We visited our first hospital yesterday to do ministry. I had heard stories of hospitals in third world countries before, but I still really had no idea what to expect. As far as the nasty, grungy cesspools of hospitals that you hear of, I would say this one was relatively nice. Nonetheless, people were broken, in pain, and just had great need of care. If there is one word to describe, it would be humbling. There is absolutely nothing I can offer these people. Nothing.
I was there only to bring Christ in some form or fashion; to open myself to the working of the Spirit. But even in that, I personally have nothing to offer. I cannot heal. I cannot bring life. I cannot bring blessing, or hope, or joy. But Jesus can. And the same power that lived in Him also lives in me. Humbling. I can only trust that the Lord is at work and accept that I have nothing else I can give.
At one point we entered into the maternity ward where newborns and there mothers were sitting around. I have never in my life been in or anywhere around a maternity ward. Except perhaps when I was born. Anyways, it was incredible! I was able to hold babies less than a day old and speak blessing and life into the infants’ lives!
A bit later, I was waiting to move to the next room when a nurse walked up to me and asked if I was praying over these infants. I said, “Yes ma’am, sure am.” A bit frantically, she ushered me over to a young woman and told me that this lady had just given birth to triplets! I was excited! Then she proceeded to lead myself and this lady into a separate room where what I believe were incubators filled with incredibly small babies. She then brought me to one particular infant, no larger than my hand and told me that two of the three triplets had died. My heart sunk. She pleaded for me to pray over the last remaining infant and her mother. I had no words. Nothing. My heart was torn. What am I supposed to say to this devastated mother? What life could I possibly bring? I am inadequate. Inclining my heart to the supreme and sovereign God was the only option. I simply just trusted.
