Greetings from the Espinosa family! We would like to a story from our AWA Philippines – Palawan Project!
The people here on the island of Palawan form a tightly knit community. Their huts are arranged closely and many are not just neighbors, but related to one another. The children all play together and there are not many secrets. To survive, they often depend on the graces of others. When one is sick, and cannot afford medical care, others pitch in if possible. Getting together to drink is a common social occasion that they all participate in. Not only is the drinking unhealthy, but they often pass around the beer bottle or cup of alcohol, slowly getting drunk, while laughing and talking.
One day, one of the women of the village, Jellyn, was out in her yard. A dog had come into the yard and was chasing and trying to bite Jellyn’s duck. In an effort to save the duck, Jellyn reached out to grab the duck, and the dog bit her instead. She washed the wound, but did not think too much of it at the time. Three months later, her arm went limp and cold, and though she had no fever, she felt very sick. Her friends and relatives quickly came to help her, massaging her limbs, especially the limp arm, and wiping her face. When she started to foam at the mouth, they decided it was time to go to the hospital.
People here try and avoid the hospital, if possible. The hospital bill, including transportation to and from the hospital is more than some can pay. Jellyn’s friends found transportation to the emergency room, about a 30-minute drive from the village.
The emergency room immediately diagnosed it as rabies. Unfortunately, it was too late to save Jellyn’s life.
The medical workers told Jellyn’s friends that they should all get Rabies Vaccinations if they had touched any of her saliva, including drinking from her glass in the past three months. Women froze in fear, as in their minds, they thought about what contact they had had with her. One of them loved Jellyn so much she would always kiss her face, even when she was sick. Another girl had shared a glass of soda with her. As soon as they got home, they alerted any others who had had contact with her.
“Please! We need a ride to the hospital to get vaccines for rabies. Can you take us in your truck?” Three women had walked from the village to ask for our help at the AWA Palawan Mission Base. They quickly told Jellyn’s story and the reason. Of course, we said we would be happy to take them! By the time we were ready to go, a group of seven women and some children gathered and piled into the truck. Laura LaBore drove while Raylene Espinosa came to help translate.
When we arrived at the hospital, they told us that they were “Out of Stock” suggesting we go to the vaccine clinic at 8:00 am the next morning. When we went to pick them up the next morning, there were 14 people waiting to go. Word had spread, and so had fear in the community. When we arrived at the clinic, even more showed up who had had their own transportation. 21 people lined up for their vaccines. The price was hard for many to afford, but so was the alternative.
A week later, they had the funeral. The dusty roads filled with vehicles overloaded with mourners from towns in all directions. The slow procession wound its way to the cemetery, about two miles away. There, they had a nice service, and the coffin was sealed into the tomb with cement while people sang songs.
Our job here on earth, as human beings, is to make other people’s lives better. That may be by giving someone a hand, a ride, or even a smile to brighten their day. Above all, our job here is to tell others about God. Those people then have the opportunity to receive God’s vaccine found in His word, which helps us fight the good fight of faith against the rabid sin of this world. Thank you so much for being part of the team that is reaching others for Jesus by your prayers and financial support.
Your AWA Mission Family stationed at the AWA Philippines – Palawan Project,
Edgar and Raylene Espinosa
