Music... Another International Language

Just a quick note to thank you all for your continuing prayers and love... and to let you in on why we didn't write much yesterday or today. Yesterday morning, we got (we thought) quite a bit of negative feedback from the hospital administration which really had us down in the dumps for a while. There were literally five doctors that came for coffee and a meeting, to tell us about some complications that had occurred with surgeries we had done several weeks ago, that we had no knowledge of beforehand! It was like "M and M", for those of you in the medicine biz... Anyway, when they all left, we weren't even sure how it went! Especially considering the fact that at best, we only understand about 85% of what they're saying when they get excited. As it turns out, though (and doesn't it always?!), God really knew what He was doing, and it looks like there is really an opportunity for a lot of good to come out of everything--

One of the doctors saw Matt's guitar case on the way out, and asked if he played. Even though Matt downplayed his guitar-playing, Dr. de Leon asked if he could bring a friend over who played very well... maybe tonight?! We said that would be great, assuming that in "Guatemalan time", that probably meant next week sometime. So we were a little surprised when he showed up later that night, with his guitar and his musician friend in tow. Matt started an impromptu jam session with his buddy (he, of course, soon got out his violin instead, though!) and we all sat down for coffee. A few minutes later, another knock came on the door... and in came the "Jefe de Area", or for us gringos, man in charge of the total health care system in the State/Department of Quiche. Apparently he had been invited by Dr. de Leon to come by and talk to us. We got to talking about some of the "problems", which both the visiting doctors were very quick to point out were not anything to worry about but only something that we could all learn from, and soon the guitar-playing friend left. Essentially, I believe it was a total set-up, and Dr. de Leon had sensed that we felt really badly about the meeting earlier and wanted to make sure we knew everything was okay. He used music as a way in to that conversation, and I believe God was using the whole situation to remind Matt just how important HIS talents are in this whole deal! It soon became apparent also that we have a Christian friend in Dr. de Leon, which is always welcome news.

I know, it's a random story, but I knew Matt wouldn't tell it... and I think it's important to remember how God can use us in so many different ways to accomplish His work here on Earth. Things are really starting to fall in to place better and better with each passing day, and we feel so blessed to be here doing what we are doing. Our hope for all of you is that you have found or will soon find the peace that comes from knowing that you are loved and led by Our Creator, which we have truly enjoyed to the fullest this week. God bless you all, and have a great weekend!