Rachael: With God…at Nadhodka General?

Privet! This is Rachael—currently I am 34,000 feet in the air, and am musing upon what the Lord has tried to teach me in Russia, specifically the 4 days I spent in the infection unit at the local hospital in Nakhodka—or as we affectionately called it, “Nakhodka General.” For this trip, I served as Formation Director, and the over-arching theme I felt on my heart for our trip was “Surrender to Divine Providence”, or “Total Abandonment.” I read about five books on this topic before coming to Russia, so I felt well versed enough to teach the group about it. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, often tests us with what we know in our heads so it can produce growth in our own hearts. So, the Lord, who is a good doctor and knows where I am sick in my soul, led me into a strange hospital to be healed both bodily and spiritually as well.

This was my pillow . . . 

I was pretty sick from the get-go upon arriving in Russia. My delicate stomach was at war with me, ‘nuff said—and I wasn’t alone. Matt was also sick due to his pre-existing condition of Crohn’s—so we entered into this experience together. We were in good hands, as Victor drove us to the hospital in a van—which we coined the “party bus” as we all were laughing deliriously with Russian techno music pumping from Tyler’s phone. I mean we were in a rough spot—we may as well laugh! We got to the hospital and had the doctor examine us only to find out we had to stay overnight for more testing (rectal swabs!) and stool samples. Luckily, I was put in the same room with Matt, and we had Tyler and Yury (our faithful translator) also stay in our room. It made an interesting living situation, but we all found great joy in each other’s company despite the circumstances.

This is Matt and Yury in our room that all 4 of us shared. 

The next day was very promising—I felt great and was ready to leave. Yep, Lord I learned my lesson—I can go now. The doctor came back in the room only to tell us that we could not be released from our little hospital room reminiscent of 1940’s war hospitals, but we had to be quarantined for an additional three days. “Three days! In a Russian hospital?! Lord, tell me no!” I told everyone that I would pray that we get released that day, and in my mind I was in deep denial at the thought. But, as the nurses continually kept returning with IV’s and rectal shots (OUCH) I knew I was in for the long haul. To be noted by the reader: I don’t “do” Western medicine. I’m deathly afraid of antibiotics, and I research all medicines before I put them in my system. How did Jesus teach me to trust and surrender my control? By elimination—I couldn’t decline, and I couldn’t argue—they speak Russian. Only God can know how hard this was for me… but I felt Him prodding me “Don’t you trust me, little one? Remember, all things work for the good of those who love Me.” There was hopefulness now—God wanted me in this hospital for a reason. Together, the four of us could offer up the circumstances and events towards the conversion of Russia, and also for all the young adults attending the 17^th Annual Catholic Youth Conference. We could use our sufferings to build up the body of Christ—knowing that Jesus works out in our own bodies the redemptive work of salvation.

By the third day in Nakhodka General, I felt a great peace with my situation. Peace transformed into great joy as I realized the Lord had not only healed me physically, but also interiorly I was cleansed. I felt a deep gratitude for my stay in the hospital because I knew it taught me how to trust Christ a little bit deeper. In a small yet beautiful way, we got to share in the suffering of Fr. Walter Ciszek, the author of the book “He Leadeth Me,” which we read as a group before the trip. If you have not read this very inspiring book, I highly recommend it. It will change the way you look at Providence and the events of your life. In the book, Fr. Ciszek, an American Catholic priest, is captured and imprisoned by the NKVD for 23 years, five of which he spent in solitary confinement. In a special way, I felt God was allowing us to enter into the experience of Fr. Ciszek by being confined to a hospital room for almost four days in the middle of a mission trip. It was the tiniest sliver of his experience, but it taught us the same lesson it taught Fr. Ciszek: God is in complete control and we just have to accept all events, circumstances, and persons He sends us as means for our own sanctification.

Matt and I finally back to our normal selves at camp. 

On a lighter note, I must add this: I think I had asked for it. And so did Matt. We both prayed at the beginning of the trip that something weird would happen on the trip. Yep, we asked God to make weird stuff happen to us in Russia—so, I guess the Lord was like “Okay…I got something special saved for both of you.”  Ha, thanks Lord. No—I mean it, thank you. I was deeply inspired by my experience. Especially by the three souls you surrounded me with—which by your providence was for a reason—Matt, Tyler, and Yury. Thank you Matt, for teaching me how to suffer. You were so joyful even in the midst of great physical pain—your smile lifted me up and showed me how to accept the cross with joy and to carry it with Jesus. Tyler, thank you for loving us with a true fatherly affection and bringing us excitement, treats, and fun stories from the “shanty-town” everyday. You worked your hardest to make us feel secure and comfortable during our stay—and I haven’t laughed that hard in ages. You made it very light-hearted! And lastly, Yury, thank you for your inexhaustible care for Matt and I. I have no words—you fed and took care of us for days on end, and even into the camp when we returned from the hospital. You were living charity—and I am personally challenged and edified by your example and life.

So lesson learned: if you’re gonna pray to God for “weird stuff” to happen—be prepared. He’s got something big up His big, billowy sleeves. But don’t worry—He loves you and He does all things for the good of those who love Him.