Monaliza Esteban with Gangga and her father - Photo: Monaliza Esteban
Perhaps that was the scenario when the lepers were asking Jesus to heal them. They must have been in pain, crying for help like her. Maybe the only medication for them was to turn to Jesus.
It was the morning of August 21 when a young Hindu couple arrived at the parish’s TB clinic with their tiny baby, Gangga. When their turn came to meet the doctor, I was curious to see the baby’s situation, so I went inside the doctor’s room. The baby’s body was covered with a skin infection. I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for a baby to be in this sort of pain inside and outside. She was crying the whole time the doctor examined her. As I gazed at the parents’ worried eyes, I felt more compassion to this little gift God gave to them. I assumed she is their first child. I still couldn’t stop thinking about the baby.
Perhaps this was a similar situation to the lepers when they were asking Jesus to heal them. For them, their only medication was to turn to Jesus.
The baby was admitted to the hospital because she had a pulmonary problem. The parents were also told to bring her to the clinic every Friday. And so our journey began.
Sometimes it is hard to judge and say the kind of society we have. Sometimes, I wonder about these tribal people who are deprived of health privileges not because they cannot work to provide adequate health for their children or themselves. This experience has challenged me, again and again, to be more compassionate with the little ones - the needy in the society. I am just thankful that we have generous people around who continue to help those in the margins.
I was a friend to the baby and her mother from that first meeting. They belong to a tribal group whose language I do not speak or understand, but with few words I was able to build rapport with them. On the second appointment there was an improvement with our little patient. I continued to inquire about her situation, concerned if she was getting any better with the prescribed medicine. The mother showed me her daughter’s body where the baby skin was starting to return to normal. As they continued to come for her medication, I saw more changes to her skin. Every time they arrived, her skin got better and better. Like the leper’s faith, I also believe that this tiny baby fought with her strong faith and will recover from that disease.
Sometimes it is hard to judge and say the kind of society we have. Sometimes, I wonder about these tribal people who are deprived of health privileges not because they cannot work to provide adequate health for their children or themselves. This experience has challenged me, again and again, to be more compassionate with the little ones - the needy in the society. I am just thankful that we have generous people around who continue to help those in the margins.
Now, I was pleased to see this little one had fully recovered when she came on her fifth appointment. I continue to pray for Gangga and her family. I will always remember the day I met Gangga.
Mona, as she is fondly called, is a Filipina Columban lay missionary assigned to Pakistan.
