Able and mighty hands
September 7, 2008
The last few weeks have literally flown by. I have been very busy at the hospital. Several surgeons have either been on well deserved vacation or have been back in the States on furlough. That said, just a couple of us have been taking care of the busy surgical service here at Tenwek. My usual week starts at 7 a.m. with morning rounds with one of the resident physicians or interns. I have responsibility for the male and female surgical wards where we usually have between 50 and 75 patients. Several mornings each week we have conferences with the rest of the medical and surgical staff. On Wednesday mornings we have devotions. Surgery usually starts around 9 a.m. except on Fridays when we try to start at 8 a.m. I help run a clinic on Tuesdays that has between 50 -100 patients. Call is usually a couple of nights a week and I take call every third weekend. That said, there are a tremendous number of emergencies that need to be taken care of each day. Needless to say, the last few weeks have been incredibly busy but it has been such a joy being able to do what I feel like God has called me to do. I love that line in the movie Chariots of Fire… “I feel God’s pleasure when I run”. That is much the way I feel when I am ministering to the sick here in this remote part of
Jenn and the children are doing well. Jenn is up early for an hour long walk with a friend. She starts the children with their school work by 8 a.m. and we try to have our big meal of the day around 1 p.m. I make it to this meal about half of the time. The kids are having a great time with their old friends and their new friends here at the mission compound [but trust me they miss their family and friends back home!]. From our apartment balcony, most of the time we can hear them running around, swinging on the tree swing or playing soccer or kick ball with a whole group of children. We try to take walks together as a family. Last weekend we took a family trip to Kericho (hour and a half away) where we were able to tour a tea factory and a flower factory. It was such a beautiful sight to see the rolling hills of western
I’ll close with just a simple thought. Before every operation we pray for our patient—for God’s safety and protection, for full recovery, for wisdom and guidance for those of us providing care. Most of the time I pray, but occasionally I will ask one of the nurses to pray. One nurse has a prayer he always prays: “Father, we commit this patient into your able and mighty hands.” Isn’t it a reassuring thought to rest in the fact that we are in the able and mighty hands of an awesome God?
Thanks for all the prayers and e-mails. We love you all.
Paul
Love you Dr. Paul.
Jesus is smiling on you.
Joyce K
That is such a great prayer and so truthful too…”we are in the able and mighty hands of an awesome God”!
Even though, we go through things we do…”we are in the able and mighty hands of an awesome God”!
I may not understand why my daughter and I are where we are but it is true that “we are in the able and mighty hands of an awesome God”!
I pray for ya’ll and for the needs of the people In Africa and that as ya’ll set your hands to do what God has called you to do, that there will be peace there and healing and restoration and no lack in the Name of Jesus.
Be blessed and it is great that ya’ll are doing what God called ya’ll to do.
Blessings to you and your entire family,
April Quinn
Imagine our surprise when Simone told us you were back in Africa! The missions bug has seriously bit Dr. Paul Osteen and his awesome family! I just sat and read through some of your entries and am now trying to wipe all these tears off my face…you can’t even imagine how what you’re doing half way around the world is touching someone like me ! Thanks for having the guts to take your ENTIRE family to some of the most beautiful people!
Looking forward to seeing you either in Houston over Thanksgiving or at Joel’s gig in Portland, Oregon in December!
Love to the fam!
Stacey and Vance Rogers
Hi Dr. Paul and Family:
Thank you so much for giving to the Lord I. wonder if you know how much you and your
family BLESS. If I had not met you I would not be what I have become in my Christian
Life Today. Please know that thru the hand of God as he sent me your way I truly would
have never been the same.
As I experience Gods Gifts I am amazed,one of them is praying for the sick. Our son
Matt and his wife Kelli blessed us with a wonderful new grandson last Jan. He was
born 1 month early and was having a little problem with breathing and wet lungs.
The Drs. said that he would have to be transferred to Childrens Hosp. within 6 hrs.
if he did not improve .I stood outside the nursery watching that chest and stomach
struggle for breath. I ask the nurse if I could come in and pray for him at first she
was hesitant but she did let me, i asked her to close the curtains and I laid my
hands on the baby and prayed. I felt the power of God come on me as it had never
done before it was as if I could feel the power of God going into that little chest. I was
so overcome with emotion to know that that power existed. The baby’s body seemed
to relax at that point and do you know that with 4 hours he was in the room with his
parents and was 100% healed. (Praise God). I just feel so blessed that a mighty
King could show so much love to me. To be spirit filled is the most wonderful
thing and just when you never expect it ( W’ell I ‘m sure your know it come to bless and
keep.
Thank you for showing me the things I could I have never known or imagined.
One of the best things that your Dad gave to me in a sermon was the one on the
7 Redemptive names of God that was so amazing to me.
May God Richly Bless you on the mission field.
Tell Jen I see Kalah about once a week and when you guys get back to Houston
if it can be worked out we will bring Kalah down for a visit with you.
Blessings to you and yours
Sue