So far on the race, I have learned that God can change your life in an instant. His power can do anything, heal anything, and love with a love we are unable to understand. His power became much more real to me this week. Everything changed when God decided to throw in an unexpected twist to my journey here in Thailand. With that being said, this week, I got to be Doctor Emily.
About two weeks ago, I met Nuek (sounds like Nu-ick). He was in a motorcycle accident over four years ago, partially paralyzing the left side of his body. He was in a coma for four days and had no memory for nine more days after the coma. Once his memory began to come back, he was sent home with his wife and no instruction for this new life he was about to begin as a paralyzed man. His wife was given no instruction on how to keep him healthy and they were sent home with no hope for a full recovery. He went home to live on a built in stage full of pillows and blankets on the front porch because it was too hard for him to maneuver around inside. He eats, sleeps, prays, and listens to the church on the radio everyday on the porch. I know God has bigger and different plans for Nuek though. Five months ago, Nuek took his first steps.
I initially went over to meet Nuek and to pray for him with my team. Pastor Sutah, being the goofball he is, knew about my Health and Exercise Science degree and told me to fix him. Before I knew it, the kids were looking up to me with their big, brown, hopeful eyes asking if I could really help him. I told them I could do my best and pray for him every day but I wasn’t sure if I knew how to help. I left his house, and felt God turning wheels in my head and tugging on my heart the whole way home. Maybe I really can help.
For those of you who don’t know my background, I worked at a physical therapy clinic as a tech before I came on the race. I was far from a doctor but I like to think I was pretty knowledgeable in my workplace and know what I am doing in most cases when it comes to physical therapy. Here in Thailand, a degree and my work experiences are like gold. In a country that doesn’t even know what physical therapy is, and a country you only have to go to school for four (sometimes less) years to become a doctor, I seem like a big shot to them. It was almost scary how much the people have trusted me to help this man.
That night, I went back to our translator and told her I would really love to go back and work with Nuek and see what progress we could make. Pastor had a big smile on his face and called me Doctor Emily all night! Before I knew it, I was standing back in front of Nuek teaching him about the importance of range of motion, and movement of the limbs, and how to properly train him self to walk again. This was no easy task through a translator first of all and secondly it was all so foreign to him. I just couldn’t believe he had been this way for four years with no clue about the basic and proper care for his case. Long story short, I spent almost the whole time teaching his wife how she can help take care of him properly and stretching out his leg and arm that both had hardly been stretched out in the past four years. His hamstrings were so tight; it was nearly impossible to get his knee completely straight. His calf was so cramped up that his ankle hardly had any range of motion at all. His hand has not been able to work for so long that his fingers were swollen into a fist that I had to pry open to massage out the swelling. I was heart broken for his care and his health, but God somehow left my heart that day so joyful. The Lord is constantly assuring me that I am right where I am supposed to be. He is pushing me to trust him more and more on this journey. He is giving me confidence and telling me that I am worth it. I have been praying that the Lord put the people that need me, right in front of me… and He did. Even though I am no Doctor, or the smartest, or best teacher around, in this trial, Nuek needed me. Thanks to the Lord, I was there. More importantly, I needed Nuek, for that confidence and role model of pure joy and trust in the Lord. The Lord provides.
Nuek fought through the pain just as he has been fighting this trial for the past four and a half years. He always wanted to do his best at everything I asked of him. He never complained and even giggled with me a few times at Pastors jokes. He knows there is no trial that comes from the Lord that does not produce fruit. He has faith; faith in our savior, hope in his head, joy in his heart, and faith that he will walk again. Seeing Nuek stand up and take a few steps is amazing. It brings tears to his wife’s eyes and melts my heart. I believe that Nuek will walk again and I believe that God is using this trial to produce something so much greater. Imagine if the whole world had the child like faith of Nuek. We could be fearless. I am beyond grateful for my time with Nuek and my heart smiles every time I get to go help him and pray for him. I pray that some of his bravery and faith rubs off on me.
ALSO, speaking of God having crazy plans with twists and turns, slight change of plans. Due to some border and visa precautions, my squad and I will be spending our third month (November) in Cambodia with ministry hosts there instead of Thailand. We are very sad to leave our amazing ministries here, but very excited for all God has in store for us in Cambodia and new adventures. He is a good Father and I know there is so much in store for us.
Some prayer requests!
Please pray for Nuek and his family balancing his health, finances, and raising sweet Moses (from previous blog).
Please keep us in your prayers that we impact Cambodia every way that God wants us to!
Please continue to pray for my team and church here in SiKhoraphum. Pray that we can help be God’s hands and feet for all people here!
Love, EJ
