Malaria

Last Saturday afternoon was spent sigh grocery shopping.
When I returned home, Den said, "Paul called."
"Oh? What did he say?"
"He said that Katrina had a positive malaria test,
and they are travelling to a bigger hospital for treatment.
He wanted me to call him back,
but I didn't know how. *
I told him we'd call tomorrow at 11:00."

A Houghton student had malaria this semester.
He had two parasites/200, and was very sick for days.
Kat's count was fifteen parasites/200.

My mind went into overdrive;
Katrina is pregnant, due in early October.
I called the Blue Cross Information Line
and asked about malaria during pregnancy.
"...possibilities include death of the mother,
birth defects, premature birth, stillborn."
I called some friends who are gifted in prayer,
and put Kat's name on some local prayer chains.
The older I get, the more I realize
-- my control is mostly illusion.
-- prayer is often the only option.
-- there is great power in prayer.

The earth continued turning.
Daylight came over Asia, where Kat's family was praying,
over Africa, where Paul and Kat's friends were praying,
over America, where friends were praying.
The church was at work.

We left Sunday School a bit early to make that 11:00 call.
Paul told us that Kat's fever was gone,
and that she's feeling better all the time.
Later in the week,
he said that Kat has had two more malaria tests,
both negative.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

Sue

* Similar to "I can't come back! I don't know how it works!" Name that movie.