This is a question that we ask ourselves often in order to remind ourselves not to panic. We can rush someone off to a clinic and find it is closed. We can rush someone to the hospital and have the person change their mind about receiving treatment.
In the countryside, there are no ambulances and the transportation of the sick is done on foot. Taxis and buses do not transport people with medical issues. We were well aware that if we had not been in Gesses when this happened, Demis’ mom would likely have died. We can’t help everyone but we were involved in this one but there was no panic or feeling of emergency.
Chapay had helped dig the grave and was covered in dirt. He spent a few minutes washing his hair and changing into one of Rolf’s shirts. Chapay and Bazaray (Demis’ son) went along.
The kids and I prayed and then we talked about what had happened. I was so pleased that they were open about how they felt and that we could process it in a healthy way. We weren’t afraid and we knew that God had protected us. We often talk about the fact that God knows the number of our days. Our circumstances may not always feel safe but we have a God who is able to keep us.
Rolf called an hour later and we were not surprised to hear that she needed to go to Bahir Dar as soon as possible. She was hooked up to an IV and was feeling the pain of her wound. We had called John Coleman about the situation so that he would pray and he passed on the news to our team leader in Injebara. The 3 men made a plan. Rolf would drive to Chagni where Mark would meet him. They would switch vehicles so that Yaguk wouldn’t have to be moved. Then John would be waiting in Injebara and switch vehicles again and take her to the Bahir Dar hospital.
It was a good plan except for one thing. It was getting dark. By the time everyone was ready to leave Dibate, it was 6pm. Rolf had to take it slow as the bumps were hard on Yaguk. She was still hooked up to her IV.
The transfer took place at 8pm and Rolf texted me to say he was on his way home. I spend most of the evening in prayer knowing that driving after dark is rarely a good idea. In the meantime, our house worker, Mesalech spent the night with us and the kids and I decided to have a giant sleepover. I prayed also that John and Mark would make the right decision about whether they should remain in Injebara for the night or press on.
Our prayers were answered and Rolf arrived home safely at 10:30pm. He was delayed by a flat tire. Thankfully his cell phone has a flashlight otherwise he would have had to change the tire in the dark. We only heard the rest of the story the following morning.
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