Mine Angels Round About You

The Miracle of Elder Jenkin's Appendectomy

D&C 84:88

"And whosever receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face, I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you , to bear you up."

Parents and grandparents take comfort in that scripture as they sends their sons forth to serve missions.

And as you know, there are so such things as coincidences.

This lesson is about the protection missionaries receive as they serve the Lord.

Here is the story of Elder Jenkins, (see the top two pictures) who is currently serving in Trinidad.

Yesterday, Elder Jenkins had an emergency appendectomy. When the doctor opened up the inflamed area, he discovered that the appendix was infected and had gangrene. Even though the appendix had ruptured, it was caught at the perfect moment for its removal. (See the third picture)

What was unusual about the circumstances leading up to this emergency surgery?

First, Grandmother Robison and I are constantly on the road and had just returned two days prior.

Second, we were travelling with the Area Doctor, Elder Otto, who stays in Trinidad for 3 days every six months and checks the medical condition.

Third, the doctor had suggested that Elder Jenkins and his companion remain in their apartment for the day during zone conference in the mission home. Not realizing that directive and not wanting to awaken Dr. Otto when the Elders called early on the morning of zone conference, Grandma Robison and I instructed them to come to the mission home.

Fourth, throughout the day, Dr. Otto was able to monitor the medical condition of Elder Jenkins. Rather than treat Elder Jenkins for Denge as directed by the initial symptoms, Dr. Otto felt prompted to medicate Elder Jenkins with the medicine one would administer to a person suffering from an inflamed appendix. By nightfall, the pain had localized into the right side of his abdomen, a classic symptom of problems with the appendix.

Fifth, the decision was made to get Elder Jenkins to an emergency clinic, the closest, yet finest in the area. The doctor who normally leaves at 7:00 p.m. had remained until 7:15 p.m. She determined that it was a classic appendectomy and called for a surgeon who specializes in this type of surgery. At that point, Elder Jenkins was given a blessing. Dr. Otto anointed and I sealed the anointing.

Sixth, the surgeon was located and performed the surgery at 9 p.m. Upon making the incision, he discovered that the appendix had ruptured, that gangrene had set in, but that the infection was confined to the area in which the appendix was located. Prayers were answered, the power of the Priesthood was manifested. After successfully operating on Elder Jenkins, the doctor was able to give a full report in person to Dr. Otto and myself.

What if....any of these steps had been out of sequence? There is no such thing as a coincidence. "Mine angels are round about you" -- further evidence of being engaged in the Lord's work in which miracles surround us, miracles brought us here, and miracles await us.

May the Lord continue to bless each of His missionaries in this His work.

(Suggestion: This might be a good story to tell in a talk about Grandma and Grandpa's Mission or at least one to tell in Family Home Evening.)