An answered prayer

Last week, there was a team working in Jinja and part of their team consisted of medical personell so they had medical clinics throughout the week and I had the privilege to help out with these clinics. It was nice to have a little change of pace from the usual routine of life here, but I'll admit, doing those clinics was heart wrenching work. There were countless kids that looked like the kids you would see on the "Save the Children" commercials, kids with HIV, starving, Malaria, and the list goes on...

There was one case though that really got to those of us who were working. We held a clinic at a prison that is across the lake and there we tended to the medical needs of both prisoners, guards, and the families of the guards. This one lady came into the clinic and was seen by one of the nurses. Afterwards, the nurse was crying and we came to find out that the baby was a week old and had a ridiculously high fever and had the signs of meningitis. The doctor who was there made sure the baby was rushed to the hospital and we were able to arrange for the baby to get the proper medical care in town. After people all over the world praying for that baby boy, we got the word that he was actually recovering and that he did not have meningitis but was still going to die most likely that day if he hadn't gotten the treatment. Today, that little baby was discharged from the hospital and was able to go home. And before he and his mom went home they came by the church so I could see them. It was too cool seeing that little boy as he was fairly alert considering he was a week old, and feeling his little head without that blazing fever, and we found out that he has been eating.

I can't help but think that God has one special plan for Derek, considering just how well He orchestrated everything in order to ensure his survival. Now, I just ask for prayers for him to continue to grow as they are very concerned about his weight, and also for his family. His father refused to seek medical care for him before we came and has six other children with women other than Derek's mom and therefore does not treat Derek or his mom very well. It's awesome though to know just how much God can work through this crazy hard situation, that He does hear our prayers, and that He truly is the great physician!

This picture is of Derek on my veranda after being released from the hospital. The think in his hand is so that his mom can give him antibiotics from home. He's so tiny, but God loves him even before he's done anything to earn that love - we truly have such an awesome God!