HE LIVES! No, I am not confused, I know that this is Christmas and "He Lives" matches with Easter.
Yesterday was not routine. In the wee hours of the morning, we had a baby. Never suggest to a pregnant lady that having a baby is routine, but most of the time you know where you are going and most of the rest you are ready for. Being on ER call is different, Sometimes, if you knew what was coming, you might call in "Sick". In these cases, the best preparation is prayer. I am not speaking just of my own, but those who routinely pray for us and the work here at Loma de Luz.
Jose Contreras is a 23 year old whose family lives in Las Crucitas. For those of you who speak Spanish, you might think that it is a Catholic community, but that is not the origin of the name (and that is a different story). Yesterday, Jose got into a fight with his chain saw; he did not win. If your favorite color is a dark red, you might like the picture. No, I don't think so!
You do not have to know much about Human Anatomy, to know that there are some big arteries in the back of the leg. We could not have collected blood and transfused him quick enough to save Jose's life. An hour drive to the city, rainy season, rivers without bridges, and the State Hospital that looks more like the County Fair Ground than a hospital, Oh, LORD!. The LORD looked down upon us with grace.
An available, ambulance-like Land Cruiser, (Thank You, Iain and Liz), an ambulance driver (Jon Lent) and nurse (Norma Hunt). A couple of fast running IVs, a tourniquet and your routine prayers. Jose arrived at ATLANTIDA (the State Hospital) with a hematocrit of 11 (normal 40). They had a unit or two of blood available and he was off to San Pedro Sula where there might be a vascular surgeon.
I heard late today that Jose Contreras lives. Praise GOD!
Thank you for your prayers for the work here.
John
Hi John & Penny,
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to read your blog site and be updated on how to hold you up in prayer! So grateful for your continued faithful service @ Loma de Luz. You are truly making an eternal difference.
It was such an incredible experience to meet and work along side you last January when Tim & came to visit oue Cousins - Brad & Trish Ward. Delighted to hear that baby Eric is healthy and growing strong. One of my greatest pleasures last year to help his mamma get off to a good start w/ breasfeeding!
Tim & I will be coming back for a week to Loma de Luz the first week of Feb 2011. Would love be a help to you however we can.
If there's something specific you'd like me to bring or be prepared to do let me know. I am in touch w/ a couple OB/GYN MD's here in Santa Barbara CA and collecting some pre-natal vitamins. They may have access to other medications/supplies I could collect too if that would be helpful.
Blessings to you!
In His Joy, Charity Lawton
cjblawton@cox.net