The Beginning of our Journey with World Medical Mission

Is it possible-peace in a pandemic?

The number of our COVID-19 cases surge at an embarrassingly high rate, resulting in more deaths. At the same time, the city we are closest to has active gang violence, largely unchanged for decades. The high number of murders, drive-by shootings, and tragically, children caught in the gunfire, is terrifying. Protests rage, sometimes with violence, and always with desperate cries for change. There is so much political unrest with few people who are humbly listening to the 'other side' of opinions. In addition, this morning I personally almost stepped on a enormous snake on my run. Did the above paragraph bring you to picture our life in a 'third-world' country? Are you thinking about  how difficult it must be to live in a less developed' place? Actually, as many of you have realized, I am not writing about Honduras in the paragraph above, but about the United States. Anthony, Emma, and I arrived back in Chicagoland May 30th for our family's first trip home in over a year (all together). We planned to stay for a prolonged break of 6 weeks, but waited, because of COVID, to buy a return flight. Shortly before we arrived, the heinous murder of George Floyd had occurred, with protests following. The US seemed so different, almost unrecognizable with COVID and dissension abounding. In the midst of it all, we still desired to see friends and family while home. We had family visits, Emma saw all 4 of her cousins, and we enjoyed an incredibly sweet and encouraging trip to Columbus, Ohio-our home for the entirety of our marriage before we moved to Honduras. We are forever grateful for the many memories made, the conversations had, and the time to rest- among much-missed comforts. But we know our call. We know where we are meant to be serving. So, Anthony returned to the hospital last week after back-and-forth planning with the hospital. They had worked extremely hard, with authorities, to allow Anthony to return with a permission as 'essential personnel' for the hospital. He first flew to Fort Lauderdale, and then on to Honduras the next day. After a 3 hour wait in customs, he drove the 5 hours back to our apartment, where he will quarantine for 7 days before working clinic hours and taking hospital call. He is glad to be back and ready to serve (but misses us). Since we left the hospital in May, 45 babies were born, more COVID cases have arrived, and 2 other doctors have returned to the states for vacation. No visitors have been able to fly to Honduras since February, so the few doctors who remain at the hospital have been working to maintain patient load in the midst of a pandemic. Thankfully, for us and for them, there are Spirit flights which still leave the country. Spirit Airlines has been the most reliable airline so far (yes, you read that correctly). The first day of school has been delayed by almost 2 months. During this time I am planning the health education curriculum for the 8 grade levels I will teach. I hope we start school by October, but I'm grateful for a little extra time to spend with friends and family while the hospital works on my 'permiso' to return to the country. The world is in chaos, and the states have become a place of great unrest, more than many other countries in the world. While this is extremely unsettling, we pray for necessary changes to occur in the country that claims to offer  'liberty and justice for all.'  We also pray for eyes to be opened and hearts to be softened, and for the individualist mindset which reigns king in the western world, to shift towards communal, generous, intentional love for one another. Now....returning back to my original question... Is it possible? Peace in a chaotic, angry, unjust world? Is peace an elusive dream we need to strive for? Is peace truly possible in my own life? The answer might seem shocking, even counter-cultural. However, the answer is a resounding “yes!” Peace is possible. Peace does not, and will not, come from the world. It doesn't come from a politician, or changes, or even day-to-day justice. Peace comes from a place much deeper, central to the soul. If one's soul is not at peace, then the soul's body is thrown about by every suffering of this world. YET, there is a God who sees all things. He sees injustice. He sees pain. He sees corruption. He sees hypocrisy, and He sees you. Miraculously, He loves you still and wants you to know Him. He offers you peace. God is the source of peace. There is no true and lasting peace outside of Him. He brings order very differently than we think to bring order. God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate sacrifice to cover our sin; He was and is, the atonement for us. Humans have lived in the chaos and unrest which came as a result of not following God. We have been at odds with Him since (nearly) the beginning. But! The God of peace brings us peace through reconciliation: first to Him and then to each other. The world sorely needs to hear this good news! We hope you are able to share this, or spend time reflecting on it and considering it in light of all that is happening in the world. We are at peace! And so grateful for your support as we continue on. Your will be done, my God and Father As in heaven, so on earth My heart is drawn to self-exalting Help me seek Your kingdom first As Jesus walked, so I shall walk Held by Your same unchanging love Be still my soul, O lift your voice and pray: ‘Father, not my will but Yours be done.’ How in that Garden he persisted I may never fully know The fearful weight of true obedience It was held by him alone What wondrous faith, to bear that cross! To bear my sin, what wondrous love! My hope was sure, when there my Saviour prayed: ‘Father, not my will but Yours be done.’ Your Will Be Done-By CityAlight  "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Colossians 3:15 (underline mine) Thank you so much for your love, friendship, support, and intentional giving. We are consistently blown away by your prayers, kind words, hospitality, and generosity. These are all things the world desperately needs! May you be blessed this week and full of purpose, even peace, as you live in a world in need of real hope.  Thank you. Donate to our work at this link.