Jesus Loves the Little Children: 10-7

Today we got to accompany Isabella and Ann to Mabatini for some house calls. We met with families of special needs children. At the first home we met a woman named Maureen and her daughter Susanna.  Susanna was born totally normal. One day Susanna’s mother was carrying her on her back and some sort of violence broke out. She began to run and Susanna fell. She hit her head and it caused her to become paralyzed. The good news is that today, she can walk with the help of the walls and her brain is ok (she doesn’t have any mental disabilities). She is six years old and adorable.

While we were in her home, Maureen told us why she hadn’t taken Susanna to the therapy meetings on Thursday nights. Maureen’s husband has taken a second wife. Through tears, she told us that her husband had the nerve to bring his second wife into their home to live with them and their children. Maureen was deeply saddened. I could tell that she was terribly heartbroken. Eventually, Maureen told her husband that she wouldn’t let him live with his second wife in their home and that they needed to move out. He obliged.

So now her husband doesn’t support his family at all. She is left raising her three children in Mabatini by herself. She said that her husband comes home a few times a month.  Maureen is mocked by her neighbors and has been advised to visit the local witch doctor and have a curse put on her husband. She is at the end of her rope and wanted to leave her children and move away. I think we came just in the nick of time. Isabella comforted her and advised her against going to a witch doctor. She said that peace and comfort can only be found in Jesus. After encouraging Maureen for quite some time, we got to pray for her and Susanna. Isabella also suggested that Susanna should come back to the physical therapy sessions because so much progress has been made. Susanna went from being paralyzed to being able to walk fairly well.

Next we met with Rose and her son Ian. Ian is 5 and has cerebral palsy.  He certainly gives David a run for his money as the cutest kid I have ever met. Ian’s face would light up when we said his name into the most beautiful grin I have ever laid eyes on. I sat next to him and occasionally tickled his feet. He would just crack up. He was absolutely precious.

At the end of our day, we met with a boy named Vincent who had a terribly swollen left leg. It was full of fluid from just below the knee down. It was extremely painful and caused him to limp badly. His leg was so full of fluid that it would “sweat” out. His mom told us that his leg prevented him from being able to walk to school. He has cried because he wants to learn, but can’t get to school. His mom is searching for a shanty closer to the school so he would be able to go. She said that they had visited many doctors, but no one knows what it is. I encouraged him to press on in life with determination and prayer. I reminded him that he is a child of God and he is loved more than we can even comprehend.

We finished watching Out of Africa tonight. There are so many hilarious quotes we shall incorporate into our daily lives now.