Cecil and Maureen:
This morning Krissy and I went to go see Cecil, the little boy who we took to the hospital yesterday. After searching the wards at Mamelodi hospital we found him, his very young looking mother at his side. She was very sick with the flu, but was gracious and thanked us for taking him to the hospital. When we asked what the diagnosis was she kept saying that the doctors hadn't told her anything. Thankfully, we had befriended a doctor on the way in who was impressed that we were in Mamelodi doing "good work". Krissy went and found him and he explained the chart to us. Diagnosis: severe malnutrition that would have led to death within the week, a chest infection, and a stomach infection. And, yesterday he tested positive for HIV.
His mother let us know that she is also HIV positive. She let us know that because he was able to go to the hospital, he is going to start ARVs. We were able to tell her about the hospice and the people there who can help her. I talked her though the ARV instructions and made her say several times her plan to pick them up each month and faithfully administer them to her children and herself. She gave me her phone number and I made plans to come back tomorrow to see Cecil. I am so glad we took the time to take him to the hospital.
Kids from Charity and Faith:
The kids program this afternoon was wonderful! The story of Noah's Arc and lots of singing and dancing. I snapped this picture of my favorite Charity and Faith kids just after the kids service ended. They were up on a balcony at the church yelling "Rachel, Rachel!"Teen Night:
At 4PM we shoved the kids out door and let the teens in! Teen night was in full effect. Over a hundred teenagers showed up to enjoy pizza, Fanta and music together. The teens were SO MUCH FUN! We danced our booties off to worship music and these two girls in the picture taught me all of their sweet South African dance moves. We laughed and laughed and the girl on the left informed me that she was so full she "need to go fart" -- HILARIOUS! That didn't keep her from dancing like crazy! We were running short on time, because the kids have to start walking home before dark. In the last 5 minutes AP got up and gave one of the best messages I have ever heard from him. He challenged the teen boys in the room to treat women as precious daughters of God instead of prey when it comes to sex. The crowd was amening and praising the Lord though the whole thing. Fantastic.
The greatest joy for me today was seeing all of the kids team members celebrate wonderful mornings in the township and painting the orphanage. They were all so PUMPED UP about their days -- I just sat back, listened to stories and soaked it all in. GLORIOUS!
4 comments:
wow. I wish I could have heard AP preach it. Sounds like an amazing message. I miss you guys so much! I wish I was there but am so thankful that you are there doing such amazing things.
Can I hear at least one little thing that may have gone wrong? Just one little annoying hotel story or something? Seems like a perfect dream world! Can I have just one reason why being here in Cincy may be better than being in Mamelodi this week? Pretty please?
ps. check my blog for a wedding mall update!
rachel, wow!! i am SOOO happy i came across your blog today, i'm so grateful for your words - and CAN'T WAIT TO BE THERE!!! this is such a blessing - i'm going to send my friends and family to read this while i'm there :) e bullard
Rachel, the Lord blessed you with many gifts. You are so amazing with the kids but you also tell the story so well in your blog. Your writing conveys the actual feelings of the moment. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.
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