We woke up early on Saturday morning to take Mary and Catherine to the bus station. When they got to the hospital Catherine called and told us that the doctors said that Mary did not need the operation. At the clinic, they don’t have any machines to scan the patients so they just go by what they can observe. At the hospital, after viewing the scans, the doctors decided that Mary’s head size had not decreased and the weight is shifting to the back because of natural growth and she doesn’t need a second operation because her first shunt is doing its job. 

When we told Catherine that we had money to help her pay for the surgery, but we needed them to pay for the transportation there and back. Even though the family has little money, the father said that he would work hard to get them there for the surgery even if they had to stay for a while so he could get the money to get them home. They were both so excited that their daughter was able to get the care she needs. So before we sent her on the bus we gave her the money for the surgery. When she called us from the hospital to give us an update, Leila told her to use 1,000 shillings of the money to get back home. 

Today  we went to their home to visit and Catherine proved herself to be one of the most genuine and honest human beings I have ever met. First of all she loves her daughter more than anything and never puts herself first.  Also, the money we gave her for the surgery was a lot of money to a woman living in the slums struggling to get by. Their house isn’t the worst I have seen, but it is clear that they are not extremely well off. 

The inside of Mary and Catherine's house

            Her husband does not have a steady job and goes out everyday looking for work. If he can find a job he gets a little over a dollar a day. It’s a huge temptation to have so much money, when you are struggling and in a desperate situation. Despite all those things, Catherine gave us back all of the money except the 1,000 shillings we told her to use to get home. She even told Leila to count it out to make sure it was all there. She also said trust is important and we trusted her by giving her the money and she wanted to prove that she was trustworthy. It was encouraging to hear how thankful she was for our help. I am once again amazed at how much of an impact, just simply showing up makes. So far I have only given her a neck pillow, a basin for Mary to learn to sit in and a deposit for a surgery that doesn’t happen. I am finding that while I am here, following through with the things I start speaks louder than being able to give money or some sort of material item. I pray that God continues to show me more ways to serve him and his people during my time here.