Yesterday, December 7, Marty, Sarah Albitz (a full-time DOVE missionary here) and our friend/interpreter Sara Omondi were visiting a few widows in the Village of Kadawa.  Sarah O. told us that one of our friends, Eunice Paul, was in the District Hospital in Kisumu.  We told her that we would go visit her the next morning (today).  Sarah O. told us that we couldn't do that, because the visiting hours were set for later in the day.  However, because of scheduling issues it was necessary that we go in the morning.  We believed that the Lord wanted us to go - Eunice needed us.  

Here was an opportunity for Marty to talk about how God's presence and His authority apply in situations such as this.  Because we, as Christians,  carry the presence of God, Jesus and Holy Spirit with us wherever we go, we have authority and grace to do things that would not ordinarily be possible.  In instances such as this, the Lord often gives His people (us) favor with the people who could make it happen.  It isn't a matter of pushing our way around, or being obnoxious and forcing it to happen.  It is a matter of knowing that it is what the Lord wants, depending on and expecting  Him to make it happen. 

This morning, December 8, around 09:30, Sarah & Marty went to the hospital and drove through the security gates onto the grounds - Security helped us to park.  We saw two women walking, who we thought worked there, and asked them where Ward 2 was.  They didn't know, but seemed annoyed with us and told us that we couldn't visit anyone, visiting hours were at 1 PM.  Then they pointed to a security guard and said if he let us in the we could go.  We went through the gate, greeted the guard warmly and asked him where Ward 2 was.  He directed us and we went on our way.  We walked into the ward - staff in the distance noticed us, but paid no attention.  Please realize that we are the only two people in the whole compound who were not Africans.  We were very, very noticeable!!  We began looking for Eunice and a doctor came by.  Sarah told him who we wanted to see and he took us to her bed.  We chatted with her for awhile and prayed for her.  Another doctor came along and Marty offered to leave so he could be with Eunice, but he began to chat with her.  He asked where she was from and in the course of the conversation if she and Sarah were doing missionary work.  Then he told her he had a brother in Texas and was planning on visiting in 2 years.  She told him what she and Sarah were there for and then --- he asked her if we would pray for everyone in the ward and then went on his way!  Each person, all the sick women, and a grandmother taking care of a new baby whose mother was amongst the sick, gave us permission to pray for them and thanked us.  We even prayed for the new baby.  

BTW, Eunice was not allowed any food.  Sarah had brought a large hand of bananas and had baked some cupcakes for her.  So, when we left, the nice security guard got several bananas and a cupcake.  He was happy!

There - is an example of the Grace and Favor of God upon His people when they do what He asks them to do.  There - is an example of how much he loves those ill ladies and that Grandmother and infant by sending us to touch them and pray for them.  Many lives were touched by Him in one way or another today (including Sarah and Marty); some in ways we won't ever know.  It is so much fun to do what He wants you to do even when you can't predict or anticipate what will happen.  And then watch Him at work and realize that you are part of His plan to get it done.  Wahoooo!