Merry Christmas!!

Here are some highlights of my Christmas season...

 

Merry Christmas from Liberia,

Love Debbie

'I love people'

A friend of mine posted this as her facebook status a few days ago. This is absolutely what we need more of in this world... Thank you Melanie for sharing this and allowing me to pass it on. Oh, the wisdom of such a young boy. Come on people, let's love people!

"A few weeks back, Dean started making these little signs. He used a sheet of paper and a popsicle stick and tape or a sticker carefully placed. They have a heart and a person or two drawn on them. When I first asked him what it was he said,

 “It’s a I Love People sign.” I didn’t ask for any more information, like where he came up with it, or why he was making them and handing them out. At first I figured it was just random, but he has made quite a few now. After today (the day of the shooting in CT), I’m thinking that maybe everyone needs an “I Love People” sign. Maybe we need one to remind us to be kind and patient with each other. Maybe we need one to remind us that everyone is loved and their lives are valuable. Maybe we even need one to remind ourselves that others love us too. Maybe if we all walked around with I Love People signs, the world would be a happier place… maybe."

I love people.

Christmas is coming!

Ready or not, Christmas is coming... it is only 2 weeks away!

My office in Liberia is starting to look like quite the Christmas workshop. The prep for assembling Christmas bundles is almost finished. Bundle making should be done this week. Christmas deliveries are scheduled to begin next Tuesday!

IT IS NOT TOO LATE! 

You can still buy a Christmas bundle and send Christmas joy to a child in Liberia this season. Go to the Orphan Relief and Rescue Christmas donation page to watch a short video of what Christmas in Liberia is all about and then send your bundle of Christmas to an orphan in Liberia. 

Do it today!

This is Faith

This is Faith. She is four years old. She has a hole in her heart.

I met Faith last week. A colleague who does similar work with different orphanages in Liberia introduced me to her after a short term team visiting from the states had identified unusual heart sounds when they were checking up on the children. They had met Faith before and the little girl that had been quite active before was now weak and lethargic. That coupled with the heart murmur caused them great concern.

Last week we took Faith to a doctor that I know here in Liberia. They examined her, did an x-ray and some labs and confirmed my suspicion-- as best as they could with none of the proper diagnostic tools available-- Faith probably has a ventricular septal defect (VSD) or some other kind of congenital heart defect (aka a hole in her heart). The only fix is surgery. 

Liberia doesn't even have a cardiologist or the ability to do the best diagnostic tests, let alone a heart surgeon who could do the surgery. So, Faith is now looking at traveling to Ghana for the diagnostic tests and possibly needing to go to the states for open heart surgery.

Faith needs your prayers. She is sick, but has already proved to be a fighter. I don't think it is a coincidence that this little girl is called Faith.

*If you feel like you would like to help financially with getting Faith the medical treatment that she needs please go to www.orphanreliefnetwork.org to donate. (Please note that Orphan Relief Network is a different organization than Orphan Relief and Rescue.)

The Graduate

Kunue Massally graduated from AMEU today!

Kunue is Ma Mary's oldest son. Mary's husband died in 1996, in the midst of a brutal civil war here in Liberia. Kunue was just eight years old, his brother, Samuel, four. Mary had to face the future and raise her two young sons alone. With her husband dead and life a daily fight for survival, Mary fought hard to give her boys the best opportunities available. 

Kunue has has made his Ma proud. First, he graduated from High School with the highest GPA the school had ever seen. He then went on to study Economics and Accounting at one of Liberia's only premier universities. Today he graduated with the second highest honors available for a university student. 

Congrats Kunue! You have made us all proud!

Ma Mary, Kunue and Samuel
Kunue honored his mother at the service saying he couldn't have done it without her. 

Mary is one proud mama. I don't think she stopped smiling (or dancing) the whole day.

Mary and her best friend Piko.
They have mourned together many times throughout their long friendship.
Today they celebrated.

Kunue and his cousins Bernice and Brenda, AKA 'the twins.'

Kunue, you're my brother because we share the same Ma!

Surgery for Christmas?

It is not often that the opportunity for a free surgery comes along. This week four children from Francis Gaskin Orphanage were given that opportunity. All four kids were able to get hernias repaired by the amazing Children’s Surgery International (CSI) medical team that is doing its yearly outreach in Liberia this week. This is the fourth year that we have been able to partner with CSI.  Thanks to the services that they provide, 13 children from orphanages that we serve have received much needed surgeries FOR FREE!

The CSI team has done much more than provide free surgeries (which would have been enough)! Each year they also visit various orphanages with us and have provided food, medicine, soccer balls, books, dolls, shoes, clothes and more. This week they overwhelmed us with a huge donation of clothes that will almost entirely cover our Christmas clothes distribution this holiday season. For all that CSI does and has given we offer a whole-hearted thank you.

*Speaking of Christmas—The Orphan Relief and Rescue Christmas bundle campaign has already begun. For a gift of only $25 you can make Christmas special for an orphan this year. For more information or to give a bundle (or two) check out our Christmas page today!*

I dare you...

...not to smile when you see this pic!

Makes me smile every time!

Sylvester's story

Abandoned by his mother, beaten by many in his community, left to fend for himself in the garbage piles-- this is Sylvester’s story. Sadly, it is a story we’ve heard many times before, but it never becomes less tragic.

Sylvester is maybe seven years old; no one knows for sure. He is very small and possibly autistic. The popular Liberian belief is that he is ‘not correct in his mind,’ and thus less than human, not worth caring for, feeding or loving. Thankfully, there are some who don’t share that opinion. When Salome, one of the orphanage directors we work with, found him and saw no one else would stand for him, she did. She scrounged the community looking for his family and instead only found a frightening story about abuse, neglect and abandonment.

“I couldn’t just leave him there,” she said, telling me his story. “I had to do something.”

Sylvester has been rescued. He is finding relief under Salome’s care. Thanks to the support we are able to give Salome’s orphanage, through donations from our child sponsors and other partners, Sylvester now has another chance at life.

Good news about Gifty!

Gifty was all laughter and smiles yesterday as I took her back for a check-up with the doctor, where she received a clear bill of health! She has gained 5 pounds and has no more symptoms. The doctor is very happy with her progress and while we will be keeping a close watch on her, for now she needs no more treatment. Now she can just focus on school and jumping rope. What a miracle!

Anita and Gifty

I just returned to Liberia a few weeks ago, anxious to see and hug all my kiddos. 

Over all,they are looking well-- healthy and happy.

There were two girls that I was especially concerned about and couldn’t wait to check in on them-- 

ANITA

Anita in August

Anita was dangerously thin and malnourished after accidentally ingesting water with lye residue in it, left over from making soap (which unfortunately is very common here in Liberia). She had lost 10 pounds, was lethargic and couldn’t eat or drink. She was wasting away. When I left Liberia in August I was very concerned for her, if she couldn’t eat, she wouldn’t survive. I took her to a local doctor, but there was nothing they could do. We just needed to pray and encourage her to eat and drink, even though it was extremely painful.

I am happy to report that when I saw Anita this week she is back to her healthy self. Dancing and playing with the other kids in her orphanage. She says she doesn’t have any more pain. Even better—she has her chubby cheeks and smile back!

Anita now.

GIFTY

Gifty

I first told you about Gifty about six months ago. She had just been diagnosed with pneumonia, malaria AND tuberculosis (TB). She was too thin, weak and sick to play with the other kids in her orphanage. She quickly recovered from the pneumonia and malaria, but bouncing back from TB is not as easy. 

The last six months have been an up and down battle for her. She will gain a few pounds and some strength just to lose them again. Managing her TB medications has been complicated and the medication is very harsh on her little body. Treating TB is long and difficult even under the best circumstances. Gifty has been a trooper, but her fight isn’t over. Please continue to pray for her body to heal, for her to get back her strength and more importantly, for her to put on some weight.

Progress report: Trokon

Trokon is a spectacular young man. Orphaned as a very little boy, he used to scrounge in the garbage piles to find food so he wouldn’t starve to death. He was rescued by a woman who found him in the dump and took him into her home as one of her own. Years later this woman, having taken in many more orphaned and abandoned children found herself mothering an orphanage home with more than 40 children. Trokon, a natural leader, took the younger children under his wing.

Helping others is not a passing phase for Trokon. He has always talked about wanting to go to college (which is a rare luxury in Liberia) so he can come back more prepared to help the people of his beloved country. It was his own motivation, compassion and hard work that made me and my co-workers want to give him a better chance at reaching those dreams.

After some homework of our own, we identified a school that seemed to be a good fit for Trokon and his dreams. The entrance requirements were a stretch and Trokon struggled a bit with the placement test, but even the principal of this new school identified the potential in Trokon and admitted him to the school with tears in her eyes.

Trokon started this new chapter of his life last August. A country boy in a new, strange boarding school far from the only home and family he has known with higher educational standards and different rules had us all worried about how he would adjust to his new surroundings.

Last week I was finally able to visit Trokon at school. Two months in to his first semester—it was report card time. Although Trokon definitely has room to improve, I am very proud of his achievements so far. He is in the 70^th percentage of the 9^th grade class (which means he is doing better than 70% of the other kids in his grade). He is excelling in most of his classes and getting raving reviews for his attitude and conduct from both the principal and his peers. He is healthy and has probably grown at least two inches in the two months since I’ve seen him. Best of all he has this new confidence, he just radiates joy.

Trokon will be getting some extra tutoring in the few classes he is struggling with. He is determined to do well and continue working hard towards his goal. He loves knowing that he has friends all over the world praying for him and cheering him on.

Trokon’s new school is quite expensive. Orphan Relief and Rescue would like to continue to support him there throughout his high school career. If you would like to donate towards Trokon’s schooling or help with other ORR programs please visit the website www.orphanreliefandrescue.org and donate today.

I can't find the words to sum up this post so you'll just have to read it. :-)

It was the longest trip ever, but I made it. I’m back safe and sound, if not exhausted, at my home in Liberia. I left Seattle at 11pm Tuesday night and reached the airport here in Monrovia at 4pm Friday afternoon. That is 56 hours, 26+ hours more than usual. Let me break it down for you…

The first snafu was my fault. Apparently my jumbled brain did not notice the super-sized layover scheduled in the itinerary. I bought it, then saw it-- 13 hours at JFK, oops. So, after the 5 hour flight from Seattle, where I spent the entire flight awkwardly trying to ignore the couple making out next to me, I arrived at JFK at 7am. Exhausted.  I dabbled with the idea of seeing NYC; never been there, always wanted to. Ultimately I decided a trip into the city was a bit out of my budget this time around, so I sat and walked, sat and walked, sat and walked and observed New York’s finest airport.

Some of my observations from spending the day at JFK-

-An elderly Indian woman, not even 5’ tall, washing her feet in the bathroom sink. Both impressive and disgusting.

-Birds everywhere. Like we are talking Alfred Hitchcock birds. Maybe if people would stop letting their kids feed them the French fries from Burger King they’d find somewhere else to go?

-Pretty sure I heard every other language in the world spoken. And watched an interesting animation from the TSA guy to the non-English speaking guy in front of me on how to go through the security check point.

-Speaking of TSA guys—also watched an almost fist fight between one and a passenger. Hmmm… who’s gonna win that fight?

-Learned a lot about the latest fashion: Leopard print leggings under short-shorts with a hoodie and furry boots?

-People will spend $12 for one glass of wine! (not me) and $6 on a latte (me).

After one of the longest days ever and still no sleep, the time for boarding the plane finally came. I was, of course, seated in the middle between two (as it turns out very nice) West African men. About three hours into the flight; after dinner had been served, the elderly man on my left was asleep on my shoulder, and I’d just taken a Benadryl to help me sleep through the rest of the 10 hour flight-- the Captain comes on the overhead speaker to make an announcement. The airplane has turned around, we are returning to JKF. Satellite communication problems, can’t land in Africa. WHAT!?!

Three hours back and we land at 0230 in the morning. Still haven’t really slept and in a Benadryl induced fog I stumble through the airport, ticket counter, taxi, hotel… finally a bed at 0500. And here is the best part of the entire journey—I slept! Six lovely, fantastic hours in a hotel cloud-bed.

The next afternoon I was able to meet up with my friend Keith (who was supposed to be on my flight and missed his connection, lucky guy). The day passed more quickly with a friend and before I knew it we were ready to try this ‘fly to Africa’ thing again. And made it. Ten hours across the Atlantic to Accra, Ghana where we had to wait for a few hours to finish the flight to Monrovia. But, this is not where the adventure ends.

I actually flew through immigration, and mistakenly thought, “Wow that was easy.” But, I had forgotten the contact sport known as ‘getting your luggage at the airport in Liberia.’ Picture 200+ people jammed in a room with hundreds more pieces of luggage. A mountain of refugee bags piled in the corner. The conveyer belt so overloaded suitcases are falling off, knocking people over. Imagine the sweat, the smell, the noise and you are still not even close to picturing the true impact of it all. Keith and I tag-teamed it. Yes, like wrestlers, high-five and you’re in to take your turn in the fight. I got knocked over by a burly guy and his bag and a woman’s high heel about pierced my foot, but we finally found all our bags and escaped the ruckus. Phew!

Back home several friends were waiting for me. I greeted everyone, unpacked a little, found some dinner and then fell into bed, where I slept a glorious 14 hours! Feeling a little more alive, yet still somewhat in a jet-lag coma I am getting ready to get to work. Good thing, tomorrow is Monday.

Lets do this thing.

In 11 days I'll be getting back on  a plane again and making that 30+ journey back to Liberia...

Back to smokey, thick air, outdoor showers, lots and lots of rice, hugs and tugs, small, dark children, huge smiles, huge bellies, fevers, dancing, drumming, singing, loving, learning, growing... home.

I've felt more at home this time around in America. I've loved every destination, each moment with friends and family, each home-cooked meal. I've discovered the life-changing self-serve frozen yogurt shoppe trend and, as of this morning, the bacon maple bar (what!?).

But still, Liberia calls me back for more.

Truth be told, this may be my last long-term stint in Africa for awhile. Transition is in the air. There are a lot of unknowns for me in the upcoming months, which should be overwhelming. However, there is peace when one find themselves right in the middle of where God wants them, and that is where I must be right now, because even though I don't know how I'm going to pay my mortgage (among other things) for the next several months I do know that God is in control. He is inviting me to live with Him more boldly, uninhibitedly. To dance with Him, gaze at Him, to just be [with Him]. (And it is fantastic.)

As always, I appreciate your prayers, your words of encouragement, your support of every kind. I could not survive without you. As I prepare to go back, I'd like to invite you to continue to journey with me. God is doing beautiful things, not only in the lives of the vulnerable, needy, oppressed children in Liberia, but in my life, and, if you allow it, in yours as well.

Lets do this thing.

I'm back

It's been three months since I have posted a blog. Three months! A lot has happened in those months. My silence was mostly due to some, ehemm... technical difficulties (which included a computer and a bucket of water. note to self-- computers can not swim) as well as laziness on my part. Where do you start again to get caught up after all that time has past? I've been thinking about needing to post something again, even just to update people on where I am in the world (here's a hint-- I've been going to Target a lot!). Then I received this text from a friend which reminded me of the importance of what I do here.

"I was looking at your blog today and thinking how beautiful Africa is and how very real. Real people, with real needs. I am so glad you are my friend because you are so amazing... but also to bring perspective back to my view. Sometimes I need to be reminded there are those who have so much less than I do and yet are happy to worship God dancing in a muddy dirt street and more free than most sitting in a church singing a hymn they don't really understand. God is so very close and real where he is needed most. thanks for being His hands and feet. " (Thank you dear, sweet Nora.)

It's so much more than me, and I have the honor of using this space to communicate what God is doing in the 'real' world. So, here is my first step back towards sharing beautiful Africa, and the 'real'-ness of my life in Liberia. It is not mine, it is His. It is ours.

This was taken in August,  just before I left Liberia for some R&R in the states.
Some precious, goofy time with amazing girls.

Bong Blog

Bong County is located smack-dab in the middle of Liberia. About a four hour drive from my home outside Monrovia, this was the destination for my latest Liberian mini-adventure. Jessica, Emily (two of my new team members), our driver Joseph and I made the trek to visit places with very Liberian names like, Gbarnga (pronounced Bonga), Balamah, and Kpatawee (the K is silent). 

Our primary goal was to visit an orphanage that is supported by some friends of ours. Balamah Mission houses over 100 children who were practically starving a few years ago. Today they have a sturdy home, loving care-takers and a new outlook on life. We joined the team of 12 from Orphan Aid for a day of VBS with the kids and a Vision Clinic for the entire community. 

I was able to help out at the vision clinic for a few hours. It was amazing how a quick eye exam and new prescription can totally change the prospects of someone’s future. With a new pair of glasses, some were able to see clearly for the first time in their lives. In the few hours I was registering people we saw almost 100 patients, bringing the total people served to almost 600. While I was helping out at the clinic, (somehow the nurse in me pulled me towards the clinic) Jess and Emily were working their Pied Piper skills on the kids.

 

Ever since I arrived in Liberia I’ve heard of some waterfalls in Bong County. I’ve always wanted to see them, but never had the chance to go out there. When I realized that the falls were only about 30 minutes away from the orphanage I decided we had to go check them out!

The road was a skinny path cut out of the jungle, through rice paddies and palm trees. We found the falls, overflowing the banks due to the recent rains, under one of the biggest trees I have ever seen. After a little exploring, we ate our lunch-- ravioli out of the can-- near the bottom of the falls and then headed home.

road to the falls

Kpatawee Falls

Jess, Em and I at the falls

June in Liberia...

...brings many things. 

Rainy season is here in full swing. There are no longer short bits of rain overnight. Instead, torrential down pours and thunder storms that last 24 hours or more cause getting around town, and staying dry, to be very tricky.

And then of course, school is closing for the year. Graduation season is here. All over town the streets are filled with kids in their graduation attire-- hats, gowns, ribbons, special hair-dos. The only difference is, most of these kids are graduating from Kindergarten. 

Kindergarten graduation is a BIG deal in Liberia. Liberians say it is the first time a child has really accomplished something important. The graduation ceremonies (and gifts) encourage the children to keep working hard in school. 

This week, I was honored to be chosen to present the graduation certificates to the young graduates from the Danny Feeney Memorial School that is connected to the orphanage we work with of the same name. Twelve students, seven who live at the orphanage, were honored for moving up to the first grade. They were presented with gifts and songs, the day even ended with a dance party.

Education has not always been so important in Liberia. During the years of war most of the educated people were forced to flee the country. Schools became a place for children to congregate, but uncertainty, lack of teachers and malnutrition brought book-learning to a complete halt. Many children didn’t get to start school until after the war, which explains why some of the kindergarten graduates this week were as old at twelve. 

I am proud of the kids at Danny Feeney Memorial orphanage and school. A few years ago they were squatting in a old displaced person’s camp. Today they have a home of their own which seconds as the school for over a hundred children each week. 

My co-workers and I at Orphan Relief and Rescue have a lot of hopes and dreams for these kids, including a new school building on their campus, but that takes us to the third thing June brings-- extremely low funds. These summer months are very lean for Orphan Relief and Rescue financially. It is difficult for us to maintain our day to day runnings let alone think about a bigger project like a much needed new school. We trust God to provide all that is needed, but would also like to ask you to consider partnering with us again during this season. Donate here today.

To all graduates, in Liberia or elsewhere around the world, I say congratulations, and keep up the hard work!

(this post was originally published on the Orphan Relief and Rescue blog)

we need your help

This picture makes me so happy. Korpu is happy and healthy, living at her foster home and thriving. All the difficult times and situations we go through every day in Liberia are worth it, even just for this one precious life.

For the last four years I've been working with Orphan Relief and Rescue, diligently trying to advocate, protect and rescue orphaned and abandoned children in Liberia. Children like Korpu. We can only function and operate from God's provision through generous donors. Currently we are in a time of very little giving and we are dangerously close to having to cut back or even stop crucial programs and services to the children that we serve.

I know money is tight. I know the economy is in the toilet, and I hate to ask, but please consider helping us today. We want to continue being a voice with action for children that no one else is helping.

Go to www.orphanreliefandrescue.org and donate today.

Thank you.

Happy Birthday Gifty!

Our miracle girl turns 5 today!

Gifty - October 2008

Gifty - May 2012

Troken needs our help

A few months ago I shared about Troken. He's a pretty amazing 8th grader that lives at one of the orphanages that I work with. He is super smart and exceeding amazingly in the small local school where he currently attends. The thing is, Troken deserves more. I'd love to see him at a quality school where he can get the education he desires so that he can accomplish all that he dreams to do. 

I've recently learned of a website called hopemob.com. They help all kinds of people with all kinds of things. A friend submitted Troken's story and now he has become a finalist. The more people who sign up at hopemob and vote for Troken the better chances he has at getting a quality education at one of the best schools in Liberia. 

Please follow this link: https://hopemob.org/s/11p-send-troken-to-boarding-school 

and help Troken today!

Another Gifty needs our prayers.

Long-time readers of my blog know the name Gifty well. That Gifty, is doing very well, growing and getting stronger every day. She is singing and talking and going to school and is a joy to all who know her. This month she will celebrate her fifth birthday. What a miracle! We continue to praise God for her. 

Today I want to introduce you to another Gifty...

This precious girl is fighting some very serious health issues of her own right now. This week she was diagnosed with malaria, pneumonia, AND tuberculosis. Please pray for Gifty to have a quick and complete healing so she can grow and play and learn like a six year old child should be able to.

Read the rest of Gifty's story on the Orphan Relief and Rescue blog. 

King George

A few weeks ago I started telling George’s story. He was abandoned at a hospital needing emergency surgery. After a month in the hospital he was ready to be discharged, but had no where to go. I called in my friends at the Ministry of Social Welfare and they found a place for him at an orphanage that I know well. Unfortunately, after a week at the orphanage, George’s surgical wound opened up and he was emergently readmitted to the hospital...

That was three weeks ago. Today George is still in the hospital, but he is doing much better. After several days of close observation, the doctors decided not to rush him back for another risky surgery. Instead, the’ve been watching him closely, treating him with preventative antibiotics and doing dressing changes as needed. After a week and a half they started letting him eat soft foods. As soon as he received the ok to eat he was calling me and begging for some Cream of Wheat. 

Hospital patients in Liberia rarely get fed by the hospital staff. Usually family are responsible for providing things like food, soap, and any kind of non-medical care. Since George doesn’t have family, and everyone at the hospital has come to love him, all the hospital staff have taken him under their wing. He has some ladies in the kitchen who cook his Cream of Wheat for him and make him tea everyday. The nurses buy him juice, and help him with his laundry. I’ve started calling him King George, because everyone at the hospital is working for him. When I come for a visit he struts around the hospital wards introducing me to everyone. He is definitely the Big-Man on campus. 

Today I spoke with George’s surgeon. He feels like George is doing much better, but he is still not out of danger for going back to surgery. So, for now King George will stay on his throne at the hospital. And I’ll keep bringing him Cream of Wheat and we’ll all keep praying that George will be able to leave the hospital-- happy and healthy, soon.

mayday

May is here. Happy, beautiful, May. The first day of May, May Day, is celebrated by many as a sign of new life and hope, ushering in the first signs of spring. Interestingly, Mayday is also a call for help...

April did not find me very much time or energy for blogging. I am sorry. April was brutal. Not only was it unceasingly HOT in Liberia (my thermometer reached numbers over 100 many times, add on the extreme humidity and I am sure the heat index was at least 1000 degrees), but the workload was almost unbearably heavy. Not only the actual physical work, even more the Spiritual and emotional work. Thankfully I found my strength in God, He proved to me (once again) that He gives me the strength to endure the unendurable. I also learned the importance of sharing the burden, it is not my burden to carry alone and God has surrounded me with many people, both here and in the states who are helping me to carry the burdens that come along with living and working in Liberia. 

So, like I said, April was brutal. The last few weeks have been especially difficult. My team-mates and I have found ourselves fighting harder for truth, justice and the protection of children than ever before. We have felt beat down and exhausted through this fight, but at the same time energized by God’s strength.

Last night the rain finally came. We had been begging for it, desperate for some kind of reprieve from the oppressive heat, a rescue from the heaviness of the last few weeks. And it came, refreshing and new. Last night brought a coolness to the air, a promise, rest. Today starts a new month, a new stage in the journey. Nothing has changed. The circumstances are the same, but there is hope in a new season, hope in a God who gives strength and loves beyond measure.

Still, I feel God leading me to ask for prayer today. We need prayer. The field team needs wisdom, guidance and strength as we continue to be a voice with action for orphans who literally no one else is helping. The children need protection, comfort, justice and provision for so much more than just their physical needs. The country of Liberia needs redemption, salvation from corruption and lies that continue to influence it to the very core.

Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. 

Proverbs 31:8-9

George's Story

About two weeks ago, I received a call from a local hospital asking for help. A boy had been dropped off in the emergency room several weeks before, gravely ill. He ended up having emergency surgery to repair a bowel obstruction. Six weeks had passed and he was improving, but the problem was they had no where to discharge him to. The entire time he had been in the hospital he had no visitors. He had been abandoned. 

As I walked onto the ward to meet him for the first time I found a shy, very thin teenage boy.  He looked up at me with a sweet smile and told me his name was George. As George continued to talk to me, telling me his story, my heart dropped. His father had died years before, his mother last July. For the last several months he had been forced to scavenge for work and food in the bush. He and a handful of other boys his age had banded together to try and survive. It was these friends who somehow were able to get him all the way to town, to the hospital just in time when he fell sick. 

I immediately called a friend at the Ministry of Social Welfare and notified her of the boy’s situation. Within a few hours, a social worker was at the hospital interviewing him and had already arranged for him to be placed (hopefully temporarily) in an orphanage. I was thankful it was an orphanage that we know well, with a director who has experience taking care of kids with special medical needs. 

A few days later, as I drove up to the orphanage to check on George, he met me at the car with that same, sweet smile. He was moving slowly, but had improved slightly from when I had seen him in the hospital. We talked for awhile and agreed that I’d come back to see him the next week.

The night before I was scheduled to go back and visit George, I received a frantic phone call from the orphanage director. George was very sick again. His stomach was swelling, and he couldn’t eat. I told the director to get George back to the emergency room as soon as possible. They took him to the hospital, but George’s incision had already re-opened. George has been readmitted to the hospital and is currently awaiting another surgery to fix the open wound. 

This boy has already been through so much trauma, and my heart breaks for him. He’s completely and utterly alone, and his health is a grave concern. Please join us in praying for him today.

Cultural Presentation

Sing with the SawSaw.

Warmin' up the drums.

Start dancing.

Laugh a little.

Staring contest.

Wait for your turn,

Photo op!

Dance some more!

Climb to the top.

More acrobatics.

Smile!

Celebrate!