Monday 18 August 2008Today was the first time I saw baby Peter smile. What a glorious site that was! He reached out his sweet little hand to me…and he smiled. It was a crooked, endearing little smile, and I never saw anything more beautiful in my life. Could this even be the same child who only a few weeks ago I was so afraid would die very much too soon? But let me back up a little... When Foster and I returned to the hospital to check on Peter we discovered he had been discharged and we immediately went to his home in Baluba. His mother’s cousin told us they had moved to Pamodzi, a compound far from Baluba, and on the other side of town. She said to go to the Methodist Church and ask for Mrs. Reagan who is in a wheel chair. Mrs. Reagan is Peter’s grandmother. And so we drove to Pamodzi, a very large and heavily populated compound past Kansenshi and on the way to Chifubu. As soon as we entered we asked directions. We asked directions many, many, many times. And each time we asked, we also asked if they knew Mrs. Reagan in a wheelchair or Peter and Sharon Mposhi. How could it be so hard to find the Methodist Church and a woman in a wheelchair? Finally Foster spotted a woman dressed as one of the sisters of the Methodist Church. After a long discussion in Bemba, Foster relayed the disappointing news. There was not a Mrs. Reagan in a wheelchair at the Methodist Church, and she did not know of Peter or his mother, Sharon. But the good news was there was another Methodist Church. This was the African Methodist Church and she suggested we ask at the United Methodist Church. So Foster carefully backed the Land Cruiser out of the narrow, bumpy foot path and back onto the dirt road of Pamodzi. And we were off in search of the next Methodist Church. Once again, after many stops we finally located the United Methodist Church next to the line of bars in town. The minister greeted us warmly, and was very sorry, but he had only been transferred there a week ago and did not know about any of the people we asked about. We decided all we could do was return to Baluba, pick up Sharon’s cousin, and take her to Pamodzi with us in search of baby Peter.We returned to Baluba and were told they had moved back to Baluba, but to a different house. As we drove down the deeply rutted path, a little girl about 5 years old shouted to us and pointed which way we should go to find Peter. Everyone knew why we had come. It was the house just past the banana trees. As we walked toward the house a woman came out. Foster explained who we were looking for and why. She said that yes, they live there now, but Sharon had found work and Peter was with her. But she could show us the place. So, she hopped in the car and we were off. I didn’t know what a large village Baluba is. We drove all the way to the main road, crossed over to the other side, and headed deeper into the bush. We came to one point that we weren’t sure the car could cross. It was a dirt bridge, and someone had been digging along the side. We stopped. I asked how far to walk. Foster asked the woman, and said we cannot walk. Then he said “I think we can just make it.” So, very, very slowly we crossed over the much too narrow “bridge”, as I leaned far out the window directing which way to turn or if there was danger of falling off the side. Foster’s skill shone forth, and we all cheered. We drove for what seemed like an eternity down the tiny, winding path. We had to close the windows because the elephant grass which was so close on each side was also so tall it was bending from the weight and invading through the car windows, whipping at our faces. We continued down what was clearly a foot path, winding around huge ant mounds, until we finally saw a large clearing. Just beyond that was the farm where Sharon had found some work. As we approached, we knew this was a wealthy man in Baluba – he had large planted fields, cattle, pigs, goats and chickens. He looked to be around 80 years of age – I wonder how old he really was. At any rate, he was very friendly and happy to receive visitors. I don’t imagine he gets many visitors there. Unfortunately we had just missed Sharon. She had finished work for the day and was walking home – taking the shortcut the car could never make. So, we drove out as we had driven in – a long and arduous drive – and I wondered if we would ever find Peter. But as we drove back to the other side of Baluba toward the house, we saw them. And Sharon was so happy to see us she immediately began laughing and ran toward us. And there was Peter, tied to her back with a chitenge. I was never so happy to see anyone. I had feared that Sharon had fled, afraid to face their future. But there they were. As we talked, we found out that they had never moved to Pamodzi, but to Chipulukusu. We would have been searching a long time! We also discovered that Peter was on TB medication, antibiotics, and an anti-fungal for sores he had in his mouth, all of which had finished that day. Thank you Lord, for bringing us to Peter on this day. So we dropped them at home, quickly went back into town to the pharmacy which was about to close, picked up food for Peter as suggested by the doctor, and then back to Baluba. And Baluba is far from town. George is about the halfway point between Baluba and town. When we returned we went inside the home. It is the home of Sharon’s elder sister, and a much better place than where they previously had been. Peter’s father, Ronald, is out of prison now and home, and had been working at the farm with Sharon. We made arrangements to take Peter for his check-up at children’s hospital on Monday. The parents had also been advised by the hospital to go for VCT – voluntary counseling and testing for HIV. Peter’s sister Gift has already tested negative. And that brings us to today.We took some clothes for Peter and his older sister Gift today. As they all piled into the car I could see it had been a wise choice. Gift, four years old, was dressed in a deep red velvet dress, fancy with lace and a little flower. But as I handed Sharon the bag of clothes, I saw Gift’s beautiful dress was almost in shreds. There were long tears throughout the well-worn fabric. Sharon quickly dressed her in the bright red skort, white shirt and denim tennis shoes. Peter was wearing the shirt we had given him last time, but Sharon put his new pants and socks and shoes on. When I turned around to look at Peter and greet them all, that’s when he reached out to me and smiled. It was so wonderful to see him looking and feeling so much better, and actually smiling. His check-up went very well. Next we went to the family center where Sharon and husband could be tested for HIV. It is a very long process as there is intensive counseling first, then testing, then results. As we waited Gift remained with Foster and me. There was an area for the children to play, and even some toys to play with, but she was not interested. Gift climbed onto my lap, content to watch the other children. I asked if she wouldn’t like to play and took her by the hand to the area where the other children were pushing trucks and stacking blocks. I got down on the floor and played dump trucks with one little boy, encouraging Gift to join in. But she just stood and watched. So we returned to the bench to wait. But as the time passed, she climbed off my lap and decided to play with a few blocks and the rear axle of a broken plastic truck – alone. But then came Johnny. Johnny was a four year old pistol – bright and smiling, vivacious and happy and very outgoing. Soon they were playing together, and as I watched them I thought these could be two children anywhere – well dressed, happy, laughing, and a little fighting over the toys – typical four-year old behavior. And then I looked at the sign above the doorway for the HIV testing facility, and I saw Gift’s little belly swollen from worms, and I remembered how she had been dressed this morning… and I remembered where we are.When Sharon and husband had completed everything we were very surprised to learn that Sharon had not advised her husband about Peter’s positive HIV status, or that it was probable that Sharon was also positive. It’s still unclear to me why he thought they were going to the testing facility, but he was clearly shocked by what he discovered. He declined to be tested today, saying he was too shocked and needed a few days to absorb everything. He said he will return on his own Friday. Sharon’s test results were positive. We return to the hospital on Wednesday for Peter and Sharon to begin their course of ARV medications.It was a sad day, but a good day. Good to see Peter healthier and smiling. Good to see Gift playing and smiling. Good to be here in Zambia with the children. Please pray for Peter and Gift and their family. Please pray for all God’s children…all the Peters and Gifts.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
“Suffer the little children to come unto me… for of such is the kingdom of God” Mark 10:14
Monday 18 August 2008Today was the first time I saw baby Peter smile. What a glorious site that was! He reached out his sweet little hand to me…and he smiled. It was a crooked, endearing little smile, and I never saw anything more beautiful in my life. Could this even be the same child who only a few weeks ago I was so afraid would die very much too soon? But let me back up a little... When Foster and I returned to the hospital to check on Peter we discovered he had been discharged and we immediately went to his home in Baluba. His mother’s cousin told us they had moved to Pamodzi, a compound far from Baluba, and on the other side of town. She said to go to the Methodist Church and ask for Mrs. Reagan who is in a wheel chair. Mrs. Reagan is Peter’s grandmother. And so we drove to Pamodzi, a very large and heavily populated compound past Kansenshi and on the way to Chifubu. As soon as we entered we asked directions. We asked directions many, many, many times. And each time we asked, we also asked if they knew Mrs. Reagan in a wheelchair or Peter and Sharon Mposhi. How could it be so hard to find the Methodist Church and a woman in a wheelchair? Finally Foster spotted a woman dressed as one of the sisters of the Methodist Church. After a long discussion in Bemba, Foster relayed the disappointing news. There was not a Mrs. Reagan in a wheelchair at the Methodist Church, and she did not know of Peter or his mother, Sharon. But the good news was there was another Methodist Church. This was the African Methodist Church and she suggested we ask at the United Methodist Church. So Foster carefully backed the Land Cruiser out of the narrow, bumpy foot path and back onto the dirt road of Pamodzi. And we were off in search of the next Methodist Church. Once again, after many stops we finally located the United Methodist Church next to the line of bars in town. The minister greeted us warmly, and was very sorry, but he had only been transferred there a week ago and did not know about any of the people we asked about. We decided all we could do was return to Baluba, pick up Sharon’s cousin, and take her to Pamodzi with us in search of baby Peter.We returned to Baluba and were told they had moved back to Baluba, but to a different house. As we drove down the deeply rutted path, a little girl about 5 years old shouted to us and pointed which way we should go to find Peter. Everyone knew why we had come. It was the house just past the banana trees. As we walked toward the house a woman came out. Foster explained who we were looking for and why. She said that yes, they live there now, but Sharon had found work and Peter was with her. But she could show us the place. So, she hopped in the car and we were off. I didn’t know what a large village Baluba is. We drove all the way to the main road, crossed over to the other side, and headed deeper into the bush. We came to one point that we weren’t sure the car could cross. It was a dirt bridge, and someone had been digging along the side. We stopped. I asked how far to walk. Foster asked the woman, and said we cannot walk. Then he said “I think we can just make it.” So, very, very slowly we crossed over the much too narrow “bridge”, as I leaned far out the window directing which way to turn or if there was danger of falling off the side. Foster’s skill shone forth, and we all cheered. We drove for what seemed like an eternity down the tiny, winding path. We had to close the windows because the elephant grass which was so close on each side was also so tall it was bending from the weight and invading through the car windows, whipping at our faces. We continued down what was clearly a foot path, winding around huge ant mounds, until we finally saw a large clearing. Just beyond that was the farm where Sharon had found some work. As we approached, we knew this was a wealthy man in Baluba – he had large planted fields, cattle, pigs, goats and chickens. He looked to be around 80 years of age – I wonder how old he really was. At any rate, he was very friendly and happy to receive visitors. I don’t imagine he gets many visitors there. Unfortunately we had just missed Sharon. She had finished work for the day and was walking home – taking the shortcut the car could never make. So, we drove out as we had driven in – a long and arduous drive – and I wondered if we would ever find Peter. But as we drove back to the other side of Baluba toward the house, we saw them. And Sharon was so happy to see us she immediately began laughing and ran toward us. And there was Peter, tied to her back with a chitenge. I was never so happy to see anyone. I had feared that Sharon had fled, afraid to face their future. But there they were. As we talked, we found out that they had never moved to Pamodzi, but to Chipulukusu. We would have been searching a long time! We also discovered that Peter was on TB medication, antibiotics, and an anti-fungal for sores he had in his mouth, all of which had finished that day. Thank you Lord, for bringing us to Peter on this day. So we dropped them at home, quickly went back into town to the pharmacy which was about to close, picked up food for Peter as suggested by the doctor, and then back to Baluba. And Baluba is far from town. George is about the halfway point between Baluba and town. When we returned we went inside the home. It is the home of Sharon’s elder sister, and a much better place than where they previously had been. Peter’s father, Ronald, is out of prison now and home, and had been working at the farm with Sharon. We made arrangements to take Peter for his check-up at children’s hospital on Monday. The parents had also been advised by the hospital to go for VCT – voluntary counseling and testing for HIV. Peter’s sister Gift has already tested negative. And that brings us to today.We took some clothes for Peter and his older sister Gift today. As they all piled into the car I could see it had been a wise choice. Gift, four years old, was dressed in a deep red velvet dress, fancy with lace and a little flower. But as I handed Sharon the bag of clothes, I saw Gift’s beautiful dress was almost in shreds. There were long tears throughout the well-worn fabric. Sharon quickly dressed her in the bright red skort, white shirt and denim tennis shoes. Peter was wearing the shirt we had given him last time, but Sharon put his new pants and socks and shoes on. When I turned around to look at Peter and greet them all, that’s when he reached out to me and smiled. It was so wonderful to see him looking and feeling so much better, and actually smiling. His check-up went very well. Next we went to the family center where Sharon and husband could be tested for HIV. It is a very long process as there is intensive counseling first, then testing, then results. As we waited Gift remained with Foster and me. There was an area for the children to play, and even some toys to play with, but she was not interested. Gift climbed onto my lap, content to watch the other children. I asked if she wouldn’t like to play and took her by the hand to the area where the other children were pushing trucks and stacking blocks. I got down on the floor and played dump trucks with one little boy, encouraging Gift to join in. But she just stood and watched. So we returned to the bench to wait. But as the time passed, she climbed off my lap and decided to play with a few blocks and the rear axle of a broken plastic truck – alone. But then came Johnny. Johnny was a four year old pistol – bright and smiling, vivacious and happy and very outgoing. Soon they were playing together, and as I watched them I thought these could be two children anywhere – well dressed, happy, laughing, and a little fighting over the toys – typical four-year old behavior. And then I looked at the sign above the doorway for the HIV testing facility, and I saw Gift’s little belly swollen from worms, and I remembered how she had been dressed this morning… and I remembered where we are.When Sharon and husband had completed everything we were very surprised to learn that Sharon had not advised her husband about Peter’s positive HIV status, or that it was probable that Sharon was also positive. It’s still unclear to me why he thought they were going to the testing facility, but he was clearly shocked by what he discovered. He declined to be tested today, saying he was too shocked and needed a few days to absorb everything. He said he will return on his own Friday. Sharon’s test results were positive. We return to the hospital on Wednesday for Peter and Sharon to begin their course of ARV medications.It was a sad day, but a good day. Good to see Peter healthier and smiling. Good to see Gift playing and smiling. Good to be here in Zambia with the children. Please pray for Peter and Gift and their family. Please pray for all God’s children…all the Peters and Gifts.
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Like Mother Theresa would have said, "one one at a time." One person at a time, and you are doing it. Thank you Lord for your sensitivity, Mary Sue and for Fosters' as well. Thank Lord for Foster being a native able to understand the language, thank you for your love of Jesus to go out and help His people. Thank you also Mary Sue, for taking the time to share all this with us. I shall pray , thank you Lord for the priveledge to pray for these people, all your people.
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