Uganda Mulago hospital ministry-
Uganda has been a variety pack of ministry. We’ve been fortunate to “evangelize” in markets, homes, businesses, speak at church, sports ministry, projects etc. The other day we went to one of the biggest public hospitals in Kampala. There, our church members gave out soap and sugar to patients who’ve been there a long time, while we prayed for them.
Chatting with God the whole taxi ride over I knew we were going into an environment of pain. Walking in I could smell sickness and depression. The hospital was stuffed, along the path ways were people injured or sick just waiting for help.
The first boy we prayed for was David. He was 5 years old and fevered with Malaria. His lips and ears were so swollen, covered in scabs and dry blood. His eyes deep with sorrow/ confusion. His mom looked exhausted.
The next three babies we prayed for had Sickle Cell Anemia. I had to ask more about this disease because we were catching on that it was the most reoccurring sickness.
This young woman and her mother stood out from the crowd, they had a sense of inner strength and hope that others around did not. Caroline and her mother Norah had been going to get treatments and medicine for her Sickle Cell her whole life. Caroline is 25 and thanks the Lord for every day of life He gives her, because shes beat the odds. Her mother is a strong pillar of strength always by her side supporting. They shared that the hospital often does not have enough medicine for all the patients, or doctors for treatments. Sometimes they give the wrong meds or don’t know how to help people. Together their passion is to bring awareness to the seriousness of the disease and the dire need for help. I looked into Caroline’s eyes and told her that she has a great purpose to love on these people that she shares pain with and to keep bringing awareness to the cause. She has such strength and joy in her that it uplifts those around her. What warriors! 🙂
Mary is one year’s old. Been in the hospital with sickle cell for a month. Her limbs had no muscles and her head was swollen in two huge lumps full of blood. Her mother was hungry for any prayer or help for her precious child. As I prayed she just sat there, still, staring at me. Too serious for any child to look.
Right next to Mary was Abraham and his mother,(also there a whole month) he was one and half and had Pneumonia… His mother looked hopeless as she watched her son whither in pain. He was crying as his back arched, mouth foamed.
I lost it. I just wept when I prayed. Little Abraham’s hand was clenching my fingers so tightly. I wanted these little babies healed so badly! I know our God is a God of healing.
I’m not going to sugar coat it, I was really frustrated walking away. Why was there no healing happening. I’ve heard so many stories, even seen some healing in the past, why not now? Why not these children who deserve to be healthy and whole? Then I remembered how perfect God’s love is for his children, how much more he loves them then I even do. Who was I to question his timing or his heart.
All I can do is keep praying for those children, keep loving them, to continue to be amazed by Gods love for his people and his faithfulness. I will be faithful in my pursuit of wanting MORE. My team and I are hungry for it. I know we will get to say “THERE IT IS! His perfect timing!”
Now I have specific prayers for Sickle cell disease to lose its power. That it would stop being passed down through genetics and die out completely. That those with it would be made strong, with no pain and new immune systems. Because ~ my Pops can do that! Amen
