Let me start by explaining what a "hospital" is here in Uganda. All free hospitals are government hospitals and they are in fact free. To you this may seem wonderful, but it isn't so wonderful as it is sad. In a free government hospital you get a bed and medication, but only if it is available at the hospital. Often the hospitals will run out of medication and you are to go out and buy your own medication. If a family can not afford medication they go without it and remain at the hospital with only a bed.
In the government hospital if someone does not come with you, there is no one to feed you, bring you blankets or do your laundry. Many don't even have soap and that is why this ministry of praying and handing out soap in the name of Christ has begun.
Without family, hospital patients are often alone and uncared for. A nurse doesn't come when you push a call light, no one feeds you three meals a day, you don't have a private room or a commode if you need to use the restroom. If you are fortunate someone will stay with you and take care of all of these needs provided that they have the money to do so.
Now that you have a better picture of government hospitals I can tell you about what happened today...
Once we entered I was immediately overcome with emotion. Roughly 24 children sat on what we would consider "dirty" beds with at least one adult. I was thankful to see that nearly each child had at least on adult taking are of them.
We started with Pastor Charles giving a short message in Luganda (one of the most common languages here in Mbale, he is from Mbale and pastor of the church on the compound). After his short message Pastor Eric prayed collectively for the people in the room. Once we were finished praying Pastor Charles went on to ask if there was anyone in need of prayer or would like us to pray with them. Almost immediately over half of the room raised their hands. As we began we traveled from one section of the room to the next.
I watched and listened at first and then it was my turn to pray while Pastor Charles translated it into Luganda...My first prayer was uttered and tears threatened to escape from my mouth. Emotion had overcome me as I stood over a very sick young girl in desperate need of proper medical care and the knowledge of Christ. I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to look her in the eyes and see her smile:) As we continued around the room we were praying and giving soap.
Perhaps the most devastating case was when we approached a young girl of 12, named Sharon, with advanced HIV and a Mama with very few resources. This young girl we suspect was born with HIV or contracted it soon after birth. She laid in bed frail as can be with very little strength, there was zero fat on her body and her cheek bones protruded. It was clear to all of us that this was a very devastating case in need of prayer. Our hearts were especially broken for this girl and her mama.
The Mama said that they believed in Yesu (Jesus), and they trusted in Him to save their souls. We went on to pray for both of these women and the Mama began to weep, it is not common in Ugandan culture for people to weep in the presence of others. We continued to pray as I had my hand on Mama, she couldn't control the tears. We were able to read a little of her case in her booklet on her bed, it stated to go to a clinic IMMEDIATELY where Sharon could receive the correct medication and treatment. The only problem is that it is the weekend and the clinic is closed.
As we walked out we talked a bit more about Sharon and her Mama. Pastor Charles said that now what we really need to do is pray for her Mama. He is not sure Sharon will make it through the night, but what we are sure of is that she is a believer. As we prayed she was able to fold her hands in prayer and her body began shifting from side to side. It was clear from her response that she truly believed in what we were praying. We praise God for her faith in Christ and leave her to His sovereign care! One day we will meet Sharon again if not in this life in the next where she has a new body and can walk about freely and joyfully!!
These are the people and the obstacles that they face this very day in this very country. We cry out to Christ with them and ask for His healing hand to touch them, whether in this life or in the next we cannot be sure when, but we are sure that He is our only hope. We pray that all would know Christ and His saving death for their souls, for He is the only one who can bring health and strength.
Will you join me in prayer for Sharon and her Mama? Will you pray for the men, women and children in the hospitals? This is all hopeless without Christ, but with Christ we can find hope, happiness and blessings even among trials.
