Jun. 21, 2007 - An Experience...

The Hospital ...
Sabbath evening Tiyo Jim had to go to the hospital to do some things there. There was a case that needed attention. He invited Leroy and Jennie to go with him. I was invited too, but I stayed behind. I generally don't handle well going to visit the hospital so I stayed here. When they got back they told us of a young lady who had Cancer and was very sick. Also a man whose arms had been blown off in an accident with Dynamite. Other stories too, but those were the two main ones.

On Sunday morning Leroy, Shelma, Jennie and I went Walking/Jogging with 3 of the girls from the church here. We were up at 5 am and Walked till around 7am. We Came back and Tiya Moni asked us to go to the market and pick up some mangoes and a few other things for breakfast. We got back around 7:30am and helped Shelma make breakfast. Sara (one of the girls) stayed to have breakfast with us. We had a good time with her. She left and we cleaned up the kitchen.

A few hours later a man we had seen around town came by wanting to know where Tiyo Jim was. He didn't speak very good English and Shelma was the only one at home here who knows Tagalog. He stayed here till Tiyo Jim came for lunch. He needed Tiyo's help to get some much needed medication for his daughter who is in the hospital. The one with Cancer. His son is also in the hospital with malaria. They got to the hospital and they were told it was too late, she had died.

Tiyo brought him back here after trying to get a truck to come and someone to help get the body ready for burial. But since it was Sunday no one in the Capital would get things going, so Tiyo and the father came back to the house here ate and invited us to go with them. So The three of us: Leroy, Jennie and I went with him and the father to the hospital. When we go there her family was in her room. Her Brother, husband, daughter, mother, and another young girl.

Tiyo had purchased some 'plastic' at the store and some twine. We wrapped the body for burial and took it out to the truck. We drove out to her village, to her family's hut. So they could bury her. They were not crying but in their expression was such solemn sadness. The language barrier made it hard to say anything but I was glad I could be there to help. The little girl held my hand on the way out to the truck from the hospital. I felt so bad for the family. She was only 27 years old. Death here is just a part of people's lives. There are at least two funeral processions that pass everyday. The hospital isn't what you are imagining at all. It is bare of most things that make a hospital. The beds are bamboo mats, and the rooms are empty of furnishings except for the beds. This hospital is very run down. Medications just aren't available here and there are so many people suffering.  Please Pray for the needs of the hospital.

P.S. Tiyo Means Uncle in Tagalog the local language here. We call Jim... Uncle Jim and his wife Aunt Moni. Aunt in Tagalog is Tiya.