Norris Family News

Borderland Communication

On the 4th of July, we had the opportunity to drive to Granjas del Desierto to deliver some practical items and money to the Agua Viva men’s rehab. The men there are always very thankful for such help, and receive such gifts with typical quiet, respectful graciousness and prayer. This time, one of the pastors was laid up on the couch in the office, his suspicious looking foot wrapped in antiquated gauze, with fluid seeping out. One of the resident translators explained he had been bitten 3 days previous by a scorpion, black widow, or something else. Somehow they didn’t know what it was. He had been taken to the doctor and treated with some anti-venom, and was supposed to return for daily follow up. However, they were out of fuel, and he hadn’t made it to any other visits. He was in some pain, but explained that the swelling that had been up to his knee had receded. He did say the foot was turning darker colors, and was a little worried. On inspection, he had a two centimeter ulceration on the back of his foot, with some red-purple discoloration, swelling and warmth involving the whole forefoot. I marked the edge of the discoloration with a pen, so at his next doctor visit they would know if the signs of possible infection were increasing or decreasing, we gave him some Advil (the nearest pharmacy had only 12 pills!), Thaine prayed with him and spread the word to some individuals who knew him so they could pray, too. We supplemented the financial part of the gift as best we could, and hoped it would facilitate his medical care. Although it was tempting to get more involved in his medical care, that is often unwise unless one is going to be around on an ongoing basis. It was better that he follow up with his Juarez doc than for me to “put my oar in” and not be available. What a strange feeling, however, to drive away and feel so concerned that if things did not go well, this man could lose his foot. In America, we just don’t very often have to grapple with such a possibility.

Back at home, I continued to be concerned, and our family and others were praying for this pastor. After 48 hours, I just had to know if he got to the doctor and was improving, or continuing to go without medication he might need. We have some donated antibiotics that would be ideal. The only phone number Thaine had was for the Agua Viva organization in general. He told me to call it and ask for the number of “el rancho.” Making long distance phone calls to strangers in a foreign language is not very fun. I offered the opportunity to Thaine, who declined and left me the honor. It actually went pretty well, but the number I received (all 13 digits) was for a cell phone. For some reason it is very difficult to call cell phones in Juarez from this side of the border. I tried everything I could think of, and called two long term residents of the area for tips with no success. One friend proposed a bilingual Mexican pastor as an intermediary, but of course he couldn’t be reached. Finally we called our friends in Colonia San Francisco. If we call them on our internet based phone (an accursedly difficult service to use but cheap) it doesn’t cost them, then they could call Agua Viva for us, and we could call them back later for the update. They, of course, cannot call us. It was an exercise in logic. Both phone calls to our friends left me sweating and grasping for chocolate when it was all over; even though they are the kindest people imaginable, they speak only Spanish. Eventually we did get word that the man was definitely improving! We were so thankful for this news.

--Erika