will we let the struggle define us? Will we endure the pain that the world inflicts and believe the hurtful things we are told? Will we play the victim- wallowing in our suffering and becoming immobilized? For Tené, the answer was no. She lived her life, not letting her injuries stop her. I think Tené's story is remarkable because she lived in such an unforgiving body, never allowing her to lift her head. Although her family begged her not to come for the surgery because they feared she would die, she came anyway.
All of the nurses that have worked with Tené have noticed a change. When she was admitted to the hospital, she was timid and quiet, probably afraid and overwhelmed by her surroundings. Post-op, she was in a lot of pain. As these issues have subsided, it's been amazing to see Tené come out of her shell. She is downright joyful! She teases the other patients, holds the babies, laughs with other patient’s family members and is often found chatting in the hall with dayworkers. Tené greets you in a way that makes you feel special. She wants to share her story with people.
Aren’t you inspired by Tené? Her life was marked by hardship, but she pressed on. Despite a tough start, God blessed her with a family and a life. I think it’s important to share that God is good, even when His people are suffering. In my life, I have been inspired most by people who are willing to open up and share their struggle with me.
Paul is a good example of sharing his struggle. He writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “But he (God) said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul recognizes that he is not the victim of his circumstances. Paul knows that weakness can be powerful. It can shape a person and bring them closer to God. He puts his pride aside and boasts in his weakness. Paul is not afraid to share his hardships, and as a result, it is an encouragement to others.
Mark Batterson, in his book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day writes: “If you don’t turn your adversity into a ministry, then your pain remains your pain. But if you allow God to translate you adversity into a ministry, then your pain becomes someone else’s gain... the more problems you have, the more potential you have to help people.”
I don’t know if I will ever ‘delight in difficulties’ as Paul does. But, I want to make an effort to share my past struggles and difficulties with the people in my life. Instead of being pretending that life is perfect, I want to be an open book. I want to share with friends and family how God has shaped me and blessed me through times of weakness, pain and a broken heart. I want to urge you too. Like Tené, share your story, it might be worth more than you think.
“When I was three days old, I was burned by an oil lamp. My mother was sleeping so she didn’t know that my face was on fire. The whole family thought I would die. They kept a pot on the fire so that they would be ready to wash my body and bury me. After ten days, I had my first bowel movement, and my family celebrated! They were so happy that I would live.
On the Africa Mercy, we take care of patients who know hardship, who have felt pain. They have lived in poverty; they have worked in the trash filled streets of Conakry. They have been mocked and disgraced for a deformity. They have lived with the constant dribble of urine down their legs, the smell and the shame. They have lost children. They have been told that they are demon possessed and cursed. They have been banished from their homes or chosen to live far away from others, secluded. In some cases, their whole life has been a struggle.
I have suffered too. I have grieved the deaths of friends and family, I have mourned relationships; I have been told some hurtful things. I won’t pretend to know what it is like to suffer the way some of my patients have. However, I can relate, in a small way because I have suffered. Haven’t we all? And when we’re hurt and broken, we have a series of choices. Will we let the struggle define us? Will we endure the pain that the world inflicts and believe the hurtful things we are told? Will we play the victim- wallowing in our suffering and becoming immobilized? For Tené, the answer was no. She lived her life, not letting her injuries stop her. I think Tené's story is remarkable because she lived in such an unforgiving body, never allowing her to lift her head. Although her family begged her not to come for the surgery because they feared she would die, she came anyway.
All of the nurses that have worked with Tené have noticed a change. When she was admitted to the hospital, she was timid and quiet, probably afraid and overwhelmed by her surroundings. Post-op, she was in a lot of pain. As these issues have subsided, it's been amazing to see Tené come out of her shell. She is downright joyful! She teases the other patients, holds the babies, laughs with other patient’s family members and is often found chatting in the hall with dayworkers. Tené greets you in a way that makes you feel special. She wants to share her story with people.
Aren’t you inspired by Tené? Her life was marked by hardship, but she pressed on. Despite a tough start, God blessed her with a family and a life. I think it’s important to share that God is good, even when His people are suffering. In my life, I have been inspired most by people who are willing to open up and share their struggle with me.
Paul is a good example of sharing his struggle. He writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “But he (God) said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul recognizes that he is not the victim of his circumstances. Paul knows that weakness can be powerful. It can shape a person and bring them closer to God. He puts his pride aside and boasts in his weakness. Paul is not afraid to share his hardships, and as a result, it is an encouragement to others.
Mark Batterson, in his book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day writes: “If you don’t turn your adversity into a ministry, then your pain remains your pain. But if you allow God to translate you adversity into a ministry, then your pain becomes someone else’s gain... the more problems you have, the more potential you have to help people.”
I don’t know if I will ever ‘delight in difficulties’ as Paul does. But, I want to make an effort to share my past struggles and difficulties with the people in my life. Instead of being pretending that life is perfect, I want to be an open book. I want to share with friends and family how God has shaped me and blessed me through times of weakness, pain and a broken heart. I want to urge you too. Like Tené, share your story, it might be worth more than you think.
I can't wait to see Tené without the bandages!
Oh, Kylie, you are such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI write back with tears in my eyes...what a beautiful story Tene has to share. And that is what is so amazing, we each have a story to share and it is wrapped up in God's story! Thank you Kylie for sharing with us. Her story of only being able to see the ground reminds me of the bent over woman in Luke 13:10-17. Jesus saw her, called her forward, touched her and healed her! He set her free! She was worth full value because of Jesus ... just like Tene, and you! Praying for you! Keep writing and keep sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteWith love, Amy
This world is indeed a small place in many ways with the best connections made between the women of God. Blessings on all you are doing, Kylie. Thanks for your comments, too, Amy. It's been a while since I've talked to you. How wonderful that we are both connected to Kylie!
ReplyDeleteBonnie