Do you ever wonder "Why?"

Do you ever wonder “why”? So do I. Then God gives me a glimpse of His perfect timing and I am struck again with His goodness and wisdom.

While we were in the United States the 26 year-old daughter of the lady who cleans, does laundry and cooks all the meals for the pastors became ill. Tests have so far not shown anything even though she has lost the sight in one eye. She is hoping to go back to work very soon, but it all hinges on the results of a spinal tap. They have been able to get medical care through charity organizations and the government hospital, but, as in the United States, not all hospitals have the equipment to run all the labs and so specimens are sent out. Such was the case with Angela’s test on the spinal fluid. The tap was scheduled for the 18th of September. They were just getting into the taxi when the doctor called and informed them that the procedure was postponed for a week, to Thursday, September 25.

Back track with me. We arrived August 12 and August 13 our elevator died. Really died. It needed parts sent in from abroad. We were three plus weeks without it, hiking five flights of stairs every time we went anywhere. I had already had some irritation of my Achilles tendon before we returned, but it went crazy going down the stairs. The whole heel area began to swell. I took Ibuprofen and my stomach complained. I put special compounded creams on it and my heel still complained. I stopped wearing shoes with backs, but I needed both a 1 ½-inch heel or higher and an arch support as my posterior tibialis ligament was becoming inflamed in reaction to the Achilles and my arch was collapsing. I needed to see the doctor.

I made an appointment for September 17 and saw my rheumatologist for other things and, while I was there he spotted my foot and was very concerned. He did not think I needed to see the orthopedist, but he contacted the Physical Therapist and I saw her Tuesday the 23rd. The PT would not touch my foot without instructions from my orthopedic man.

Now I have a wonderful orthopedic doctor. He topped all the medical exams here, but his first training was physical therapy so he is very conservative in his treatment. He has office at three different hospitals (the norm here) and was closest to our home on Wednesdays. I was ready to leave for that office when, for some reason, I contacted the office to confirm that he would be able to see me. His hours changed while we were in the US! He is now there Tuesdays and Fridays. But I have a meeting this Friday, right during his office hours. They suggested I go to his office at St. Luke’s hospital on Thursday, September 25.

I did. After my visit I climbed into a taxi to return home and just then a text arrived from Paul. Fely, my employee, had an urgent need to talk to me. I called her to learn that the tap was completed and she had the spinal fluid on ice to be taken to the lab at St. Luke’s. “Ate (Ah-tay), I don’t know where to go there.” I asked how much money she had and did not get a clear answer. I had the taxi turn around and take me back the five blocks we had traveled and I waited for her.

When Fely arrived at the hospital, I again asked how much money she had as we went to the lab. When she told me I knew she would not have enough. “Lord, I don’t have the cash, but I thank you I have my Visa card!” Everyone has to pay the charges before they will complete the paperwork or take specimens from them. I sat a distance away to let her be her own person, but I heard them say a price more than three times the amount she had! It was with joy and thanksgiving that I stepped up and told her I would cover it.

What if they had done the test last week? What if I didn’t have that tendonitis? What if I had seen the doctor yesterday? It would have taken too long for me to get to the hospital from our home if I had not been right there. The specimen would have been spoiled. The test would have been for naught.

Awesome God, what a Wonder You are! Your ways are perfect!

My foot? Oh, I expect it to heal right up now. (The doctor was very positive.)

Patty