Lifted Hands

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 63:4 (NIV)

Our small Heartline Ministries Hospital had around 40 inpatients depending on the day and many more clinic patients during the week. While I was there I usually took care of our female patients and during that time, I learned many of their stories. I'd like to share one of them now.

Marjorie was a school teacher in Port Au Prince, and at the time of the earthquake, she was at the school - a structure not built to withstand an a earthquake. I'm not sure how long she awaited rescue, but she eventually made it out with her life. Sadly, she would be the sole survivor of that school; her entire class perished. Her recovery has been difficult, not merely as a result of her extensive injuries, but due to the chaos around her, long waits, tropical weather, and consuming sadness. Marjorie had severe trauma to her left hand and one of her legs. Her hand had to be amputated, but her fractured femur was repaired with surgery. The first time we removed her stub dressing it was very scary for her. She neither wanted to look, nor did she want others to see. She insisted we cover it up again, which we did. One day I noticed that the physical therapist had gotten her up to walk with crutches - which was an exciting, albeit common site at our hospital (first walks after femur fractures). What made Marjorie's experience especially inspiring was that she was walking with crutches without the use of her (now absent) hand. To me, it looked pretty hard. Marjorie has a quiet, incredibly sweet, but determined soul. There are few times I have been so moved as when I noticed her worshiping one night during a service. Below there is both picture and video of Marjorie praising her Lord - though you may have to look hard to pick her out (she's wearing pink in each of these). Also pictured below: Marjorie with her good friend and fellow patient Siliene and 2 of their nurses (Melissa and myself).