Here is a letter that Bellie wrote to a good friend of hers. Kelly, who arrived back in the states a few days ago, felt it would make good blog material. I agreed. It has elements of God’s providence in it. Sometimes when we feel we ought to do this, or that, but it makes no logical sense, it could be God nudging you to prepare something for Him that He will use in His way, in His timing.
Watch for the movement of providence in the following letter.
August 16, 2009
Dear S____,
I had been planning to write a while back but I was so busy with ministry that I kept putting it off.
I love the medical bag you sent me. I was wondering, however, why you bought one for me because I don’t go out to see any patients. On the other hand, I also know you hear from the Lord so I was keeping my ears and eyes open.
Only a few of the kids here have sores that need my attention. There were so many bandages in the medical bag that I had to store them among my stuff for possible use later. My bedroom looks quite disorderly. I am not so gifted with arranging and putting things neatly away. But then again, I know you hear from the Lord so I was keeping my eyes and ears open.
It was June when I finally yielded in my heart and let Kelly visit these people living close to the highway in a wide field by the nipa palm trees. The shanty on that land had been on my mind ever since we had lived in Carmen 9 years ago.
So Kelly went there with 3 of our kids and befriended the people living in that shanty. The couple had 6 children. 3 are in elementary grade. Kelly returned there with me the following day to see what their needs were and if there was any way that we could extend help and bring the gospel to them.
I saw a man coming down from his resting place. The resting place looked like a ceiling to me. I saw him so sick looking and I asked him what was wrong. He had an abscess in his back that needed draining. He had 2 other abscess sites that spilled out copious amounts of pus. I advised him what to do but he was so desperate looking and was caught up in so much despair and poverty. I did not want to do any incision and draining since I don’t have a license to practice medicine (editor’s note: Bellie has the medical training and, in fact is a doctor but she always knew that missionary work was what she was destined to do. She does use her medical skills in life and death situations and as God moves His spirit in her to do so, however. Bellie continues:) I took my college kids so we could pray together for the poor man. When we prayed I smelled the olive oil and instantly knew that I needed to do something about those abscesses. (Another editor’s note: When we pray, believing that God will answer, He responds but it may take time to really learn to hear Him as His voice is a still, small voice according to the Bible. Bellie is in tune with the Lord and when she smells olive oil, she knows that God is responding to the situation that is being prayed about and she is then often inspired to take action. She goes on:)
I bought medicine for the man and dress his wounds daily. I am using the medical bag which you bought for me nearly two years ago, and I love it. Then, because I was dressing his wounds, others came to have their wounds dressed. Recently a woman came to me to ask for assistance as she was soon to give birth to her baby. I pray unceasingly. I have been dressing, preaching and praying for patients using the medical stuff you gave me. Kelly is my side kick. He has become my nurse when Geraldine, Haide’s sister, is not with us.
Recently a woman with breast cancer came for dressing. I found out her cancer cells have metastasized. She had many other complaints in her body. I am asking God for a miracle so people will see that our God is powerful and that He heals, cares for and loves all men. I have used up half the sponges, gauze bandages and a lot of what you gave to me. I believe, if you had gathered these medical supplies for only 1 person that would hear the Word of God and believe, it would all be worth it! I am so glad you gave those supplies to Kelly and we are able to use them here. Many are really helped.
By the way, the woman with breast cancer has much less pain. She can sleep now. She also used to have shortness of breath, was easily tired and got dizzy. She is not complaining of those things now. She has a happier countenance, too.
We thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts that you gave us these medical supplies. We are blessed. God gave me back my ministry and He used you.
Love you,
Sister Bellie
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