Dear Healer...

Yesterday was a day I can say I probably won’t ever forget. It started out with a getting a much needed good night’s rest before heading to church. Church was good. I love going to African church and see all the different outfits, babies strapped on the mama’s backs and people praising the Lord through song and dance. I mean it’s VERY different from the States, but I still like going. Their services usually go from about 830-1 sometimes even longer, and when you don’t know the local language, it can be a LONG service.  Thankfully, it’s completely normal and common to show up whenever you want, so we didn’t exactly get there at 8:30. J

After church one of the kids Jon and Ash have been helping out had a raging fever. His tiny little body was so hot and he just looked miserable. He already gets sick very easier due to various health conditions, but we still wanted to make sure things weren’t too serious.  We came home, grabbed some lunch and headed out to the hospital. It was just Jon, myself, and the three kids they have been helping out (Mariano, Mariam and Eric). The kids lost both of their parents to sickness and were given to the grandfather to live with. During that time, their aunt stepped in and has been “taking care” of the kids. She is terrible and beats them endlessly, and forces them to work without eating until all the chores are complete. There have been many days where the children haven’t eaten but one meal until late in the night. Thankfully, she left and hasn’t been back in a couple of weeks. The kids are now under the care of their grandfather and surrounding neighbors. They visit the center on the weekends and love being around all of the kids. They are a joy to have around. The older kids, Mariam and Mariano, both have sickle cell anemia and struggle with their health. It would be good for them to be a part of Arbre de vie and I know Jon and Ashley are praying for what steps to take next. They got word this morning that the two boys (Mariano and Eric) have been sponsored to come to the center (orphanage) when the time is right. We just need sweet Mariam sponsored and if you would be interested in doing so, please feel free to contact myself for Ashley Barchus.

When we arrived at the hospital, we were put into pediatrics (one tiny, hot room) and told to wait for the nurse. While waiting, the nurse rushed in with a little boy who was probably about two years old and looked to be about 10 months. His eyes were rolled back in his head and he was gasping for life. The nurse said if he didn’t get an IV of fluids into his body immediately he was going to die. He had a terrible case of malaria and other things going on. He was malnourished and hadn’t been taken to the hospital, when sick, because his parents thought the witch doctor would help. Voodoo is a huge religion here and many times parents take their kids to get “spells” cast on them to help them get “healed.” Often times it’s too late. I felt sick. I had never been this close to death in all my life. His breathing was rapid and his liver was so enlarged from the malaria that it was visible. As the nurse hurried to try to get an IV in his tiny arm, I sat begging God for him to breathe life. The IV wasn’t working and Jon (an RN from Miami Valley) scrubbed up to try and help get one started on the other arm. Just as he was about to get the needle going, the nurse got it in! Praise the Lord!  The poor baby was in so much pain, but was so weak he couldn’t really even react. Only a few little groans would come. I started to feel so overwhelmed that I had to step out. I was so saddened. I just kept asking God to heal him and take the pain away.

While the fluids were working on the baby, the nurse moved on to the three kids we had brought. Unfortunately, Mariano tested positive for malaria. The other kids were fine, and all three were tested for HIV. (This is something they do before bringing kids into the Arbre de Vie program, and since they were all together at the hospital, Jon went ahead and had them tested.) It’s so crazy to me how common these things are. Malaria is like a case of the flu here, whereas in America, people would freak out if they had malaria. It’s a terrible sickness and is the reason many children die here in Benin. Afterwards, we got the kids some medicine, and dropped them off at their house.  When we got back to the center, round two of church was going on. The pastor comes to the center every Sunday evening to have church with the kids. It can be quite comical actually, and when Jon and I tried to teach them the song they were singing in English, it became hilarious. They were so serious when messing up the words in English, and all I could do was smile. God doesn’t care what worship sounds like, it’s the heart that matters. And I know for a fact, these children’s’ hearts seek the Father.

Later the night ended with homework, and kisses goodnight. It was about 10pm when we headed home. Ash and I have been glued into these books we have been reading so we relaxed and read for a bit before heading to bed. Looking forward to a new day here today! It’s sunny, gorgeous and dusty here, and I couldn’t be more thankful to be on this journey. Mom, kiss the babies for me. Ry, start packing…cause you’ll be leaving THIS WEEK!!!! :)

Happy Monday!! And Happy bday to my Aunt Kelly! She’s the best :)

Love Love,

Tata EE