On Call

I just finished the most wonderful book, called On Call by David C. Thompson, missionary doctor to Gabon, West Africa. Just to give you a taste and whet your appetite, here's how one of the chapters starts out:

"The old woman paused at the top of the hill to catch her breath and to survey the hospital. She adjusted the woven bamboo strap that supported the small basket on her back. Leaning on her walking stick, she shuffled forward, her swollen, toeless feet sliding slowly over the smooth path. The veins in her neck bulged in the late afternoon sun and several times she wiped her face with a filthy cloth. She had come more than 10 miles alone and on foot. Her children had promised to follow in a day or so, but because of her leprosy they had long since ceased to care about her. She knew they would not be coming."

What happened to this lady? Did she die? Did she live? Did they treat her with kindness at this hospital she was approaching? Did her children ever come?

I translated this chapter for the ladies in my prayer group because it was extremely meaningful and helpful to all of us!

Find it! Check it out! Borrow it! Steal it! (Not really!!), but see if you can find this book. The author's heart is described thus: "To heal their diseases, to turn them from darkness to light, to give them hope. A greater joy and satisfaction money can never buy."