Mountains and Valleys
Anyone who has ridden a roller coaster knows that once you reach the top, it's time to plummet down to the bottom. Life can be this way as well; a series of highs and lows, peaks and valleys. I am dramatizing, but our recent experience has been much like a ride on a roller coaster.
Our family of 3 had a wonderful week in Tegucigalpa, Honduras's capital city. We went there as part of a short term mission trip with World Gospel Outreach (WGO). It was a long time desire of mine for Kristen to join me on this trip, since it has been so integral in my development as a Christian, a doctor, and ultimately, a medical missionary. I started making this one-week trip with my dad in 2010, and have since returned 4 times. Members from Peace Lutheran Church in Lombard, IL, along with others from all over the US, come to Tegucigalpa with the goal of serving the Hondurans and sharing the love of Jesus for the week. This happens primarily through medical brigades operated out of local churches. The pastors and members of each church always serve alongside the US teams in the effort to provide healthcare and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This time, I served as a physician during the brigades for my 1st time without a translator! Emma made new friends and was loved on by everyone she met. My mom came for the second time and spent precious moments with Emma. People were healed of disease, pain, and sorrow. Most importantly, many Hondurans accepted Jesus Christ as Lord! Can you see why it was such a great week for our family? Yet, now comes the valley, the low part on the roller coaster of life...
Shortly after returning to Balfate, there was a death of a pediatric patient whom we had cared for a long time. His name was "M". He had been born without a complete esophagus, and thus needed several surgeries to gradually repair to allow him to eat with his mouth. He had developed pneumonia while we were away and was placed on the ventilator. As often happens with critically ill children, the doctors took turns providing 24/7 care in the hospital. Unfortunately, 'M' became more difficult to breathe for, indicating that his lungs were getting worse. He continued to deteriorate until he needed CPR, which ultimately couldn't revive him. He seemed to die instantly and slowly before our eyes. That part I can't explain; it was rapid and drawn out.
Hardly any time had passed before I was called to the ER to see a young man who had fallen off a roof. He happened to be one of the hospital's maintenance men, and a brother to one of our nurses. His name is "E". As he was rolled in on a stretcher I noticed 2 things: he was clearly in tremendous pain, but what concerned me more was that he couldn't move his legs. I suspected a spinal cord injury. X-rays of his spine seemed to confirm my suspicion of a fracture through 2 of his lower thoracic vertebrae. He spent a night in the hospital to receive pain medication and to observe his condition. The following morning he could not move his feet, nor feel below his knees, nor urinate on his own. In this instance there is little that can be done. Even with skilled neurosurgeons his injury would be tricky to repair. How do you tell someone they will be paralyzed for life? I couldn't know this for sure, nor could I bring myself to crush any hope of recovery. I offered him prayer, medication for pain, physical therapy, and a follow--up appointment after obtaining a more detailed CT scan.
More challenges have arisen during the week. A sweet elderly man whom I had cared for was admitted with pneumonia and subsequently died. A young teenage girl had to learn that she most likely has cancer in her right arm. It seems tragedy lurks around every corner.
Yet..... so do God's blessings. Stories of recovery and reconciliation abound! Even as family members die, people are always grateful for the love and care they receive here at Loma de Luz. We use what gifts and knowledge we have- to do our best for each and every patient. We can't control the outcome, but we trust in a loving God who knows each and every patient by name, who cares for them more than we humans can. What a blessing it is to participate in the Lord's work here in Honduras.
Have a desire to give and support our work here? We need your help! Type in my name at the bottom of this site to give directly to us.
Can't give right now but can gift us with something we'd like? Thank you! A container/shipment is coming to the hospital with donations in March. Click here for our wish list with a range of gifts.
Our family of 3 had a wonderful week in Tegucigalpa, Honduras's capital city. We went there as part of a short term mission trip with World Gospel Outreach (WGO). It was a long time desire of mine for Kristen to join me on this trip, since it has been so integral in my development as a Christian, a doctor, and ultimately, a medical missionary. I started making this one-week trip with my dad in 2010, and have since returned 4 times. Members from Peace Lutheran Church in Lombard, IL, along with others from all over the US, come to Tegucigalpa with the goal of serving the Hondurans and sharing the love of Jesus for the week. This happens primarily through medical brigades operated out of local churches. The pastors and members of each church always serve alongside the US teams in the effort to provide healthcare and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This time, I served as a physician during the brigades for my 1st time without a translator! Emma made new friends and was loved on by everyone she met. My mom came for the second time and spent precious moments with Emma. People were healed of disease, pain, and sorrow. Most importantly, many Hondurans accepted Jesus Christ as Lord! Can you see why it was such a great week for our family? Yet, now comes the valley, the low part on the roller coaster of life...
Shortly after returning to Balfate, there was a death of a pediatric patient whom we had cared for a long time. His name was "M". He had been born without a complete esophagus, and thus needed several surgeries to gradually repair to allow him to eat with his mouth. He had developed pneumonia while we were away and was placed on the ventilator. As often happens with critically ill children, the doctors took turns providing 24/7 care in the hospital. Unfortunately, 'M' became more difficult to breathe for, indicating that his lungs were getting worse. He continued to deteriorate until he needed CPR, which ultimately couldn't revive him. He seemed to die instantly and slowly before our eyes. That part I can't explain; it was rapid and drawn out.
Hardly any time had passed before I was called to the ER to see a young man who had fallen off a roof. He happened to be one of the hospital's maintenance men, and a brother to one of our nurses. His name is "E". As he was rolled in on a stretcher I noticed 2 things: he was clearly in tremendous pain, but what concerned me more was that he couldn't move his legs. I suspected a spinal cord injury. X-rays of his spine seemed to confirm my suspicion of a fracture through 2 of his lower thoracic vertebrae. He spent a night in the hospital to receive pain medication and to observe his condition. The following morning he could not move his feet, nor feel below his knees, nor urinate on his own. In this instance there is little that can be done. Even with skilled neurosurgeons his injury would be tricky to repair. How do you tell someone they will be paralyzed for life? I couldn't know this for sure, nor could I bring myself to crush any hope of recovery. I offered him prayer, medication for pain, physical therapy, and a follow--up appointment after obtaining a more detailed CT scan.
More challenges have arisen during the week. A sweet elderly man whom I had cared for was admitted with pneumonia and subsequently died. A young teenage girl had to learn that she most likely has cancer in her right arm. It seems tragedy lurks around every corner.
Yet..... so do God's blessings. Stories of recovery and reconciliation abound! Even as family members die, people are always grateful for the love and care they receive here at Loma de Luz. We use what gifts and knowledge we have- to do our best for each and every patient. We can't control the outcome, but we trust in a loving God who knows each and every patient by name, who cares for them more than we humans can. What a blessing it is to participate in the Lord's work here in Honduras.
Have a desire to give and support our work here? We need your help! Type in my name at the bottom of this site to give directly to us.
Can't give right now but can gift us with something we'd like? Thank you! A container/shipment is coming to the hospital with donations in March. Click here for our wish list with a range of gifts.
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