I woke up this morning giddy with excitement as I anticipated witnessing a beautiful life enter the world. I have always wanted to watch a baby’s birth. I was a bit perplexed as to how I could arrange to fulfill this dream. Most people do not open a section of the delivery room for a curious audience. My heart leapt for joy when I learned of the opportunity to witness a c-section at the Malumghat hospital. My friend Kelsi and I were instructed to be at the hospital at 8:00 a.m. to enter the delivery room.
Kelsi and I made our way to the women’s ward where we were then whisked to the changing room. My heart danced within me the whole time as I pondered the precious soul that was about to begin his time on earth. What would his life look like? What would his dreams, hopes, and passions be? My heart knelt before my Savior asking Him to bless this little life and drawn him into an intimate relationship with my Glorious God. Oh what a beautiful moment it would be to see the tiny treasure take his first breath, life and hope rushing through his lungs and veins.
I pulled the turquoise-greenish scrubs over my outfit. The scrubs were fashioned as a dress with ties around my waist and by my neck. I placed a white fluffy surgery hat on my head and safely tucked each stray hair into the elastic band. The next step was a white cloth mask that tied around my head covering my nose and mouth. Finally, I stepped out of my sandals and into the hospital sandals. There I stood, ready for the show! I must say, I felt awesome! I am a medical worker-wanna-be. Looking the part of a medical worker, off I marched to the delivery room.
Kelsi and I stepped into the room with a little awe and much excitement. There were three or four men on the side, two women helping prepare the mother, who was already on the bed ready for the operation to begin, and a national doctor preparing the tools and stomach. Later, a nurse explained to me the role of each person (midwife, sterile assistants, non-sterile assistants who could run for fresh objects, and a few more roles). All the workers were nationals at this point, an awesome sight. Each wore outfits similar to mine. A nurse showed us where we could stand and instructed us not to touch anything that was sterile.
At that moment, Dr. Peterson swept into the room ready to begin. He was distinguishable by his white skin and sports themed surgeon hat. The atmosphere was ready for action! Dr. Peterson encouraged us to step a little closer for a better view, and the operation began. Dr. Peterson and the national doctor worked together to cut, suck, and separate, making their way to the waiting baby. Kelsi was quite the humorous commentary quietly in my ear. She whispered things like, “Oh my!” and, “Wow, ohhh!”. Upon hearing one such comment, I remarked that she better not pass out.
I felt quite fine as I observed. Perhaps my years watching fish being filleted and my “pretend surgeon” attitude made the experience seem normal. After a few more cuts I saw the beautiful black hair of the baby! Dr. Peterson slid the baby out of the mommy’s body and joyfully announced that it was a boy. The nurse took the little man and began cleaning him up. That first piercing scream was like music from the hand of a master composer.
I continued to watch the nurses clean up the baby and the doctors fix up the momma. That is when it happened. I suddenly felt very hot and sweaty. I desperately wanted to take off my mask. My mind focused on taking deep breaths and I thought, “Come on, you can’t be sick!” Quite suddenly I felt like I better sit down. I voiced my concern to Kelsi as I turned for the stools.
Then next events seemed like I was in a movie. I found myself lying on the floor with two or three medical personnel surrounding me. I was quite confused as to what was going on and where I was. I felt like I was waking from a dream during the night. Why were the doctors touching me? Why was I on the floor? Then it hit me, “Oh my goodness, I passed out! I am one of ‘those’ people! So this is what it is like to pass out. I can’t believe I am taking attention away from the momma and baby. I need to get out of the way.”
The medical personnel told me, “You are okay, don’t worry. Don’t try to move, relax.” They turned me on my side and put a pillow under my head. The woman took my blood pressure. I told her I felt fine and asked if she wanted me to get out of the delivery room. She said no, to stay laying there for a while. After a few minutes, she went to get me a small stool to sit on. She was quite concerned when I stood and walked to the stool.
There I sat, discussing the drama with Kelsi and watching the rest of the post surgery work. Dr. Peterson called out from behind the scalpel asking me if I was okay. I was slightly embarrassed and avoided eye contact with the lingering medical staff. However, God’s grace allowed me to also find the situation quite funny. I enjoyed a little giggling with Kelsi reflecting on the experience.
When Dr. Peterson finished his work he stepped out of his garb and came over to me. I promptly apologized for disturbing his delivery room. He was quick to reassure me that it was not a big deal. He made me feel much better when he told me that medical students occasionally pass out too. He said one of his classes had 15 students pass out watching the video of a birth. Dr. Nancy then focused her attention on me to make sure I was truly fine. She said one of the men told her I hit my head pretty hard. She forbid me from much activity, arranged for a driver to take me back to the main housing area, and told me I must alert someone right away if I got a medium to bad headache. From there I returned my surgery outfit, and dreams of being in the medical field, and went to see the little man of the hour.
The baby boy was in an oxygen box. He looked perfect. Oh how I love him. I pray God will bless his life and grow him into the man God has created him to be. Welcome to your temporary home little man. What an experience! The adventure was certainly more than I expected. The entire morning reminds me of one word: life. God’s grace has granted this little man physical life. I pray that he will come to know and have a personal relationship with his Creator. I also pray that he will one day understand and embrace the purpose for his life. I hope to one day hug him as a brother in eternity. Pondering his new life, I am lead to reflect on my own life.
Am I embracing God’s plan for me? Am I living each day for the glory of my King, seeking to fully submit to Him? Am I ready to bow before my King and give an account for my life on earth? My eternity and standing before God is certainly not dependent upon my works, but my Holy God does call me to live a focused life for His glory. I stand accepted by God based on Jesus’ payment for my sin and my acceptance of His forgiveness. I now desire to live in light of that forgiveness, only for my King.
My friend Jen has reminded me of how quickly physical life on earth can end. She has been speaking of the “two-stepper” snake- a snake whose bite grants the victims two steps before death will transport them to eternity. As I walk on the red sun baked bricks I try to keep an alert eye out for the crafty “two-steppers”. I think, “What if I did get bit?” My passing out experience brought a new perspective to my thoughts on death. One second I was standing there fine and the next second I was on the floor wondering what happened. One day I will close my eyes in this world and open them before my Precious Savior.
I desire to live my life focused for my King. This is only my temporary home. God please grant me the grace to stay focused on my purpose for living. Transform me to be more like You and bring glory to Your Holy Name through my set apart life. May the terrifying “two-stepper”, tiny treasure, and tremendous thud sharpen my focus and fan the flame of passionate living for my Mighty King.
