I think it was in 2003 or so. I was in Ethiopia for a few months. At that time, I happened to visit a hospital in Wolisso, which came under the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa. It was there that I met Sister Dr. Pia, a Medical Mission nun. She was the same age as my mom. A goddess that all the villagers admired. I think that the surgeon and gynecologist there was all Dr. Pia. A surgeon with immense skills. She would jump in to save patients in any situation, day or night. Almost all the young mothers and fathers there had come to the Earth through Dr. Pia's hands.
Dr. Pia, who received her medical education and post-graduation in surgery from England, had as her assets- dedication to her Lord, love for her patients, knowledge of the human body, and was quick hands at the operating table. No matter with what speed she did the surgeries, all the patients were safe in Dr. Pia’s God-touched hands. Even after completing upto twelve major surgeries in a day, if she had a mug of coffee and spent an hour in prayer and meditation in front of the Eucharistic Lord, Dr. Pia was energized again. She is then ready for the next day’s round.
She rendered her untiring service in two hospitals+ in Attatt and Wolisso- in Ethiopia for more than 30 years at both venues together. In both places, I think, this lady performed about 75,000 or so successful surgeries both minor and major combined!
So much wanted, so much revered though she was, still she happily made herself present for their community prayers, and gladly cooked delicious food for her sisters and others on weekends and served it with joy.
During my visit to Ethiopia, the brothers took me to Wolisso, not far from Addis Ababa. It was the first time I was meeting Dr. Pia. When I told her how close I was to the Medical Mission Sisters in Bharananganam and else where, Dr. Piya, she graciously offered to prepare a meal for me on the following weekend. Accordingly, we the four Indian Friars went there again. I can never forget the delicious Kerala food she served us most hospitably.
Although Dr. Pia wanted to live and be laid to rest with the people she loved and served in Ethiopia, when her physical health started to decline, Dr. Pia reluctantly obeyed her superiors and returned to Kerala. Even after returning to Kerala, Dr. Pia didn't want to retire from medical services. She continued her service at the Marygiri Hospital in Bharananganam for about ten more years. It was only very late that Dr. Pia realized that she had pancreatic cancer and that it had spread to other parts of her body. Sr. Pia accepted her condition, thanking God for all the protection and safekeeping for all these years without any major health problem, and positively accepting that God was providing a way for her to return to His loving presence.
I have seen Dr. Pia a few times since her returning to Kerala. She was always smiling and full of joy. Most recently, at the end of July, when I visited her while she was hospitalized at the Marygiri, she was all gratitude to God for the immense Graces He had bestowed upon her. She was exuberant about the group video call she received a few weeks ago from the nurses and doctors who had worked with her in Ethiopia, as well as the Metropolitan there- all of whom spoke heartily evrn after these many years, who invited her to return to Ethiopia. What a great way to be grateful and acknowledge the goodness of someone!
How beautiful it is to have left one's own land and people to serve in a country where comforts of life were few! And that too for 30 long years! In Ethiopia, in the northern region of Africa, sharing one's life, health, knowledge and skills!
What else could be more beautiful on this earth than this?!
