If you read my blog on June 11th you would have
been amazed at the incredible “coincidence” (God’s perfect timing) that brought
a new nurse to us (Hannah Vilakati) when our nurse Brooke Sleeper was leaving
on maternity leave (and then moving back to the US), with only a few weeks to
spare. If you missed it, you can
catch up here: http://janinemaxwell.blogspot.co.za/2016/06/i-cant-make-this-stuff-up.html.
This week HE did it again.
Hannah also was pregnant when she joined the team so we knew
she would be leaving on maternity leave in October. Last week we did a “hand off” of information from Hannah to
our clinic nurse who would step in to Hannah’ role for the next few months. Unfortunately, at the end of the day on
Friday of the same week, that nurse resigned, leaving us with no medical staff
for our 141 babies and 280 employees.
My first reaction was “Oh NO! What are we going to do now!?”, but honestly, only seconds
later I thought about how Hannah came to us and just knew that God had a plan,
and it would be perfect. I just hoped His plan would be quick!!
Monday morning I was in town at the government hospital
picking up a 10-day-old baby boy who had been left on the side of a road. A taxi driver had almost ran him over
and then backed up to see what was wrapped in the blanket, only to find a
newborn. The nurse who brought the
baby to me at the social workers office told me that she had a friend who
needed a job. I am asked for jobs all the time, so assumed she meant as a
caregiver/Auntie. I told her that the only position I had open at this time was
for a nurse.
 |
| 10-day-old baby Martin |
The lady looked at me and said, “My friend is a nurse! She
is looking for a nursing job!”
Ha – of course she is.
Turns out that her friend is 60-years-old and was forced to
retire from the government hospital due to age, but she was still strong,
smart, active and wanted to work!
I gave the nurse my card and asked her to have her friend send
me her resume. Two hours later,
when I was back on Project Canaan, I got a call from the front gate guard
saying that there was a nurse there to see me. She had received the call, got
in her car, picked up the social worker from the hospital who knows us well
(nothing like bringing your own references with you!) and drove out with hopes of
meeting with me.
Needless to say I interviewed her, showed her around, asked
Dr. Lemmer (who runs our clinic) to interview her, he checked her references and
we hired her the very next day!
She doesn’t start until November 1st, but has
been to work every day this week “volunteering” and getting to know what we do
and how we do it.
Yes, God did it again. I was in the right place at the right
time with the right person and He delivered us a nurse with 35 years experience.
I just can’t make this stuff up, but I do love sharing these stories with you so that you can see that miracles still do happen.
Live from South Africa … thankful that God’s timing is
always perfect.
PS - A quick
update on Ian’s knee. It is not
healing properly and is still very swollen, painful and he says it “slips” when
he walks. We are in South Africa for the weekend so that we can see the surgeon
early Monday morning. We are anticipating reconstructive surgery on Monday or
Tuesday so please pray for us all as we start this journey again.
