05/26/2020
Tue, May 26, 2020 2:22 pm
Pat Davis [email protected]
Pat Davis is a Missionary to Peru that EDCC has helped support since the 1960s. Literacy among the indigenous peoples has been her life's work.
Dear Team Mates,
Last Tuesday I wrote you that Jeiser Suarez, President of the ARIAP organization I mentor in the heart of Peruvian Amazonia, had pulled through a near-death experience with COVID-19 but that, while he was still only partially recovered, his dearly-beloved mother had been stricken. Little did I know as I wrote that Mama Marcelina was even then being called to her heavenly home.
Mama Marcelina was beautiful, gracious, graceful, and wise. A skilled artisan, she generated income by producing exquisite weavings, embroidery, and bead work in traditional Shipibo patterns. For years she had travelled the rivers as a women’s Bible teacher, and she continued to lead women’s Bible studies at her church in Pucallpa. She was Jeiser’s most fervent prayer warrior, cheer leader, and counsellor. I can imagine her now, joyously organizing her Shipibo sisters to present hymns of praise at the great worship assembly gathered before God’s throne. But oh, the anguish down here for all her family and for Jeiser who loved her especially. She was also ‘mother’ to Lucho, the adopted son whom she and Jeiser had taken in. With her passing, Lucho has lost his ‘mother’.
Marcelina was the eighth in their family compound to suffer acute COVID-19 symptoms; for weeks, family members had been cooperating to divide patient care among those still standing. As the new head of family, Jeiser left his sick bed to be with his mother at the end and to handle arrangements. Funeral customs require an all-night wake which took place Wednesday night. Percy, a cousin who is a radio pastor, brought a message of hope. The burial would have been Thursday and probably required a fairly long trip as I understand that the local cemeteries are closed. You can imagine how exhausted the family is after this draining ordeal.
May 24, Jeiser reported the following: Today (Sunday) again I had a high fever with vomiting, and we had to call the doctors who make house calls. [This service has not been available formerly; so I wonder if there is a new government program.- Pat’s comment] They saw my condition was not good; so they put me on two hours of oxygen, injections for the fever, and something for the vomiting. They said I would need to be under observation eight more days and must take strong doses of Vitamin A, B, C and D, as well as eat nutritious food, like chicken soup and fish broth. My brother Alex, Lucho, and a cousin are taking care of me.
I remain in the hands of God and am ready for whatever may happen, knowing that I will either recover or go to be in our Lord’s presence. I leave my life in His hands.
Jeiser had not said anything about finances for all these illnesses and funeral expenses, though I knew that with price gouging oxygen costs $1,000 a cylinder; so I asked. He answered that with these unimaginable expenses the family’s accounts had been “thrown totally out of balance”. Hoping to save themselves and their mother, Alex had sold his motokar (which he used as a taxi to earn income); Henry had sold his computer; Ronald had sold some items, plus his motorcycle (his means of transportation); and Jeiser had sold a [small, I think] piece of land inherited from his father in an attempt to manage the bills. They are left without any assets, still have bills, and continue to incur expenses as several, including Jeiser, struggle to recover. He has no idea when all this will end, as the virus is spreading to the more distant communities now, and their experience is typical of what is occurring in many families. Nevertheless, he assured me that not one penny of the money sent for the ARIAP organization has been spent on these personal expenses. That money is carefully saved for the textbooks, coronavirus information bulletins & radio spots, and for relief efforts.
I am grateful for kind friends, both here and in Peru, who have sent funds to help the family as well as to continue the relief effort. Yesterday Jeiser’s family pledged themselves to continue aiding the most vulnerable.
Mostly we need you to pray. Several small organizations are mounting efforts to help the indigenous peoples, and we pray that government aid may also arrive. Though even accumulated efforts will not be enough, each bit will help. Please also pray that the virus can be contained so that the indigenous populations of Amazonia are not decimated, or wiped out. Especially pray that the message of hope through Jesus will reach devastated and fearful hearts and will bring deep comfort.
I am profoundly thankful you are on this team. May God keep you and yours well and safe.
- Pat Davis
