“Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.’ Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.”
-Matthew 9:20-22
This passage illustrates something remarkable. It demonstrates Jesus’ care and concern for even the most intimate gynecological problems of women. Perhaps that seems insignificant, but to a woman suffering through the shame of long-term bleeding which ostracized her culturally and no doubt frustrated and discouraged her, it was everything.
Gynecological problems can be some of the most shameful and frustrating for women to bear. Often men don’t understand the challenges. Jesus, in his great care, surely did. Last week in El Salvador we were privileged to host a team of women’s health care professionals that also deeply cared.
This wonderful team of women included a nurse practitioner, 3 nurses, and a lactation consultant. They did check-ups, pap smears, breast exams, and gave breastfeeding consultations. They treated infections and talked about nutrition. But most importantly they made women feel seen, and cared for, and loved.
“Take heart, daughter.”
These loving group of women made those words their personal mission as they used their skills, their smiles, and their own hearts to listen, to care, and to treat the most intimate of wounds. They truly were an extension of Jesus’ healing power to the clients we serve at the Lighthouse Resource Center and to the women in the rural clinic where we partner with Latin American Children’s Fund.
They also provided care to our staff, did some general health checks on our male clients and on the women’s children, and provided educational workshops. They celebrated Mother’s Day away from their own families to serve the women and families of El Salvador and we are grateful.
They truly encouraged the daughters of El Salvador to take heart.
Interested in bringing a team to serve in El Salvador? No matter what your skills, we can use your help! Contact us at info@missiontoelsalvador.com for more info!
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