Emergency Medical Funds

Each month we set aside Emergency Medical Funds to help people in our community.  These are for urgent needs that are not necessarily in our “scope of work” but need our attention.  

Julson called and said “Elizabeth, Mama Leopold went to the mountains to work in her garden and she fell and broke her leg.  She sat all night at the hospital and they didn’t do anything for her.  We need to take her somewhere.”  I, of course, said “Go get the truck and get her somewhere quickly.  She needs to help soon.”

After several messages back and forth, I came to understand that she spent almost 24 hours sitting in a hospital and NO ONE, not a doctor or a nurse, came to check her.  

No pain meds, no xrays, no splint, nothing.

I know Clermecia (Mama Leopold) from our time living in Haiti.  She is a hard-working, gentle spirited, kind, and loving widowed mother of 8 children.   When I first met Clermecia, I discovered she was diabetic and because of limited income was only taking her insulin once or twice a week using a very old syringe that no longer had measuring lines on it.  I set out at once to find a sponsor for her insulin and syringes.  

A broken leg that is not properly cared for could have a very poor outcome for anyone, but it is extra risky since she has diabetes.

I am grateful we have a reliable vehicle, emergency funds, Julson - a man of integrity who cares for those in our community, and all of our partners who make it possible for us to care for our community.

Julson has been checking on her and taking her for checkups.  She is healing nicely!

Matthew 25:34-40 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,  or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”