A Shared Grief

In PNG we ex-pats (short for expatriates, meaning we live outside of our home countries) work alongside nationals. Sometimes our lives intersect on a more personal level. Samuel is a literacy worker and part of the Scripture Use-Media department where I work. This morning everyone from our department went to his home at 10:00 for a haus krai (pronounced house cry).

Last night Samuel took his pregnant wife to a clinic/hospital (PNG-style) in Kainantu (pronounced K9-2) because she was experiencing cramping. The doctor there said she was not ready to give birth and he (the doctor) went home. She went into labor and Samuel himself delivered a little boy about 7 lbs. Then he saw a leg coming out and realized there was a second baby in breach position. Samuel did his best to help his wife, but sadly, the baby died.
Today inside their house, the baby was wrapped in a blanket with his beautiful little head cradled gently on a pillow. Relatives, friends and co-workers (including me) were seated on the floor or standing wherever there was space. Some cried softly, some prayed, some just extended a hand or hug. Samuel expressed gratitude for the encouragement and prayers of those who came. He said if they had known there were twins, he would have driven an hour further to Goroka where there was a better hospital.  Through all this, he expressed his faith in the goodness of God and in the certainty of the resurrection.
Tomorrow Samuel and his wife will take the baby to their home village about 4 or 6 hours away. There, relatives will grieve with them; and there the baby will be buried.
It was a sad reminder that life here is very hard, and the people here do not have what we have in the West. But God gave Samuel the same things He gives us and all His children during times like these—faith, hope, and assurance of his love, power and presence.
 

Comments

Unknown said…
Sobering. Heartbreaking. Ugh.
Anonymous said…
So sad to hear this. Praying for the family and inspired by the Father's faith.

Beth