As I write this I am sitting in a queue waiting to be able to request a telephone line for my house.  This is the fourth time I am here already and I have not yet even managed to find out if they have a line available for our house, let alone make the formal request.  I estimate today I will be waiting for at least an hour.  The other day it was two.  I dread to think how many more visits I will have to make until I have a telephone line – and internet, skype, direct contact with my family from the comfort of my home.  It is better not to think about it. 

Sometimes I am tempted to give up.  Sometimes I do.  Sometimes the obstacles put in my way seem insurmountable yet unavoidable.  It would be easier to go home to the UK.  But then I remember the Bible tells us “Do not grow weary of doing good”. 

My patient Mrs A does not give up.  She is 44 years old, and has had breast cancer for 4 years.  She has had a mastectomy and several rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and kept fighting bravely.  Now the cancer is eroding her skin in a smelly, painful mess, and she knows she is losing the battle she has fought so long.  With simple measures I can at least dress the tumour so that it does not smell and give her medicines to control her pain.  I can help make her days liveable still.  And she inspires me daily with her positive attitude and determination to make each day count.  Why should I give up?

Mrs V does not give up.  Her husband of many years has abandoned her for a woman 20 years younger who is expecting his 9^th child.  She is left with the other children they had together with no income.  To add insult to injury her simple 17 year old daughter is pregnant by a married man who was bringing them gifts of food “to help”.   Her daughter is still only in her second year of high school.  But Mrs V keeps fighting for her children.  She does not give up.  I will not give up lending them a helping hand, ensuring the children are able to keep going to school, giving them the chance of a better future. 

So instead of feeling sorry for myself or frustrated today in the small challenges I face, I lift my head and determine to keep on going, by the grace of God, and I  bring these dear people I know who face much bigger challenges to Him.  Let us not grow weary of helping the poor, sick and oppressed.  Let´s keep on fighting.