The Custom of Visiting the Sick

Sue says:
The Melanesian custom of visiting the sick has been a big blessing to us during my illness. Often without advance warning, a knock will come at the door. Someone will be coming by fora short time to pray for
my healing and to stay for a short visit. This has done so much to buoy my spirit.

The group pictured above is the cell group a Melanesian co-worker leads. Because they are a large group, they asked ahead of time if they could come. Some of them hardly knew us. Others were our students or co-workers. This group had an additional idea in mind. They wanted to have small-group time to say good-bye to us.

How touching it was that one had a verse of encouragement. Another told a story of how one of us had influenced him. The man in the back was a co-worker in Moresby, and he's now taking a class from Jeff. The couple on the left ends knew us through another missionary, Deb, who discipled them in Western Province years ago. (They say "Hi" to her.) We closed with a song and prayer. Oh, the good-byes are heart wrenching, but we appreciate the fact that people take the time to offer them.

I have recuperated from hepatitis in a surprisingly short time. We bless the Lord who heals all our diseases. Hepatitis is a disease for which one withholds medication and just rests. I will try lecturing an hour a day next week and rest at home the remainder of each day. Thanks to those who have prayed for me. The Lord has greatly sped my recovery.