We had the privilege of accessing the US health care system
recently (we went to the doctor for annual physicals, for the first time in the
US in more than 12 years). I
should also note that we were really spoiled by our fluent English speaking
doctors in Belgium, who were easily available without having to make or wait
for an appointment, and our office visits never cost more than $35.00. Being in a new home, in a new city, I
admit that I was a bit nervous about this first trip to the doctor. So imagine my surprise when I walked
into the clinic and the receptionist who greeted me was wearing her name badge
which read "Nasra".
We went through the formalities that you have to do before you
get past the door, filling our your name and birthdate and address and phone
number (always a good exercise for me right now since I'm learning new area
codes and zip codes every other week, it seems!!), and I went in for my visit. And here comes God's next surprise for
me for this morning: my doctor is from Pakistan and is simply delightful...in
addition to being very thorough.
We talked family history, when I've had all my last routine procedures
(most of which include needles and the like), and it was all over in about 30
minutes.
On my way out, after being treated to a poke at the lab, I
stopped by at Nasra's front desk again.
And that's when I watched the most delightful interchange take place
with Nasra, fully veiled in black, and the African American post woman dressed
in shorts and a baseball cap. She
greeted Nasra with "asalaam aleykum" and Nasra's quick response was
"aleykum salaam". Wow,
God, they even speak Arabic and peace in this clinic. In a moment, I was transported back to the Central African
Republic and the Fulani people, who every time they entered my home or back
yard would also yell in eager greeting those same words. Same Arabic. Same greeting of "peace be with
you", "and also with
you". Shalom. Peace. Even in the doctor's office.
As it then became my turn to catch Nasra's attention, I called
her by her name, Nasra. And funny
enough, I even pronounced it correctly (not always a guarantee, mind you, even
for this somewhat seasoned student of languages!). Her eyes lit up immediately with recognition and this short
statement of recognition, "wow, you even knew how to pronounce my name
correctly. Not everyone does".
What a great lead in for me to begin a conversation about the work that
God has called us to do among refugees and bringing the truth about Jesus to
our world.
On my way home, feeling so thankful for access to medical care, I
thanked God for Nasra and the journey that she is on to know more about
God. I wanted to do my part, thru
prayer, and lay the foundation for the next time I go back to the clinic and
can greet Nasra. Maybe it will be
my turn to say "peace be with you".
Her name is Nasra.
She's on a journey.
May she find Jesus even as she seeks peace.
