The Life of the Flesh is in the Blood: Part II

Welcome to Part II of this incredible story. (See Part I here)

Some may wonder, “Why is Beatrice’s story of survival so extraordinary?”

In the States, people routinely survive very serious medical emergencies and something as common as excessive blood loss due to labor and delivery complications would hardly be headline news.  However, Sierra Leone is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth.  According to statistics, Sierra Leonean women face a one-in-30 risk of dying due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, ranking it as the fifth highest maternal mortality rate in the world.  In the United States that risk is one in 2,400.  With all of our medical advancements and access, it’s difficult to conceive of these statistics.  Additionally, if you’re a child born in Sierra Leone you have a one in four chance of not living to see your fifth birthday, giving the country the highest childhood mortality rate in the world.  Grim realities for our dear Beatrice and her new-born daughter.

While in the hospital holding Baby Sillah and watching the unresponsive Beatrice, the reality of these statistics mocked my faith in our loving God.  We and the medical personnel had done all that was physically and humanly possible.  Prayer remained our best effort.

But it was just a cervical tear, you might think; what went wrong?  The poorly equipped and underfunded government bush clinic in our village has no means of repairing a cervical tear.  There is no doctor available, only a medical officer which would be similar to a physician’s assistant though with less training.  And there are only two over worked and underpaid nurses.  This tired bush clinic services hundreds of patients every week from our village and the surrounding smaller villages.  In the final assessment, the medical officer waited too long before advising Michael that his wife’s life was in grave danger and that she needed a hospital immediately.  She had already lost too much blood and her chances for survival that night were very slim, as detailed in Part I of our story.

How I rejoice that even when my faith was small and weak our heavenly Father undertook for Beatrice and Baby Sillah.  Michael kept round the clock vigil at Lion Heart hospital offering prayers that moved mountains; his faith was never shaken; he didn’t know the cold, unyielding statistics.  He didn’t know the “probability” of recovery.  He only knew he had faith.

On Saturday, June 21, nine days after her ill-fated delivery, Stephen drove to Yele to bring the young family home.  As they drove into our village, people lined the road watching in wonder while cheering, clapping, and rejoicing, as the motorcade of one proceeded to the Sillah residence where Beatrice and Baby emerged from the Land Cruiser “ambulance”.  It was a triumphal entry of sorts.  The women all knew that any one of them could be that next statistic.  They rallied around their sister who was the improbable victor over the statistics.

In Sierra Leone it’s not  uncommon for babies to be several months old before they’re named; the parents want to be certain the child will survive before giving them the honor of receiving a name.  There is usually much secrecy and ceremony surrounding the official naming along with celebrating as the life of the child is commemorated.

Sunday, July 6, 2014,was the day set for the official naming of Baby Sillah, less than one month after her birth; so sure where her parents that she would live they didn’t wait the customary time.  The church house was full and buzzing with excitement.  Many from Michael’s Muslim family were present.  Children were giddy as the festive mood filled the air.  Women were dressed in their finest and looked more beautiful than ever.  Being the first Sunday of the month we first observed the Lord’s Supper which gave excellent opportunity to give the Gospel to our many Muslim guests and a fitting remembrance to our Savior who freely gave his life blood that we might gain eternal life.

Then it was time for the official naming of our newest little one.  Michael and Beatrice were called to the front of the church and Alfred instructed all on the solemnity and seriousness of conferring a name upon a child.  I was then called to bring the baby to the front where I placed her in Stephen’s arms and went to take my seat.  But Stephen called me to stay up front and together we held the precious bundle of life while he offered prayer for her.  Then Alfred unveiled the name: Laura Michaela Sillah.  I now had a little namesake.  Needless to say, I was very surprised.

I hope I can soon return to Sierra Leone and have an influence in Little Laura’s life.  She and Beatrice, along with so many others are very dear to me and I greatly miss my adopted home.

Epilogue:

Just two weeks ago Stephen told me of another woman in our village who experienced complications with delivery.  She too was excessively bleeding from a cervical tear.  The medical officer then realized that the baby was breach and he was helpless; he could do nothing for the woman.  He called the Bo government hospital on his radio requesting an ambulance which would take three hours to arrive.  Unfortunately Stephen wasn’t home so our “ambulance” wasn’t available.  The woman survived the rough ride and a healthy baby was delivered by Cesarean section.  But the woman had lost too much blood.  She would need a transfusion.  However, the father had no more money; the C-section had depleted his funds.  For want of money there would be no transfusion for this woman.  Sadly she died.  She became the next statistic in one of the most dangerous places to give birth.  The baby now has no mother and most likely will not survive to see her fifth birthday.