I can’t believe we are already on the final stretch of the
trip. We have eight months behind us and
only three left to go. At times it seems
really short, but at other moments the next three months feel like
forever. Tomorrow we will be heading to Malawi for three weeks and then flying up to Eastern Europe for our final two months. Before I leave for Malawi
I just wanted to give you all a final update on what has been happening in Swaziland.
My last day in Swazi was on Sunday. I needed a break before our long bus ride to Malawi and was
given permission to take a few days off. I was excited for the break but sad to miss out on a few more days with
Dudu. Fortunately, I did get to go say goodbye to her before I left. We were hoping to drive to the hospital to
pick up Snethemba last Sunday, but sadly the doctors said the baby was not
ready to be released. I was sad to hear
that he would not be heading home but I was happy to have the afternoon alone
with Dudu.
When I arrived in her room I noticed that the three beds
next to here were now empty. My heart
sank because I knew what had happened. All three of those ladies also had TB and AIDS, just like Dudu, but they
were slightly further along in the process. I tried to look past the empty beds and focus on Dudu. She was all smiles to see me and seemed to
have a little more energy than before. I
helped her out of her bed and in to the hallway where we sat and talked for a few
hours.
She was still weak and her words were soft and short. She asked about her baby and about her
village. She also told me how she cried
every night for her baby and how she desperately wanted to go home. I just listened because I wasn’t sure what to
say. We talked about how all three of
the women died in the night and I could see that she was scared. So we talked and we prayed. It was a sad visit but I’m glad I got to go one last
time. She was overjoyed to have company
and I was excited to spend time with her. We said our goodbyes and prayed one last time. It was hard to walk away from her but I have
faith that I will one day see her again.
Continue to keep Dudu in your prayers. The last I heard she was asking to come home
and about to be released from the hospital. Her health is still failing but she wants to spend her final days with
her family. Her baby, Snethemba, is now
home from the hospital and is continuing on the next step of treatment for
TB. Keep this whole family in your
prayers because the days ahead will only be harder for them.
