Two words tenderly spoken

Thursday was clinic day. We were closed the previous Thursday since Bob was in the States for his brother's memorial service. So we knew when we pulled up that there would be a crowd....and there was! Atleast 30 people waiting...

We function on a first come/first served basis. The patients have come to know that. The line used to start forming at 6AM, then people said they were there at 4:30AM. Now the first people are in line at 3AM. They wait patiently, some bring their own chairs, keeping their own record of who arrived when and they greet us warmly when we pull up at 7:40...

Although regulars returning for refills on their BP and diabetic meds have priority, Elsie, our receptionist, makes sense out of the group and determines who is first.

Our small staff ~Elsie, Jackie, Bob and I~ gather for prayer. A little after 8AM the first patient is sent through to be seen.

Thursday was no different. Except that in the crowd to be seen was a Pastor and his brother. This pastor oversees several small churches, along with his own. He's known for his booming voice. Usually when he enters, I hear him before I ever see him. He can preach without a microphone!

But Thursday was different...I didn't hear him; I only saw his vehicle parked outside.

Then I opened the door to the reception area to call a patient back to explain their meds to them. Normally, I can hear their lively conversations long before I open the door. Try putting a receptionist, 15 or more people, including babies and small children (they bring friends and family members) and a TV playing a Christian movie into a room barely larger than most US bathrooms and you can get an idea of the noise level.

But this time as I approached it was quiet....as I slowly opened the door (I've hit too many people with the door to open it quickly any more!) the first people I saw were sitting very quietly with their attention to the wall where the TV is wall-mounted. But the TV wasn't on.

As I opened the door further, I heard a very gentle voice. It was this pastor, who was there as a patient himself, quietly talking to the assembled patients. No loud booming voice; no wildly pointing finger to make a point. He was leaning against the wall and in the most gentle and loving voice he was talking to all of them. I only caught a couple of words of what he said. But those two words were perfect...
"Jesus" and "loves"

Through the rest of that chaotic day my mind went back to that scene. We were swamped that day, only had 20 minutes for lunch, and didn't get out of there til 5:40PM (Normally we're done just before 5) But in all the busy-ness of that day, when I wanted to scream "Enough!!!" I could see this pastor leaning against the wall tenderly telling them about the love of Jesus....

That's why we're here doing what we're doing ~~because Jesus loves!