Jean Phillipe de Sousa

November 2013

Tuesday Journal entry--IN The CLINIC

Last night I prayed for a broken heart for the people of Haiti---the truth was I was a little surprised as my lack of compassion as we viewed the devastation wrought by the earthquake of Jan 2010. We had seen brand new villages which had formed because these people had lost their homes. I had watched others interact with the kids and had been somewhat involved but not my heart. Am I too old? Have I seen too much...am I hardened by seeing this poverty in Africa? So I prayed for HS help and as always God answers. And I am broken

How do you cope when you meet a 12 yo boy who is left orphaned and homeless after his Mom dies 2 months ago? He has never known his father. He is the age of our first granddaughter ,Callie. He was brought to the clinic by the village champion Huggins from Cabaret a town of 80K Steve did his best to mend the foot torn from one of many glass shards all over the streets and fields where the kids play. Their bare feet so vulnerable. I held him down as he had no concept of going through the pain of xylocaine injection to get to healing. I prayed over him as I held him (a mothers privilege) Be still young man—know that I AM God. The boys name is Jean Phillipe de Sousa. Someone (God)knows his name. Mended by multiple stitches we send him away.--no where to go—no one to go home to tonight. Instead of sleep, I cry out," where is he Lord Jesus, " I know you care for him. We had talked at length to the Village Champion—he cares but cannot take him in there are too many like him. Street kids. I need to be sleeping.

Wednesday AM

Not enough sleep running on adrenalin. I meet Steve at breakfast. Steve says “Linda, look-who's here and he has great news” It was Huggins the village champion we had met with Jean (the street boy). He had connected Jean with his church and was very adamant that he (Huggins) would watch out for him!

I am praising you God for your provision and you mercy. You know Jean better and care more deeply than I can fathom. A new hope for his care was born in me. You are Jehovah Jireh—the Lord who provides.

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Friday night

as Paul Harvey used to say...and now for the rest of the story.

Friday night the teams gather to debrief. We were to tell stories that greatly impacted us this week.

Some teams were super high energy and told wonderful stories of salvation..

No one else...quiet...I hate to speak up it is a big group but felt that if I did not the rocks would cry out! Compelled.

I began with the story of my broken heart for this child a street boy of only 2 months. I was incredulous that in the midst of a deluge of rain (called a gully washer in Texas) we would stitch him up and send him back to the street. No foster care no gov system of care for kids. I then told of the shower of mercy I felt Wednesday AM when Huggins told us he would CARE for him and he had plugged him into his church. How much better than the government! The End

No way. People from another team began to come up to me to relate their relief as they were the team out in Cabaret who had found Jean bleeding in the street and taken him to Huggins. As God showered me with mercy I was able to pass it on to them. He was cared for and the church would be involved. The God who cares and provides. Jehovah Jireh our provider.