Jn Edward stayed with us in the RC in 2008 for several months. His weight when admitted was 33 pounds. He went home 3 months later weighting 38 pounds. Since 2008 we have not seen him at the clinic or heard from him.
~33 pounds~
~38 pounds~
He came in this week with his mom. He weighed 39 pounds, one more pound than he weighed in 2008, plus he is swollen with kwashiorkor She made out a chart for him in the clinic. She told us she had never been here before. She told us many other stories that were not true. . Finally Jn Edward held up his hand and said “please stop lying to them”. He looked at me and told me he knew me and knew my name which he did. He told me my sisters name was Lori and told me several of the nannies names that work in the RC. WOW! We figured out then that he had been with us before. So what had happened to Jn Edward in the last 3.5 years.
Well he went home in 2008 with his dad. His parents are separated. He has been living with his dad for several years. Jn Edward tells us that a few years ago his dad started acting strange. He would leave for days at a time, not talk right, and always be picking up trash. For the past several months the dad has been living out in the “weeds” by himself. Jn Edward was left at home~by himself. It appears that they did not have any close neighbors. No one really knew what was happening. By this time Jn Edward was to sick to walk very far.
His legs were very swollen with kwashiorkor and he was very weak. Someone came by to visit his dad. They had not seen them in awhile. Jn Edward told them about his dad and that he had not seen him for days. He was trying to make food for himself there at the house. The friend that came, God bless him, got word to the mother that things were not good at the dad’s house. It took her a few days but she came. She was not happy with Jn Edward or with the dad. They searched for the father and found him far away from others living on his own and not in his right mind. The mom returned to her village with Jn Edward. Jn Edward told her that he was sick. He said “take me to the white people, they will help me.” She said that she had other kids to take care of and a new husband. She had to make it to the market to sell produce several days each week. It would take her 2 days to come to the clinic. Two days that she would miss out of selling and getting a few dollars to feed the rest of the kids. He waited. Finally when he could no longer stand on his own his mom decided it was time to come. She left her house and carried him down the steep mountain paths to a larger village on the national road. They slept there that night. It took them most of the day to get there. She had to keep stopping and resting as he was so heavy. The next morning they got up before the sun was up and began their journey to the clinic. Jn Edward told me she kept telling him they were coming. But he did not believe her he said “I had no hope”. “Then I began to see we were traveling on the road to Cazale. My heart became happy. We arrived in front of the gate of the clinic, and that is when I knew that I would live and not die.”
Jn Edward is not doing well. He is having problems eating, drinking and keeping anything down. We have him on several medications and we had to start an IV for him. He has passed to many worms to count. He feels bad. But he has hope that he might live. These older kids really get to me. They can talk. They can tell me their misery. They can tell me what they feel. They can tell the truth about how they have been living. It is hard for them. It is not how life is suppose to be. Please join us in prayer for Jn Edward. I really, really want him to live. When I know he is going to make it I will try to come up with a plan for him and his life. He has told me over and over again to please never send him home. That is a tough one.
Comments(20)
Karen Combes says
February 4, 2012 at 10:20 pmMy heart is breaking for Jn Edward. Praying….please let us know how he is doing. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus!! God Bless YOU!
Cathy says
February 4, 2012 at 10:33 pmTruly heartbreaking. Please do keep us posted.
May you all feel the prayers that lift you and your work up.
Cathy
Carla Pearson says
February 4, 2012 at 10:50 pmThis story has touched my heart. I want to do something for this sweet, wise beyond his year, child. Praying Praying and more praying.
Judy says
February 4, 2012 at 11:05 pmWow!! It is just totally time for Jesus to come back RIGHT NOW! But until then….I will definitely be praying for this sweet boy’s complete healing and for you guys as you try to figure out what to do about his future.
April says
February 4, 2012 at 11:25 pmHeartbreaking. What a sweet, sweet boy. I am praying for Jn Edward and you…all of you. God give you renewed strength for the service ahead.
Emily says
February 4, 2012 at 11:47 pmPraying for Jn Edward tonight. For his healing, for his future, for his hope. May the Lord strengthen you and pour His grace upon you.
Nicole says
February 4, 2012 at 11:56 pmPraying for Jn Edward, for wholeness and healing, endurance and hope. And for our Father’s hand guiding those caring so tenderly for him.
Bekki says
February 5, 2012 at 2:23 amSo glad you are there to help this child. We are praying for him. Send him home with me next time I come, we have a spare room now!
Baleboosteh says
February 5, 2012 at 5:08 amOh this darling boy! We will pray for him – for his healing and his future. May the Lord give you all the skill and wisdom you need in helping him.
Lorie says
February 5, 2012 at 9:13 amJn Edward is so blessed ~ God has placed him into your loving and nurturing hands! Praying for God’s perfect healing for him and strength, wisdom, peace and joy for you.
Kathy says
February 5, 2012 at 11:17 amPLease keep us posted on what happens with him.
Dee says
February 5, 2012 at 9:07 pmI know you are telling him how much he is loved. By God,by you, by us. We are praying for him-for his mind, body, and spirit to heal, for him to find comfort & peace. I can’t imagine what this little boy went through, or the fear he felt as his world fell apart. Thank God for the friend who went out of his way to help.Thank God his mother finally listened. Thank God you and your family came to Cazale. And finally thank you for sharing with us, for allowing us to share your hurt-God’s hurt, and letting us do something about it.
wendi says
February 6, 2012 at 4:26 pmAs a mom of boys…I’m whipped. I wish I could come scoop him up. God’s got mighty plans for this one. Incredible endurance lives in him.
Do as you do Licia
Elizabeth Coatantino says
February 6, 2012 at 5:33 pmDo you know about Proje Espwa? When he gets well perhaps he could go there. I would be willing to sponsor him if you can find a long term place for him. This boy touches me. Perhaps it is his strength to tell the truth and his will to live under such difficult circumstances. Let me know and I send a special prayer his way.
Juanita says
February 6, 2012 at 11:14 pmMy heart breaks for this little boy. I will pray for him – for healing and a good, workable plan for his life. I have all boys and have a really soft spot in my heart for boys – wish I could take care of him.
Norma D. says
February 7, 2012 at 2:09 pmPraying much today for RHFH and Jn Edward,too. Keep us posted.
Bonnie says
February 8, 2012 at 8:05 amPlease share with Jn Edward that there are people praying for him and a beautiful, healthy future ahead.
Love all around.
Shanna says
February 8, 2012 at 3:02 pmDonated $200 for Jn Edward to help a little with his new life when he gets started. He sounds wonderful.
Vicky says
February 8, 2012 at 10:08 pmPraing for evEry child in the worlpraying for all thos young childeren and eleders that need help in their unfortunent times. Because the surely need our prayers.GOD help us all.
Jennifer says
February 11, 2012 at 7:44 pmSaid a prayer for Jn Edward’s complete healing, body, mind and spirit. Beautiful, intelligent boy, may you live and be strong for your life and your country. G-d bless.