"O Holy Night"
Placide Cappeau
3rd verse:
Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother.
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus praise we.
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Recently Leane and I were invited by a friend to come and hear the Wototo Children's Choir sing in his Community. Milton had been my PA (Physician’s Assistant) for 6 months on loan from the Bruderhof Community, and he had recently accompanied me on a medical mission to Uganda.
God had touched his heart there. He met a young girl who had been severely burned in a fire that resulted in scarring her jaw, cheek, neck and shoulder together and seriously disfiguring her face. Although her problems were far beyond our ability, Milton resolved to do what he could to help her.
His efforts led him to a contact at Wotot, an orphanage for Ugandan children, and the knowledge that their touring choir would be in the U.S. during the holiday season. Milton couldn’t wait to make arrangements for the choir to come and sing. He wanted to share some of his experience in Africa with those at home.
I think Milton felt a little nervous about such an endeavor and he invited Leane and I to come not only for our enjoyment, but I suspect he wanted our support. You see, the Wototo Orphanage is run by the Pentecostal Church of Kampala, a denomination far different from his Anabaptist Bruderhof Community ; throw in the fact that he had never heard the choir sing before, that many people from outside the Bruderhof community would be coming to the concert, and I think you can understand his anxiety. We committed ourselves to go that evening and support our friend.
On the day of the concert we had closed the office a little early to make the two hour trip to Milton's community in Orange County. I remember thinking how I would rather be spending a quiet night home on a Tuesday, going to bed early and getting some rest. The clinic had been pretty crazy lately, throw in People Magazine, Good Morning America, local TV, radio, etc. not to mention the needs of our patients, and the rest of our ministry, I was feeling pretty exhausted! As we were approaching the Thruway entrance, Leane asked, "Do you have any money?" I replied, "No, I thought you had some. We better get to an ATM.”
She reminded me that we didn’t have any money in our account. Stymied for just a moment I said: "Call Kristen at the office and see if there is anything in petty cash." The answer was no again. I couldn't help noting the irony, here I was close to becoming a nationally known "celebrity" and we couldn’t afford Thruway tolls. Fortunately, our son Bob was at the clinic when Leane called and soon we were on our way with his $37 tucked away in our pocket. Leane was relieved, and I was hoping we had enough gas!
All the way to Orange County I had to fight off the temptation to start feeling sorry for myself. When you're a little down, it’s easy; you just start entertaining negative thoughts and the next thing you know the world really looks bleak. Even the exciting thoughts and feelings seem fleeting under the weight of the harsh realities of being broke, frustrated, and discouraged. You begin to wonder, "Who cares anyway?" or "Maybe I should just turn around and go home!"
I was close to having my own little pity party when I began to remember what was really important. I remembered the vow I had made to myself. " I will never bow and worship at the altar of despair and cynicism. " The battle raged as I tried to have a conversation with Leane. I would think of our situation and I would start to feel down, and then I would remember Leane's love and support and I would begin to feel better. I started to think about the generosity of all those who had helped recently, and who shared our burden for the less fortunate.
By the time we arrived at the Bruderhof community I was a little better. It was great seeing Milton and his wife Catherine and feeling the love of this community of brothers! They fed us a quick supper and it was off to the concert hall. What I was about to see next would change my attitude forever! About 30 African orphans took the stage with their leaders. They were between 6-13 years old. These were not the scrawny, sickly, children that I had seen so many times, on so many missions. The ones I had shed so many tears over, and who visit me from time to time in my nightmares. These children were happy, vibrant, healthy, and full of life and joy.
I remember many of them introducing their songs, "Hello I’m Rose, or Paul, or Isaac. I was orphaned, alone and afraid, and I thought God had forgotten me. But now I have a new home, with my own bed. I have good food to eat. I have brothers and sisters, and a house Mother and Dad who love me. I can go to school! But most importantly I have the love of God in my heart!” They also shared their hopes and dreams with the audience. They wanted to be an airline pilot, engineer, teacher or a nurse!
They began to sing with an enthusiasm and joy that touched me to the core of my being. I began to fill with tears as I realized God was giving me a special gift through these children. He was allowing me to see the hope of my calling. Beautiful, incredible children who had suffered so much, and yet were so alive and grateful for their new beginning! Hope was being renewed inside me as I began to see children all over the world filled with light, vitality, and hope. All of a sudden I realized that every hardship, every struggle, every sleepless night was worth it!
To have some small part in helping someone overcome hopelessness and despair was worth millions! My small investment in the lives of the children of Africa, Asia, North and South America was paying incredible dividends and I was an incredibly rich man! It wasn’t anything I could take to the bank but it was something that no man could ever take away. No one can ever rob me of the feelings of hope that flooded my heart on that wonderful, magical night. I continue to give thanks for the incredible blessings that God has given me!!!
May you all have a wonderful and blessed holiday.
Dr. Bob
3rd verse:
Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother.
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus praise we.
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Recently Leane and I were invited by a friend to come and hear the Wototo Children's Choir sing in his Community. Milton had been my PA (Physician’s Assistant) for 6 months on loan from the Bruderhof Community, and he had recently accompanied me on a medical mission to Uganda.
God had touched his heart there. He met a young girl who had been severely burned in a fire that resulted in scarring her jaw, cheek, neck and shoulder together and seriously disfiguring her face. Although her problems were far beyond our ability, Milton resolved to do what he could to help her.
His efforts led him to a contact at Wotot, an orphanage for Ugandan children, and the knowledge that their touring choir would be in the U.S. during the holiday season. Milton couldn’t wait to make arrangements for the choir to come and sing. He wanted to share some of his experience in Africa with those at home.
I think Milton felt a little nervous about such an endeavor and he invited Leane and I to come not only for our enjoyment, but I suspect he wanted our support. You see, the Wototo Orphanage is run by the Pentecostal Church of Kampala, a denomination far different from his Anabaptist Bruderhof Community ; throw in the fact that he had never heard the choir sing before, that many people from outside the Bruderhof community would be coming to the concert, and I think you can understand his anxiety. We committed ourselves to go that evening and support our friend.
On the day of the concert we had closed the office a little early to make the two hour trip to Milton's community in Orange County. I remember thinking how I would rather be spending a quiet night home on a Tuesday, going to bed early and getting some rest. The clinic had been pretty crazy lately, throw in People Magazine, Good Morning America, local TV, radio, etc. not to mention the needs of our patients, and the rest of our ministry, I was feeling pretty exhausted! As we were approaching the Thruway entrance, Leane asked, "Do you have any money?" I replied, "No, I thought you had some. We better get to an ATM.”
She reminded me that we didn’t have any money in our account. Stymied for just a moment I said: "Call Kristen at the office and see if there is anything in petty cash." The answer was no again. I couldn't help noting the irony, here I was close to becoming a nationally known "celebrity" and we couldn’t afford Thruway tolls. Fortunately, our son Bob was at the clinic when Leane called and soon we were on our way with his $37 tucked away in our pocket. Leane was relieved, and I was hoping we had enough gas!
All the way to Orange County I had to fight off the temptation to start feeling sorry for myself. When you're a little down, it’s easy; you just start entertaining negative thoughts and the next thing you know the world really looks bleak. Even the exciting thoughts and feelings seem fleeting under the weight of the harsh realities of being broke, frustrated, and discouraged. You begin to wonder, "Who cares anyway?" or "Maybe I should just turn around and go home!"
I was close to having my own little pity party when I began to remember what was really important. I remembered the vow I had made to myself. " I will never bow and worship at the altar of despair and cynicism. " The battle raged as I tried to have a conversation with Leane. I would think of our situation and I would start to feel down, and then I would remember Leane's love and support and I would begin to feel better. I started to think about the generosity of all those who had helped recently, and who shared our burden for the less fortunate.
By the time we arrived at the Bruderhof community I was a little better. It was great seeing Milton and his wife Catherine and feeling the love of this community of brothers! They fed us a quick supper and it was off to the concert hall. What I was about to see next would change my attitude forever! About 30 African orphans took the stage with their leaders. They were between 6-13 years old. These were not the scrawny, sickly, children that I had seen so many times, on so many missions. The ones I had shed so many tears over, and who visit me from time to time in my nightmares. These children were happy, vibrant, healthy, and full of life and joy.
I remember many of them introducing their songs, "Hello I’m Rose, or Paul, or Isaac. I was orphaned, alone and afraid, and I thought God had forgotten me. But now I have a new home, with my own bed. I have good food to eat. I have brothers and sisters, and a house Mother and Dad who love me. I can go to school! But most importantly I have the love of God in my heart!” They also shared their hopes and dreams with the audience. They wanted to be an airline pilot, engineer, teacher or a nurse!
They began to sing with an enthusiasm and joy that touched me to the core of my being. I began to fill with tears as I realized God was giving me a special gift through these children. He was allowing me to see the hope of my calling. Beautiful, incredible children who had suffered so much, and yet were so alive and grateful for their new beginning! Hope was being renewed inside me as I began to see children all over the world filled with light, vitality, and hope. All of a sudden I realized that every hardship, every struggle, every sleepless night was worth it!
To have some small part in helping someone overcome hopelessness and despair was worth millions! My small investment in the lives of the children of Africa, Asia, North and South America was paying incredible dividends and I was an incredibly rich man! It wasn’t anything I could take to the bank but it was something that no man could ever take away. No one can ever rob me of the feelings of hope that flooded my heart on that wonderful, magical night. I continue to give thanks for the incredible blessings that God has given me!!!
May you all have a wonderful and blessed holiday.
Dr. Bob
