At William's Bedside

Two months ago I traveled with William and a car load of others from FIDA out to the village to meet with the CAAF (Children Affected by Armed Forces) members. I remember sitting under a tree and talking with him about many things. A few days after that I heard that he had been admitted to the hospital in Kampala with some liver problems.

Yesturday I found out that the hospital in Kampala had discharged him because there was nothing else they could do for him. He is dying of liver cancer and the doctors thought it would be better if he died at home.

So this afternoon I went with four other FIDA employees to go and visit William at his bedside. He is now super thin, his hair is falling out. An IV is hanging above his bed and a bottle of morphine is sitting on the floor. It was really difficult to visit William, as his voice is deeper and it sounds like he is choking. His stomach is bloated because the liver is no longer working. And his eyes were a yellow I had never witnessed before. The family is trying to be strong as they watch William fade, but I saw tears slipping from everyone's eyes. Even William's, although his daughter would quickly wipe them away for him.

While flies constantly bothered William's face, we sat in silence. And then after maybe 20 minutes we decided to pray together. What more can one do, but give him over to Jesus? God is in control. Please pray for William - that he will not experience much pain. And also pray for the family as they struggle to care for him. The family's struggles are just beginning because William was the only bread winner for the family, but they know that they will just have to trust God, one day at a time.

I left William's home in a very somber mood... and it brought back a lot of memories for me of others I have had to say good-bye to because of cancer. May God's love reign!