Eighteen Shots and More

It was on Friday, the 9th of April, after the gospel meeting and family prayer that I went out to take a prayer walk as usual, at about 10 PM. But that night I had a particular feeling to go to a certain street near my children's school. I simply followed the inner feeling to go to that street. By the way, there was also a proposal from our house owner for the increased rent at this pandemic time and other matters that kind of bothered me. That also led me to look out for relocation. 

Clubbing the matter of prayer and looking out for a relocation led me to that particular street. As I was on that street, I indeed saw a signboard for "TO-LET" in an empty bungalow. As I came near to have a closer look at the phone number for to-let, a black dog barked at me from the other adjoining street and ran toward me. I simply tried to ignore it as usual and did not bother much about the dog. But strangely enough, it bit me on my right leg below my knee back. Still, I was not bothered, I simply shrugged off the dog that bit me. Later, two other dogs joined and they all barked at me fiercely. I still kept walking and the dog that bit me first came and bit me again. Still, I kept calm and kept walking. And again the same dog bit me the third time. I did feel something on my leg but did not pay much attention to it until I looked back at the dogs and under the glim, shining street light I saw blood drops splitting on my footpath. Then I took a look at my leg where I was bitten by the dog, I saw blood oozing out of my leg from the dog bites. I did not panic, I still kept my pace and continued walking. Finally, the dog that bit me went back, and the two other dogs kept walking along with me. Now sensing the seriousness of the blood flow from my wounds, I rushed back home.

Initially, I did not want any of my family members to know about it as I would not want unnecessary attention. But on second thought I decided to at least let my wife know. I called her to the bathroom and showed her the dog bites with blood oozing out. She helped me clean up the bloodstain and I told her not to mention it to my children as they may panic. But later, she felt otherwise. She told my children as she felt that they all should know what actually transpired with me, and learn to care for one another. Then the whole family members came to know and cared for me.

My son and younger daughter became very concerned and treated me like their patient. It was so sweet for kids to care for their beloved father. As I lay down to sleep, my son wanted to accompany me. Our father and son bonding became very sweet and strong. He picked up the burden to comfort and take care of me. 

But for some reason, I could not sleep. Perhaps the stinging pain from the dog bites and the thought of relocation occupied my mind. That enabled me also to wake up in the middle of the night, kneel down and pray for the Lord's leading.  Then, I could get a few hours of sleep until my alarm woke me up at 5:55 AM.

I woke up, thinking everything was fine and normal, and was getting ready to join the brothers' prayer and fellowship at 6 AM. I went to the bathroom to wash my face. Then I felt some dizziness gushing into my head. Inwardly I prayed that the Lord would take control. As  I approached the bathroom towel to wipe my face, I lost consciousness. Actually, I fainted.

A few minutes later, my wife woke me up from the bathroom floor. In fact, she heard a thudding sound from my fall. She and my daughter were awoken by the sound of my body fainting to the floor. They both woke me up. I was surprised to see my wife and my daughter patting my face and asking "Papa, what happened to you?" I woke up and went to bed again. Perhaps the loss of blood, the sleeplessness, the sting of the dog bites, and body fatigue led me to faint. To my knowledge, this was the first time I ever fainted in my life. 

I still joined the brother's fellowship over the phone just by listening. Later, I felt the need to let them know as brothers what actually transpired. Then, a brother immediately decided to come and help me in doing the immediate care. As I called up a brother who is a medical doctor, he advised me to go to Safdarjung Hospital. We went there to the special department for patients bitten by dogs and other animals. It seems like it was a common phenomenon. Daily, many have come for the injection due to dog bites.

I got two shots each on my left arm and right arm. Then after thirty minutes break, I got another shot each on my left and right buttock. Then twelves shotes around the major dog bite areas. Altogether I got eighteen shots. Then, after 3, 7, and 28 days, I need to take more anti-rabies vaccination. 

This incident has brought about a closer tie with my brothers in the church. The most blessing was the tender love and care from my whole family; from my wife, my son, and two daughters. Though at times they seem to not listen to me, at this time they all showed their tender love and care. It was a sweet and wonderful time of inward reunion as a family. I surely treasure this love and affection from my family. I believe for this purpose the Lord also allowed this incident to happen. Sans the pain and medical works, I thank the Lord for this opportunity to rediscover the family love and bonding. I surely enjoyed our family love all the more. Praise the Lord! All things indeed work together for good.

Eighteen shots and more shots to come have surely shot more love into my family, and more love towards the Lord, and towards my fellow brothers in the church. Yes, eighteen shots of love and more shots to come...