Sunshine at the end of the room
September 7, 2008
The first time I met Janet* was in the surgery clinic one Tuesday afternoon. She was 30 years old and wore a tattered dress and had holes in her shoes. She came requesting supplies so she could take care of a draining wound on her abdomen. When we asked questions, Janet would mumble an answer, all the while keeping her gaze toward the floor. When we pressed her for more details, she became more vague and withdrawn. It didn’t take us long to realize that this young woman was dealing with an incredible amount of pain or sadness or both. It was if the weight of the entire world was on her stooped shoulders.
With time, over the next couple of clinic visits, her story began to unfold. Several years earlier she had had an abortion and things had gone horribly wrong. First, her uterus was perforated, then a terrible infection spread all through her abdomen. After four operations and months in the hospital, she was left with her intestines draining through an open wound on her abdomen, a huge hospital bill and the devastating news that she was HIV positive. And in the months that followed her discharge, she sank into a hopeless depression with no one to help and no where to turn. She couldn’t come back to the hospital—her bill was too great. She couldn’t buy medicines for her HIV or supplies for her wound, she had no money.
After months of suffering alone, she registered at the hospital under a different number and was able to come back occasionally for supplies to take care of her draining wound. It was then I understood the shame and pain and despair I saw in this young woman’s face that first day in the clinic.
On one visit, one of the physicians I work with—Dr. Odera, began to encourage Janet that if she applied for grants, she might be able to receive money for both her hospital bill and her HIV meds. She applied and was accepted. And when I examined her abdomen and reviewed her x-rays, I thought that if she was willing to undergo another risky operation, there was a chance that we might be able to take care of the draining wound on her abdomen.
A few weeks later we were amazed and encouraged to find Janet on the surgical ward at
Every day when we saw Janet on our rounds, we would let her know that we had done all we could do as physicians to treat her, now we were praying for Jesus to do what we could not do–heal her. Every day we encouraged her that Jesus was her friend, and that He would be her strength and her comfort and because of Him, her future was always full of hope. Her bed was at the very end of the female ward. I would always let her know that–even though she was still in the dark fog of depression, she was the sunshine at the far end of the room.
It didn’t happen overnight, but over the next few weeks as the nurses and doctors and aides continued to embrace her with the love of Jesus, her wounds began to heal, her countenance began to change as hope once again rose up in her heart. And for almost 3 weeks, when I walked into the female ward at the far end of the room I could see the biggest, brightest, most hope-filled smile I think I have ever seen.
Last Monday when I saw Janet on morning rounds she was dressed in a beautiful dress and, as usual she was grinning from ear to ear. When I asked why she was all dressed up, she smiled and told me: “for two reasons”. The first, she said, was because she had been to church the day before–something new for Janet. And the second reason she said was because today was the day she was finally going home.
What made the difference in Janet’s life? What caused this young woman who walked in to the clinic full of despair and shame and hopelessness leave with peace and joy and a smile on her face? It was because of the transforming love of our Savior.
The other day I climbed one of the nearby hills and found a perch overlooking Tenwek Hosptial. And as I looked at the few buildings that make up the hospital, I thought about how incredible it is that God uses a few bricks and some mortar and some pieces of tin and a few of His willing children to bring hope and healing to men and women and children just like Janet. What a privelege it was to play a small part in her care. She truly was sunshine at the end of the room.
Blessings,
Paul
* Not her real name
Paul,
I’ve been attending LW for 7 years while working for the Catholic church (brought up Catholic). Recently a new priest came to live here at St, Vincent de Paul Church (on Buffalo Speedway) who is from Kenya. Father Jonathan Kathenge. I volunteered to teach Fr. Jonathan how to drive on the right side of the street and saw him through the process of getting a Texas drivers license. He only attempted to drive into oncoming traffic ONCE. God is good! He finally caught on to the meaning of a WIDE left turn (onto Holcombe from S. Main), and all has been uneventful since.
Yesterday, I volunteered to take Fr. Jonathan to Galveston (he had a work assignment there as he is not I-45 prolific yet). While driving, we talked about St. Vincent’s pastor who is suffering from stage 4 cancer of the liver that has metastasized into the bones in his back and some lymph nodes. I told him all about your mom and how the Lord healed her and that He can heal the pastor too. I also told him about you and Jenn and I shared your latest blogs with him. He was excited to hear about your love for his country. Maybe when you get back to Houston, I might be able to introduce you to Fr. Jonathan and you can share your experiences and stories of Kenya.
Every Sunday and Wednesday, I sit in a position that I see the Osteen family as you all enter and exit the sanctuary. I sure miss seeing you, Jenn and your oldest daughter each week and looking forward to your return – nobody picks on Joel quite the way you do! we really miss the love that you two have for each other.
Stay well, safe and in His hands…
Paulette
You know what’s funny, it’s like i’m meeting her again for the first time and seeing her for the first time. The power of God’s hand at work in Tenwek is challenging, convicting, humbling and encouraging. He really is here, and the word He spoke into this place is not returning void. There is so much evidence of Himself, and we can only see it, even in the business and craziness of life, if we just open our eyes. Thanx for the reminder.
God bless.
Paul,
Thanks for sharing Janet’s story. We are excited to see how you and your family are making a difference in Africa. Tell every Alex and I said hello.
Love,
Percy & Alex
Hello Dr. Paul,
What a touching story! Thanks for sharing some of the awesome work that God is doing through you all there. We are very proud of you and your family, and we look forward to your return.
Miss y’all!
Blessings and love,
Barbara
Dr. Paul,
I love reading your stories about the amazing things the Lord is doing in Africa! I thank God for you and your family! It makes me feel so blessed and humbled to be a part of such a wonderful ministry as Lakewood Church! My family’s lives are so much more full because of the Osteen family. We love you all and are praying for you. Send Jennifer and the children our love.
God bless you,
Sera and Darren Johnson and family (Julia, Elyse, Joshua, and Ethan)
Dr. Paul,
I miss you and hope your doing fine!
Will be praying for you…..
Larry Westfall
We just wanted you to know we MISS YOU! We cant wait for you and your family to get home. Its not the same without you. We cant wait to hear the stories! Thanks for being obedient to Gods call, and thanks for believing in us!
Dear Dr. Paul Osteen,
Am writing to thank you for sharing Janet’s story with us @Lakewood last weekend. I was born and raised in Kenya , but moved to the US seven years ago. I have been coming to Lakewood for 4 years now, and to be very honest, the most emotional services for me were the two services when you talked about your mission work in Kenya.Hearing you say “asante” really tugged at my heart srtings. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing God’s love to those in need, and for inspiring me to go on my first medical mission(I am a critical care RN). I will be travelling to Honduras with the Lakewood crew in June. Thankyou Dr Osteen and your family, for giving to the Lord- the patients and staff at Tenwek have lives that were changed, because you touched their lives. Asante sana.
Shiro
Hello Paul,
I believe I met you and your family while traveling in Africa at the Mennonite Guest House in Nairobi in late September. I was traveling with my nephew and a doctor and his wife. I remember discussing the hurricane that had just hit Houston, and you had not seen your house, yet. I remember you saying you had been working at a clinic, and your father had started a large church in Houston. I never got your last name. My husband and I occasionally watch the Lakewood service on TV, and last night we did some googling, I’d sure appreciate a confirmation that it was indeed your family. I remember they were great kids and I enjoyed talking with your wife.
Hi Dr. Paul:
This on put me on my knees . How wonderful is our Heavenly Father.
I feel so blessed that I will be able to enter his kingdom.
That litte surgery that you did on me 19 years ago truly changed my life. What a
blessing you and your family are to me and how blessed I am to have such a
loving heavenly father to bring me to where I am today.
I pray for you guys daily All of you inspire me .
Sue
Hello. Paul and Jennifer.
Praise the name of the lord Jesus.
I am Paul William Ayo from Tanzania, Eastern Africa. I am a student. I am glad you are Paul as me.
When I was 11 yrs old, I got paraffin fire accident at home when a lamp exploded on my chest and neck. I cried bitterly as the pain was very excruciating! My parents were just waiting to hear the doctor saying that Paul has passed away.
Praise the lord that today I am alive! I have undergone many surgeries to release my neck from chest yet today I suffer with no help whatsoever but praying God to open door for me for healing whether by His people who are ready to help me to go hospital or by his miraculous ways. The remain part is not that big, in fact it’s small but it is pulling my neck sideward and the spinal cord is painful as a result of it
I have come recently to see a tumor on my waist. I have consulted doctors and they advised me to get rid of it surgically before they cause the cancer on my body.
Dr.Paul and Jennifer servants of God, God has blessed you with mission to help children and needy people especially in Kenya I suppose, but I’m asking you to ask God about me and help me to get free from this pains on my body for his glory and my God will bless you mightily.
Please, pray for it and call me for surgery.My number is +255756022010.
Tanzania is in the neighborhood of Kenya, 4 hours drive from Nairobi to where I live in Arusha Tanzania. I am born again and I love Jesus. I believe if you help me God will bless you. Amen. I am looking forward to hear from you soon. God bless. Gal 6:10
Paul William Ayo.
P.O BOX 6014.
SAKILA, ARUSHA TANZANIA
Tel: +255756022010.
poulwilliam@yahoo.co.uk.
Dr. Paul
Last night your brother came to the Dodge Arena in South Texas. It was a phenomenal experience! I watch the Broadcast on TV weekly but never have seen you guys live. I have never felt the Holy Spirit so strong as it swept over the whole Arena. It was awesome to experience it first hand.
He mentioned your were in Kenya during the Service and your current Ministry Outreach Program. Since I am an RN I have an obvious intrest in looking you up on the Ministry Website…thanks for the blog and keep posting! I will bookmark the site and monitor your progress. My prayers are with you and your family.