Stories from the Field

February 2005

They could see God

By Kerri Albrecht, Journeyman to Ukraine

Yesterday, I went on a medical clinic outside of the city with Dr. Richard Price, a fellow IMB missionary. This is my third clinic, and I am now a pro at testing people's blood sugar. Yesterday, a few small conversations took place that really blessed me.

An older lady, probably 60, with straggly gray hair, sat down in front of me. At this time, I was testing devlyenia (blood pressure). She looked at me with a grin, and asked me where I was from. When I said America, she was silent for a short amount of time as tears filled her eyes. Soon, she said, "You came all the way from American just to help us?" I did not really know how to respond, so just touched her hand and smiled. She was so grateful and kept looking at me and smiling, with her eyes tearing up over and over again. As she left, after seeing the doctor, she still seemed in shock, but came to me again and said thank you again. She could see God through the people there.

An older man came in and sat in the chairs to wait to get his blood pressure and sugar tested. When it was his turn, he slowly stood and walked small steps, about an inch each step, to my “station.” It broke my heart to see his condition, especially knowing that he had probably traveled a ways on foot in this condition in the cold to try and get some help. He took off his coat so I could test his blood pressure. When it got time for him to get up from his chair and move again, I could hardly stand to watch him. Filled with compassion from the Lord, I grabbed his coat and helped him put his arms through it. He was shocked, and looked at me with such a genuine look of gratitude that I could not imagine ever not responding in such a way in the future. It seemed like something so little, but to him, it was a great act of love.

Check out the Web site for other updates on my life, and random thoughts.... www.hope4kiev.org