We’ve been abroad for a little over a month now, and the World Race has been amazing. Every few months, we get to go to debrief, which is a time for our squad to rest, process, and regroup. We’ve been at our first debrief in Nepal for the last few days, and I’ve been sick for almost all of debrief.
About three days ago, I got a horrible headache, then a fever, cough, sneezing, some an pain, and a few other symptoms. I though about riding it our, and did for a few days, but that fever will get you! I have basically just been sleeping and sweating for like, two days straight. I reached out to a brilliant nurse friend back in the states (thanks for texting me at 3AM Kellie<3) and encouraged me to go to the doctor. One of my squad mates has dengue fever; getting sick abroad is a whole different ball game than in the states! Maybe it’s sinus problems, maybe its a cold, maybe its paratyphiod, we’ll see.
A fun thing about other countries is that there are very few doctor’s offices. So, when you are sick, you just go to the hospital for everything. I walked in and they told us no doctors were available because it was a holiday. Awesome. One more night of sweating to death. My friends and I decided to go ask at another desk and were met by a really kind doctor named Dr. Sapria. Her English was really good and she took me back right away and let my friends stay with me! She did a blood test and an exam and then left to check the results. Caitlin and India hadn’t eaten yet, so they popped back to the street to get some food. While they were gone, Dr. Sapria came back to tell me that she wanted to admit me for an overnight stay in the Hospital. I asked her if I could just take some antibiotics and come back tomorrow, but she said “That’s not a good option.”
As she walked away, I remember feeling so so scared. I was alone, I now have to stay here overnight, and I don’t know what is wrong. And, I’ve heard so many horror stories about foreign health care! But, last night in our teaching session, our coaches encouraged us to look back on times in our lives where we were hurt and ask Jesus “Where were you in that moment, Lord?” As I laid there, I asked “Lord, where are you now?” And I could almost feel him standing next to me. Watching me, holding my hand, and making sure nothing happened to me. That’s Immanuel. That’s him with me when I am scared or confused. His heart is not for me to be sick or in pain. He sees my tears and He cares deeply for me. Pray for me, and I’ll hopefully know something soon! And, shout out to great friends like Caitlin, India, Andrea, and Kacci for living out community and taking care of me so well 🙂
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and a buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place-
the Most High, who is my refuge-
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will trdad on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With a long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 91
