The Hand of God

The wind felt like a heater blasting on me as I zipped along the streets of Davao in the open-air tricycab. I was on my way to the hospital again to visit one of my patients, Emilie. On Sunday she had walked into the clinic ready to have her baby; before I knew it she was pushing and I was ready to catch. A few minutes later her baby came out limp and with no breathing efforts. We began neonatal resuscitation which lasted for a brutal ten minutes before the baby finally gave out a feeble cry. I then transported the baby immediately, but because the hospital was busy, she didn't receive direct attention. I left with the baby still crying, but not in good condition. I prayed hard.

As I stepped inside the crowded hospital, I subconsciously switched my breathing from my nose to mouth. But now I could taste the air. I found Emilie in one of the crowded rooms, and with one glance at the baby's respiration's I knew she wasn't doing well. After talking with Emilie, I discovered that both oxygen and medication had be prescribed, but none were given since she had no money. Emilie looked distressed, and I felt so helpless, knowing I could do nothing. Our policy at Mercy does not allow us to provide financial support for our patients. This policy may seem unreasonable and harsh, but if you knew the system here, you would understand. Still, it is so hard. I asked her if I could pray for her and her baby, and as I did the tears flowed freely. I hugged her and encouraged her to trust God to provide.
The next day I went again, and found her still sitting on the little steel chair beside her baby's crib- that's all the space she had in the room. But she was smiling, and the baby appeared to be doing better. In her broken English she told me what had happened. "Ma'am Sarah, after you left last night my husband showed up with some money that was enough to pay for the medicine and oxygen- it was because you prayed!" I felt like bursting into tears of joy! Yes, our prayers had been answered! And once again I was reminded to never underestimate the power of prayer and the grace of our God.
On Thursday evening I felt compelled go visit her again. After a few minutes of visiting, Emilie sheepishly asked me if I had received a text message from her. I hadn't since my phone battery had died that afternoon while I was out. She than explained to me that her husband had been called out to a far place for his job and was not able to come that day with money. This meant she had nothing to eat all day. Her desperate situation made me want to weep. And then I realized why God had sent me there that evening. We may not be allowed to give money, but we can give food! :)
Emilie's life (along with so many others here) makes me continually realize how blessed we are- we have no idea! But this experience, as hard as it may be, also encourages me to see how God is still in control and continues to meet the greatest needs in His perfect time. And to thing that we have the amazing privileged to see His mighty hand and power of love in action.
"That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever" (Joshua 4:24).

Please continue to pray! Little is much when God is in it!

Sending "warm" greetings to you all!
SH

Cooking dinner over beach fire :)

The Old Man and the Sea :) The thing around his neck is home-made goggles
Where we hung our hammocks

Back in the city... on a tricy riding home

"Rest Awhile"

I woke up and peeked though the zipper of my hammock. The darkness of the night had disappeared as a new morning was born, once again uncovering the beauty around us. Just outside the small pavilion where four of us had hung our hammocks, I could see the bright blue water stretching far beyond the sandy white beach.
"I'm pretty sure this is the life!" was one of the first thoughts that popped into my mind. :) I can't remember the last time I had felt this relaxed.
Kendra, Bethany, Beth and I had managed to slip away for a day and a half to a beautiful little beach cove a taxi, ferry, and motor ride away. Despite the fact that the ocean is not very far, our lifestyle here hasn't afford too much time away. I remember my niece once asking me, "Auntie Sarah, have you gone to the beach lately?" I had to think back aways- it had been over five months.
Now as our days here are being numbered, we all decided to make extra effort to enjoy our beautiful backyard beyond the city smog.
It was a delightful time away, and a good reminder that God does want us to "rest awhile" now and again. He has given us both the gift of work and relaxation, but it's sometimes hard to know the healthy balance. I guess that's something we need to work out with Him- He knows best.
As we stepped off the ferry back into the city, I felt like we were hitting reality again. But it was okay. Our little time away had given us precious memories to hold forever, and renewed strength to face whatever was next.
Today I got a card that had the following saying: "Lord help me remember that nothing is going to happen today that You and I can't handle together." It's so true, but I believe with the Lord, not only can you "handle" what life brings you, it also becomes a joy.

Thanks again for letting me spill out what's on my heart and mind- or at least a tiny fraction of it! ;)

Sending hugs and greetings from the Philippines!
SH

P.s. pictures to follow sometime this week :)

In His Time

I wiped the sweat from my face with the top of my scrub sleeve as I bent over the low clinic bed to check my patients pulse. I smiled at the beautiful picture in front of me: A brand-new mother holding her little baby pretty much fresh off the press. :) Not even an hour old, she seemed to have already made herself at home in this strange, non-fluid environment. I congratulated Claire again; I was so proud of her. It had been a long hard labor.

The day before she was texting me throughout her labour, and I encouraged her to stay home and get lots of rest. At 10pm she texted me again: "Ma'am Sarah I don't know what my feeling is now so I think I should come to Mercy." I had to smile- what a sweet girl!
I met her at the clinic and admitted her soon after since she was far enough along in labour to stay. At around midnight she came to the desk where I was charting. and I leaned over to massage her back through each contraction. She was tired and having bad back labor, and I could see in her eyes that she really needed companionship and comfort. Her husband was sleeping on the bench outside. I took her back to the bed where she non-hesitantly lay down and relaxed as I stood in front of her. I quickly exited the cubical to get to the other side of the bed so I could rub her back, but I had barely shut the curtain before she bolted up out of the bed. NO way was she going to let me leave her alone! :)
By the time the pushing stage began, Claire was exhausted. "Saaaarah, it's so pain!" she kept moaning. "You could can do this Claire." I tried to sound enthusiastic. She would nod in agreement until the next contraction hit. "No, I CAN'T do this! SarAH....is it far?" And so the cycle continued with each contraction. Finally at 6:30am she delivered, and we all cheered as I handed her her little girl. Suddenly she forgot she was exhausted: It was a beautiful moment.

Less than an hour after the birth, I sat beside Claire to monitor her closely and begin charting. But I had barely sat down before my cell phone went off... It was another one of my patients, and it sounded like she was in active labor. She came in soon after, and delivered her baby at 9:30am. It was an eventful morning to say the least.

I finally left the clinic sometime a little after noon, exhausted but full of gratefulness to God for His goodness and grace. Although there had been some major complications, both patients were now stable and recovering. And God had also provided me with the exact number of continuities right on time. It can never be emphasized enough; Great is His faithfulness!

Thank you so much to those of you praying- God never ceases to answer!

"Till next time!"

Happy Easter Indeed! :)

In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand