Solomon, homeschool helper, update on baby Milagro

The 75 yr old homeless man did not lift his cataract- occluded vision to meet my eyes, even with an encouraging hand on his shoulder and much repetition. Like perfume that preceeds a young lady as she enters a room, so the "perfume" of this chronically unbathed gentleman had greeted me as I entered the ER to translate for Dr. Abby that PM.  I had encouraged his son to get him showered while Dr. Abby paid attention to the first patient, after reading a note from several years ago on his chart that he was homeless.  I guess I thought I'd do him the favor of gifting him hot water and soap while he waited!  When he didn't return, I walked down to the bathroom and witnessed a standoff between him and his son, with Solomon holding tightly to his pants. I was not blessing him with my magnanimous idea of bathing.  So I asssured him it wasn't necessary and escorted him back to the stretcher in Er so Abby could examine him.  That, too, proved to be too much invasion for our patient. I guess we assume when a patient arrives in ER, it is voluntary and that he has a very pressing need he wants tended. While Solomon again held tightly to his pants, and resisted all my attenpts to undress him, his son stood silently, helplessly by.  With prodding, he shared that his dad did not like staying with any of the family, that he slept outside, that he had been transported to the ER by our wonderful area mayor at the request of someone who had seen him fall in the dirt street. The pain from a HUGE hernia at times overcomes him....but he had NO intention of accepting any treatment.  A helplessness overcame us, far worse than the odor emanating from him. Unwilling to let him just leave and admit we had nothing to offer that he'd accept, I remembered a suitcase of men's clothes.  I rustled up a baseball cap, shirt, socks and crocs  and before he could resist, slipped off his VERY encrusted clothing and put the new things on. I then put my hand on his shoulder and began to pray for him, feeling like he was unreachable. When I opened my eyes, he had removed his new cap and had it pressed against his chest in respect and I could have sworn I saw the glisten of tears in his eyes.


Since our night in the hospital with John in Sedona, AZ for chest pain- just 3 weeks ago- he's had a positive blood test for H. Pylori, much easier to treat than heart problems!  So for those wondering about "the rest of the story", he is now on medicinal treatment to take care of this GI problem!

Baby Milagro

Kara and Benton

We have been back on the job here at the hospital now for 2 weeks. As a followup on baby Milagro (Miracle- see earlier blog) who came to us at just over 2 pounds and 10 days old- we saw her on a return visit to the pediatrician after almost 3 weeks at home, weighting over 5 pounds. She has a double chin and fat cheeks- her mom, Jesus, seems to be taking good care of her! More Miracles to come...


We have been praying for a homeschool helper for me to allow me to put some time in as a nurse at the hospital.  That need has become more urgent with the imminent, unexpected arrival of 2 student RN's that will be doing their mandatory social service with us. Aside from the 
need for training, they will be a big blessing over their year here. This past week, the Lord met my need by sending a visitor, Kara, to help me for 3 weeks. It always amazes me how the Lord meets the need! I know wait on Him to send me someone else to cover 4 weeks from April 13- mid May!