e building of the new hospital was being obstructed by local tribal folks. Throughout the weekend and until Wednesday afternoon, we remained closed. However, the community was feeling the effect of the hospital being closed. One tribal leader came to Dr. Bill concerned about his family member who was sick and needed the hospital. This leader then asked to go and speak to the tribal leader who was responsible for obstructing the progress of the hospital.
Shortly after that, they both came back to Dr. Bill and the guy at fault apologized and said it won't happen again, and agreed to work with the construction crew. As a result, we opened up yesterday afternoon. I was on call, so my extended Christmas break abruptly ended. Thankfully, it wasn't too busy after opening, however taking care of the pts sure reminded me why we are here.I was called around 2:30am for a postpartum mom who was very sick with HIV and was now short of breath and close to "going off" (word for coding here). I quickly got dressed and went to assess her. Medically there was little I could do for her that wasn't already being done, but spiritually there was still more to be done. As followers of Christ, there is always something more we can offer beyond medicine - prayer, which is very powerful. Thankfully, she was awake enough to talk a little and listen to me as I got to share the gospel with her. It seemed like her family was Christian, but she did not know the hope we have in Christ. I shared this with her and then prayed with her and her family. Later this am she passed away, but thankfully I had the opportunity to share with her and pray for God to save her.
Another pt I cared for last night, was a man with Hepatits B and Cirrhosis. I had just discharged him on the 24th after he recovered from hepatic encephalopathy. He was doing so well that when we were singing Christmas Carols on the medical ward, he was singing with us. I got called that he developed a GI bleed and was vomiting up blood and his blood pressure was very low. We don't have an ICU or pressors that I could really give him, all I could offer medically was a blood transfusion. Blood - the very thing that Jesus offered to us, His blood which covers our sins and makes us white as snow. Thankfully this pt was a pastor and knew the Lord. I talked with his fa
mily about his condition, and then prayed with them, shortly thereafter he too passed away. Thankfully, he had already been cleansed by the Blood of our Savior Jesus whose birth we just celebrated.
mily about his condition, and then prayed with them, shortly thereafter he too passed away. Thankfully, he had already been cleansed by the Blood of our Savior Jesus whose birth we just celebrated. Continue to pray for the hospital leaders and those local tribal folks involved. Pray that their hearts would be turned to Christ, and that we can continue to carry on the work which the Lord has called us to here. As the hospital sign says - We treat, Jesus heals. Pray we would continue to have the chance to do just that.
