A New Point of View

As most of you know, I have been living in one of the largest cities in this country. It is thriving with people packed into tiny spaces littered with debris, cockroaches, wild dogs and inky black fumes from buses. This weekend was a get away for all the personnel that have been working at the school as well as various other associated people doing different jobs associated with the the group work here in the city. We all traveled to a village about three hours away, southeast of our major city. Alexis, her mother and I had to take a hired taxi. The man that was supposed to drive us was not able to but his friend was. So we piled into his car for the three night stay in the countryside. We needed petrol (gas) so we stopped for some. There were about 40 baby taxis' waiting in line for gas as well as about five cars. We waited and waited but no one was pumping the gas. Finally after a half hour of waiting a man emerges from the building. The taxi told us that he was on his tiffin (lunch) break. Yes, we waited to get gas while the man was on his break and no one else was able to cover for him. The taxi driver was unscathed while us Americans were irritated and itching to get on the road. Several hours later, winding in and out of the two lane highway passing trucks, large buses, rickshaws and baby taxies (going about 100 kilometers per hour) we made it to the wonderful village of Maulumgaht. We drive onto a compound where one of the major hospitals had been built for the natives to be treated for various reasons. The workers and the NGO's (Non-governmental people)lived. I stayed at the guest house with several other families that had arrived earlier from my city. It was a beautiful place. Above there is a picture of the view from the front of the place I was staying. The room was nice and I met a lot of people that lived on the compound.
The next day, we had a full day of prayer, praying for various needs that people had about their work that they were doing or families that they knew needed prayer and all sorts of things. We split into groups and visited peoples houses to pray for a couple of hours. That evening we had a worship service. The music was really good and it was refreshing to be in a beautiful place away from the city and enjoying uplifting music. I was given an opportunity to sing with two other girls during the service as a special song. We sang "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" The people loved it and God was glorified.
The next day, Alexis, her mother and I went to Cox's Bazar. We drove about an hour out of the village to a honeymoon spot for the natives (5 year goal meeting were taking place during this time). I saw the ocean. Oh my it was beautiful. The sand was tanned colored and the waves were crashing on shore. The sky was robin's egg blue with some white clouds in the distance. The temp was just right for the beach. We stopped and talked on the the sand. There were a lot of people at the beach (your typical day at the beach like Americans). However, no one was wearing a bathing suit. Everyone was fully clothed. I saw a woman wading into the water in her burqua (the black shapeless sack some women wear with a completely covered face). Could you swim in the water when you could hardly see let alone move when you are waited down by fabric? Others were swimming in their Shalwar Chamise and orna. The men wore shorts and t-shirts. I could not believe it. I was really excited because at the beach you are permitted to show your ankles! That was a highlight for me! I saw someone with a ski-du renting it out for people to take rides. I also saw horses in which people could take a gallop on the beach. The water was as warm as a bath. It is noting like the fridge water during the summer in Oregon. This was soothing and completely enjoyable. Just off the beach there were tons of little tiny shops that sold seashells and pearls. All their pearls were fresh watered ones. For a necklace, I spent 2 dollars. (a string of pearls, can you believe it?) We also had lunch and just enjoyed our relaxing time at the beach.
That evening when I got home, Kathy asked me if I would like to take a tour of the hospital. Okay, this part of my weekend trip was just amazing. Three of us went to survey the hospital that was started by a national believer. When you picture hospital, picture the hospital on the TV show M*A*S*H. That is it! The hospital was made from concrete. There were several wings to the hospital (which all the walkways were exposed to the outside). I was able to see where they made prosthesis. They are currently working to make a leg that can be used for people who's leg was cut off above the knee. They made all the prosthesis right there at the hospital. As we moved through, I was able to see where they kept all the medicine. The stock was very low but still functional. If the nurse is going to give medicine they have to mix their own liquids (in USA it is all done for you). We then moved into the canteen. All I have to say is that I would not eat there. Next, we moved to the main part of the hospital where the patients first arrive. There are separate waiting rooms which is divided by a curtain, one for men and one for women. Women are treated by Women and men treated by men. The women are not seen on Saturdays because it is a holy day. If it is an emergency the women will be seen by men. The ward was nothing special, rather uncomfortable. There are no private rooms, just one large room. If a family member is sick, the family must feed the member who is sick. There is no hospital food to be prepared (there simply is not enough staff). If the patient needs a ventilator, well the family has to hand pump the air bag until they can breath on their own. There is no continual flow of electricity and the generator can not support the ventilators so they one who needs if must constantly by attended to by a family member pumping air into their lungs at a steady pace. Many patients die because they can not get the care that they need by their untrained family members. Again, there is not enough nursing staff to tend to this need. Because there is no constant flow of electricity, there are no IV drips either. They have to use the old method of gravity drip iv for medications. Their emergency room only contains an oxygen tank and minimal supplies. There literally is really no emergency room. The take it as it comes. One thing that I was told is that they are more prepared to handle rice poisoning. Rice poisoning is a misnomer. It is poison that they use in the rice field to kill the rats. But when money troubles or arguments among family members or someone fails a big exam they will try and commit suicide by taking the poison. The poison literally attaches itself to the receptors in your brain and makes your lungs secret more fluid than normal so that you basically drown on land in your own lungs. They have ways to deal with this but the patient must be treated with in 24 hours, if they are not then they will die. Sadly, they say this is one of the most common problems that come into the hospital. Please be praying for this hospital. They are building a new building and need lots of guidance and prayer. They have believers who are social workers that work with family members of the sick. But they really need our support and prayer as they work with the natives.
But here is the best part of all. As we walk past the wards and the emergency rooms, we arrived in the Women's ward. We arrived at the desk and there was a box off to the side that was wooden and inside was a new born baby. It was in the warming box. the ladies said that we could hold the baby. I was second in line. As I held that new born baby (only an hour and a half old) I was reminded of what a blessing little children are. The baby still had the fluid on it from the womb and the eyes were just starting to open and look around. It was as long as my forearm and as wide as my biceps. All I could do it just marvel at this little tiny baby girl in my arms (the mother hadn't even held it yet). She looked at me and put her finger in her mouth. She was radiating heat form her body which warmed my soul. I could not help but think what would become of this precious child in my arms. Would she have to wear a burqua, will she be safe in her home, will she come to know Him, who will she marry, will she make a difference in our world? All these questions came flooding in. How what a precious little one she it. God may your protect her and my the people who believe at the hospital have some influence in her life or her mothers life so that they may come to know you. Protect her comings and goings, may she we wise and learn form you!All in All the trip was amazing.
One more thing that I wanted to share with you that should be encouraging is that I had the opportunity today to share the complete gospel with my students. We have a four day weekend because of Easter. One of my students said that Easter was the celebration of Spring. Right then I had the chance to lay it all out for them and tell them about how He died and rose again. I also had a chance to have a discussion about if this world was designed or was it by chance. So many of these situations are coming up and I ask that these seeds that are planted will take root and begin to be nurtured. Also that more discussion will come out of our talks today!