Maswane is 19 years old. She is an INNOCENT victim of HIV/AIDS. Maswane was raped by her uncle when she was 15 years old and is now dying of this disease. In the mornings Darci and I walk about a mile to get to her. She lies in a mud hut with her stepmother who is her primary caretaker. Maswane’s body is covered in scabs and sores, she is suffering from a skin disease her body is not able to fight off due to her failed immune system. She lies in a mud hut, about the size af my closet in the states, and stares at the walls. She is not able to wear clothes and can only lie on her back, due to the condition of her skin. Her body is in such horrific shape she is confined to her mattress on the floor. We found out Monday morning that Maswane was out of all of her medication. I had some ibuprofen in my bag and gave her all I had left. She will not be able to get any more medication until she is able to go to the hospital and the possibility of her going is slim. I cannot describe what it feels like to go sit in this hut and do my best to put on a smile and give her an encouraging word. I can’t hold back the tears and I leave there physically and mentally drained. How do you pray for someone like this? When do you pray for healing and when do you just pray that the good Lord will take her home? The only hope she has is in Jesus. She is a Christian and I believe she knows she has a new body waiting for her in heaven. My heart breaks for Maswane and her stepmother. This is real. You hear about it at home, see fundraisers and benefits on TV, maybe give to some of the AIDS relief organizations but until you are here, in Africa, holding the hand of a girl dying of the disease, you just can’t understand. Please pray for Maswane. Tell others her story and ask them to pray. She fell victim to this disease. She didn’t do anything to deserve this. She is a child, her life her health and her innocence were TAKEN from her. I know God is good, He is faithful and he has a plan. We read Maswane Psalm 23, please read it and think and pray for those who are dying here.
Much much love…
