Many of you wonder how all these children end up here at GSF. Each of their stories are very different! Some are true orphans with no mother or father living- they died from AIDS, boda (motorbike) accidents, mothers died in childbirth, etc (all true scenarios from our children here). Some only lived with one parent and that parent was unable to care for the child due to finances, living conditions, age/immaturity, job, or mental illness. Many had been living with rajas (grandmothers) or aunties who were trying to care for the children because parents had died or just couldn't care for them on their own. Sadly, some children are here because their parents simply refuse to take responsibility and care for the child even though they have the means… the child is simply unwanted.
Here are two stories about our newest additions to GSF
Charlie and Innocent's Story
Our social worker knew of a family that lived in a nearby village who was in need of some help. There were 6 children ages 1-13 being cared for by a dad and jaja (grandma). The mother had run off about 1 month before hand due to family troubles. The father was recently in the hospital for a long period of time and had a large medical bill to pay. The family was out of money so the father went out everyday to look for odd jobs while the jaja worked out in the fields for food. It is very very common for elderly women to still be digging in the fields daily for food/work. The two youngest children had become very malnourished and sick due to this situation. The family wanted help!
So I had the amazing opportunity to do a home visit with our social worker. This meant an hour walk through the village to their house. This is a walk made weekly or more by this family to attend church or to visit GSF. I sat in their small mud house and assessed each kid- lifted up their torn and dirt lined clothes to look for rashes, assessed their shoeless feet for jiggers (small insects that burrow into the skin), and checked each one for malaria. The older 4 children were happy, smiling, and healthy despite some coughs and URIs. The younger two presented with malaria, dehydration, and malnutrition (seen mainly by their edema and very light colored hair). Within 3 days the decisions was final and Charlie and Innocent became our newest children! Their father and jaja were very thankful for the care that would be provided their children.
Usually thats where it would end. We would fix their malnutrition, provide a great loving environment, and as the children got older it would be assessed weather or not they could return to their father if he desired to provide the proper care. However this story took an unexpected turn! Two days after the children's arrival to GSF, their mother returned home after being gone for over a month. She was NOT happy to find that two of her children were gone!! After about 2 weeks of many conversations with the leaders at GSF, marriage counseling being set up, proven repentance for her absence and renewed dedication to her family, the two children were able to be returned to their family in the village! This is a happy ending. We pray that families desire to be together, desire to take responsibility! Yes she left on her own, but forgiveness and help to move forward are a must here! We keep a close watch on that family and their progress. It is a beautiful thing to know that God is working in their marriage, in the children, in their entire lives! God's grace and mercy can make all things new!
Innocent and I in the babies home
Ivan's Story
In late January a mother and her son appear at the GSF offices. She is from a nearby village and has heard of GSF from family. She shows us her little boy Ivan and in so many words says, "Here please take him." Ivan is a little over 2 and has a large spinal deformity. It can't be missed. There is a large hump in the middle of his back that makes him bend at about a 45 degree angle. His mother says he was not born like this, but rather the deformity started around 9 months of age and has only worsened. The worst part- she never took Ivan to see one doctor or one nurse. Only witch doctors. The roughly 20 scars on his back, the mark of a witch doctor, show this to be true. This story broke our hearts. Yes medical care can be expensive, however there are free hospitals in Jinja so there is no excuse!
At first we really did not want to take Ivan in, but rather help the mom seek medical care. We arranged and paid for Ivan to visit CoRSU, the best orthopedic hospital in Uganda. Once there the doctors diagnosed Ivan with spinal tuberculosis, a condition where the spine is infected with TB and pus begins to eat away at the vertebra. This causes spinal masses and deteriorating use of the lower extremities. Luckily Ivan still have fully functioning legs, but it would continue to grow worse without treatment. The doctors prescribed the routine 8 month TB treatment of 2-4 medicines daily.
Ivan resting on a toy because he is not able to sit on straight on his own.
You can slightly see the spinal hump in this picture
Ivan's spinal deformity will most likely never improve, but will not get worse once treatment is started.
With better nutrition, physical therapy, a walker, and lots of love we are hoping to see wonderful improvement in Ivan! We are also praying that one day there might be spinal surgery in his future to fix the deformity…. but right now its only a prayer!
Ivan and his infectious smile :D
Playtime while we wait to go home after a day of doctors
Blowing kisses!
These are just two stories about children here at GSF. There are hundreds more. I feel so blessed that I am able to play a small part in some of these stories! Please pray for these 3 children and their families! None of this work could be done without the sovereign grace and love of God!
