Chapter 4:

The next day, a Friday, Charles and Rev. Alden arrived at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. A Doctor Mays is waiting for them and takes Rev. Alden to his Hospital room. Dr. Mays is checking Rev. Alden and Charles is in the waiting room. As Dr. Mays comes back out to the waiting room he sees Charles praying for Rev. Alden. Charles looks up and Dr. Mays says, "I'm sorry if I startled you."

Charles replies, "No, you didn't startle me." Charles then stands up from his chair and asks, "How is he Dr. Mays?"

Dr. Mays answers and says, "He does have a few broken ribs and one or more of them are poking into his lungs which is causing infection and a high temperature. He needs to have surgery right away to drain the infection but before me and my Nurses can do anything we need you to sign this consent form and get a statement from the business office."

Charles signs the consent form for the operation and then says, "I will go talk to the business office."

In the business office a Mr. Manson says to Charles this is a costly procedure, It could run up to $3,000."

Charles says "Mr. Mason, I or the Town of Walnut Grove, don't have that kind of money."

Mr. Mason answers, ''I realize that but we need to pay our staff, your pastor is getting the best of care. I will give my consent for the doctor to do the surgery but I need $1,000 in my office by Monday at 4pm."

Charles with a worried look says, ''You will have it, somehow I will raise the money."

Charles takes the note from mr. Mason, leaves the office and finds Dr. Mays and hands him the note. Then Dr. Mays says, "Ok, I will start the operation."

Charles calls Walnut Grove and gets Nels at the switchboard and Charles tells him about Rev. Alden needing surgery for a broken rib has poked into his lungs and needing $1,000 in the business office by Monday at 4pm. Nels replies, ''We will call a Town meeting to see what we can do. Nels then says, ''In Rev. Alden's absence the Dean of the Church, Rev. Dean Russel Herman is taking over he may also have some suggestions."

After Nels says his good byes to Charles and has a word of prayer over the phone, Nels has Willie Olsen ring the bell for the town to come together in the Church building. In the meeting Nels tells everyone the condition of their Pastor and they take up a collection but they only come up with $500. Nels counts it and says, "This is a nice start but we are still short."

Meanwhile back at Mayo Clinic Dr. Mays is talking with Charles and says, ''I thought I could start the operation right away but I can't your Pastor is too weak and too high of a fever. He needs to rest overnight and be stronger. He is on ice right now to try to get his fever down a little, if he is strong enough in the morning I will operate first thing."

Saturday morning Rev. Alden is well rested and strong enough with his fever down to be able to have surgery. The surgery is a success but he stays in the Hospital through the weekend to recuperate from surgery.

Sunday morning in Walnut Grove, Russel Herman has taken over the Sunday service. At the end of the message he says to the congregation, "Nels has told me about your Pastor's health and the financial situation at Mayo Clinic and what you need. I have and I am giving you and your Pastor the $500 you are short and will see what else the Church can do for any other bills that may come up."

Monday morning Nels calls Charles and says, ''Charles the Town has come up with $500 and Dean Harman gave us $500."

Charles shouts over the phone, "Praise The Lord!"

Nels then says, ''I will wire the money over to the Hospital."

The Hospital bill is up to date for now.

Charles has just gotten back to the waiting room from the business office with Mr. Mason saying, "Your bill is up to date." Charles has a smile on his face as he walks into Rev. Alden's room but Rev. Alden isn't there.

Charles has a concern look and asks the Nurse who is cleaning up, "Where is he? Where is Dr. Mays and my Pastor?"

The Nurse answers, "Didn't the Nurse's station tell you? Rev. Alden had to go back into surgery."

"What? He was doing so well?" Charles asked.

"Dr. Mays will tell you." The Nurse answers as she goes out to find Dr. Mays.

To Be Continued.