We'd been anxious to spend some time with our kids so headed out the house about 9am. Several of the kids greeted us in their new pajamas which were handed out last night. A few were scolded because they refused to change into their day clothes until long after the rest.
We sat and talked through Monday's VBS day and then pulled out a few items we brought with us from home. A football was inflated, VBS crafts were sorted and the popsicle sticks and yarn found a home in the middle of the sitting room rug. The left over fruit loops were divided into ziplock sandwhich bags to be handed out later today in the village.
The time flew by, we packed ourselves in the van and headed to Kakira. Stopping along the way, we picked up some rice, sugar, vegetables, oil and soap to distribute. About thirty minutes, a good dusting of red dirt and a game of chicken with a huge truck way overloaded with sugar cane and we pulled into Grandma Ruth's place. Our visit surprised them, but it didn't keep about 35 children from flooding the area to see what was happening. We checked in with the 5 boys, Peter, Andrew, James, John and David to see how they were enjoying their new house. I can tell you we heard many many things from the tiny grandmother, I just have no idea what any of them were. Our lack of understanding does not keep her from talking and we just keep nodding and smiling, hoping that fits with anything she might be saying.
The youngest boy has been sick for a long time. Janet took him to the doctor several times without any real effect. He has been tested and is negative for HIV, so today we prayed for him, praying that God would heal what seems only He can see. That is no limitation for Him and we are grateful. Another young boy Dennis seemed to have a special way about him that just might be a calling from God to care for other children, so he too was prayed for.
We promised the kids we'd sing for them if the group would sing for us. It worked! They sounded great, us...well...let's just stick with them sounding great for now. We asked them if they'd like to sit and hear a Bible story and they did. Then as we looked at each other won- dering who might want entertain them that way...our youngest team member stepped up and volunteered. Our blond haired 8 1/2 year old sat confidently on a small wooden bench and spoke child to child with his counterparts telling the story of Noah. Then he went on to share the story of Jesus, the cross, explaining sin and the resurrection and the rest of us sat in awe of the moment as God gave him confidence and boldness and a real sincerity.
We all watched the faces of our guests and connection between peers from opposite sides of the world and it was a moment where the Holy Spirit demonstrated his power and ability to transcend age and eloquence with clarity, simplicity and an authentic heart. Micah just said "yes" to the opportunity, sat right down and shared what he knew to be true. Several children raised their hands when asked if they wanted to accept Christ as their Savior and I think that the rest of us watched it all happen and were full of an amazing wonder. If we'd planned it out, or considered who was the most prepared to share with this group, I doubt we would have really trusted that little guy share his heart and his faith, but we were so humbled and awed that God can use anybody with a heart that is willing I don't think I'll ever forget how a child led us today.
We left that area and headed out stopping off where some of our kids were from, handed out a few back of fruit loops which quickly turned into about 50. Got back in the van and decided to check in on an old woman that Janet has been visiting for a long time. Without ever knowing her name, she has told me "I don't know why I love this woman so much, but I just call her Grand (grandmother)". We have stopped to visit and pray for her in the past but today we found her really sick, in pain and unable to get up from her mattress on the floor. She described a myriad of symptoms and was so weak we didn't want to leave her. She, on the other hand, did not want to leave her one room concrete home, afraid it would be robbed of everything. Janet left to find a padlock and we convinced her to come with us into town to a hospital or clinic.
I promise you it wasn't at all how I saw the rest of our day playing out and getting back to the hotel early this evening was high on my list of priorities. Dann and Matt carried her to the van as she winced in pain and we headed off.
As the doctor asked her several questions, Janet giggled and repeated to the answer she had given to "how old are you?". "I don't know, you can put down whatever you like." She was so miserable with pain all over that I thought maybe she was sorry she'd come with us, except that even without language she was able to express her gratitude with gestures and expressions.
If was a long afternoon that stretched into the dark. After a blood test and x ray were taken she was given several diagnoses exacerbated by age and a poor diet. We took her town the street to a specialist and finally finished up with all things medical about 7:30pm.
She has buried all of her children and her husband died a long time ago. She has one grandson and he is away. It didn't take long until we realized the very best option was to take her back to Chayah's house. Dann carried her all afternoon from van to wheelchair, up and down from the x ray machine and examination table, back to the van, back into another office and then to the van and finally into Chayah's home for the night.
The children immediately gathered round her and stared with concern, then left to go into the bedroom for prayer. Janet and Jennifer, our cook, will see her through the night, make sure she gets her medicine and something to eat. As soon as she starts worrying again about her house, we'll know she is well enough to go home.
So unexpected, both stopping to check in on her, and finding her so ill. We are so grateful she was treated and that she'll be better. I pray she like children, lots of children because as I shut this thing down for the night I picture her waking up to about 18 sets of wide eyes staring intently at her first thing in the morning...
We had a plan for today, but the way it unfolded...well it turned out to be some of the very best unexpected moments in recent history.
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