Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Suffering through Shots

Do you remember those days in elementary school which struck mortal fear in your hearts?  Those days where you were coerced into having a needle, an inoculation, an immunization shot? Oh, the dread, the anguish, the agonizing anticipation of having the nurse put that needle into your arm?  We were just children and those days were some of the worst days of our lives. 
                Here in the Philippines, we see those days repeated over and over—an endless cycle of terror and torture  striking these amazing young innocents with overwhelming torment! 
The Church is now providing, at significant expense, an array of immunizations and pills to these wonderful young missionaries to prevent and protect them from severe illness.  The water bottle alone with its excellent water filter costs the church nearly $25.00 per missionary.  While in the MTC, the missionaries now receive Tetanus, Typhoid, MMR, Chicken Pox, Hepatitis A & B--7-shots total!  Add to that several pills over 3 weeks which we must hold them down to administer!  They can’t get their lunch or dinner without gagging the pill down first!  (exaggerating a bit here!).   Of course, we must allow them their agency? 
Can you imagine the suffering inflicted upon these child-like mortals most of whom have never had a shot in their lives!  Sister Lana Riddle, a superbly qualified nurse practitioner becomes the executioner!  I had one handsome smart missionary come skulking into the president’s office to hide behind the door in order to avoid getting shot!  It is almost like they are being shot at sunrise!   
And then to witness the pain and phobia engulfing them after the shot.  The hold their arms grimacing in sorrow and suffering for days as if a near fatal wound had been inflicted. 
OH!  Remember those days!  With love, and fear! 

George & Debbie Taylor

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