phew. well, way too much has happened since last time. and, as a familiar story, i dont really have the time to write. but im gonna do my best in the fifteen or so minuets i have.
we had heard sometime last week that there was a child in the next town over who was being abused. one of ronnies friends lives next door to the kid. we tried for a few days unsuccessfully to meet with him, but things kept getting in the way(with the friend, not the child). finally, on friday, we got our chance.
sitting in the room of ronnies friend, we were brought a little stick of a child, whos name we learned, is eddie. eddie is four, but he is not like other four year olds ive met. see, the day we met eddie, he came shuffeling in to the sitting room, being held up by our friend. he couldnt much walk by himself, not because theres anything wrong with his legs, but because he has been literally starved half to death.
i picked up eddie into my lap, him wearing a shirt several sizes too small and covered in dirt, no clothes to speak of on his lower half, and i just held him for a while as we talked about what to do. i listened to his labored breathing, felt his little heart struggling to bring blood and life into his body, rested his tired head against my chest, so that he didnt have to fight to keep it up. and somewhere in there, my heart broke.
we had to leave soon, and sent eddie back home. for the rest of the day, i felt ill inside, like something had died in me. ive been exposed to a lot of poverty and suffering, not just here, but at many times in my life. its coming to the point where it doesnt really surprise me anymore. its sad to say, hard to admit, but true. for so many people in this world, poverty is a way of life. and that doesnt make it ok by any means. but, to some measure, ive gotten calloused to it. i suppose its good in some ways- without that thick skin, seeing these things day after day would destroy a person.
anyway, tolerance or not, this was completely different. i dont know if ive ever held someone so sick, so frail, so on the edge of life. he was absolutly helpless, unable to care for himself, and basically abandoned by his parents. he was living with his dad and step mom, but they are poor, have other children, and in the end, must just not care enough.
we went back the next day, saturday, to talk to his father. we were able to work it out that we would be given eddie to care for him. praise God. and thats where we are now. three days later, two doctor visits down, and a new addition to the family.
when we got him, his belly was so big. but not because he had eaten, rather, because he hadnt. youve all seen pictures of kids who are dying of starvation, their limbs are stick thin, but their stomachs round and bloated. thats because stomach acid is wearing away at the stomach lining-theres nothing for it to digest, so its digesting itself. the acid causes fumes and gasses to build up, in turn swealling the abdomin to rediclous measures. that was eddie. sticks for limbs, bloated belly, hardly able to keep his head up.
the doctor says he had malaria, anemia, worms/parasites, developmental retardation, and severe malnutrition. and thats just what we know about it. were getting more tests done soon so we can continue to treat him. he is in the middle of a malaria course, we are giving him worm pills, and supplementing his diet(and making sure he eats) to deal with the rest.
after only three days, his stomach swelling has gone down drastically, there is noticibly improved blood circulation, and more red blood cells in his blood, he is more responsie, happy, and healthy. at first, it was hard to know if he even understood what we were saying, let alone if he could communicate. but this morning i was woken up by a conversation between him and charles. i couldnt believe it was him. i had to get out of bed and see for myself : )
we saw his first smile yesterday, and heard his first laugh today. he is recovering by leaps and bounds, and i can do nothing but praise God. each time i look at him, i am reminded of God's grace-in his life and ours. it is a blessing, and i count myself lucky beyond measure to have a part in eddies life. he is a constant reminder of God's provision, that each day we live, every breath we take, is because of Him. praise God, who works all things to His glory, who holds our lives in the palm of His hand, who loves us without end.
we (ronnie, myself, and mom) will be taking care of eddie for a while, at least till i leave, maybe after that. our plan/hope after that, is to find a family who will take him in, and give him the love and care that he needs, and deserves. when he is well enough, we'll be sending him to school. he's of the age already, but unable to attend because of his ailments. we are looking for a family even now. be praying for God's continued grace, that eddie would recover fully, and live a healthy life, and God would be present in every bit of it. pray for wisdom for us as we wrestle through decisions, and for a family to come into eddies life. pray that we would serve in His strength, and give freely of what weve been given, and that He would be glorified in everything we do.
in Him who lives and saves
jon
Tuesday, October 27
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i am so touched by this post about eddie. i was holding my breath as i read it, but not my tears. wow, jon, God is really using you and creating a big healing heart within you. i pray that you will find the home for eddie that God has planned for him. there is no doubt that God has plans to use eddie to glorify Himself. take care, jon.
ReplyDeletelove in Christ,
sharon
This is pat mitchell, it made me use my aim name
ReplyDeleteWow. It breaks my heart to read this because there is so so so much poverty. there are so many more Eddie's out there. It really encourages me to hear that you put him on your lap. He may have been in too much pain to even realize that but what could be better imagery of Christ taking us out of sin and into grace. You three have played a huge role in this kids life and will continue to do so in other kids lives. I guess thats why reading this is so encouraging. it hurt me to see the conditions ive seen in poverty stricken areas, and i plan on going back to do something. I also realize that i am only one person, and cant help all of them. but hearing your story gives me hope in knowing that im not the only one that feels this way. And im not the only one willing to sacrifice in this way. ha, what a blessing to you and the people around you, keep it up!
keep doing the Lord's work, I love and am praying for you bud!
ReplyDeleteexcellent story...thank you for sharing...you and eddie are in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting, God is awesome - everything He does is good! Eddie's story blessed and inspired me... continue to live for His glory and no your posts don't get annoying! I will pray for Eddie!
Peter Klyachenko