Breathe in, breathe out…
It’s been over two weeks in and I’m not gonna lie, it’s been difficult.
There is a really bad drought this year in Teso land (the tribe I work with). People depend on the rain for farming, therefore, people are starving. It’s super hot and dry and people are suffering all around us. Although it’s hot, it’s always such a blessing to sit next to my Ugandan sisters under the night sky looking at the Milky Way and God’s amazing creation.
Esther, the woman I’ve lived with since 2007 who has become a very de
ar friend of mine, was diagnosed with HIV in December along with her lastborn, baby Amelia. Her husband who infected her left her over a year ago with five children to take car of. Her 9 year old son Ojada Dao was diagnosed with Bone Cancer one year ago and they have been from one hospital to the next for the past year. Not only all of this, but they are among the poorest people in the world.
We have been in Kampala the past few days helping Esther and Ojada from one hospital where he gets surgery (his bones are being eaten by the cancer) to another where he gets chemo. This hospital is called Malago. It’s so over-crowded that most days they don’t have a bed to lay on. Yesterday we stayed with them on the pavement outside the ward waiting to be transferred to another hospital. The flies and ants are everywhere and Ojada was in horrible pain. Esther told me that sometimes when the money is not there, they have to walk 5 miles to the next hospital (Ojada is on crutches). As we were loading him into the car, a woman started wailing and we found out her child had just died.
When we got to the other hospital, I was picking up Ojada and he said to me, “You are also now my mother. I fear being at Malago Hospital because all around you people are crying; people are dying.” I set him down on the bed and being so overwhelmed, I ran to vomit in the pit latrine. When I came out, Esther was standing there with water and a worried look on her face. I put my arms around her and with tears I told her how sorry I was that she is sick, how sorry I was that she has to suffer and how much I love her. She looked in my eyes seriously and said, “I will be ok. In the end, we will all be dancing together in heaven. ” We stood there hugging for a long time as tears ran down our faces.
I’ve often tried to figure out why God has some people suffering more than others. I will never understand it until I meet God face to face. When that happens, that thought may no longer be in my mind. Because in the end …..we will all be dancing together in heaven.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take Heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Be praying for these people…..
Tired and dirty but filled with joy…
