Friday, 12 October 2012

Brian's Story


Blog Post 10-10-12

Hello Everyone!
I hope all of you are keeping warm, as I am writing this in a sweatshirt and a steaming cup of tea. It's hard to think that less than a month ago I was profusely dripping with sweat in the humidity of Papua New Guinea, praying for a soft breeze to sweep by. And I will probably be saying something similar when I go back in January- Australia's summer. But there's nothing quite like fall in the northwest, the trees slowly morphing from green to autumn red and yellow with the crunch of leaves under your shoes.

I first off wanted to say how blessed I've been to travel through Oregon (and Washington) on a “farewell tour” to say goodbye to friends and 
family before I leave in January. I received so 
much TLC (Tender Loving Care) while I was there and the many blessings of meals and laughs- it was delightful. Thanks also to all of you who have graciously watched the videos and photos and listened to my stories, expressing interest in what I'm doing, your prayers, advocacy and generous donations! I CANNOT do what I do without all of you. THANK YOU SO MUCH for standing with me and being an extension of what I am a part of on the other side of the world. God bless you!

So last time I left you, I was living in our first village (Aroma) for 2 weeks in Gulf Province. We then hopped in a covered truck (with benches- WOOT WOOT!) and rode the 7 hours to Port Moresby to reunite with the other half of our DTS (Discipleship Training School) joined up with the Medical Ship in Port Moresby.
(Due to the fact that the ship can only hold 50 people including crew, volunteers, kitchen staff, etc... at one time, our school of 24 split into 2 groups and would alternate locations; Team B in the village, Team A on the ship for 2 weeks, then switch).

Brian and his mom in Aroma 
Before I advance to the next adventures on the ship, I was recently reminded of a tender story I would be delighted to share with you.


Brian is a 4 year old boy that we had the great privilege of meeting in Aroma. We first met his mother during women's fellowship the last wednesday we were in the village, but we also encountered Brian when our team performed dramas in the village and played games with the other children along the beach. I hope you can see by his smile he is a boy full of life, his laugh reminded me of the squeal of sheer delight of a child embracing the purity and simplicity of childhood.



Women's Fellowship, praying for Brian 
The other women in the fellowship requested we pray for Brian and his mom during our prayer time, as he was experiencing extreme pain of a suspected broken arm after falling out of a tree a few days before we arrived. Reports of his condition concerned us as we were told he wasn't sleeping and would often scream out in pain being touched or moved. In the U.S or any other western country, tylenol, ibuprofen or similar painkillers would be given to ease the pain, however the high cost and limited availability of the medications weren't an option for Brian.
Mel, our ER nurse and Brian 
We bowed our heads with heavy hearts for this young boy in such distress and agony and cried out to God for His Father's heart to touch this young guy and to help us help him.



By the second week of our residence in the village, we began to see more of Brian as his pain was decreasing. Mel, our ER nurse from Canada, was able to assess Brian and determine that his arm was almost certainly broken. As a team, with three nurses, we discussed different ideas of how to help him and what we could do. Since the fall occurred before we arrived, our best guess would be that the bone would be beginning to set in improperly and cause him significant pain and adverse affects in his future. Therefore we determined he needed to seek further medical attention, that we were unable to provide for him.

Three days before we were scheduled to leave Aroma, we arranged transport to travel and reunite with the ship.

Team B heading for the city! 
 Helen, our leader informed us that since we (as a team) were paying for transport (it wasn't public) we could invite Brian and his mom to travel with us to Port Moresby to have an x-ray of his arm at the hospital! We were absolutely thrilled and delighted to have such an answer to prayer. It's interesting to note that God knew Brian would break his arm and need help. And even while we were praying on the blue tarp that acted as the floor of the church during women's fellowship, God had already sent an answer: us. We were there at the right time and had a few nurses to assess the suspected break, and as a team, the available transport to get him to a proper medical facility.


 Brian was such a trooper and brave little guy; he sat on his mom's lap for the 7 hour bumpy ride to the city, sleeping occassionally. 
The  bumpy ride to Port Moresby 
We loved having him along and smiled at his delight at the “lollies” when we shared our oreo rations with him. He was a particuarly good sport when the trip was delayed by a few break downs and a tire blowout. When Brian and his mom were gathering their things to exit the vehicle, I was so thrilled they made it the city where he could receive the medical care he needed. In that moment, however, I felt a pang of grief in my heart and tears welled up in my eyes as I watched them go. This precious little boy who delighted us with his bright eyes and smile, had charmed his way into my life and stolen my heart. Even though I'm not a mother, I was amazed at the capacity in my heart to love that darling boy, wanting to shower him with hugs and make silly faces together; yet I was facing the stark reality that I likely wouldn't see him ever again.
Brian with his homemade sling



It's so curious to me that I boarded a plane and traveled thousands of miles, across the world, with the mindset to help and serve Papua New Guineans. During those two weeks in Aroma, our team performed dramas, taught health education, led and spoke at church services- which is all wonderful and much needed. Nonetheless, that simple act of my team being in the village at that time, assessing his arm and providing transport was all in God's gracious plan to care for Brian- and had more impact than any other church activity we participated in. I didn't anticipate that assisting a 4 year old child and his mother would impact my life so significantly. As I reflect upon this event, I realize it was worth it- Brian was worth it: the mud, the bugs, the heat, the travel, lack of conveniences.... It was all worth it, for a 4 year old boy to know that his Father in heaven deeply cares about him and desires to love him and be a part of his life.

As you can tell from the beginning of this post, this story wasn't what I was intending to share with you. But I was reminded of Brian and eager to share this with you, since so many of your thoughts, hearts and prayers were with me while I was in Papua New Guinea.

I hope you enjoyed reading this and that you felt that you were there, that you were a part of this story because you are: you are a direct extension of what I am a part of. I cannot do what I'm doing without the love, prayers, and support of you back home. Thank you!

If you have any questions or would like to be more involved, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to email me at christyp20@gmail.com.

Love and blessings to all of you,
Christina































No comments:

Post a Comment