A Mighty Fortress

Our team has really been hit hard in the last few months. One nurse went home for ruptured eardrum that hadn't healed for many months. She is still trying to get the infection to completely resolve. The week after we came home, Mali had a coup. Things are still unsure. There has been no power during the day since March 22nd- through hot season. Our team is down to 5 singles and one couple. Brett and I are in counseling for his burnout  and depression. Another team member came home after the coup also needing a time of counseling. A family came home for the summer to help their daughter process the coup and other issues. Another was about to head back to the field and experienced her first panic attack and has extended their stay in the States. Two members have had rotator cuff surgery and are working through the long recovery. A week after the coup our good friend, John Gililland found out he had a stage 3 brain tumor. He has finished his radiation but still has a long road ahead. His absence is a huge blow to the OB department. His wife, Carol, opened the dental clinic which will now be closed until they can return. One of the nurses still in Mali left last week as her dad passed away. Anna, D's teacher, is with her sister now who is battling preeclampsia at 25 weeks with her first child. Our team is beat down. Our country is beat down. It is a tough time for our team.

As I was reading in my Bible this morning, I read Psalm 91:

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Shaddai). I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

El Shaddai is the Almighty who watches over us. He is our fortress. I loved going to Fort Sumter once when we lived in Charleston. To see the fortress was amazing. Canons on every side. You are protected on all sides. And that is our God. He is watching over us on every side. He is mighty and strong and yet He is gentle, allowing us to rest in His shadow. That is what our team needs. That is what I need.

I was blessed by the words of "A Mighty Fortress" this morning.

1. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
   Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
   For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
   His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
   On earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
   Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
   Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
   Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
   And He must win the battle.
3. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
   We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
   The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
   His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
   One little word shall fell him.
4. That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
   The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
   Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
   The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
   His kingdom is forever.