A Starry African Night
February 19, 2008
The cottage where we are staying is about 200 yards from the hospital. The walk ‘home’ is winding, parts are rocky and even though there are a few lights along the way, it is very dark at night. Last week I was walking home in the middle of the night. It was cool, almost cold and perfectly clear, not a cloud in the sky. There were more stars than I have ever seen blanketing the African sky. The moon was about a quarter and two stars (maybe planets) looked so big that I felt I could almost reach out and touch them.
I had just done a complex operation on a small baby. The case had gone well. The baby did fine. And as I reflected on that little patient, I was so grateful that over 20 years ago I had spent 6 months of my life at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. I was so thankful that Dr. Steve Golladay had shown me how to diagnose children with surgical problems, so grateful that we spent countless hours in the operating room together. First he showed me how to do the operation (that I had just done), then he patiently watched as I did the surgery, then he trusted me to do the operation alone. And now over 20 years later, in a remote part of Africa, that investment has made a difference in a small child’s life.
And then my mind was flooded with all the people who have taught me so much—about surgery, about life, about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. I’m so grateful to Dr. Everett Tucker and Dr. Hugh Burnett—my partners for many years in Little Rock. Countless times I’ve been doing cases this month, and small technical “gems” that they gave me many years ago has made all the difference in a case going well. Yesterday I was dissecting the superior mesenteric vein off the backside of the pancreas (a difficult and dangerous part of the operation) and their wisdom and instruction guided me the whole way. I’m so thankful to Dr. Kent Westbrook who instilled in me principles of surgery that are still a part of what I do everyday here in Africa.
I’m so grateful for my dad who planted the seed of missions inside of me as a small boy. His example and his passion to ‘reach the unreached and tell the untold’ is still a big part of who I am today. I’m thankful to my mom who taught me, by her example, the love and compassion of Jesus toward people who are in need. I’m grateful to my pastors and friends in Little Rock who reached out to me when I was hurting. They taught me to run TO the wounded, not away from them. I’m grateful to my brother who taught me the power of my thoughts, and my sisters and sister-in-law who show me how to passionately follow Jesus. And I’m grateful to Duncan and David and Wendell and Simone and JT and MA (I could go on and on) who have demonstrated to me what it is like to walk side-by-side as friends for the long haul. And grateful for Jenn, words aren’t adequate to convey what an impact you have made in my life.
I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to operate on that small child last week and I’m so glad that during a walk home under a starry African sky God reminded me to be thankful for the people who have made an investment and had a lasting impact on my life.
From Africa with love,
Paul
Dr. Paul and family:
I so much enjoy reading your blog and all the wonderful works that you and your family are doing in Kenya. It touches my heart and sometimes brings me to tears such as today. God has definitely blessed you and your family and enlarged your territory. We are praying for you and your family’s safekeeping until your return.
Thank you.
Hilda A. Molina
Dr. Paul and family:
Blessings to you and your family. Always in our prayers and these blogs always bring tears to my eyes. It is amazing how He works and lately…just weepy, not out of sadness but out of joy and tenderness for our Father. He is good all the time and to see what He is doing there in Africa through all of you for His Glory. To see what He is doing in my life…wow! I can’t express everything I feel fully, blessings to ya’ll and always in our prayers.
April
Dear Dr. Paul,
The writing on your blogs are God breathed and inspired. I feel so connected and such a part of what all of you are doing in Africa. Meagan and I pray for y’all and will continue to lift up the work you are doing there. It stirs me up on the inside and encourages me to have a heart for missions. Each picture I look at deepens my love for the hurting people in Kenya.
I can feel the compassion you have in your heart towards the people you are touching and changing all in the name of Jesus. You are saving lives now, physically, and eternally. What a privilege and honor. I am thankful for you,Jen,Olivia,Georgia,Sophie, and Jackson for being an example to all of us and showing what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. You are not only touching lives in Kenya, but your are touching each and every person who reads your blogs. Meagan and I are so moved by the work in Kenya that we each sowed an extra seed into missions on Sunday. Your courage, compassion, tenderness, and willingness has made deposits in all of us. Thank you! We love & miss y’all.
Shelly & Meagan
Daktari Paul, Jen and family.
Am thankful for your family, Am thankful for the lessons you have taught us about serving God and his people through your mission to Kenya. Thank you for teaching us that serving God and his people takes great sacrifices and sometime requires taking risk.
Am humbled and at the same time inspired that your entire family choose to go to western Kenya despite of the unrest that was going on especially in that region.Your family’s love for God’s people in kenya is so evident in everyway.
Your family’s mission to Kenya I believe has and will continue to inspire a lot of people to take a step of faith and serve where ever God calls them(even when it requires taking risk).
Dr Paul, Jen, Georgia, Olivia, Sophia, and Jackson, Thank you for teaching and living the true lessons of Christ servants.
Blessings,
Eunice
And my whole family is grateful for you. What a fantastic teacher your are, always willing to share your experiences and lessons. We are all praying for you and your family. God bless you all. I hope you consider writing a book. You write so passionately, I just love reading about your work.
Ana Lee
Dr. Paul and family,
Love the blogs!!!!
I just heard Sunday you all were in Africa and just wanted to say I’m thankful today for you all as an example to the Body. An example of what it means to have a heart of love “beyond the walls”. I will pray for you and our Kenya family as you do what you do best,…… love.
From Houston with Love,
Nicole M.
Dr. Paul,
From all the Kidslife staff and team we just want to say we are praying for you, Jennifer, and the kids. I am so proud of the impact the kids are making on the families of Africa. They are leading by example and are modeling God’s love in such a profound way. We miss you all here and can’t wait to hear the great stories of what God has done in Africa. Be safe and we’ll hopefully see you next week sometime.
We love you all!
Craig
Hey Paul ,
You need to save these blogs for your BOOK. It is hard to stop reading. I can’t wait to see ya’ll next week.
Love, Your bro, Robin
Dear family,
As I write this note, I’m looking at your family photo in my home office. We are so proud of you and are grateful for the impact you are making. I love your blog about the lessons you’ve learned from others. I once heard someone say, “the world is my classroom and every man is my teacher.” You have taught us so much as well. We look forward to your return. We’ve got some chai tea waiting for you!
Charles and Carolyn
Dear Paul,
When you show love, you are showing the God to the world ! Thank you so much for helping people in Kenya. Living in a developing country almost 22 years, I appreciate for many things like the way you saw beautiful sky at night and also hearing the bird’s songs in the morning. I appreciate more for God’s creatures. (Hope there is no hyena around the area…… you may walk with guards at night…?) Pray for you and your family’s daily safety.
From Nairobi Kenya.
Dearest Paul, Jen and your blessed and loving children,
I pray God to give my two grand-daughters (six and three years old) the love of Missions and dedication to the poor and needy. Wish I was young again to go and do my part where they need us so much. But I consider myself lucky to have found The Joel Osteen Ministry a few months ago as it turned my life upside down for the better. I print these gems, blogs and Today’s Word with Joel and Victoria in order to pass them later to my two loving little children hoping Jesus will guide them to follow your path.
What a blessing to have stumbled onto your website, God was surely leading today. I am so appreciative of people who can go and actually do the work that we all would love to do. You will be in my prayers, God speed.
Dorothy
Oh Paul,
I read your letter “Starry African Night”. It so blessed me. I too, am grateful. I am grateful for people like you who love, just for the sake of loving. Loving, not to receive anything back, but the knowledge that you are doing “what thus saith the Lord”. I have been following your mission project and wish I were young enough to follow your example. I do what I can, and that is to pray for you and those like you. I pray your strength in the Lord, strength for the journey. I pray hedges of protection around you, your family, and all those with you. God is so awesom, in that He fills us with his love. I will keep you and yours in my daily prayer. What a blessing you are and I am grateful for that.
Yours in Christ,
Bobbi Badji
Paul and the Osteen family
I am reading Phils Munsey’s book: ‘Legacy Now’, he preached sunday morning. This book gave me a new take on the word legacy, not just something to be left behind but taken from the past into the present through to the future and the next generations. Not just from your family but other covenent relationships as well. Like the examples you recounted above. These were the seeds of legacy that you watered and are coming to fruition and are planting. The first time I got to meet your girls was at a Lakewood picnic the first year you moved to Houston. The girls were playing with a small inflated beach ball, when another little girl came up and took it from the youngest as it dropped on the ground, she went to to take it back when the little girl began to scream (her grandmother did not intervene). “I had it first…..” from the baby Osteen girl said. The oldest daughter (~ 7 years old) retrieved the ball from her. She explained to her baby sister, along with the next older one, ” we have to share and take turns, let her have it first, then you, she’s to litlle to known.. , it took a couple of tries and a lot of patience and diplomacy to get the little girl to cooperate. She changed the method of play several times until she found one that worked better to include the younger child. Forming a circle on the ground, they began to play. I hadn’t met you or your wife but this gave me a glimpse of you. This was wisdom far beyond her years. I could also see, her grandmother, Dodie, who I had met, caring enough to make everyone feel ’special’ even if it takes a little more time. It was not what your daughter said but how and the spirit she said and did it. What grace, what character, at such a tender age. As I read the children’s notes I can still see the wisdom of their ‘gene’ -r-ations.
Verda
Dr. Paul and Family,
As I read your journal, and I look at the pictures, I am reminded as how blessed I am. There are so many lives that are in need, and it’s so great to see your family out there making a difference. I could only wish that I could give like you do. Your families love and dedication is overwhelming. Keep doing what you are doing. I am so inspired!!
Dr. Paul and Family.
Thank you and Thank God! Your experiences have reignited a passion for international missions. We are all called to help others, thus revealing the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. But more than that, it is awesome to see that your children are touching people and making lasting impressions of Jesus in the lives of others. I know he is looking down from heaven with a smile. My prayer is to one day thrive in the ministry of helps in concert with my children. I thank God daily for the Lakewood family. I pray for strength and protection for you and yours.
With the love of Christ,
Alichia, Brandon, and Bethany
Dear Paul & Jenni,
I can hardly wait each day to “see” a tiny bit of what you all are experiencing.
I can’t imagine how you all have found the time to bless us with your adventures, when the days must be long and resting hours are precious & few.
We continue to be blessed and inspired by your writings. I have shared with mom on the phone from time and to time. We are keeping you all in our prayers that God will continue to bless you and keep you well and safe for your trip home.
We are looking forward to seeing you soon at Candy’s wedding.
Love you. deb
Dear Paul and family,
I read your experiences daily and am glad your mission in Africa has been of great experience.
Sorry about the Ugali incident and I can relate to what you went through since my husband had the same reaction after he tried it for the first time(he is not from Kenya) but has become a pro after several Ugali eating episodes. Hope next time it will taste better with some beef stew and spinach :)