Journal from TheEdge: By Geneva Donoho*

May 21
The volunteer team arrived last night. They all seem like sweet girls. It’s cool having them here. We are leaving for the village soon. Father, please keep us safe as we travel, be our protector, keep the men from staring, help no one to get sick, and may Your presence be known among these hills. Lord Jesus, I praise You for interceding on my behalf. Father, as we go and come these next days, be our support. Rescue us from our enemies. You’re my strength.

May 22
Lord, thank you for this wonderful day. Thank you for this team of girls. They are all so sweet and I really like them all. Father God, You are so good. What a blessing to get to have these experiences. It’s so cool to be on the other side – for so many years I was the one going on mission trips. Now, I’m the missionary that the team is coming to help.

Yesterday, we met at the office and talked about the expectations, what will happen, etc…  We took three land cruisers up. We stopped at the waterfall and at the Woman and Child Center to pray over it. I have been able to talk with all the volunteers (five of them) and am trying to get to know everyone.

Today, we left really early for the village to conduct a medical clinic. All 12 of us girls rode up in one jeep, quite the crowd. It was fun and dangerous at the same time. Two girls worked with me to take care of the kids. We did mehndi (dark brown paint used to draw traditional designs on women’s hands and feet), games, Bible story dramas, songs, balls, and bubbles.

Some of the other volunteers took weight and height measurements and registration for the clinic and told oral Bible stories. The team was so helpful and we couldn’t have done this without them. We gave out soap to all the patients and more than 82 ladies and children were seen by the doctor. One little baby fell asleep on my shoulder. It was so sweet.

May 23
Oh Lord, you are so good to me. Your face is all I see; Your grace abounds to me. Your creation is so beautiful. There aren’t words to describe the beauty of the mountains, the snow, and the lake. Thank you Lord, for these volunteer girls. This morning after breakfast, we all went on the roof and had a share time and sang a few songs. Then today, we hiked up to this lake. Quite the experience, very cold, started to rain, a few people slipped on the way down.

May 25
Father God, Most Holy Savior, Risen Lamb, thank you for meeting me right where I’m at. Lord, I’m really worried about these three days in this new village area. What are we going to do all day, etc.? Father, I just lay it before You. You prepare the way. Give us the words to say. May the people be open to Your truth and bring us the right relationships.

May 28
Lord, my heart rejoices in You. I’m amazed by You, Your goodness, and how You reveal all things in Your time. I was able to talk last night with the volunteer working with me and we really connected. We were both able to share things about our past and You showed me steps for the future.

June 1
Lord, may this country declare Your praises and boast in Christ. Lord, bring out Your people to salvation. My heart hurts for those beautiful friends of mine who need you. Father, I thank you, I exalt you for leading me and the girls (volunteer and translator) to every place last week.  Thank you for the stories and testimonies we were able to share.

Thank you for the ladies we got to meet, the health lessons we shared, families we prayed for, and the dear friends we connected with. Lord, these nationals we came close to are heavy on my heart. God, I weep for them. Save them; do the work that only You can do. Let them watch the Jesus film and receive Your truth.

This past week was one of the greatest weeks of my time in this country. The volunteer girls were awesome. I love them all and miss them. God, I praise You for Your protection all the time, especially this past week when the police were watching us.

In one area we went to, the Christian ladies got together and brought a drum and hymnal for singing. We sang songs, told three stories, and then had a prayer time. Then we did the health lesson. One lady shared how her two sons were in an accident and went blind for a month. They prayed and God healed them. Praise the Lord! Another lady shared how her husband left her when she was pregnant and everyone told her to have an abortion. But she kept the baby and she is a beautiful little girl.

Two of the volunteer girls wrote the sweetest notes that made me cry. They shared how much they looked up to us and were in awe of us and had grown because of our example. Lord, You really exceed my expectations and answered all our prayers.

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*Name changed for security purposes

Geneva Donoho is a Journeyman serving on theEdge in South Asia.