A Day On the Porch

Today was unlike any other day since our FPC Mission Team arrived at Nazareth Hospital.  It was a warm, sunny and dry day. Several team members, as designated, had gone on home visits to counsel with HIV/AIDS patients from the Holy Family Center at Nazareth Hospital.  Other team members met with the Pastoral Counseling Team, observed surgery in the theater (operating room), etc.  So, with the others gone, I deviated from the activity schedule and decided to sit on the porch, thus, becoming a “porch person.”

Sitting on the porch in the warm sun, I began to write in my journal of daily activities.  Soon, a parade (as it seemed) of visitors began to come up to the porch and talk with me. The people who visited the porch included Dr. Salvador De La Torre (NKatha’s boss) from the Catholic Medical Mission Board Administration who has served in several African communities and in Haiti. Later, Dr. James, Chief of Surgery at Nazareth Hospital, came up to the porch, followed by Dr. Mary, Internal Medicine.  After they left and a few quiet moments, NKatha, former Director of Holy Family Center.  Along with her were Ruth, Director of Counseling at the Holy Family Center and Mary Mwaungi.  Soon after, Counselor George in the Pastoral Counseling Department arrived. He was followed by Teacher George, Head Primary School Teacher at Nazareth Hospital.  Later, Michael, the current Director of Holy Family Center came.  Each person who sat with me on the porch has demonstrated a commitment to providing health care, wellness and educational services to the less fortunate of society, both in this area and other places.  Was the FACE OF GOD present in the faces of these servants?  I believe so!  I believe they are living in the Spirit of Christ.  Each is living for a daily encounter with God through service to His people.  While they live in the present, their hope and work are centered on plans for a better future for those with the greatest needs (people who are viewed as expendable).

Why were all of these people coming to the porch?  To see me?  Not a chance! These servant leaders who came to the porch have two things in common:  (1) solving a problem and (2) enlisting the aid of Pastor Jim Wood to discuss some ideas to improve service options for the children and adults whose lives have been adversely affected by HIV/AIDS.

Later, the children came from school.  A new drama began!  Today was a great day to be a porch person.  While I will not be on the porch tomorrow, it will still be a great day because it will be a day that God has made and I look forward to the encounters He provides.

by Winston Whitehurst, a member of First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia.