NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

I woke up early on my birthday so I could go running with a doctor who visits the village for a few days each month.  We were just getting to know her, and I was excited to find a running partner.

When I got back from running, we girls ate some yummy muffins Sarah made special for my birthday.  She took Dan breakfast in his bed (Dan had caught a nasty bug, and after a round of strong antibiotics, he felt worse.  So, the visiting doctor started him on a series of penicillin shots.) and gave him his 3rd shot of penicillin.

I was in my room planning for a language session I was about to have with a friend on the other side of the village.  Sarah was going to go with me.

All of a sudden, Sarah, sticks her head in my room and says in a deadly serious voice, “Rachel, run for the doctor.  Dan isn’t responding to me.”
I jumped out of my chair and told her, “The doctor is leaving for our neighboring town today.  She usually leaves about this time.”

As I ran, I prayed she would be at the clinic still.  As I got close, I saw the truck was still there, Thank you, Lord!!  The doctor, nurse, and health promoter were loading the truck and about to leave.

After I told them the message, the doctor ran back into the clinic and grabbed some medicine from the pharmacy; we all piled into their truck and raced back to our house.

Dan had gone into anaphylactic shock immediately after the penicillin shot.  His heart was racing, his blood pressure was really high.  His extremities were numb and he couldn’t move his body.  He stared at the ceiling and tried to speak, but his lips only quivered.  He was having difficulty breathing as his throat was closing up.  He was VERY pale, and we were very scared.

The doctor quickly injected him with hydro-cortisone that she had grabbed at the clinic and monitored his vitals as he began to stabilize.

We praised God that the doctor was still in the village when Dan went into shock.  We praised Him that the doctor had correctly anticipated the dilemma and grabbed the appropriate medicine.  We praised God that Dan was ALIVE!!

After 2 days, Dan was still extremely weak.  Upon the recommendation of the doctor in the village (who was leaving herself) and a fellow missionary doctor and considering the continued gravity of the situation, a mission plane flew Dan, Sarah, and Josiah Alkire to the city so Dan could get tests done to check his lungs and heart and be close to medical care.

Medical evacuation to the big city

Since Katie and I cannot stay in the village by ourselves for security reasons at this time, a co-worker flew in with the plane and drove us out.

So, now we are in the city.  Dan is recovering.  Yesterday he was up and around a bit and talking!  He is still very weak and has no energy.  But, there is improvement!!  We thank God!

And, now that we are in the city, I was able to enjoy some late-birthday ice-cream!  And, I am enjoying a hot shower EVERY DAY!!!