Please Pray for Jesca

Aujo Jesca has become my friend over the past year - especially since she was on the planning committee with me, to host GPS 2017.  The Global Prayer Safari was a great time for prayer and worship and Jesca had so much strength and joy.

 This evening Jesca called me to join her at the main hospital in Soroti.  She had a little girl (Sarah) on Tuesday by C-section and she is still fighting headaches.  She wanted prayers and was requesting that I come immediately, but also to let others know.

 As I stood by her bedside, she shared her story with me.  It is now Friday night - and she had begun to labour on Monday.  She was sent home on Monday to get some money to pay for the surgery and medications she would need.  Even gloves needed to be purchased.  So, Tuesday morning she was back at the hospital and ready to deliver.  At noon they gave her an injection in her back which did not take, so they injected her two more times.  From her description, the nurse had terrible bedside manners... saying "I'm going to poke you until it takes... so bend over!"  After three needles she couldn't breathe any more.  She remembers an oxygen mask being put over her face and voices saying, "There is nothing more we can do for this one, let's just get the baby out."  She woke up, hours later, in a corridor, with an oxygen mask still on her face, but no stitches in her belly.  The nurses were shocked. "She woke up! Quick, wheel her in so we can stitch her up."  She said the doctor wasn't prepared and she was in a lot of pain.  She has a feeling that the doctors wrote her off for dead... but she came back!!  

But since then Jesca has had very sore back pains and a terrible headache.  It starts at the base of the neck and goes all the way up and around to her forehead.  For 4 days now she cannot sit up for anything - eating, drinking, and feeding little Sarah are very difficult for her.  The doctors want to discharge her tomorrow - again saying there is nothing more to do for her.  

Please pray with me that Jesca can recover quickly and completely. She really wants to attend a conference with me in August and is excited to grow in her faith and knowledge of Christ.  She has already lost one baby... so please... bring Jesca to the throne room of God.

Army worms, eyes, and little children

The other day I helped carry cabbage to my neighbour's piggery (it helps to learn to do these projects together) and we checked out the maize field.

 My heart broke as the whole field is devastated - like so many other corn crops that have been planted this season. Not only was there drought, but now the staple food is being attacked by a crazy, uncontrollable pest.  

 Look at that thing... it even looks alien!!

 Lord, please rescue our people and save our crops.

 On Friday I took my name sake - Karen Joy to the St. Benedictine Eye Hospital in Tororo.  I was very impressed by the gardens and the service at the hospital.  And joy was such a trooper.

 Joy was happy the whole day!  And she was able to see trains, Mt. Elgon, the Kenyan border, and try Indian food too.

I loved it when the trays of eyes came out, what a fun way to pick out a new prosthetic eye.

On Monday I led Africa Child Day at a nursery school.  I have never worked with such a young group for so long before, but we had a great time together!!  I told many stories and acted out dramas.  We sang songs, coloured, played games, and had a blast.  Thank you Lord for the African Child!

Medical works

This cow swallowed a plastic bag.  I helped the vet by pouring 1/2 litre of cooking oil into the bull's mouth, to help the plastic digest or disolve.  A new method for me.

 Mzee's bones have come together, but he finds the rebuilding of his muscles too painful, so he crawls around at home a lot.  So sad to see.  I wish there was a massage therapist and a few motivational people around him.

 My good friend Tereza was in a motorcycle accident yesterday.  I have been taking her for late evening and early morning injections, and having her face re-bandaged after needing stitches.  I praise God she is alive.  

Just another day...

I had fun today.

 I bought a kitten from the street boys for 500 shillings (20 cents).  They were hungry and wanted me to buy them a chapati to eat, or I could buy a kitten.  They had three healthy kittens in a box and I ended up buying two of them.  One for me and one for another lady who thought they were adorable too.  So, now the boys can still go and get some food to eat.  :)  But what do I name this little treasure?

 I delivered some food to friends in need.  Together we lamented over the caterpillars that are destroying the maize crops here.

 Teaching Religious Education to a bunch of P1 students is always an adventure.  I had to compete with the noise from the next classroom, but I think the kids got it!  We need to give our offerings to God with joy and thanksgiving in our hearts.

 We can worship God in song...

 We can offer Him our gifts and talents...

 Or the fruits of our labour / garden / farm.

 I am so grateful for this OneHope curriculum.

I spent the evening with Joy... do you remember the little girl who I was with in 2012 while she went through chemotherapy for retinal blastoma.  Well, she is healthy now and having fun playing with the toys in my house.  Except, she needs a new eye - a bigger one - so I may be traveling with her next week to see what fits.

Ladies Fellowship and a Malaria test

Sundays are becoming a full day for ladies fellowship and discipleship Bible study.  In the morning I went to be with Tereza as she led worship in her church, then a few came over to begin cooking.

 We wanted to have a day to appreciate one another, but the girls also wanted to welcome me back from Kenya.

 We shared a delicious meal together

 Lots of laughter and conversation

 And a good time in His Word.  We finished a series on the Sermon on the Mount... this week's theme was Matthew 7 "Do not Judge".  Very insightful and meaningful sharing.

 We also celebrated Jesca's birthday!!  I always love to bake a cake for someone!

 In the evening a friend came over for a malaria test.  He was scared of a tiny poke. :)

After testing positive for 3+ malaria, it was off to the pharmacy for treatment.  He is now doing much better!!

All in a day's work.