Wonderful & Glorious

Tuesday began with assessing 3 of our team that had been up all night with some stomach issues. I know it went against their instincts to stay behind this morning in pursuit of some rest and recovery, but they were just sick enough to make it an easier decision. The rest of us packed into the van and headed to the house to pick Janet up and head to Kakira. We made a short stop at the 24 hour neighborhood clinic to get test results from yesterday, only to find that 24 hours might not be, you know, 24 consecutive hours. Both doctor and nurse were gone, so we headed straight for the village to pick the last 9. In one instance, children were left with their bags of clothing in hand on the side of the road for us to pick up. No goodbyes, nothing…this is something I cannot understand. The rest of the situations were farther into the depths of the village and poverty of spirit, hope and just about anything else. One young boy was given over by his mother who took me into her 8 x 8’ home where a man was passed out in the one bed there was. This boy’s mom has no husband and she brews alcohol for a very small living. Who this “guest” was and what kinds of things go on in this one room place was more than we wanted to think about. We had our boy and never again will he be found neglected, under fed or without someone who cares and is watching out for him. Deeper still were more little ones. Others followed and chased, crowded and laughed with us, mostly smiling for the camera, but so happy just to yell “Muzungu” and get to hold our hands. There is something so hard about watching a mother or grandmother be so happy to hand over their child. At first I was undone by the thought that they had so much enthusiasm, I have since realized that it might be the single most powerful thing they will ever do as a parent. Whether they are relieving their own burdens or grateful for the promise of something more for their child…I cannot tell, but either way, this last 9 got into the van and began the adventure. Roads and buildings they had never seen the likes of. Traffic, the Nile, bridges and the town of Jinja flew by the windows of the van as we traveled to the clinic to repeat yesterday’s routine. We were ushered into a private room with the doctor for yesterday's test results for each child. Praising God that not one of the first 10 was HIV positive, those nearly all tested positive for Malaria to one degree or another, the girl’s were anemic and there were a few pretty severe dental issues. All in all, yesterday’s group was pretty healthy.

Now today’s darlings are another story. Most had fevers and malaria symptoms. One has had such an ongoing battle with the disease, that her spleen is enlarged. Blood tests were taken today and again we wait overnight praying that we have nothing that can’t be treated and cured with the right medication. We walked out with 9 bags of antibiotics or prophylactic malaria medication, etc… I bet tomorrow’s take-away bags were be double in size. This bunch has distended tummies probably from worms. One of the boys is STILL battling his skin infection from hygiene issues. What we do know, is that today was the beginning of healing for whatever is going on. And from this point forward, treatment will replace neglect when they are ill.

When we arrived back home, we walked the new kids through the house. Just pure amazement, and then excitement. I wish so much we could be there when they put on those comfy pjs and climb into their own twin bunk, alone, and with clean bedding. Lunch was served, rice, posha, beans and fish…it was tough to decide whether I wanted the front ½ or the back ½, but I hate to be stared at, so I went with the back. We were so excited to see that the outdoor kitchen, only hours after the lumber had arrived, was nearly done. Janet was astonished. Well, yes I can understand her enthusiasm when we are still waiting for beds and the assembly men, dining room tables etc… when they were ordered 6 weeks ago!

It was head shaving day on the back patio. I don’t know whether we bought a bad shaver or the power was the problem, but there was a lot of banging of the clippers and long minutes of ½ shaved heads praying the rest could come off too. The new girls were bathed, then the boys. Mosquito nets were made to work, even though they were oversized a bit. There was some coloring going on, jump ropes were tied into lasers, which I am sure was that one blond boy’s idea. I’m kind of thinking lasers might be just slightly different than the games these beauties have played. A couple of the kids got very sick, very fast today, so we dropped Janet and Sharon off with 4 of them at 6:30 as were heading back to the hotel. A shot is the protocol, and after Moreen recovered today so well and quickly, I am confident this quad will be much better tomorrow.

It's late, the memories from today, having all of the children under one roof, laughing, playing and free of danger was amazing. Personalities are beginning to show, healing has begun and I can only imagine what kinds of dreams will be floating through their heads tonight. I know mine can hardly beat the reality of this week. New hope, new life, growth…It's just amazing…God is doing his thing and it is wonderful and glorious.