less than 12 hours.....

And tonights blog post will be probably one of the shortest ones yet.  In less than 12 hours, little Shakira will be in surgery.  

And instead of asking people what's bothering them 

and taking careful documentation.....

And having absolutely no idea of how to help.... 

except to do what comes naturally.... smile...

Little Shakira will be the one receiving care.... she will be having surgery on her heart....   A surgery that will allow her heart to grow and function well.  And while she definitely isn't short of energy now... my prayer is that this surgery will allow her to have energy for years to come.

And they are off.... 

And so is Shakira.... 

And it's very possible that one day soon... Shakira will be the one pulling an unsuspecting child in a "jerry can" mobile.  

Jesus, I thank you for Shakira... and the gift that she is to so many.  Her smiles, her hugs, and her zeal for life.  As she sleeps tonight, I ask that you would fill her with peace and a keen awareness of your presence.  I ask the same for her momma as well.  And as her surgeon also sleeps... I ask that you would refresh his body and mind.  That as he works on Shakira's heart... that you would work through Him.  I rest in knowing that you have Shakira... you have her today... tomorrow... and all the days that you have planned for her.  Thank you for the gift that she is.  Thank you that you are in control and that you have your baby girl....close to your heart.  You have good for your little girl and I stand in anticipation of watching your plan for her unfold. 

And so little Shakira.... God-willing I'll see you on Thursday.... for now may your spirit know that so many are lifting you and your momma  up in prayer..... 

A Closed Hole, a Closed Door and a Healer that heals ALL.

The sun has just set over Kampala and many bugs are greeting the night with great enthusiasm.  Various other sounds are heard as I sit here.  I can hear the faint barking of a dog, people talking in the distance, and the movement of various vehicles.  And as I sit here, I ponder the gift of today.  The gift of being able to be present with Adong Betty and her momma as they received some really good news.  It has been one month since Adong Betty was admitted into the hospital for closure of a huge hole in her heart.  Her momma reports that there has been improvement in Adong's health.  The echo this morning confirmed this.  Prior to her discharge last month from the hospital, Adong had an echo of her heart.  Basically, the doctor used a special ultrasound and was able to see her heart in detail.  And the echo showed that there was significant closure of the hole... but there was still a residual hole present.  Her heart function, the strength of her heart, was also weakened by the procedure.  Still, even with this information, her surgery was considered successful and she was scheduled to come back today for a follow-up.   Today, the echo showed COMPLETE CLOSURE of the hole.  Her heart is still weakened, but the doctor did not seem at all bothered.  She went home with an added medication that will help in strengthening her heart muscles and the plan is for her to return in six months for a review.  Adong had lots of smiles today.  She was noticeably more comfortable with the various things asked of her by the doctors and nurses.  She has grown.  Her trust has grown.  Her smiles have grown.  And my prayer for this young girl is that her other heart.... that her nonphysical heart will also be strengthened in the coming months.  That she would know the love of Jesus who has journeyed with her from the very beginning.          

A careful listen of her heart by a doctor. 

All smiles from Adong! 

Thank You for loving this family with your prayers and generosity!  

And off they go! (Adong is behind the driver and in front of her momma hidden underneath the wrap her momma is holding).  Looking forward to seeing her in six months and keeping you all posted!

Thank you to each and everyone of you who have journeyed along with Adong and her family. 

           

Little Fatiyah was scheduled to have open heart surgery on Wednesday.  Several of us drove in early Wednesday morning to be present as this little girl underwent major open heart surgery.   We arrived at the hospital shortly after 8 AM.  Surgery was scheduled to happen any minute.  We circled around Fatiyah and her momma and prayed over this little girl.  A short while later, the surgeon came over.  When asked if he was ready for surgery, he said no.  Last minute discussions amongst the team that would be working on Fatiyah left them hesitant to proceed.  To be honest, it was a hard moment.  Saddened for a momma who was anticipating her daughter having a needed heart surgery that would not only help her heart, but also bring her one step closer to having very necessary surgery on her skull.  Heaviness at realizing that for this little girl, surgery is not an immediate option.  And mixed in with the sadness for momma and Fatiyah,  I found myself struggling.  All the prep work had been completed.  Fatiyah had met with specialists and gone for pre-op reviews  and green lights had been given.  And the decision to not proceed on the morning of surgery was hard.  And it's important for me to acknowledge it.   Because it was there.  The worry of people's questions to a last minute cancellation shadowed my heart.  It was almost like my own heart was under the probe of an echo machine.  And a "people pleaser/taking on too much responsibility"defect was illuminated.  And I don't want it.  And so I am going to the greatest Heart Surgeon I know and I am trusting that He will redeem and heal this area of my heart.  Because I want my heart to be as healthy as it can be.  Not for man, not for things, but for Him. 

And I love the fact that God can be working in Fatiyah's heart, her momma's heart, Adong's heart, my heart, your heart all simultaneously.   And His healing is not limited by the physical.  It goes much deeper than that.  And I rest in that tonight... for myself, for Fatiyah and her mom... and for the countless other children and adults waiting life-saving operations both physically and spiritually.

Ezekiel 36:26

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Another heart about to be changed forever....

Good day to each of you! This is a blog post that I wrote for the ministry blog  Just wanted to share with you all an update on these three little girls.  More later... about things coming and things that have been happening. ( c :

Fatiyah

Adong Betty a few hours after surgery. 

It is hard to believe that in less than one week, God-willing, Fatiyah will just be coming out of open heart surgery.  It seems like it was just yesterday that we were having our initial conversations concerning four little girls who needed heart surgeries.  And here we are,  celebrating the surgery of one and preparing to journey along with two more little girls as they anticipate surgery in the next two weeks.  It’s been a neat season of watching our God take care of His little girls. And I look forward to watching and reporting in the coming days and weeks.  I’ll be eager to give a report on Adong Betty who underwent heart catherization surgery three weeks ago and is slotted to return to Mulago next week for a recheck.  Her post-op echo showed a residual hole and the prayer is that in these last 3 weeks the remainder of the hole has closed and that her heart has strengthened.  I’ll be sure to snap some pictures and assure her that many are praying.  As for Fatiyah, I ask you to stand in prayer with her and her mom.  She is slated to have surgery next Wednesday.  She will leave for Kampala on Sunday and be admitted onto the ward for a variety of pre-op testing, observation, and interactions with the various doctors who will be working on her. This surgery is the first of two major operations that she will need to have.   After her open heart surgery, she will be slated to have surgery on her skull which has not properly expanded thus allowing her brain room to grow into.  Thank you for journeying along with this sweet little girl.  As you pray, will you pray for peace for her momma, wisdom for the surgeon(s) and doctors that will be working on her, and that even in her young age, that Fatiyah would know the presence of her Heavenly Father.  Thank you.  Shakirah, who is scheduled to have surgery two weeks from today, was just discharged from the hospital. 

Shakirah

Down with pneumonia, she spent several days in the hospital quite a sick little girl.  This is significant for any child, but for a little girl preparing for a huge open heart operation and little physical reserve, this is a BIG deal.  I ask that you would join me in praying for strength and healing for her body.  As of right now, she is still slated for surgery on the 27th of this month.  If the date is changed, I will let you know.  It is a gift to be on this side watching these young girls journey this journey.  We, as a New Hope family, are so thankful for each and every one of you who have prayed faithfully and given so generously financially.  Thank you.  At this time, we have approximately $9000 of the needed $12,000 dollars needed to cover the cost of the surgeries.  We trust in our God who provides for His children.  If you feel led to donate to these girls, you can do so by going to NewHopeUganda.com and clicking on the donation tab.  Please make sure to designate your gift for heart surgeries so that the money can be properly distributed.  I look forward to keeping you up to date in the coming days and weeks of how these young girls are doing....and assuring them and their momma’s that they are indeed being lifted up in prayer! Thank you for journeying along with us as we journey along with them with Jesus.  

A little chicken, a knife, and dinner!

So I just wanted to share with you all a very traumatic experience of my life.  So traumatic in fact that I am surely convinced that I will need serious therapy and plenty of coca cola! ( c : Well, if that previous sentence wasn't dramatic enough... I'll show you the pictures and let them speak for themselves.  If you are into animal protection/rights... then this might be a post to avoid.  Here goes....

Doing my hair in preparation for the killing.  

In order to kill a chicken... you have to have a chicken 

And you have to have a knife. 

And you have to position the animal just right... was worried about hurting his feet and wings.  

Trying to balance myself and ensuring that the chicken wasn't in pain.  (Talk about denial!!)

trying to psych myself up to kill the little chicken.  Was so hoping there was an alternative.  

But there wasn't.  Dinner was calling!  

And so back to business..... 

And up from business... BREATHE... and prepare... What am I about to do?  The poor chicken.... 

And back to business.... And at just about this moment... the chicken made a desperate plea for life... and well, the rest is history..... absolute history..... 

I surrendered..... Handed off the knife and 

 

 ran around...... 

and while I was running around... Sam took over.  I mean, there was chicken to eat.  

I gave the chicken an empathetic throat grab.... 

while the chicken died.  

And then I rejoined just in time to.... 

pluck off the feathers.... 

I promise I was careful as I removed all those feathers.... 

 And well.... after all this drama... it was time for a coca cola.

and not just ONE coca cola.... but a whole bunch! 

And that is the story of one little chicken.  I can tell you right now that that chicken didn't taste so good that night.  I mean... as I chewed, I kept thinking of the chicken that had been VERY much alive hours earlier. And well, maybe next time.... I will be intentional about NOT being present at all during the slaughter of the chicken.  

And that is a day in my life.....  

A smiling young lady with a FIXED heart!!!!!

Well, the first of the girls needing heart surgery is out of surgery and doing well! Monday evening, I received a message that Adong Betty was supposed to be at the hospital.... then... for surgery Tuesday morning.  The problem with receiving the message at that time was that I was sitting at the dinner table at New Hope and Adong Betty was still at her home in Kobwin... a 10 hour journey by bus AWAY from Mulago Hospital.  The hospital had called Adong Betty's uncle and attempts to contact me had failed because my phone while on and seemingly connected to the network was not accepting phone calls.... BUT it all worked out.  Adong Betty, her mom, brother, and uncle made it to the bus in record time.  I did a lot of last minute things and headed out from New Hope to Mulago hospital early the following morning.  We arrived and the staff at Mulago hospital were and have been amazing.  As we were settling her in completing necessary paperwork, starting her IV, and getting her settled into her bed... I stepped away briefly....  and in the process, I saw this sign....                                                  

                                       

And what caught my eye was the line that said "Riley Children's Hospital".  And I paused... because this hospital is from my state...... a hospital where I had helped in the transfer, on several occasions, of children needing more specialized care.  What a small world!  And though it's not the hospital I worked at back in Indiana... it does feel a little bit of home meeting my new home here.  The coming together of two worlds.  And Riley is a GOOD hospital... and their staff along with medical professionals at Mulago.... worked on little Adong!  It's neat! 

And so much of yesterday was waiting around.  Betty was scheduled for surgery at 3 PM.  It was a long wait for her...and though there were times where she was anxious..... she was also restful and responsive to the care and love from her momma and your truly.  At 3:30, the doctor came in with bad news and good news.... good news being that she could eat and bad news that surgery would be postponed till the morning.  Adong was relieved and I was totally content with the news.  There is a gift in having a surgeon (or surgeons) who have a fresh mind after a nights sleep over one who has been doing surgery all day.   And as I left yesterday afternoon, Adong was drinking and eating.... and smiling.  

This morning, surgery started just a few minutes before 8.  After about 2 hours, we were told that everything had gone well and that she was in the ICU.  Momma Adong went back first and was able to see her daughter and just be with her.  A while later, her momma sent me back.  And what I found was a sleeping girl with GREAT vitals.  

Sleeping off the anesthesia

BP good, oxygen good.. and pulse rate good.  A few irregular beats...but nothing alarming

And as she rested.... I celebrated HIS faithfulness to HIS little girl  He is the God who Heals.

And then little Adong started waking up.  And as she did... the smiles came.  We played with my camera, we played with the little stuffed beanie baby the staff had given her.... and it was good.... very, very good.  

  And then her momma served her some tea.  Laying flat (necessary for a period of time after a cath procedure) can make drinking tea a little challenging.  Her momma patiently fed her baby girl...some tea.   Momma Betty knows that so many have been praying and that people have given generously.  Her face glows.  Her baby girl has been given a huge gift and in the process, their spiritual hearts have been touched in AMAZING ways! 

Thank you for giving so generously.  Thank you for praying so faithfully for this one young girl. Her life will never be the same. 

Thank you.  And Thank You Jesus for providing for your baby girl.  Thank you for being in and ahead of ALL The details.  

Heart Surgery.....TIMES two... in 24 hours!

This afternoon, I watched something absolutely beautiful happen.  I write that sentence and then I keep writing and before I know it I delete everything.  And the sentence that keeps coming is the very one that starts this particular blog entry.  This afternoon, I watched something absolutely beautiful happen.  And then, I am not sure how I should continue.  I am still processing.  Still taking it in.  Today, I met a little girl named Gina.  This little girl is VERY sick.   I have had the honor of being present with many people as they breathed their last breath. I would say that those moments have been some of the most humbling experiences of my life... a gift without measure. I've bathed, medicated, turned, and whispered His messages of hope, love, and life into the ears of individuals struggling to take in a simple breath.  Death is not new to me.  And yet, my flesh struggled today.  I sat on a bed rubbing the head of a six year old girl that, without immediate medical care, would undoubtably die.  I mean DIE.  This little girl isn't sick from cancer  or some other terminal disease.  She has a disease that with medical care, is survivable. Her bill was racked up at the hospital and so in fear, her mom didn't bring her back.  Her palms are nearly as white as paper and her little legs are so swollen.  Two large pressure ulcers the diameter of golf balls on her hips.  As a clinic, we watched as God directed His children to give financially.  We surrounded this little girl and her mom.  We sat and we prayed.  And I watched as Jesus led and prompted.  He wanted his baby girl to know that she was not alone and that He was WITH her.  She prayed with a voice barely audible asking Jesus into her heart.  This was the sweet connection between Jesus and His daughter.  And those of us in that room had the humbling opportunity to watch. And watch we did.  And it was beautiful.  Absolutely beautiful.  Even in the pulling of the flesh... the seemingly unfairness of it all... the questions... the pain.... Jesus was right there.  He was performing a Heart Tranplant in the sick bay of a small clinic in Uganda all the while ensuring that His attendants stood up.  Because in Him, we can stand strong.  I can stand strong.  I don't understand why this girl is so sick or why to a million other questions... but what I do know is that My Jesus is REAL and He is ACTIVE and HE IS ABSOLUTELY PRESENT in this world.  Gina may die a physical death, but I can assure you that today she had Life breathed into her.  She left headed to the hospital.  To get medical care.  And I pray Jesus heals her physically.  But either way, I choose to rest... because He's got His little girl.  Here or there, He's got her.  And He's got me.  And that's beautiful.  In a deep sorta way.  

And without having much time at all to process sweet Gina.... 

I got a call at 7:15 PM tonight letting me know that sweet Adong Betty will be having surgery in the morning!!! This is GREAT and EXCITING news... and it comes with a request for a lot of prayer.  The hospital called someone earlier today requesting that Betty come to the hospital by this evening.  The only hiccup in the situation was that the message didn't get passed along and Betty lives about a 10 hour journey from the hospital.  And so the adventure for this little girl continues.  I'll be leaving at 5 in the morning to meet her at the hospital and be with her as she goes in for surgery, comes out, and recovers in the hospital.  I ask you to join me in praying for this little girl and for ALL the details.  And God-willing less than 15 hours from right now, her heart will be repaired.  

I'll keep you all posted.  Trusting that I will be able to get a message out tomorrow night... if not, I will get one out as soon as I can.  

Isaiah 43:1-3a

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you o Jacob, he who formed you, o Israel; Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you walk through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned and the flames shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 

If anything that I said in this post (or any) left you with questions/comments... please let me know.  My intent is to be real on here... but part of sharing in the rawness is not always saying things smoothly  I am so up for clarifying and/or dialoguing on anything that I have said.  

Kimberly 

Cows, Commutes, and HIS goodness.

Back when I lived outside of the windy city and had to be at work for my 11PM-7AM shift, I would leave for work at 9:45 PM.  That was my door to door travel time.  After I got off in the mornings, my commute would often jump to an hour and forty five minutes.  During those commutes, I would find myself chatting on the phone, talking to Jesus, and/or listening to Roger Basick on Moody Bible Institute.  And while the commute to work was often a smooth 70 mile an hour journey.... the journey home was often quite the opposite.  Often exhausted from a night of medicating, bathing, and ensuring the care of my patients, I was often greeted by bumper to bumper traffic.  There was such a sweetness when I pulled into my driveway and pushed the button to open my garage door.  I knew at that moment that sleep was imminent.  And now years later.... my commute to work is quite different.  This last week, I came home for lunch and found myself walking through a herd of cows.  There is a momma sheep with her twin lambkins (yep, looked that one up.... baby lambs are called lambkins...) and instead of worrying about bumper to bumper traffic delaying a timely arrival to work one has to account for ensuring you leave enough time in your commute to properly greet each person that you pass on the way.  And it's good. And it's sweet.  And I love it.  

The other day, I was walking back from work with two of my coworkers.  Aunt Sarah asked me a serious question.  She wanted to know if I was using different smear (cream).  I said no and asked her why.  She said, your skin is becoming more white.  I smiled.  And so today, I did the unacceptable. I applied some sun tanning oil to my skin and walked with my arms up in the sky.  Personally, when I look at my arms I see an amazing tan.... but I also realize that there have been times where I have been in denial when it comes to my perception of just how tan (or not) my skin is.  And God had a sense of humor.  After applying my awesome Banana Boat #8 Sun Tanning Oil (Thank you Cherie Martin!) I headed into town.  Minutes later.... a massive rainstorm hit.  The sun that had been shining so brightly was now hiding behind some angry clouds.  

And while the picture at the right is an appropriate reflection of the intensity and amount of the rain.... it's not a reflection of what it looked like this afternoon.  This was a picture of a rainstorm in Uganda I found on the internet... there was definitely running when the rains came this afternoon and I am bummed to have not captured it on camera. The market had just started and was in full force.  The dark clouds were visible in the distance.  Soon the winds came blowing dust all over.... and then the rains came... and come they did! Waited in a store for the rains to subside and hopped on the back of a Boda Boda to head back home.  A backpack full of pineapples, onions, tomatoes, and or course some coca cola.  

And that was just the afternoon.  This weekend I am on call.  And as of right now (just past 11 PM), it has been a pretty quiet afternoon.  This morning, I arrived at the clinic right around 9 AM and had a young man waiting to be seen.  He is one of the kids from my family group and he was struggling with a headache.  Shortly after he arrived, an older lady arrived holding her jaw.  A toothache gone bad.  Gave her some pain medication and sent her to the hospital.  The dentist comes to the hospital on Wednesdays and Saturdays.... and while I was hesitant if they would extract her tooth today due to the infection, I was thankful that dentist would be able to evaluate her.  One of my sweet girls came in with what I suspect is mumps.  It's going around and she had the symptoms.  There were tests for malaria and a one sick with Brucellosis needing an IV and daily IV medication for a minimum of a week.  Doing the math to figure out her dosage and thankful that we were stocked with normal saline.  A staple back home, but not always a guarantee here.  There were all of the normal doctor office things and other things that probably would have been at least an urgent care visit.  And yet, God had me working today.  And He was with me. When I couldn't get the IV in and I was her only option.  We paused and we prayed and it went in.  Yes, my hands were on the needle... but it was Him showing me the vein to go for.  He has shown me time and time again that I am NOT alone.  He is leading me, guiding me, and growing me.  He is building up a team of health care workers to love on HIS children (big and small) and to be His hands and Feet.  And I am loving it.  

And after closing up the clinic just shy of one, I did a few errands and headed home.  One of those errands was picking up a bottle of coke and a tray of eggs.  Shortly after getting back home, Phiona came over.  Phiona asked me a little over a month ago if I would mentor her.  So, each week, we get together.  It's a time to pour into her... to love her, encourage her, and to listen as she slowly entrusts me with her heart.  And she is opening up. We laugh.  We eat chocolate.  And slowly, but surely I see as her heart opens further.  May she know Jesus more and more.  That is my prayer for her.  

And so it is just shy of midnight.  And I best be going to bed soon.  Tomorrow brings another full day.  Tomorrow all the staff from the clinic are getting together for a celebration dinner.  Two of the nurses just graduated from nursing school.  It's a huge accomplishment and one worth celebrating.  There is a live chicken being brought to my house and rumor has it that I am going to kill it.  It's something I plan on doing at some point.... but the thought of doing it in the morning is leaving me a little nervous.  Thank you for letting me tell you about my day.  Yes, thank you.  Thank you for journeying along with me.  For loving me, for praying for me, and for caring about the things that have become important to me.  May we know Him more and more and may we each rest in Him.  

Webale nyo.  nsanuse kumbanga Ali balungi.  Nsanuse njja ku laba gwe mu wiki musanvu!

(Thank you very much.  I am happy because He is good.  I am happy I will see you in seven weeks!)