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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Melissa will soon be Home!





My daughter Melissa, who is 23, has been in Meskine, Cameroon, Africa since September 11th. That is almost 9 weeks. It has been a hard 9 weeks. Hard on Melissa. Hard on her parents and sisters. Hard on my knees...

Melissa is at a mission hospital compound that is basically in the bush. Things are very primitive there. The hospital (and I use that term loosely) is so far behind in medical equipment and supplies, that she has seen things there that have utterly astounded and amazed her.  The type of anesthesia they use there is not the kind we are accustomed to here in the United States. The people that they operate on are basically put in a very sleepy state, but they aren't completely out of it. I just can't even imagine.

Melissa told me about a little 6 year old boy who had a serious bone infection in his leg and they were operating on it to remove the infection. She said, "Mama, as I looked up at the little boy during the procedure, there were tears pouring down his face. He was clearly in pain and clearly not asleep" It just broke her heart and all she could do was go to him and talk gently and pray. I cried as she was telling me about it. It just got to my heart! The doctors assured her that the little boy would not remember the pain, but it was still heart wrenching for her to see. She has seen babies die that probably shouldn't have died. She has been exposed to a side of life that isn't pretty.

Melissa has been very sick since she has been there. She has probably been sick at least 6 weeks out of the 9. Some of those weeks she was VERY ill. There is nothing worse than getting a phone call and when you pick up the receiver, all you hear is crying and the words "mama". Especially when the child on the other end is in Africa. And you're not. Hard.


It has been great to be able to talk with her through 'skype'. Sometimes I can hear her well, sometimes I can't. But at least she CAN call me when she needs me. There are good phone calls and there are not so good phone calls. There are conversations we have that are uplifting and then there have been some that have been depressing. But through it all, God has been so good. He has carried and covered her. He has ministered to her heart and soul. He has been merciful. He has been God.

Melissa has grown in the Lord through this experience. She has been forced to see that she can make it when she thinks she can't. She has learned to lean on God in all things. She has learned that she can survive without her mommy.  She has learned to trust completely in Jesus. She has learned that when nothing else is... He is...

There have been times, that she has questioned why the Lord took her all the way to Africa to keep her sick! She sees that Africa is NOT the place that she is to be. But she wondered why it would take 9 weeks for her to be shown that. Through it all, the Lord has whispered to her heart about being content. She said He speaks to her alot about the life of Paul. About doing the thing that God calls you to do without question.

The verse that she is holding tight to is this:

"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:" (Philippians 4:10,11)

I am looking so forward to being able to really talk with her and hear all the details about what she has seen and experienced. I know that everything the Lord is teaching her is not being learned right now. I know that some of what He is teaching her will be gleaned later. He still has much to show her. He still has much work to do. But his servant, Melissa, I think is now listening.

I am proud of my daughter. I am proud of the work that the Lord has done, is doing and will do through her. I am ready for her to come home. I am ready for the next part of her awesome journey in the Lord to begin. But all I know right now is that November 17th at 4:34 PM, my sweet baby will step off that plane in Baton Rouge, and her mama will breathe a HUGE sigh of relief. My baby is coming home.

Thank you, Jesus.


Beth

22 comments:

Thena said...

I know you will be so happy when she's home safely. I pray the next six days go by swiftly.

JLI said...

I'm quite sure the reaping will come later. She will have much to meditate on after returning to the life she is accustomed to. What an amazing experience - although difficult. You have much to be proud of, Mom.

beckyjomama said...

Praying for her trip home, for your reunion and for her health and heart - that she would CLEARLY hear His leading. I admire missionaries so very much. Thank her for me!

rcubes said...

The stuff she saw would linger forever and I'm positive that time and time again, whatever she experienced and learn would aid her with her future agendas from the Lord. In our suffering, we grow in character. Bless her enduring heart and bless the "mama" who endured bending her knees and having calloused hands! To God be the glory and praying that days will go by so fast so that your precious Melissa is back in your loving hugs. God bless and protect you all, sister Beth.

Heart2Heart said...

Beth,

What a blessing it will be to finally have her home and have her personally share all these heart warming moments during her trip!

Praying for safe journeys home and much time for you two to catch up.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Yolanda said...

I'm crying here because I know you and Melissa will be very happy November 17th at 4:34 p.m. I am so proud of her and the wonderful young woman of God that she is and that God is continuing to grow her into.

Love YOU,
Yolanda

Andrea said...

GOD has a perfect plan for Melissa. One day, she may be allowed to know and see why she had to endure nine long weeks of sickness to realize Africa is not her place of service, but until then she will continue to faithfully walk with the one who loves her more than she can imagine, her Heavenly Father!
Blessings, andrea

Wylie @ Shout A Joyful Noise! said...

This brought tears to my eyes! So moving to read about your love, and faith in the Lord as He sustains, and carries your precious daughter. I can't wait to hear what incredible things God will reveal through her amazing journey. I know her obedience will be richly rewarded, and pray for protection, and the peace that passes all understanding!
Joyfully,
Wylie

Loren said...

Beth,

I am crying with you as I read this post...I am rejoicing in her returning....Oh what a wonderful day that will be!!!
Beth, I can only imagine the pain in her heart seeing these procedures done.....I have no doubt the Lord has increased the Spirit of Compassion in your sweet Melissa like no other. If she is anything at all like you I can't imagine that compassion could be any deeper though :) I am sure you will hear many many stories and Praise the Lord you can listen for days and not have to be interrupted by going to work...you can just listen, cry, hold her, and talk for days :) and nurse her body and sweet heart!

Please know I will be praying and look forward to hearing that she is safe in the arms of her momma and daddy

Love you Beth

Amy said...

I am praying for her safe return.
Blessings,
Amy

Nancy M. said...

I can't imagine how hard it must have been on both of you! I am so happy she will be home soon! I am sure she touched a lot of lives while she was there!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Tell her I'm proud of her as well. Just reading this makes my heart swell with joy for the lives of my own children. So much ahead of them... so many unknowns to keep me, as well, on my knees. I sure wish she and Nick could meet...

Looking forward to a safe return and stories therein.

peace~elaine

Denise said...

Revelations come in many different forms. Melissa is opening a new chapter in her life. What God has etched within in her during the time in Africa will the stepping stones to greater things.

I admire that you have the relationship with your daughter where you can speak so deeply about God and how He is speaking and touching the both of you. May you both find comfort soon in the arms of the other.

Shalom,
Denise

Every Day Blessings said...

Thank you for sharing her story. I am sorry that she has been sick during this time but know that God knows and has had a plan. Will be praying that she has a good week to remember Africa by and that she returns safely to her wonderful family.

Steph T. said...

WOW! What a testimony! I will pray for her safe return. I can't wait to hear of her return. This is when being a mom is so hard...and when you have completely trust God with your babies!

TRUTH SHARER said...

These are truly the sacrifices that are tested on the altar when we become mothers. Also - allowing are children to rest in the arms of Jesus - when we cannot hold them or give them the security they need. Only Jesus can do that. There is no safer or better place for your daughter [or mine] to be than in the center of His will.... and that seems to be taking them [yours and mine] to the outermost parts of the earth!

God is faithful in all His ways. I will rejoice with you when she returns ont he 17th...and I know you will pray with me when it's time to send my daughter and her familiy off [in March] to Haiti for as long as God calls them to that mission field.

Maybe we can start a new blog called Missionary Mom's Prayer Blog! [MMPB]!!

Choosing JOY with you,
Stephanie
[JESUS - the One I Wait For]

Jackie said...

Beth....My mothers heart is so touched by what you've been walking through during your baby's African mission. I rejoice with you in the Lord that she's coming home to your open arms.

I know the Lord has sustained you both. I pray that His overwhelming love and sustaining power will minister to your daughter in a special way and assure her heart that even though this experience was hard, there was a purpose in it and part of His design for her! I pray for strength for her physically and she will experience His healing balm and recover fully!

There's a tremendous testimony coming out of this season, I believe. To God be the Glory!

God blessings and May His Strong Hand of Protection bring her safely home!

Sweet Blessings!
Jackie

Nancy said...

Thank you for the heart wrenching up-date. I thank God for all that He did through and in Melissa. Prayinng for her safe, soon return.

LisaShaw said...

Praying for your precious Melissa and your family dear one. I look forward to hearing that "she's home!" Praise the LORD.

Love you.

Edie said...

Wow what an incredible journey for God to have taken her on Beth. I wish more Americans could see what life is like outside of America. Then maybe we would have a better perspective.

I'm so glad for you both that she's coming home.

Love you!

Joan Carr said...

Amazing the work God does in ones heart half way around the world. Very humbling and an honor for you as her Mom all at the same time I know.

valerie said...

Yay....that's today!
I'm catching up on reading blogs.
How exciting to see Melissa today. I know both of you will be thrilled when your eyes meet.
I'm not even her mom and am extremely proud of her.
I can only imagine how you must feel.
We are so blessed here in America. I know we don't realize how much most of the time.
This is an experience she will never forget.
I'm thankful you were able to communicate.
Enjoy this day!! I'll be thinking about you this afternoon.