Saturday, August 22, 2009

How would you respond if you were waiting to cross the street and a motorcycle hit you?

Fely, the lady who cooks all the food for the three discipleship groups and helps me with the household needs, was on her way home from work Monday night when just that happened. She sent me a text from the x-ray department of the hospital, but I was already asleep in bed!

Three pastors were already at our home when I read her message the next morning. Oh, no! Is she OK? The pastors, Paul, and I prayed for her. I quickly thanked the Lord that the salad was already made. “I can cook the rice. We will scratch the main dish because the recipe is in Fely’s head plus, Fely was going to the market on the way to work to buy the ingredients! Let’s see. KFC? Jollibee chicken? Hmmm.”

I ran up the stairs to get Styrofoam trays so we wouldn’t have to do dishes for the mid-morning snack and then I heard something absolutely unbelievable! Fely was at our house! With the marketing done! Wait a minute. She was hit by a motorcycle last night!

As the day progressed the story came out. So did her bruises.

The motorcycle was coming fast, skirting to the right around a vehicle as they commonly do. (Yes, drivers have to be very watchful for those two-wheeled menaces.) He hit Fely’s left side, knocking her to the ground so hard that she rolled several yards down the street! The good thing is that Fely had the left over rice from the week before and landed on the it – a lovely cushion!

The amazing thing is that the driver stayed put and has taken responsibility for the accident. All expenses (US$22 for the ER and the x-rays!) will be deducted from his salary. Knowing that, I instructed Fely to accept the company's payment for the hospital expenses, but to give that money to the young driver as she shared Christ’s forgiveness and concern for him. He knew it was from me, Fely’s employer. He will not accept the money, but he did promise to attend Fely’s church.

I have encouraged Fely to take time off and rest. She has not missed a day of work! She won’t even leave an hour early!

Back to my question: How would you respond if you were waiting to cross the street and a motorcycle hit you?