This morning I joined my colleague Josh for his weekly visit to the local HIV clinic. He has been serving there for quite a while now and he goes there weekly to offer spiritual counsel and Bible study to the people there. He has a huge heart for these people and they know it.
As soon as we arrived a member of the staff grabbed him and asked him into an office to offer comfort to a woman who was in tears. She was being treated badly by her employer and the nurse handed this task right to Josh. He spoke with her to comfort her, assuring her of God’s love for her, her value as a person and that she did not have to suffer abuse from anyone. He then talked to her about forgiveness. As, I think about this, it was so important.
Way too many people are hauling around bitterness in their lives (which affects SO MUCH of their life) because of unforgiveness they have for someone else. I was really glad Josh had the understanding to remind her of God’s love, her value to Him and her need (for her own sake) to forgive.
Make us wonder who we need to forgive, huh?
FYI: HIV is a huge problem in this country. But there is now readily available treatment for all the people. The staff in the clinic that I observed were professional and courteous, the facility was in good shape. I was glad to observe these things. I am glad my colleague is serving there on a weekly basis to bring the Gospel to life in this corner of this city.
kingdom travelin' 