50 Years Later...

A few weeks ago, this story was shared on Facebook and it is too good not to share.

A little background on the story below: this was a Facebook post from Erin's mom.  Erin traveled with me to Kenya this past summer and by all accounts loved the trip, especially the people she met.  Dr. Hobbins, whom you will read about below, is a 90 year old retired doctor and recently published author (Breast Cancer Boot Camp).  When originally asked by the trip leader and our youth pastor of our church if Doc could go on the trip, I said no.  With his mobility challenges and the rough terrain of the IV and travel, I was worried that Doc would get injured and we wouldn't be able to get him to the hospital in a timely fashion.  But, in true Doc style, he convinced both Jim and I that he was 90 years old and he wanted to go to Kenya, he was prepared for whatever might happen and was feeling led to be on this trip.  So, we invited him along and enjoyed every minute of it.  Now, please read the real story below:

The picture below is from Erin's trip to Kenya last summer. Little did we know at that time that the gentleman in front, Dr. William Hobbins who also made the trip, is believed to be the Dr. who saved my mothers life! 50 years later the granddaughter of the women he saved would join him on the trip of a lifetime. How amazing is that!!!

The Fulton Church Trip Photo taken before
departing for the airport.

Then, in the comments of the post, Erin's mom explains further:

Here is the rest of the story. A DIFFERENT doctor unknowingly punctured a hole in mom's esophagus . . At that time only rigid scopes existed. While in the hospital recovering from the scoping procedure mom became ill. X-rays were performed and they discovered the hole, an immediate emergency. As mom was told, Dr. Hobbins was leaving for the day. The nurses called to him, he came, and without knowing mom or her history, and without waiting for papers to be signed (dad was home with 3 little boys) he performed the surgery that saved mom. He cared for her after the surgery and to this day mom recalls their conversations and his wonderful care. A few years back mom wrote him a letter, sent it to what she thought was his address but it was returned. Wednesday, mom read his full name in the Reporter's article and discovered that the doctor Erin spoke about from her trip was the surgeon who saved her life. I think we now know how to get him her letter!  

Wow, what a story, right?!  Well, let's do some math here:  If you read the post you will realize that when Erin's grandmother was in the hospital there were three little boys at home...that means that Erin's mom wasn't born yet.  So, if Dr. Hobbins doesn't save the patients life then Erin's mom is never born and Erin is never born and Erin's family doesn't exist.  I wish I could tell you how awesome of a family they are, but I am not a good enough author to do them justice, just trust me, they are one of the best kinds of families out there.  I for one, am happy that Dr Hobbins was there, made the decision to help Erin's grandmother, and that God led him to this trip to spend 2+ weeks with that woman's awesome granddaughter Erin.

Sometimes, you just trust in God and go where He is leading you and let him show you later why he wanted you in that place at that time.