May 20, 2008 04:25 pm
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Security in a war zone is always a concern. A simple gesture of kindness has the potential to get you killed. Imagine trying to help children who have nothing, while having to worry about sniper fire or suicide bombers.
Our emotions range from the joy felt when rendering aid in a desperate situation to certain sadness when we realize we have run out of options. Contradictory emotions fill our world.
Since arriving almost six months ago to this war-torn country, I have had a front row seat from which I have seen a world of emotional suffering and physical hardship. I recall with vivid clarity a woman afflicted with a cancerous facial tumor the likes of which are reserved for medical text books.
I also recall the late evening when a young man was brought to our clinic also afflicted with a devastating cancerous lesion, which had eroded a significant portion of his face. In Afghanistan there is pain and suffering beyond anything I have ever seen in my 12 years of medical practice. No amount of morphine could ease their pain. No amount of sympathy could ease their physical burden. Only the grace of God would ease their physical torment.
On a separate night while on radio watch I received an urgent call to respond to the perimeter gate as an Afghan man had brought a child to be seen. Upon arriving moments later, I discovered that the patient was a 12-year-old boy who had suffered a gun shot wound to the head.
His father had driven over an hour through dangerous terrain to bring his dying son to our clinic. The patient had a single gunshot entry wound to his skull and was lifeless. No response noted on the initial exam. Both pupils were dilated and his respirations were undetectable. He was in God’s hands as I had no definitive care to offer.
At the other end of the spectrum we have had numerous humanitarian successes. However, one specific event, where we were able to help more than 100 Afghan children, stands out in my mind as truly remarkable.
Recognizing a critical need for children’s shoes several months ago, I alerted my family back in the States and asked them for assistance. The response was absolutely overwhelming. My mother, Charlotte Laffitte, and my brother, Boyd Laffitte, in Tallahassee, collected well over 200 pairs of shoes through donations from my mom’s retired teacher’s group and through Killearn Lakes United Methodist Church.
The Cub Scout Pack led by Ruth Owens and sponsored by Killearn Lakes United Methodist Church collected an incredibly generous supply of children’s shoes. My niece, Ginny Laffitte, who is a teacher at Deer Lake Middle School in Tallahassee, provided the leadership for her students resulting in the collection and shipping of over 100 pairs of shoes.
My mother-in-law, Anita Burchnell, sent several large boxes filled with shoes collected by the generous folks at the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. Even my 10-year-old niece, Caroline Senko, took it upon herself to spearhead a shoe drive at her school resulting in the collection and shipping of well over 50 pairs of shoes and clothing items. She also collected well over 50 toy cars, which are now in the hands of 50 Afghan children.
We are blessed to live in a country where we often have an overabundance of the simple provisions that other people desperately need but can’t afford. Serving here for the past six months has certainly caused me to reconsider my priorities. As 1 Timothy 6:8 states, “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
Afghanistan has an ancient history dating back hundreds of years. Nomadic tribes still roam the vastness of this very rugged country. One particular Nomadic tribe, known as the Kuchi People, happened to be passing through our location. We were presented with a fantastic opportunity to donate these shoes, toys and clothing items sent by the caring folks back home.
A carefully planned distribution scenario was discussed with the tribal elders and a date was established for us to be able to safely give these items to well over 100 children.
We prepackaged the items into individual plastic bags and made our way to an area, which afforded us a degree of security and protection.
Afghan security guards screened each the individuals assuring that no suicide bombers were among the crowd.
On a hot, dry dusty Afghan afternoon, we handed out gifts from Americans, who truly care about the welfare of their fellow man. Children patiently waited their turn to enter our compound where they were searched and then led to a waiting group of United States Air Force and Navy personnel who handed each of them a “goodie” bag.
The looks on these children’s faces was a sight to behold. Amazement, curiosity and suspicion all wrapped up into one expression. They hurriedly accepted their gifts and departed the barbed wire confines of the compound where they could easily be seen joyously opening their bags as if it were Christmas morning.
“Little ones to him belong ...they are weak but he is strong.”
Thanks for all the e-mails keep them coming. E-mail Greg at greg.laffitte@gmail.com
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