The Gift of Life

For the past 11 days, this song - Miracle Child - has been playing in our house. Moses kicked off the month with a motorcycle accident and that has shaken us a little. On June 2, Moses was going to visit a site just a few kilometers away. He put on his helmet, hopped on his big bike, and moments later, I received a phone call from Moses' number. An Indian's voice said, "Madam, Mr. Moses has been in a minor motorcycle accident, near Steel & Tube, please come." Click. Yikes, that's a way to jump start your day. I told the girls I was going to find Daddy, and I hopped in the car. Halfway to the accident site, Moses himself called me - well, can I get a Hallelujah!, and he shakily told me that he was riding on a motorcycle taxi straight to the clinic and he wanted me to meet him there. We pulled into the clinic at the same time.

A young man, a carpenter, was riding his bicycle, and ferrying lumber. Without signaling to turn, he cut in front of Moses, the bike and the lumber blocking the road. Moses dropped the bike, rolled a good distance, and thinks he might have blacked out briefly. When he got up, he praised the Lord he was alive. He couldn't see his motorcycle, and there was a crowd around both of the victims. The other guy was immediately rushed to the main hospital. He had 3 broken bones in one leg. He definitely needed surgery.

Now, on top of being grateful for Moses' life being spared (of which I believe he has more lives than 3 cats), I am grateful for community. Church members came to the clinic during our 5 hours there getting treatment. Others went to be with the man on the bicycle. We wanted to make sure he was okay. It took 3.5 days before the doctors were able to put pins in his legs. We had to buy surgical pins from Kampala in order to make it happen soon, otherwise the doctors were talking of amputation.

For the next few days, my years of experience as a support worker came back, as I helped Moses bathe, dress, smear lotion, and walk around the house. On top of that, the second day, we had 17 visitors come to check on Moses and I had to prepare tea with a snack/escort, and a big supper. I thank God I have been feeling energetic, because there was a lot to do. I was also able to pick up crutches from the bus park, that were sent by our sister in Soroti. 

Back to living in community - it just blessed our hearts how many people came to visit, pray, support, and become mediators with the other man's family. And many people brought fruit, so we enjoyed some delicious smoothies as a family.

It's now been over 12 days and Moses' arms are finally drying up. He is still having difficulty with his shoulder, palm, and knee on the right side, but we praise God for no broken bones or internal bleeding.

Another amazing community that stepped up were friends in North America who quickly came to the rescue to help cover the costs of medical treatment for the bicyclist and more. You know who you are and we are eternally grateful for the difference you made here! May God bless you abundantly!

When Moses was strong enough to be left at home, I joined a few church members in attending a burial for one of our neighbors at church. The mother left behind 6 children and one often comes to our Sunday school class. She's holding the mic in the photo below. She's really been struggling with the loss of her mom. We got to the burial function around 11:30 and didn't leave until 4:30. And I would consider that a short service. 

When the casket was lowered into the ground, tables were set up to feed the maybe 2000 people in attendance. I went to go find my Sunday school star, and found her seated on a mat, behind the house, near a nurses station. Yes, at this burial, there was a first aid station and an ambulance on site. My young friend was in shock and as we left her in the hands of her friends and with medical staff, she was being put on an IV drip to gain some energy. I was also sitting there in shock - culture shock. I often think that Ugandans are amazingly strong people, but when it comes to burials, there is a culture of wailing, fainting, and medical attention that I am not used to seeing. Trust me, we cry when we lose someone, but for the most part our services are very orderly and family/close friend oriented. There are no political speeches or land disputes of which I am aware.

Both the accident, and the loss of a neighbor have reminded us how fragile life is and that no one knows the day or the hour. I am glad that I have the confidence in knowing that "this world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' through" and that heaven has a place prepared for me. Check out the song that has been speaking to Moses this month, and has now become an anthem in our home.

Lyrics for "Miracle Child" by Brandon Lake:

I shouldn't be alive
My future was six-feet under
One foot in the grave
No hope to be saved, yeah
I shouldn't be alive

But I'm a miracle child
Defied every diagnosis
And as close as it came
I can stand here and say
I'm a miracle child

Death, where is your sting?
My Savior's word is final
I am resurrected
Blood-protected
I am a miracle child

If you're facing the odds
If you think you're beyond His saving
There's no life He can't raise
No, your wounds aren't too great
He's a miracle God

'Cause He shouldn't be alive
His body was six-feet under
Three days in the grave
But that stone rolled away
Yeah, our God is alive, oh

Death, where is your sting?
My Savior's word is final
I am resurrected
Blood-protected
I am a miracle child
Oh, death, where is your sting?
My Savior's word is final
I am resurrected
Blood-protected
I am a miracle child

You're the living, breathing God of glory
I'm a living, breathing testimony
You're the one who turns a dead-end story
To a living, breathing testimony
You're the living, breathing God of glory
I'm a living, breathing testimony
You're the one who turns a dead-end story
To a living, breathing testimony

Death, where is your sting?
'Cause my Savior's word is final
I am resurrected
Blood-protected
I am a miracle child
Oh, death, where is your sting?
My Savior's word is final
I am resurrected
Blood-protected
I am a miracle child

I've been crucified
Raised with Christ
I am a miracle child