NOTHANDO’S STORY

Notondo and her family. Baby brother in the orange, mama in the middle and Nothando on the side. Before the hospital stay and placement.

In Swaziland there are over 6,000 children that we as Children’s Cup are able to help with basic education, daily meals, medical treatment, and Biblical discipleship. As we seek the Lord as a ministry He then leads us to intervene at a deeper level for certain children that are in desperate need of help.

Nothando’s story is one of those children that the Lord guided Children’s Cup to take a step in faith to help save this little one’s life.

As a sweet vivacious 7 year old girl, Nothando has already been battling HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) for many years. Nothando was unable to finish multiple attempts of treatment for TB because of her home situation. This made her high risk for a multi drug resistant TB that is nearly impossible to cure. Without the TB being addressed Nothando was unable be treated with medicine for HIV, creating a downward spiral of constant disease leaving her body unable to become healthy.

Nothando’s home situation was very abusive and unstable. She lived with her family who were unable to provide her with basic necessities like food. Nothando’s mother is mentally challenged and her father has drug issues that made them unable to give Nothando her life-giving medicine on the consistent basis needed to cure her TB. This dangerous situation continued to go on for months before her CarePoint teacher Lindiwe and the Children’s Cup nurse, Jessie, were made aware of the situation.

As Children’s Cup began to watch this precarious situation unfold, Nothando was admitted to the hospital due to several days of extremely high fever. Through consulting with the doctors and with the family’s consent, Children’s Cup began assisting in finding a better home situation for Nothando. It was determined that without a change in her living situation this precious girl would not live much longer.

In the 5 weeks she stayed in the hospital we watched Nothando blossom as she grew healthy and strong. The miracle of what consistent medicine, food, and shelter will do for the life of a child. With the help of doctors, social workers, and Children’s Cup missionaries we were able to find a safe home for Nothando. With the support of her family and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ on our side, Nothando was placed in a loving group home that could care for her body and soul.

Nothando not only is physically healthy but has the carefree glow of a girl her age not having to worry about beatings or when she will eat next. With a couple of months of caring attention to her health and the love of a supportive family, Nothando is a different child. She is attending school now and loves to learn. She is laughing, playing and chatting like a normal 7 year old.

We praise the Lord for His provision and guidance so that this beautiful child of God would have a chance to live and glorify the One who loves and saved her.

Notondo eating KFC after being placed in her new home. What a doll!

Sawbona! It has been a long time since I've posted a blog. I've been crazy busy but the Lord has been doing amazing things! I am learning how to deligate to others from Children's Cup so that I can continue on with clinic and do things like update my blog ;)

Here is a story of one of the precious children that we are caring for medically. Mike Pier, a missionary with Children's Cup, with Lori, another missionary in Swaziland, were able to take Lomasontfo to South Africa for medical care. I had previously blogged about her before but here is the update.

Here is their adventure with Lomasontfo.....

UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITIES

What an amazing week it has been here in Pretoria. God has taken me on another unexpected journey, revealing Himself in so many ways day in and day out. Have been here since last Wednesday with a precious little 9 year old girl from Swaziland named Lomasontfo. What began as a simple trip to South Africa has really turned into another great “God” adventure. Lomasontfo has a rapidly growing aneurysmic bone cyst on her left mandible that has grown to the point of needing immediate attention if she was to survive. (look at all the fancy words I’m learning too)

Our medical team at Childrens Cup has been working for months to get the Swazi government to pay for her treatment in South Africa as the Swazi doctors are simply not equipped to deal with her condition. Long story short, the progress was coming to a halt so our medical team and Cup staff went to work to find a way to get Lomasontfo some help. As always, after much hard work God came through in the form of help from Mission of Mercy who granted a substantial sum of money in order that her life could be saved.

So here I go to Pretoria, South Africa with 3 people I don’t know and only one that speaks English as a native language. Along with Lomasontfo was her older sister, who initially was not too happy about the whole thing(had to bring a family member as we were transporting a minor across international borders as well as for medical consent) and Lori Schweighardt, a missionary who works with the church and CarePoint near Lomasontfos home. Lori is just an incredible lady who has worked with Lomasontfo for quite some time and really has a gift for children. She’s also pretty good at reading a map, keeping my directionally challenged self from getting hopelessly lost!!

In the midst of all the medical procedures and occasional frustrations that go along with such things (especially in Africa!!) God has been our constant comfort and companion, always paving the way in front of us and showing up just at the right time. There are way too many examples to try to capture them all here, but from providing a 3D CT scan at no charge, to finding a safe place to stay He has just blessed us beyond belief.

My heart was heavy for this incredible little girl as we started this journey, not knowing for sure whether she could be helped, or even the grim reality that she may not survive the surgery. Even though she is so severely afflicted she still has that childlike joy and innocence. You can see the smile in the pictures. She got her very first Barbie doll (well sorta, it was a knock off Barbie, coconut scented doll with a big sticker that said “smell me”) as well as her first trip to Macdonalds on this trip. I was pretty excited about Macdonalds too!

She doesn’t talk much but she loves to sing and dance, both of which she is very good at. It’s been so cool to watch her and her sister too as they really open up to the love that God has for them both. I can only hope that in some small way to be an example to them of the unending love of Jesus. These are ministry opportunities that are just priceless, I don’t want to miss a single one.

My prayers have gone from those of healing to those of simple love and thankfulness to God for the life of this beautiful child that He has so graciously allowed me to be a part of. God is in the healing business. He can and will heal her completely as He sees fit. As we continue to embrace His love, we are embracing His presence in our lives and if nothing else that’s the “Romans 8:38” kind of love I want them both to experience.
And after all….If God be for us, who can be against us? Thanks for your love and prayers.

Meet one of the King's Daughters...by Sarah Bethune

Here is a post from my associate and partner in crime Sarah. Sarah has a public health background and is doing a ton of organizing related to the clinic. She helps me with clinic by running our pharmacy and assisting in anything that needs to get done!

I love the title that she gave. So get ready to...

Meet One of the King’s Daughters…

This is Sindi, one of the King’s precious baby girls. Both her earthly parents have passed and she lives with her 6 year old brother, 9 year old sister, and teenage brother.

Just over a week ago, Sindi was sleeping next to the fire when her jacket caught fire. Not only did she receive 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her shoulder and right arm, her leg was also badly burned when pieces of her jacket melted and dropped onto her leg. Her siblings were able to get her to RFM (a hospital – with a definite 3rd world feel) where they were able to clean her wound. What breaks my heart is that she was sent home with an injury that would grant you a certain hospital admission in a 1st world nation. It was that next Monday that we received a call from her CarePoint teachers that she needed care.

It was such a blessing to have the River Valley Church team to love on her and sit with her until we got there. One of the girls from RVC held her the whole trip to the clinic and while she was waiting for Jessie to see her. Precious Sindi had wet herself in the meantime, so we were able to bathe her – you all, God is so faithful. After I had finished, I realized I had nothing to put her in…and started praying that God would provide something for Sindi. I found a shirt in one of our closets that I was able to cut an arm hole in to avoid it from sticking and even a fleece vest – an incredible blessing to help her regulate her body temp, which would be very difficult with her injury.

We had her drinking lots of water and eating lots of protein. Then….I just held her as she cried in my chest as Jessie dressed her wounds (for those that care: we used B.A.P., which is an antiseptic cream– wrapped in cling wrap, Ace bandages, and some tape to secure the bandages). After finishing, I totally pulled a Brittney Spears and had her sit on my lap while I drove her back to her CarePoint, then had to drop her off with her siblings and gave them instructions for her care.

I went to go check on her the next day and bring her some new clothes, thankfully, the bandages on her arm looked great and I only had to fix the one on her leg. She cried when we came close, so I was DREADING having to come in two more days to change the dressings on her arm….but – this little girl has a lot of people praying for her, and God totally showed up!

That day, I had little Sindi sit in my car when I was taking off her bandages…it was an incredibly tedious process, taking over an hour to remove the bandages – at times, cutting them thread by thread. I had prayed so hard that we wouldn’t hurt her, that she wouldn’t feel the pain, and about half way through, Jacci had to hold her head up because she was FALLING ASLEEP! Yes!!! Holy Ghost anesthesia!! An hour and a half later…she had new bandages, new clothes, lots of water and protein, and rubber glove balloons for the whole family.

I have been able to see her again since then, and she is doing wonderfully. She is more active and is finally smiling again. Pray for her, she still has a lot of healing to do. Pray for her brothers and sister, for their protection; pray for her CarePoint teachers, Treasure and Make Peggy.

Thank you for your prayers and thank you for your support that makes it possible to serve here. God is so good.

I find rest in God

I find rest in God;

only He gives me hope.

He is my rock and my salvation.

He is my defender;

I will not be defeated.

My honor and salvation come from God.

He is my mighty rock and my protection.

People, trust God all the time.

Tell Him all your problems,

because God is our protection.

PSALMS 62:5-8

Pictures of clinic

Sarah has been a wonderful addition to helping with clinic. She has a public health background, has organized my pharmacy beautifully, does tons of administrative things so that the clinic can still continue to run, and she keeps me in line ;)

Love ya Sarah!

2 cuties with medicine in hand. I see a lot of kids with eye infections that they have had since they were born. I've been able to give eye drops to help with the chronic eye infections.

Here is a glimpse into the kombi (van) of people taken to clinic. On a clinic day I will see kids from 2 to 3 different carepoints. A teacher from that carepoint will come to interpret for me and to be able to tell me more about the child.

Benson and Glory weighing a child before she is to see me. This was my biggest clinic by myself so far. Benson is helping me in the clinic and drives the kombi.

Perfection

Perfection does not refer to the full consummation of one's powers, it simply means perfect fitness for doing the will of God; a perfect adjustment to God until all the powers are perfectly fitted to do His will.

Oswald Chambers

"So Send I You"

The word of the year is "OVERWHELMED"

This is my "I'm here at the hospital trying to discharge my kid...don't know quite where to go...I think someone told me to sit here, I think? Ahh, someone will tell me if I'm in the wrong spot...I hope..."

I'm not sure how to do any of this...but I'm here. Lord, I rest on You cause there is nothing and no one else to rest on. Plus You have walked this road, You know what I need to do and where to go.


So I CHOOSE to trust and rest and listen intently to Your Holy Spirit, Your voice, that continues to direct me to where You would have me go and what You would have me say and what You would have me do.

I CHOOSE TO REST ON YOUR TRUTH!

God did NOT GIVE us a spirit that MAKES US AFRAID but a SPIRIT OF POWER and LOVE and SELF CONTROL.

2 Timothy 1:7

The LORD says, "I will make you WISE and SHOW you WHERE TO GO. I will GUIDE YOU and WATCH OVER YOU."

Psalms 32:8

All you who put your HOPE [confident expectation] in the LORD BE STRONG and BRAVE.

Psalms 31:24

And since we have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST over GOD'S HOUSE, LET US COME NEAR TO GOD with a SINCERE HEART and a SURE FAITH,

because WE HAVE BEEN MADE FREE from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been WASHED WITH PURE WATER.

Let us HOLD FIRMLY to the HOPE that we have confessed, because WE CAN TRUST GOD to do what HE PROMISED.

Hebrews 10:21-23

Medical Training

Teresa and I taught a 2 day medical course based on the book "Where there is no Doctor" for the new teachers with Children's Cup. We taught them basic human anatomy, how to identify simple illnesses like scabies, and how to help us identify which children may need HIV testing.


Teresa and I had a wonderful time tag teaching and getting to know all the new teachers. It was such a great experience to learn more about Swazi culture and I was able to get a glimpse into their experiences with HIV in the community.


All the teachers where quick learners and I appreciated getting to know them all. I loved sitting with them and listening to their stories. A part of me feel as if I got just as much knowledge from them as they got from the course.

THINGS I LEARNED DURING THE MEDICAL CLASS:

1. The Swazi Heimlich Maneuver for a boy who is choking is to hit him in his privates until he coughs up whatever he is choking on.


2. Dirt is it's own food group...people eat it all the time.


3. If someone is bleeding and you don't have any gloves then you should use grocery bags to protect your hands instead.

Here is the class of new teachers Teresa and I taught the medical course too.

We had class in the waiting room of the clinic.

I have officially taken over the clinic. I have appreciated Teresa's help and input...I will be able to call her for help and wisdom. She may regret letting me know I can call her cause I'll be calling her a ton with questions! ;)

Thanks you Teresa for your help and for continually being there as someone I can call and talk with about anything. I know you have been there and appreciate your support and encouraging words. God bless you! Love ya Teresa!

Gogo Sanmaria

A couple of weeks ago Gogo Sanmaria came to church with her neighbors Solomon and Precious. Solomon and Precious had just moved from South Africa and had befriended this gogo (grandma). She had been fighting an ear infection for a couple of weeks so Zinty and KB went with me after church to her homestead. I had already given Solomon a weeks worth of antibiotics earlier that week to help with her ear infection.

I brought my medical bag with a blood pressure cuff, otoscope, and Tylenol to assess Gogo Sanmaria. Zinty, KB, and I drove down some steep dirt roads and came upon her homestead. She was sitting on the ground as we came up to her with her grandson clean dishes on a metal sheet that was modified to work as a sink sending the water down the hill.

I did my nursing thing discovering that her ear infection was still present. I gave her some Tylenol for the ear pain and her constant arthritis. I instructed her through Zinty to continue to take the full dose of antibiotics that Precious was helping her take daily and to take the Tylenol once in the morning and once in the afternoon for pain.

There wasn't much I could do medically to help her BUT I could love her and show her she care and mattered. The fact is that I can't do much on my own BUT the Lord comes through and shows His love in a mighty way when we obey what He has called us to do.

Gogo Sanmaria now complains of no more pain and I'm hoping her ear infection has gone away. Gogo Sanmaria is a light in this community feeding kids who go without food when she can.

This is one of many stories of the experiences I'm having in Swaziland. As I continue to get on my feet and settle in what I'm doing I'll be sharing more of my experience with the Swazi people and the Lord.

Thanks for all your love and support and prayers!

I could not be here without you!

Love ya all!