By Laura Li Rivera
It is the sympathy for the sick who cannot afford medical attention and my compassion for their pain, sufferings and illness that lead me to participate in this medical mission. However, the tests and temptations struck after I committed. Frequent visits to emergency hospitals and in patient admission with unknown sickness became a compelling reason to reevaluate the decision I made. With a profound thought, I asked God, “How can I serve the sick if I, myself, am also sick? How can I provide good service to the sick and needy who are struggling and in pain if I’m also undergoing the same thing?" God’s providence led me to step out in faith and entrust my life to Him. A season of seeking and loving God with a great hunger to hear His voice is also a great reason in serving His people. During the mission, I was focused to provide medical counseling and health teaching but never did I imagine that praying for someone would be one of the highlights and great purposes that I would have in Gen San. In the past, my fear of praying became a reason for me to disobey God many times in spite of God’s prompting to me, “Physical ailments and anxiety can be treated by drugs, but the spirit of fear can only be cured by God. Spiritual battles are under the supervision of the Lord.”
Celebrating victorious time with all the volunteers in Gen San Victory Church was truly inspiring and encouraging. Meeting Amanda, who prophesized God’s message to me, unveiled His plans and promises to me. “I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully mad” - Psalm 139:14. All life is created by God and bears His autograph. Though, it may seem that God does not respond to my persistent prayers, I know that He hears me and reminds of how precious and loved I am.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts - Isaiah 55:7.Indeed, God’s plans are better than my own plans. Everything will fall into and be perfected in His time.
