Richard Ho Lung
I AM so excited, I'll cry. At 7:30 this morning (Friday), Brother Joseph was called by Meg Jeffrey, the extra-generous nurse at Emory Hospital. "At 7:30 a.m. you will have your operation," she told him.
Fifteen brothers wanted to donate their kidney but Brother Joseph was chosen. Brother Joseph is a short broad-shouldered young man studying for the priesthood. This brother is brave, tough, strong and as straightforward as the glove of a boxer coming straight at you. Brother Joseph nevertheless, is as gentle as a lamb. "Yes, nurse, I'm ready," said Brother Joseph.
He was on the operating table in no time. He was shaven and sliced open by the team of doctors and nurses led by Dr. Kenneth Newell, the head doctor. The kidney was healthy and strong, thank God! Within minutes, the kidney having been harvested, Brother Rolando was operated on in the next room. What amazing coordination and precision! This delicate surgery was performed with the greatest dexterity. Dr. Larsen and Dr. Pearson worked together on this operation.
After four hours of heavily concentrated and detailed work, the kidney was in! What a wonderful, if not miraculous, work of science this was. And these doctors did this free of cost.
Brother Rolando has lived without a kidney for two years. In that time I feared death and discouragement, but Brother Rolando re-mained calm and peaceful, prayerful and full of thanksgiving for just being alive.
GENEROUS
Dr. Everard Barton at UWI Hospital was more than generous to Brother Rolando. No matter how busy, he was always available during times of confusion and discouragement. He did all those extraordinary extra things to keep Brother Rolando alive and brought many other doctors to attend to Brother Rolando.
After I had my own open-heart surgery, which was one of my deepest experiences of the love of God, I stated my concern for Brother Rolando to the wonderful Atlanta doctors and nurses.
Emory Hospital was most sympathetic. Without knowledge of who I am or who Brother Rolando is, they were sympathetic. We work with the poor, the homeless and destitute. That's all they needed to know.
After a few months we got a reply: the hospital offered the operating room, the recovery room and care free of cost. The nurses Meg Jeffrey and Ginny McGrath got in touch with Dr. Steven Oweida, a good friend of my own pal, Dr. Gerry Bortolazzo. They introduced Brother Rolando to Dr. Larsen and Dr. Pearson. Both doctors agreed to do the operation free of cost.
Dr. Gerry Bortolazzo reminded me, "Send all the bills you have, I'll pay for all the dialysis care over the two years. I'll also pay for the aftercare anti-rejection pills." Mary Hartman said, "I'll have him at my house for the two months of post-operational care." Steve de Baun said, "I'm willing to have him too."
GETTING NERVOUS
The day of operation, all were coming and going, praying and getting nervous. They had a prayer service the night before, and our friends and associates in Atlanta simply delivered Brother Rolando and Brother Joseph into the hands of God.
I have received the greatest gift the Lord has given me: my faith, my poor, my brothers, my beloved friends and associates, and all came forward to be one of heart and mind because we serve the poor in the name of Jesus Christ.
SACRIFICED BODY AND BLOOD
This is Christian community, men and women joined together in heart and mind to serve the broken body of Christ, the poorest of peoples, our community. In this case, Brother Joseph was the high priest sacrificing his body and blood to his weaker brother, Rolando, so he might live.
Isn't this the most profound of mysteries? It's in serving others we are made holy. Our friends and benefactors who participate in this work helping us to serve the poor with such generosity are one with us.
Brother Joseph has awaken from his surgery. He smiles at Mary Hartman and says, "Is everybody happy? Is Brother Rolando OK?" Then he smiles when Mary nodded, and enters into a deep peaceful sleep.
Father Richard Ho Lung is founder and leader of the Missionaries of the Poor.
