The "children's hospital"

We arrived to Chayah home this morning to check in on our recovering patient, Mama Katherine.  She was asking if this hospital she was in (Chayah’s sitting room) was a government hospital, if all sick children were brought here, and wondered how she would ever pay the bill.  I guess we can add some degree of dementia to the list of diagnoses.

We headed out to the garage area and church began. 

 Everyone was involved in some part of either worship or teaching and neighbors trickled in over the next 2 hours.  The smiles, voices and dancing were such a treat for us and proved once again that they are beautiful from the inside and out and growing in their faith and confidence in leadership.

After church we all had some free time.  Stickers, coloring and talking were the order of the hours before lunch.  Meat, rice, beans, potatoes and pineapple were served in our buffet and lunch was enjoyed in the shade of the tree in the yard.  Mama Ruth was ready to get back to her home so the younger ones headed inside to nap while the older ones left the gate with a few American chaperones to become “radios” announcing that tomorrow would be a one day VBS program at Chayah’s home.  

While they were out publicizing our plans for tomorrow, we drove and then carried our patient back to her dark one room home.  We are praying that she takes each of her medications as directed.  With no one to care for her and a mind that is failing, we pray for her health to be restored whether she forgets and takes all the pills in one day or fails to take them at all.

We picked up rice, beans, extra plates and some onions for tomorrow’s meal of all the little ones that show up. 

 It was nearly 6pm when we arrived back at the hotel and we discussed our day and planned for tomorrow.  It was a really great day of connecting with the kids, seeing them at ease and talkative, sharing stories of tradition and tribes and having a slower day. 

Tomorrow will be another story.  We have no idea how many to expect, but are prepared for the number God sends us.  I’m going to sign off.  The internet is not cooperating tonight all, so perhaps the morning will bring more bars and a quick upload.  

Thank you for praying…everyone seems in pretty good health but hitting the pillow every night exhausted yet encouraged.  ‘Nite!