Life Giving Blood
How did Christ feel when He gave His blood to God’s people
freely?
This month God gave me an experience I will never forget, and
with it, a name that is forever imprinted on my heart. God gave me Mae (MYEE) a
beautiful young girl with a medical need that required immediate attention.
I met Mae while visiting the local hospital in Dondo. We decided to pray over the children that day.
As we walked down the long hallway to reach the last room, we realized it was a
busy day at the hospital. Each room we passed was filled with children. We entered into a room where we prayed over a
small boy who had contracted Malaria. As we prayed for him, he fell asleep and
you could feel the Lord comforting him. In the bed next to this boy is where I
found Mae.
Let me introduce you to Mae Fransisco.
Mae is seven years old and suffers from sickle cell anemia.
When we met her she was with a woman who we believed to be her mother, but we soon
found out the truth. Mae’s mother had died and her father ran away leaving Mae
and her three year old brother abandoned in an empty house. Jacinta (the woman
looking after her) heard about the children and rescued them from the cold,
empty home. When Jacinta found the children they were very malnourished and weak.
Mae had intestinal worms so Jacinta brought her to the hospital where it was
discovered that she also suffered from sickle cell anemia. Jacinta is already
busy with three children and is expecting another child soon. This means together
Jacinta and her husband will be looking after six kids. When I heard Mae’s
story, I was moved by Jacinta’s compassion towards Mae and her brother.
Mae was so sweet and had the gentlest spirit. I noticed that
she was feeling very weak and tired. Jacinta had brought them all the way from
Savani, which is about 2 hours away from Dondo.
She explained to us that the doctors were having trouble finding blood
for Mae and she didn’t know what to do. My first thought was I am O+ so I could
donate blood to her. I told Lovemore (our AWESOME translator) I could donate,
and next thing I know I am being tested to make sure I am O+. The test came
back positive, so the doctor (and by doctor I mean a young guy dressed as a
civilian) hooked me up to an IV and I gave 500ml of blood to the hospital.
Giving blood in Africa was an experience I will never
forget. Shortly after I gave blood, I passed out into the arms of Lovemore, who
was only 5′ 4. While passed out, I had a vision of a white light and someone
calling my name. In an instant I woke up, wet my pants, and got soaked by the
“doctor” who was squirting glucose water all over my face. It was the strangest
feeling I’ve ever had. I was so confused
about where I was and what was happening. It took me an additional 20 minutes
to fully recover. This all happened at 2:30pm.
At 5:30pm I was
holding Mae’s hand as they began to give her my blood. She was so brave and
never shed a tear. This experience was very special to me and throughout the
entire process I could feel God’s presence.
During Mae’s blood transfusion, I became very emotional
because when I was her age, I too had a blood deficiency which led to an emergency
blood transfusion. Someone donated their blood to me so that I might have life.
All those years ago I was lying in the same position as she is now, receiving
blood from someone who I will forever give my utmost thanks and gratitude.
I am constantly reminded about the blood that Christ gave to
us. I think about how excited I was to give my blood to Mae and am blown away
to think that Jesus gave His blood freely with a pure heart. He gave it even though
He knew we were unworthy. He could see the bigger picture. He knew that behind
our junk there was truth and goodness. Christ knew that by giving His blood we
would be set free and given a future to worship our Father, and a chance to
follow His example by giving grace freely as He did.
I will never forget holding little Mae’s hand as she
received my blood, as she received Christ’s grace, and how God’s overwhelming
love filled that dark hospital room. All glory be given to God.
Amen.
