8 hours of physical need ministry

Yesterday morning, a woman was brought to us for the second time and this time she wasn’t leaving.  She has a huge growth on her knee (larger than a grapefruit) which has apparently been growing for 2 years.  Now the pain is unbearable and she is unable to be mobile.

A few days ago, Rolf brought her to the Yamp clinic run by CMF missionaries 8km away.  They said she needed to go to Bahir Dar.  The family decided to wait until someone could take her directly rather than taking public transport.

Yesterday she was back and couldn’t wait any longer.  Transportation is a big issue and is largely sporadic from Dibate.  One has to walk to Dibate (10km) to get anywhere else. 

To get to Bahir Dar, one needs to get to Chagni (1.5-2 hour drive) and the bus leaves at 6am.  It is hard to get transportation to Chagni from Dibate so my dear husband decided to leave with the lady, her baby and her husband plus pick up Askale’s husband in Dibate (to be used as a translator) at 4am this morning.

They were able to get to Chagni in time to buy bus tickets and get on the only bus driving directly to Bahir Dar.  They have arrived and now we pray that this lady will get the surgical treatment needed. 

Rolf returned (after getting some tires fixed in Chagni...the nearest repair station) at 9:30am.  At 8am, a man was carried from Dubi Kitcha (an hour walk) due to his extreme pain.  He had an enlarged kidney.

Rolf took him at 10am to Yamp where he was treated and told to return on Monday if there wasn’t improvement.  They insisted though on being taken to Dibate so Rolf dropped them off there.  (Really they wanted to go to Chagni but since Rolf felt they had been properly treated, his involvement ended.)

Rolf returned at 12:30 for lunch after putting in a full day’s work.

As you can tell, it is always a challenge in knowing how far to get involved.  Getting involved is costly – time and money (though if people can afford the medical treatment, the do pay for it).

We need daily wisdom in balancing the physical and spiritual needs that we see.