Christmas in Mali

The Top Ten Blessings I Received While Being Sick

Here are the Top Ten blessings I received from God while I was sick the last three weeks with malaria, infection and adrenal insufficiency:

10. God never left my side. He spoke to me and comforted me. I spent intimate time with Him. He instructed me when to go to the doctor/hospital and get additional help. He was always there with me.

9. God brought my mom and I closer in relationship during the time of illness. We had several great conversations together on the phone during some of my real "low points".

8. God supplied help through my roommates, friends and missionaries here in Ouaga to get me things I need, bring me places I needed to go and translate with the doctors to communicate health concerns.

7. God blessed me with amazing stories from friends in Colorado and NJ who shared their experiences of their past with me as a way to see God's hand in difficult times.

6. God connected me with an amazing doctor from Switzerland who was able to diagnose my adrenal insufficiency and get me started on the medication I need to stay alive.

5. God supplied a medication to me that I can't get in Africa. The doctor's daughter came here to Ouaga from Switzerland and was able to bring the medication I needed and said it was free.

4. God delivered packages to me from friends back home in the states at the perfect time to raise my spirit and help encourage me to feel better soon.

3. God scheduled and timed everything perfectly so my students did not have to miss three weeks of school. There is an ICO school program in Ouaga three times per year for two weeks each time. This is an opportunity where students can come together and learn in a social classroom setting. Even though I was sick and couldn't teach, my students were able to attend the ICO school and still get school for two weeks. If ICO wasn't happening at that time....there would be no replacement teacher for me and the students would have been without a teacher for all that time.

2. God sent down a rain storm in the middle of the night and told me it was "healing rain" for me. It was special. It doesn't rain in December in Ouaga so this was a rare episode of rain. Yet, I believe it was a gift from God. Ever since that night, I have had a strong sense of peace and I have been getting better and gaining strength each day forward.

1. God has used this time to speak to me and to answer specific questions I have been praying about for awhile. He has used this "alone" time to allow me to see things from His view and to hear what He wants me to hear. He has shaped me to who I am and I am forever changed because of it.

Praise God!

He Gives Me Strength

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

After being sick with malaria leading to an infection leading to complications with my adrenal glands, tonight is the first night in 12 days that I can stand without immediately getting dizzy and feeling like I am going to faint. I owe it all to Jesus! Praise Him!