It is in the most unlikely places where we find the Lord. He sat at a well with a prostitute, hung out at parties with drunkards and visited the homes of thieves. It is a similar place where I have found His dwelling place most recently. It is a home to 'juvenile delinquents and those unwanted by society', if you could even call it a home. Kids are sleeping on concrete floors, being fed a handful of porridge twice a day and kept without much chance of being released. But it is also a place where children are loved, through the staff playing volleyball and football, to the various organizations which come in to speak about conflict resolution, breaking bonds of your past and Jesus Christ. It is this place where I have found a new cause worth fighting for. These children do not have adequate medical care and because of the work they must do while staying there, severe wounds occur and then become infected due to the lack of care. I am honored to have been accepted to visit once a week with the ministry of Not Forgotten. While I spend my hours tending to the wounds and illnesses of these ~200 children from 4 years-19 years, the rest of the group performs skits, dances and speak about Grace. The children are also given a chance to to share their testimonies and stories.
I'd like to share just one of their stories. Luke is around the age of 14. I do not know if that is his real name or his real age. You see, Luke is deaf and mute. He has been at the rehabilitation center for around 3 months now. His story comes relayed to us through another boy who lived on the streets with him for a short time. Just before coming to the center, Luke was living on the street and was attacked by a man with a panga(machete). We do not know the cause of this or who the man was. Luke was picked up off the streets and taken to the rehab center where, to say the least, medical care is inadequate. His wound was not cared or touched for many weeks. I came on the scene about a month ago and began treating him. However my weekly visits were not enough to mend his wound due to the size, depth and vast amount of infection. Two weeks ago, he developed a second wound due to the weakness of his tissue and this past Tuesday it erupted into a large ulcer. I immediately knew that transport to a hospital would be necessary but was at a loss for the logistics to occur. Due to the state of the center typically children are not allowed to leave, nor is there any financial means available for transport or the hospital care. However, yet again the Lord showed His desire to overwhelmingly Love His children. Luke was released into my care and by our taxi, then Seth driving we were able to transport him to the hospital. Luke has been touching the hearts of all those at the hospital, nurses, fellow patients and visitors. Each time I see him his face lights up and the biggest smile comes across his face. He even giggled when I kissed his hand yesterday. His laugh is the most enlightening sound to reach your ears. Currently, we are praying the infection will decrease enough that he will get a skin graft tomorrow. This surgery is very expensive as well as his hospital stay. Yet the Lord's Love showered that situation as well. Because of Luke's condition he qualifies for Hope Ward-a branch of the government which unites charities to pay for medical expenses of those who are disabled. The people in charge however informed me that his surgery would not be covered. Upon speaking to the physician to work out a deal however, he has agreed to accept no pay. Praise the Lord! Without this surgery, due to the immense infection, Luke would have eventually died.
There are many more children at the center who are in need of better medical care. Currently I am negotiating with those in charge to begin coming 3 days a week. I also have begun to provide soap for those with wounds so they are at least able to clean the wounds on their own.
Much is needed, but the Lord is the master Provider and each week He reveals which need shall be met. I'm so thankful to all of you for your prayers and support, without which, I would be ineffective. Please continue to pray for these children-for healing, that they might come to know their worth in the Lord and that a better home would become available. Please pray for me as the emotional heartache which comes with compassion has been strong lately. The Lord continues to give me strength, I only ask for continued open doors to love these children.
Luke preparing for treatment
Salim carries my bag, Collins does my documentation, Brian takes photos
One of the boys sharing his story
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