Amulek District Takes A Field Trip to Hospital

This afternoon, I took a van of the Amulek District (4 Sisters and 3 Elders) to visit a member of their district, Elder David, who was hospitalized in Nyaho for a swollen abdomen.  He had been admitted last Monday and was operated on yesterday.  Upon arrival at the hospital, the missionaries had a prayer.  In the hospital they presented Elder David seventy letters - one written by each missionary in the MTC.  Then they read him a tribute that the District had written about him.  The first sister read a line and could not continue because she was so emotional.  The Elder kept a towel over his face.  At the end of the reading, tears were streaming down all of their faces.  Next two of the elders  blessed and administered the Sacrament.  They had brought a tray and cups and the laminated cards (unbeknownst to me).  I had just carried my scriptures.  After the Sacrament, they sang a hymn and then a South African Sister sang two solos.  More tears.  Finally, the elders each laid their hands on Elder David's head and gave him a Priesthood Blessing.  One Sister then gave a Spiritual thought about the preexistence and the Plan Heavenly Father has for Elder David.

The visit was a very special memory for each of us and especially Elder David.  Think of it.  Each elder visiting Elder David had lost their father and one of them both parents.  Each of these missionaries had experienced the death of a loved one.  It is something far too common in Africa.  There is not one of these missionaries who will forget standing on sacred ground along side the hospital bed of Elder David.  (By the way, upon arrival back at the MTC, the group had another prayer expressing gratitude for safe travel.)