Hope for the hopeless

Frank, Eddie, Angel on the potty

There are kids at GSF that most people would say have no hope.  There’s Eddie and his sister Ziatune (otherwise known as “Little Tuna”).  Their lives were threatened and brought to GSF.  Charlie, just under 2 years old, came to us weighing 11 lbs.  He was neglected, being left alone all day with no one to feed or care for him.  There are Joanne and Angel.  Joanne at 4 years took care of her mother, who was dying of AIDS, as well as her baby sister Angel.  There’s Nicholas (3 yrs) and Frank (1 ½ yrs).  Frank fought for life during his first month at GSF.  He was incredibly malnourished.  When Nicholas arrived at GSF he said, “Frank and me, we suffered.”  

Seb's first day at GSF

 Sebastian just came last week.  He’s 1 ½ and 0-3 month clothing is baggy on him.  He’s not a new face at GSF.  He has been on the GSF feeding program for a year with little to no improvement.  Come to find out the food the family received was sold for alcohol.  Both the mother and grandma are drunkards.  Sebastian has wounds on his head from times his drunken grandma fell and he was on her back.  When we took him in last week he was miserable - confused and disoriented.  He had a fever of 106 F and was positive for malaria.  That night I slept in his home with him.  He would stir and moan in his sleep, wave his arms until he touched me and knew someone was by his side.  We also came to learn Sebastian has a bilateral cleft palate and may have other physical abnormalities (diagnostics are slow or non-existent).  I took him to Kampala to

Starting Seb on his meds with help from Matthew

 meet with a surgeon to see if he could repair the palate.  Thankfully, the surgeon agreed. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until his hemoglobin increases and he puts on more weight.

Joanne carrying Gayla

I could go on with stories such as these.  My heart aches at the baggage these kids have at such a young age.  I’ve taken psychology and mental health to know these kids will have issues, issues that are already manifesting.  Sleeping difficulties, fear at night, bed wetting…  The odds are against children like these.

Tuna having fun with G-nut sauce

This is something God continues to convict me of - my unbelief of his saving grace and healing power.  The Psalms have been incredibly helpful in understanding God’s heart toward those who’ve suffered.  Psalm 72:12-14 says, “For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.  He was pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.  From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.” God also continues to lead me to Psalm 103:2-6 as well.  It says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” 

A much different looking Charlie

Seb one week later

I pray these verses over the children here.  If I look at statistics, there’s really no hope.  Thankfully, God does not work in the confines of a textbook or research paper.  He works in mysterious ways unknown to man.  I praise God for being a God who cares for the sick, lowly, and lame.  He not only cares for them, but promises healing and redemption.  No amount of possessions, no amount of human love, and no amount of therapy will ever heal these children from their wounds.  It is purely the work of God.  The best thing I can do for the kids is come humbly before the Lord, pray that their hearts will be turned toward Christ and trust he will work all things for their good.  While this seems like a simple supplication to a perplexing problem, Christ is their best hope.