Rescue Archives | Gentle Hands

Current News, Paliative Care, Rehabilitation, Rescue

In Memory of Elmer

If you remember my story of Elmer, the young man who came to us dying of Tuberculosis, this is my final tribute to him.

Death brings many questions and few answers. I remember holding his face in my hands in almost desperation. Jesus loves you, I said. Elmer, just call to him. Tell him to take you, to forgive you, to bring him to you. Elmer, (I would try to make his eyes stay open), Jesus is waiting for you. He will hold you.

The chance of giving someone hope in their last hours, the chance that a lost soul will find peace after a life of pain, is why I would take another dying one again.

Elmer flew to Jesus March 20, 2006.

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden’s lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall…so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory’s side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Chris Rice

April 7, 2006/0 Comments/by Gentle Hands

Current News, Rehabilitation, Rescue

Little Jonalyn

Little Jonalyn was born premature at 8 months we are told, December 8, 2005. Now, at 3 months old, she is coming to us after 9 days in a hospital… a concerned citizen desperate to see the baby get help. Read more

March 21, 2006/0 Comments/by Gentle Hands

Current News, DAVID Boys, Paliative Care, Rehabilitation, Rescue, short-term missionaries

He Has A Name

On Saturday, after 24 hours, I was sure, Elmer, his family called him “Boy”, would die. He was hardly conscious. He wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t drink. I was sure his lungs were full of fluid. After every coughing fit, I would hold my breath to see if he kept on breathing. Read more

February 27, 2006/0 Comments/by Gentle Hands

Current News, Paliative Care, Rehabilitation, Rescue, short-term missionaries

A Dying Man

His skin has a sallow color, his lips dry. He is extremely weak, dehydrated, and unbelievably thin. The odor of death, sweet and it stains my nostrils.

Somehow watching him struggle to breathe, robs me of my own breath. Read more

February 24, 2006/0 Comments/by Gentle Hands

Burn Victim, Current News, Rehabilitation, Rescue

Crystal May – Burned

I am livid. My mind whirling. How can this be called medical treatment?

Her mother is hysterical. The grandmother’s face swollen from crying. The grandfather sounding his own cries of unbelief and distress. In the chaos, I struggle to understand the whole story and I am distracted by Crystal… she doesn’t stop whimpering. Read more

February 6, 2006/1 Comment/by Gentle Hands

Current News, Paliative Care, Rehabilitation, Rescue, short-term missionaries

Henry

We thought it was a rescue…

The grandmother begging me to help get her sick grandson out of the hospital where no one was paying any attention to him.

He had been there for 2 weeks… and got worse every day.

Now, she didn’t know where to turn. The doctors wouldn’t tell them anything… they had no money f Read more

January 25, 2006/0 Comments/by Gentle Hands

Current News, Rehabilitation, Rescue

Gina

I laid down beside her as the bed shook with her sobs. My arms enveloped her and she snuggled close. I was surprised to be called down at this late hour. She should have been asleep long ago.

As I pressed her to talk, she said she just wanted her mom. “But I can’t go there cuz my dad might find me. He doesn’t know your house so he can’t get me here. He wants me at his house but I don’t want to go. So my mom put me here…”

Update on little J.R. – Day 19

He laughs and giggles at “peek-a-boo”. He colors with his healed hand. He eats crackers non-stop. He points and makes all kinds of cute little noises. And finally, yes, he smiles.

We have a long way since the first critical day when J.R. was burned in a fire. He arrived at our house at 5 am, the hospital he was initially brought to, having done nothing for him. His skin hung in burnt ribbons, his head already beginning to swell from the trauma. I truly had no idea how serious this burn was or I may never have thought I could handle it… Read more

January 13, 2006/0 Comments/by Gentle Hands

Burn Victim, Current News, Escopa, Rehabilitation, Rescue

Day 15 After the Fire in Escopa

We are watching God do a miracle before our eyes. No, our patients are not totally well, but I am watching new skin grow. I am watching infection die little by little. I am literally seeing new pink skin form under the black, layers of charcoaled skin.

One evening, I came in for my night shift, and Kuya Martin was laying in the dark crying in his pillow. Oh, dear Kuya. How many times have I told you that God is bigger than any plan of the devil. God will take this and turn it for good if you trust Him. God has a plan for your life, for your family. Read more

January 11, 2006/0 Comments/by Gentle Hands

Burn Victim, Christmas, Current News, Escopa, Rehabilitation, Rescue, short-term missionaries

Fire Update in Escopa

It is Day 5 after the fire in Escopa. We have been so busy here at Gentle Hands after the Christmas Day fire under the bridge.

My morning shift over, its 2am. I gently woke Mandy who had grabbed 5 hours of sleep between shifts. Each hour of sleep is precious. Tonight, little JR won’t sleep… he whimpers and cries.

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