Now he stands before me in the flesh
I’m just about to make my way to the hospital when there’s a knock at the front door. I open it and can’t believe my eyes: In front of me is Juan Dávila, our loyal cab driver from the distant past. Back then – 2003 – 2005 – he was still in his fifties. He often took our family from Cusco to Curahuasi. 20 years have passed since then. Our three children from back then have long since grown up
His wife didn’t have any luck in the lottery that morning. So he asked a cab driver to take him straight to our house. But his hope that I could miraculously get him a ticket was not fulfilled. In January, the queues of patients are even longer than usual. And unfortunately, our team can only treat between 150 and 200 people a day.
The music group plays two songs in the crowded hospital church. The songs seem to be well received, as many listeners pull out their cell phones and film. The atmosphere makes people forget their worries for 30 minutes. The content of the morning devotion is about the reality of God and a love that is not of this world. The patients also understand that our church services are not a waste of time. Throughout Peru Diospi Suyana is known as the hospital of faith. Medicine is a matter of trust. And it is especially the aspect of faith that draws people from all parts of the country to Curahuasi. Diospi Suyana is not about money. The 150 people in the church hall have understood this. That is exactly why they have accepted the long journey. And that is also the reason why Juan Dávila and his wife did not get a ticket straight away.
“Sr. Davida,” I say, “there are cheap guesthouses here in the village. Just wait and see. Maybe it will work out tomorrow!”
