November 9

Compassion

Hope in a Hopeless Situation

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you
have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm
and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

A team member and I were given a tour of Bauleni (bah-OO-lay-nee)
compound by the organizer of the caregivers to AIDS patients. She
took us through the rubbish-strewn footpaths, past the most primitive
living conditions anyone can imagine. Very few have electricity, and
none have running water. They live in small two-room blockhouses
with many people living in these cramped conditions. Cooking is done
outside, so the smell of food cooking is mixed with the smells of the
sewage and rotting trash.

One patient we visited was a young woman in her last stages of
the disease; she was lying on a mat. The smell of decay hit me. She did
not have the strength to brush off the flies that were covering her body.
Around her were her four children, the eldest being 9 years old. Her
single complaint was of a sore neck from lying in the same position. I
could only give her some pain pills and some cool water. We prayed for
her, and she said she did know Jesus as her Lord. A beautiful smile lit
her face.

This was one of the most painful but wonderful days in my life.
The needs are overwhelming. I know that I can’t help everyone; it is
humanly impossible. With the Lord as my guide, I hope to provide
much more than physical comfort to these people so close to death.
The AIDS pandemic appears hopeless to the world, but it can still be
an opportunity of hope through eternal life with Jesus.

—Helen, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa

Father of all grace and comfort, how unspeakably precious is the priceless treasure
of Your eternal presence indwelling frail, temporal vessels of clay. Grant a special
grace this day to those who suffer incredible pain and poverty around our world, and
strengthen missionaries who minister to them. Amen.

Next day