100 Days of HopeSample

Smiling In Patience

Working as a translator in a two-day medical clinic sponsored as part of the Microfinance Plus services that HOPE International’s local partner Esperanza International provides, I met a lot of microfinance clients who showed exemplary patience during the long hot days we spent in El Seibo, Dominican Republic. By four o’clock in the afternoon, there were some women who had been waiting for over eight hours in the make-shift waiting room outside of the school.

A woman in her forties politely took her seat in front of us and began to explain to us the tremendous pains in her stomach that she had been dealing with over the past few weeks. After receiving her list of symptoms, the doctor wanted me to translate to her that we were grateful for her patience as she waited outside in the hot sun by herself.

She smiled and said, “Oh, you don’t have to apologize, I have the Lord by my side to keep me company. He makes it easier for me to wait. I know things happen in His time.”

We were able to prescribe the proper treatment, and we prayed a prayer with her before she left. With joined hands we prayed, “Lord help us to feel your presence next to us, that when we wait in patience, help us to know you are there waiting with us.” Pray that in your times of waiting that the Lord will keep you company and that you will smile in times of patience.

Prayer: Father, help us to feel your presence in times of waiting. Thank you that you are always with us.