This morning we headed out to Endebes to visit Pamela. While I was gone Leila talked to her and she said that she had been feeling weak, so we paid her a short little visit to make sure that everything is ok. She told us that her CD4 count is very low again. The doctor put her on a stronger medicine and the side effects make her feel very sick and tired. Some days she sleeps all day, which keeps her from working. She told us that the kids now know that she is sick and before she took them back to sure she reassured them that they would be taken care of if anything happens to her. The place where they lived is owned by the family so they will have land of their own. I remember one time when I went to visit her she told me that beans make her feel strong, so we brought her some beans that will hopefully make her feel better for the short time that they last. Please pray for healing on Pamela’s body and that her children will feel God’s comfort and know that he is taking care of their mother. 

Pamela in front of her house

After visiting Pamela, we walked down into Shimo to pay Syril and Henry a visit. Syril is doing much better. He refused to drink the powder we brought to get him rehydrated, but he drank tea again this morning. His mother told us that he only eats rice, so we were maybe thinking that the sores on his legs were from not having a balanced diet. So we brought him some PlumpyNut to see if he would like it and to try to get some protein in his system. He loved it. He tasted it and was so happy he started laughing and reaching out for more. Even if he just eats one packet a day along with the rice that he normally eats his legs should heal quickly. We are also going to get him a multivitamin to make up for the fruits and vegetables that he won’t eat. 

Syril's mom feeding him PlumpyNut

We learned today that he can walk very well on his own. He hasn’t been walking because he wasn’t feeling well, but today his mother stood him up and told him to walk inside. He was a little reluctant, but he walked inside and climbed onto a chair all on his own. 

Syril standing outside of his house

He made it inside and curled up in his favorite chair.

At first their mother seemed like she didn’t seem like she really cared about her kids, but after going down and just spending time with her and her family she has opened up to us. She was talking about how hard it was to have a child like Syril. Then she went on to say how hard it was to have a child need an operation at five months old. She pulled out Henry’s medical forms and it showed that he has surgery to reduce the effects of Glaucoma and remove Cataracts at such a young age. She also shared her worries about the fact that he still is unable to crawl or walk. 

Henry just hanging out

Her faith in God amazed me as I listen to her talk. I didn’t understand most of what she was saying but I heard her say the words pray and God throughout the entire conversation. She has so little and so much to deal with and despite all her problems she knows that God is the only answer. We told her about Brian and how he also has cerebral palsy like Syril. She started encouraging us that he will be able to sit and walk one day. She gave us a place where we can get a good chair made for him in town and told us a few excercises that she found helped loosen Syril’s muscles when he was younger. I am inspired by her faith and to see how God empowers her to keep trying her best even when it seems impossible.