what IS a life worth?

a couple of post back I wrote about divine community..please read first......the story continues

I have been trying for days to get the rest of this story out of me and have found it hard... I think it has been a faith experience that has brought me to my knees!!!
I also hesitate to write because I NEVER want this to be about ME and my action but only that of a wonderful GOD who cares for those who have no one and how he takes someone like to me to minister HIS goodness...I am in awe!!!!

Mirna is ALIVE and as of about a week ago that was looking like a very small possibility.....

Mirna was very sick after her baby's delivery and birth as I said I had brought her to a private hospital that turned her away. I brought her to Hospital Esquela who took her in and kept her over night, sent her home.

On Sunday June 3rd I returned to San Miguel for church with our group (a decision that I am confident was moved by the spirit) and Melvin told me Mirna was not feeling well. The next day I returned to San Miguel with my sister, Cheryl, who is a nurse and my son in-law JC who is a Spanish speaker and my daughter, Ryan and my niece Crystal.
When we got to the house my sister took one look at Mirna and said she needs to go to an emergency room. She was literally "green" her abdomen was extended to that of a 9 month pregnant belly and it was hard as a rock. She could hardly walk, and the smell of infection was seeping from her body. We told Mirna that she needed to go and the sweet thing, in her agony, wanted to bath in the river and brush her teeth first, we waited. JC offered to carry her the lengthy and difficult walk through the village to where my car was parked but she insistent on walking...I didn't know if she would make it, she was weak, had labored breathing and was in SO MUCH PAIN!

I decided to bring her to the Honduras Medical Center. We brought her to the ER and the story unfolded. She had not urinated in 3 weeks and her body was FULL of urine, she had a punctured uterus from a procedure done at the public hospital, her bladder had a hole and her infection was so bad it was through her blood, Septis, as well as being extremely mal- nourished. The doctors..ER, Infectious,GYN, Internist, all were clear on how VERY sick she was and that one more day or even hours and she would have died. They began treating Mirna right away; antibiotocs, Ultrasounds, chest x-rays..they feared her kidneys were shutting down. My sister Cheryl walked through every step of her care with her and with the help of JC was able to understand and guide our decisions about what to do. The hospital was clear it would be expensive...and I would have to sign to admit her and continue her care....with a ball in my stomach I did..because how much is a life worth????

On Tuesday she was scheduled for surgery and they would attempt to heal her body. They were confident that a total hysterectomy would have to be done, Mirna is 19. Of course we all prayed that she would be spared that loss as well. While keeping in touch with her family throughout the process I made the decision to move ahead unsure of what this would mean in a monetary way ( I hated the struggle with-in me) Because REALLY it was no choice at all. Life or death...I know we say that about situation but, now I was faced with a real one, what to do? I love her and her family..they have suffered so much loss...I knew they could not face yet another deep loss.

At 4:30 on Tuesday Mirna's surgery began. We arrived early so as to help comfort her. She was very scared...as would anyone be.
Her brother Yonni came. We all waited 4 1/2 hours for the surgery to end.
During that time I was able to talk with Yonni and found a young man who has hit the wall with despair. The loss of Mirna's baby, and now her illness had just covered him with hopelessness. Knowing that all of it was due to poverty. I do not know why Yonni using the word poverty surprised me? Did I think he didn't know he was poor?? Did I think he didn't know any better. But he is aware, they all are. "poverty, poverty, poverty..always poverty" were Yonnie words. Remember this is a family of kids...trying to make it. They lost both of their parents in death. I really didn't know what to say to him..everything seemed empty...all that came was " yonni, I am sorry. I am sorry it is this way and that you have to live this way, it shouldn't be this way, it is wrong..it is not how God wants it"

Mirna came through the surgery and they did not have to do a hysterectomy, her kidneys, ok. They made all the repairs needed and felt the next couple of days would be critical. She spent the next 4 days on antibiotics etc.. recovering and recuperating. We went and checked on her everyday and with each we saw marked improvement as she regained her strength and smile. What is a life worth??

I was reminded of the story of the GOOD SAMARITAN. This story has been on mind for sometime actually, even before I came this summer, and I am intrigued that it begins with the question by an expert of the law "how do I inherit eternal life?" .
Of course Jesus asks a question back to the expert...saying "it is written how do you read it"
The response "love the lord your God etc.....
Jesus says YES. but tell the parable as to what that means....

He tells of a hurt man and how people pass him by except one..He takes him and leaves him in the care of someone and says...whatever he needs....

I love the last line "Go and do the same"

The day Mirna was discharged..it was time to pay the bill...I wonder if the Good Samaritan felt sick when he found out the cost...I wonder if he questioned himself to whether he should have done what he did for this man, I wonder....because I did...I cried, I panicked, I questioned my decisions and my faith..I wondered..."is God big enough for this?????"

I do know this Mirna is alive and the worth of her life is bigger than all my doubts and fears..my lack of faith.."Go and do the same" It is God's charge to us..he will see it through!