Friday, October 26, 2007
Joy and Pain
How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, {And} says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Isaiah 52:7
Webele Kwejuna!
That is the local Lubwisi language for thank you for a healthy birth. Every Friday morning I have traveled with Dr Scott to do ultrasounds on individuals in Bundibugyo, the larger town just a few kilometers away. Most of the patients we see are pregnant women who are uncertain of their due dates. This Friday was an exception as we saw an unusual amount of women with complaints of low abdominal pain. In the US we would just order an abdominal and pelvic CT and be done with it. But that is not possible here. So we use what we have, a backpack sized ultrasound machine, for which we are truly grateful, but is not particularly helpful in diagnosing many abdominal complaints. However, one woman came in this morning with a complaint of low abdominal pain for the past few weeks. She is an older woman (30’s) who has been trying to get pregnant for the past six years. Today, to her surprise, we had the privilege of telling her that the source of her abdominal pain is that she is finally pregnant and due, of all days, on my birthday, May 25th! On the journey back to Nyhauka, I rode in the back seat of Dr Scott’s truck with a mother holding her newborn child and comforting her two year old son from the scary “muzungu” (white person). It is odd to be thought of as scary. Apparently there is an old wives tale that muzungu’s steal children away and do terrible things to them. I don’t think people really believe these, but they seem to still be a part of their culture. Thankfully the young boy was not too frightened by my presence as he fell asleep curled behind his mother’s back. The infant in her arms was a delight to see and somehow a comfort to me as I reflected upon the beauty of new birth. In a place where death is just as much a part of life as birth, it has been nice to be a part of new beginnings and experience their joy. I only wish I had suggested to the other mother that she name the baby Rachel if it is a girl. Webele Kwejuna!
Chase Gray
It is hard for me to talk about the rest of today, as I am not sure I have completely processed what just happened.
This weekend, the Drs. Myhre, Scott Will and I, are doing a health screening for the mission team. It was time for their yearly health check up and a good use of the two extra health personnel for making things go quickly. But Dr Jennifer discovered something a few days ago, which prompted this timely screening. Chase Gray, at eight months old is the youngest member of the Bundibugyo team. He is a beautiful blond haired, blue eyed little boy who loves to smile and be held. We all adore him and fight over who gets to hold him. But, at eight months, he is not doing all of the things an 8 month old should be doing. He is not pushing up, or rolling over, or crawling. He is not verbalizing any words, or even starting to verbalize words. And the most unnoticeable thing of all, his head is not growing. Julia Myhre drew Chase’s name for the Christmas exchange and decided she wanted to make him a hat. So, Dr Jennifer measured his head, and noticed it was rather small for his age. On looking it up, she realized it was not only small, but less than the 5th percentile for his age. So, today, we all sat and told the Grays that there is a very good chance that their son may have Cerebral Palsy. This means that Chase is going to need lots of medical attention for the rest of his life and require therapy as early as possible to help him developmentally.
I have cried so many times today on their behalf. They are going to have to go back to the US now as we cannot possibly provide what he needs here. Why, Lord would you let this happen? They are so committed to serving your people here. Surely they are being used by you here. Why do they have to leave? Rick has been in this area for about 18 years of his life. This is his home. It is Wendy’s home too. They already have one son with physical handicaps, why two? I only wish I could fix things for them. I cannot, but I can help them carry their burden in prayer.
Joy and Pain
How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, {And} says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Isaiah 52:7
Webele Kwejuna!That is the local Lubwisi language for thank you for a healthy birth. Every Friday morning I have traveled with Dr Scott to do ultrasounds on individuals in Bundibugyo, the larger town just a few kilometers away. Most of the patients we see are pregnant women who are uncertain of their due dates. This Friday was an exception as we saw an unusual amount of women with complaints of low abdominal pain. In the US we would just order an abdominal and pelvic CT and be done with it. But that is not possible here. So we use what we have, a backpack sized ultrasound machine, for which we are truly grateful, but is not particularly helpful in diagnosing many abdominal complaints. However, one woman came in this morning with a complaint of low abdominal pain for the past few weeks. She is an older woman (30’s) who has been trying to get pregnant for the past six years. Today, to her surprise, we had the privilege of telling her that the source of her abdominal pain is that she is finally pregnant and due, of all days, on my birthday, May 25th! On the journey back to Nyhauka, I rode in the back seat of Dr Scott’s truck with a mother holding her newborn child and comforting her two year old son from the scary “muzungu” (white person). It is odd to be thought of as scary. Apparently there is an old wives tale that muzungu’s steal children away and do terrible things to them. I don’t think people really believe these, but they seem to still be a part of their culture. Thankfully the young boy was not too frightened by my presence as he fell asleep curled behind his mother’s back. The infant in her arms was a delight to see and somehow a comfort to me as I reflected upon the beauty of new birth. In a place where death is just as much a part of life as birth, it has been nice to be a part of new beginnings and experience their joy. I only wish I had suggested to the other mother that she name the baby Rachel if it is a girl. Webele Kwejuna!
Chase Gray
It is hard for me to talk about the rest of today, as I am not sure I have completely processed what just happened.
This weekend, the Drs. Myhre, Scott Will and I, are doing a health screening for the mission team. It was time for their yearly health check up and a good use of the two extra health personnel for making things go quickly. But Dr Jennifer discovered something a few days ago, which prompted this timely screening. Chase Gray, at eight months old is the youngest member of the Bundibugyo team. He is a beautiful blond haired, blue eyed little boy who loves to smile and be held. We all adore him and fight over who gets to hold him. But, at eight months, he is not doing all of the things an 8 month old should be doing. He is not pushing up, or rolling over, or crawling. He is not verbalizing any words, or even starting to verbalize words. And the most unnoticeable thing of all, his head is not growing. Julia Myhre drew Chase’s name for the Christmas exchange and decided she wanted to make him a hat. So, Dr Jennifer measured his head, and noticed it was rather small for his age. On looking it up, she realized it was not only small, but less than the 5th percentile for his age. So, today, we all sat and told the Grays that there is a very good chance that their son may have Cerebral Palsy. This means that Chase is going to need lots of medical attention for the rest of his life and require therapy as early as possible to help him developmentally.
I have cried so many times today on their behalf. They are going to have to go back to the US now as we cannot possibly provide what he needs here. Why, Lord would you let this happen? They are so committed to serving your people here. Surely they are being used by you here. Why do they have to leave? Rick has been in this area for about 18 years of his life. This is his home. It is Wendy’s home too. They already have one son with physical handicaps, why two? I only wish I could fix things for them. I cannot, but I can help them carry their burden in prayer.
Julia and Chase. He is wearing the hat she made for him.Encouragement for today
Wendy told me recently that God doesn’t make mistakes, and I believe that. Surely He will get glory for this somehow. I trust Him fully, and so do they. We have been in touch since returning home and I hope that we will always remain good friends. She has encouraged me and I hope I have encouraged her. Chase is doing well, though he has always been well from the outside. They have seen some doctors here in the US and are getting started on therapy with him. There are early encouraging signs in his prognosis, but it will be a battle they fight throughout his life.
Listed below are their prayer requests.
1. Praise our Father in Heaven for loving us SO well through many caring friends & the Body of Christ around the world.
2. Pray Chase will grow & develop healthy in mind, body & spirit.
3. Praise our Sovereign Shepherd for leading us back to the excellent professional care & good friendships of Grant's occupational therapist & first pediatrician to examine Chase.
4. Pray for timely appointments with early intervention therapists & the pediatric neurologist, as well as wisdom & effectiveness in their care of Chase.
5. Pray the Lord will give insight & direction to Chase's new pediatrician, while guiding our steps as together we pursue Chase's diagnosis & treatment.
6. Pray for us to grow in trusting God's goodness day by day no matter what our temporal circumstances, & that this trial would be used for good in Chase's life & for God's glory.
Hoping in a Sovereign Savior's Love, Mercy & Grace,
Rick & Wendy for Grant, Aidan & CHASE
The Grays, being prayed over by their Ugandan brothers before they left their home.8 "Remember this, and be assured ... 9 "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; {I am} God, and there is no one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; 11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned {it, surely} I will do it.
Isaiah 46:8-11
