The Unseen Life: Part 9

We were into our fifth year overseas. Suddenly, over a period of a couple of weeks, my wife’s abdominal discomfort became a serious medical concern. So, we left one early morning to return to the provincial capital (60 km from our home and over 1.5 hours by bus). After consulting with a specialist physician who immediately made a referral to a private hospital at the other end of the island (over 230 km away), we began the 5 hours’ coach ride the following day. On arrival, the better part of the day was spent in the hospital’s radiology department and biopsy laboratory, and thereafter, with a specialist surgeon. He recommended major surgery as soon as possible. It was then that we decided to make the trip back to Singapore for a second opinion and to be closer to family, if surgery was eventually required. In the meantime, I was getting continuously nauseous, and my skin was beginning to turn slightly yellow! 

Armed with duplicate copies of the scans and reports, we arrived in Singapore on the 6th day. I was diagnosed with hepatitis. My wife was scheduled for major surgery the following day, presided by two surgeons. One was a cancer specialist. Surgery was successful. Two weeks later, we were back home overseas.

Meanwhile, in the provincial capital, a note was waiting for me on our arrival at the team centre. It was from the head of the civil service division of the provincial government. Unknown to us at the time, it was his physician wife whom we first consulted a few weeks ago. He requested a recommendation of an indigenous citizen, preferably a university graduate, to join his team. We were glad to oblige him. 

Looking back, we marveled at the smooth travel connections and the remarkable confluence of appointments and events, both on the roads and the flights back and forth (catching two inter-connecting planes to leave the host country). God’s faithful graciousness and healing touch saw us through those hectic and troubling days.    

***** 
Last month, on a Thursday afternoon, 4th July, the run-up to the United States’ 60th presidential election in November this year, came particularly to mind. The U.S. presidential race is global democracy’s showpiece event, with its daily political acrimonious and mendacious drama, telecasted live worldwide. At the first presidential debate, excuses aside, there were no misconceptions as to the stark choice the American public faced. How did politics in the United States arrive to this point? 

“Lord, the American people deserve better choices!” 

In the quiet of His presence, a still small voice replied, 

“The choices they have now reflect the state of their nation. Soon, someone will attempt to shoot Trump. Pray.” 

Incredulous, and despite my own disinclinations over Trump, I obeyed. 

“Please continue to extend Your grace to America, Lord. And if possible, give them an alternative.”

​The rest is history now.