I have been reading through the Bible in a year and was just doing my daily reading when my husband walked into the bedroom, so I started including him by reading out loud when all of a sudden, the passage so gripped me, I couldn’t go on, I had to reach for my journal and write down these thoughts…
“Nehemiah has moved me so profoundly because of my parallel reaction when I heard that the clinic at the mission station where I grew up was in ruins. I was moved on such a deep level when I saw this picture. They say that a picture paints a thousand words, but I have no words for this picture!
As I read on in Nehemiah, the Bible describes this dear, sensitive man as being almost debilitated, overwhelmed, but then he decided to do something about it. Nehemiah 1:4 says “When I heard these things, (that the Jerusalem wall was in ruins and the people were living in “trouble and disgrace”) I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” Then he prayed a beautiful and eloquent prayer. If you haven’t read this passage in a while, meditate on this beautiful prayer.
So the first thing that Nehemiah did was to pray. Secondly, he made a plan and did something about it. The rest of the book is a great study in passion and dedication and leadership; overcoming obstacles both physical and man made; achieving goals and making a difference! And always Nehemiah gives thanks to God and often asks for favor.
So, when I saw the pictures of the clinic, I decided to do something about it. I have prayed, certainly! My husband and I have committed some of our own resources to the project and plan to work hard to see the rebuilding of the clinic happen, but we also need folks who are willing to partner with us and stand beside us. That means on a spiritual level with the tools and weapons we have available to us as Christians in prayer like Nehemiah’s wall builders. But it also means gaining favor and support for the materials we will need to get the project done from people and churches and groups who are willing to partner with us in this endeavor. We can’t do it alone, nor should we.
I am actively setting up speaking dates and opportunities to present the work in the Northwest this summer. I am so passionate about this project that I can’t help but light a fire about missions under anyone I talk to, so I am going to let the Lord use me however He sees fit in this capacity.
I am also pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees for Hippo Valley Christian Mission, of which I am a Board member and under whose umbrella I am volunteering, have approved naming the rebuilt clinic in honor of my parents, Dan and Esther Burris. This gives me such pleasure to watch them be moved to tears by this decision. It fits! Both my mom and dad put so much of themselves into the original building and function of the clinic at Dine’. I have so many memories as a child involving the clinic. What the Lord began so many years ago, continues in Zimbabwe. (Philippians 1:6)
Thank you for letting me share and please contact me if you would like for me to come speak and share about my passion for missions and for this work.
Nehemiah 2:18 “ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.”
Bless you! Donna (Burris) Stroop
Hippo Valley Christian Mission
Link for online giving: Dine' Clinic Campaign
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