A difficult path

I received a phone call this morning. I really didn't listen carefully to everything that was being said - I just heard the words snake bite, cut leg, and can you come visit. I called the hospital just to find out what to do if someone needed to be seen, and then walked out to Sacha Runa. Today I walked farther back than I had previously. I wasn't able to look around at the houses and such because the walk there was so muddy and I was nearly certain that I would be returning home with my backside covered in slimy brown mud.

The final approach to the house where I was to visit included a bridge made up of two very long, very thin branches. I was told to cross with my feet parrallell to the river and walk sideways. This would have worked even better had the bottoms of my shoes not been covered in that slippery mud.

I took off my shoes and stepped up into the humble home. I walked into a back room and saw an older lady sitting on a mattress on the floor. I began to ask questions and came to find out that she was bitten by a snake some time back, had her leg amputated all the way up (which she proceded to show me without the least bit of self consciousness). I was asked if I would like to take a picture of her leg. I thought it would be good to have if she wanted to have me ask one of the doctors a question. She then fixed her hair so that she would look 'more beautiful'. Her family then pulled out tons of medications that the hospital had given her - all unused including some rather strong antibiotics. She asked questions about why she would need antibiotics and why she needed the bags of hydrating fluid and why she needed the pills to rid her body of parasites. I explained to her what I knew, but offered to take her to the hospital so that the doctors there could more fully answer her questions and take a look at the large still stitched up area where her body had been closed up after the amputation. The area did not feel warm and did not hurt to the touch and the stitched area did not look infected. She said that she would prefer to stay put for two more weeks until it was time for the stitches to come out. Then the whole reality hit me - how was this sweet grandmother going to walk to and from her home. I cannot think of many American women her age who could make that walk even with two legs. All I could do was silently pray and ask the Lord to bless her with a deeper understanding of His love. Maria and her sister had been by the night before and had prayed with her and spoken with her in Quechua (she does not speak Spanish). Tomorrow, I plan to head back over and bring some fruits and vegetables that I have washed.

Imagine your self having one leg, having no clean water, no bathroom, being separated from a road by a mile of muddy paths and river crossings. Imagine then what it would mean to have 'strangers' come and give you their time and their love....that is what the believers in Sacha Runa are doing - they are reaching out to those who cannot even leave their homes, they are looking for ways to help these people - not looking for anything in return, just looking to share the Lord's blessings and love with those around them.

May you all take time today to thank the Lord for all of the blessings in your life and find a way to reach out to someone in need....it might not be comfortable at first - but it just might turn out to bless you in ways that you never imagined.

Love,
Celeste

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