"Miguel" is homeless, has a past history of drug abuse and theft. He has been in and out of prison multiple times and has been known to deceive and con those closest to him. And, he's 19. Only.
Being Haitian alone places "Miguel" at risk; but a known law offender does not help his cause. Despite being placed in difficult situations with "Miguel" over the past year Jim has not given up on his life and has continued to encourage, love, mentor and guide him.
And finally, after a traumatic jail experience in February, "Miguel" opened his heart to the Lord.
He left prison a changed man.
If only his exterior matched his new heart as there are many people in Jarabacoa (including fellow church members and police men) that need to be proven otherwise.
So why would a PA be thrown into the mix?
When "Miguel" was discharged from prison he found out that he is HIV positive. And when he found this out...so did everyone around him. Leaving "Miguel" without a job, a home or friends. On top of this, his Mom died of heart disease in Haiti leaving him an orphan.
All this after he accepted Christ as his savior.
Welcome to our challenge of walking with a new believer and helping him to see the blessings of God amidst the repercussions he is suffering, as he walks through depression and suicidal ideation and attempts.
I have spent the last month meeting with Jim and "Miguel" on a regular basis and in the mean time trying my best to find him help. Free HIV treatment exists in this country but how do I find information when I live in a remote mountain community without resources and things are just not organized and well advertised?
As I was pondering this question last week at my clinic in Corocito in walks a patient with well controlled HIV. Thank you Lord. I cautiously breeched patient confidentiality (which doesn't exist) and found her incredibly willing to help "Miguel", including going with him to La Vega if needed.
Meanwhile time is ticking and "Miguel" is wandering the streets without food, family or even soap to bathe. It would be so easy for him to slip into old ways to get money...stealing or robbing. Yet he has restrained. He is changed.
We made our first journey to the free public hospital in La Vega at the bottom of the mountain Tuesday afternoon and were disappointed to find that the HIV clinic is only open in the morning. But thats ok, I think Jim and I both prepared ourselves for "un proceso."
Today we made the journey again. And amidst the confusion and lack of organization, God provided an angel in the form of a happy Dominican woman with tinted red hair who has worked at the hospital for twenty years and took mercy on her two rubios and an Americano (if you can figure out which each of us is, I'd be greatly obliged!).
With Rosa's help we were given all the papers needed, taken to 4 different offices, quickly saw a referring doctor and were given an appointment with a specialist and for blood work next Friday. All this before 10 am. Gracias a Dios.
Jim and I found ourselves sitting with "Miguel" after returning to Jarabacoa in my office thanking the Lord. For direction. For help. For an appointment. For hope. But mostly for "Miguel's" continued growth.
We than made an accountability plan. If we are going to help "Miguel" with his medications and transportation he needs to meet us half way. And so, today "Miguel's" life plan began. We need to see church attendance. Better hygiene. Efforts to find a job. It's time to live for a real life filled with a future and not just walking the line between life and death.
So join me. Let's pray for "Miguel." Pray that he won't stray from the Lord in his vulnerable state but continue to see the life he can have with Christ. Pray that we can control his HIV. That he can find a job and a house and his friends will no longer see him as a leper. I want to see the change in him that I have had the opportunity to see in so many others; physically and spiritually.
I believe in a God who can work miracles. Do you?
No comments:
Post a Comment