Margarita! Every week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a group of us go and volunteer/visit at the hospital. This is a “free” hospital, supported by the japonese, where most things are free but certain surgerys , medicines, and procedures cost money. To give you a little example of the conditions at the hospital: We (My sister and I, and the others who volunteer here) went to Hospital Japon on Thursday and met a lot of people there. One of the ladies that we met, Margarita, went there a couple days before for an ulcer on her leg. We talked to her for a while, asked her when she started having the ulcer, then we asked her what the doctors are giving her for pain. She reached into her bag and pulled out Vitamin C and Calcium. Handing it to us, she said this is all she is taking. She then leaned over and showed us her ulcer on her leg. It wasn’t bandaged, and the rag that was around it was barely was holding onto the wound. It was bloody and crusty and ginormous, taking up half her calf. The doctors came twice a day to visit the patients, and the nurses just checked on them every once and a while. Margarita had anemia and was waiting until someone donated O+ blood to her. She mentioned that she probably would be there for a couple months.
There were probably about 10 beds in each room, with no dividers and everyone just laid on their bed and hung out. Its kind of sad that the nurses do not value their jobs and their time at the hospital.
Then yesterday we got a text message from the girl who had been sitting in the bed next to Margarita. It said she was very sorry, but Margarita had died in the operating room. There were complications. We were in shock. Margarita had been the first person we had visited multiple times and she loved hanging out with us. Then i got mad because i figured they had taken Margarita to surgery without waiting for the blood she needed.
Amber – this is sobering stuff. Wow.
I’ve been reading recently about how the world changes when we begin to see the world as full of “unacceptably unmet” needs. This is a bold challenge to give, what do you think God is saying through all of this?
I love what you guys are doing. Margarita is a blessed woman. We will pray she gets the blood transfusion she needs.
Kelly and I are coming for debrief in February – can’t wait to talk with you more on this!
Jimmy
I AM SO GLAD MARGARITA IS STILL ALIVE!!!!!!!!That is her beautiful face, in the same awesome gown. It is great that Trevor and Seth took a picture and brought it back…love it 🙂 You are so great…keep up the compassion!
love you,
Raina
Amber,
Wow. I’m not even sure what to say other than to tell you that each life you impact for Christ matters. You may not be able to minister to everyone or make every situation better, but know that each life (like Margarita’s) you touch makes such a difference.
On a side note, I wanted to let you know that Mauricia’s new house is finally finished!! We are going to be taking some pictures, and once we do I’ll try to send them along to your team. I know they miss you all (I do, too)!
Erin