Mable
Mable
Before Christmas our friend Scott tells us of a little six-year-old girl named Mable. He explained that she was being neglected, was severely malnourished, had sores all over her body, an open wound behind her ear and has AIDS. From the moment I heard of this little girl I could not get her off my mind. Those thoughts would continually turn to prayers. God began to knit my heart with His for her. I love when He does this…
Scott asked Brent if he wanted to visit her family and pray. You bet! So, on the way back from dropping Amy off in Kenya, Brent stopped by Mable’s home. (As God would orchestrate it, this family is about 15 minutes from Cherish, just one peninsula over. Yes!) Brent took with him a bible (thank you to The Well Bible Church for these gifts, they are like GOLD here) and a pillow case dress (thank you Wendy McNamee for the treasures these have been in clothing the children of Uganda). Brent drove down a dirt road, which turned into a wide path, which turned to a single lane walking path, which led to a 30-year-old shack. He walked around the back of the house, and there was Mable, squatting in the dirt washing some clothes in a bucket. Despite the poverty that Mable lives in and the fragile shape of her body, she clearly had the joy of the Lord. She sat on Brent’s lap & sang song after song and poured out love. Come to find out Mable also struggles with severe epilepsy. Ahhh…another connection to our family. (Our third born son Luke has epilepsy too. In October 2009, he underwent two major brain surgeries to remove both a tumor and the damaged brain tissue that was causing the seizures. Luke will be on seizure meds for two years. After that time is up, we will wean him off the meds and see if he really is seizure free) Upon leaving, Brent told Mable he would be back with his family. (By the way, Mable is not 6 but 13…she is the size of a 6 year old, but her father said she is 13.)
Of course, by the day, I was being drawn to this child so I could NOT wait to get my hands on her. All she had going on in her body, except the AIDS, we could relate to. So, the morning we were to see Mable, I prayed God would make it clear what, if anything we should/could do for this family. The need around this place is GINORMOUS and many have said you need divine wisdom daily to know what God desires you to be part of. Wisdom is what I begged Him for that day.
It took the typical hour to get to Entebbe and the car ride was quiet. The five of us needed some chill time I guess. Anywho, when we drove up to Mable’s home, her daddy, Paddy (pronounced potty), met us. He greeted us so warmly. What a gentle, kind soul he seems to be. His smile is angelic to say the least. Right away he invited us into his humble home and out came Mable. She could barely walk because she has also suffered a stroke at some point in her life. One side of her body is paralyzed and now the stronger leg turns in too. She seems to have Cerebral Palsy. But I am no doctor. It was special to watch Mable go around the room and hug each one of us. Coming to me last, she planted herself on my lap and hugged me tightly. It was if she knew I had been longing to be with her. Oh God, this child…no this teenager needs You desperately. Moments into our visit Mable speaks to her dad. I asked him to translate. Sweetly, almost shy Paddy tells us that Mable has just asked to go home and live with our family. What?! In my soul I wanted to scream yes. Instead, I asked the Lord…is this You? Brent immediately replied with the importance for her to be with her family. Of course, I jumped in (okay, interrupted) and asked Paddy if we could take her to our home for a few days. Happily he said yes, that would be fine… “but to make sure and bring Mable home.” I smiled and assured him we would. Brent gave me the look saying…not this time. Ugh…okay…I will wait.
Our visit was special. We brought them food and some other home items. It was New Years Eve and we shared we knew they could always use a few more “happys”. (That one is for you Leslie). How grateful everyone who receives anything in this place is…and we always say, it is God who has supplied. We talked and talked (Paddy’s English is pretty good). He disclosed openingly what life has been like and even showed us Mable’s Fit Chart. This is where he documents her seizures. Lord, she has had sooooooooooooooooooo many- one lasting up to 15 minutes. Because of her epilepsy Mable is unable to attend school anymore. Paddy shared there is a school she was accepted at in Kampala that is for special needs kids. The issue has been financial. It cost $1,000 U.S. dollars to send her for a year, plus about $250 to set up her life at the dormitory. He did not ask us to pay which is rare. We told him we would pray and ask God to provide. He smiled – angelically.
It was time to leave and Mable walked us out to our car. She looked at my feet, pointed to hers and asked if I would bring her socks. You bet! Mable gave us all hugs and we got into the car. I waved and she wobbled over. As I was about to shut the door, she squeezed in onto my lap. It all happened so fast. Mable then waves goodbye to her dad. He shares how much she wants to go with us. I look at Brent and he sweetly says…not this time. Getting her off my lap, watching her walk away was hard. Lord, are we doing the right thing?
The car ride home was quiet. Pondering about the days events and praying for God to speak. It seemed as if He had…but I knew Brent and I had to be in agreement. Since then, we have prayed, a lot. We are willing to do whatever He asks.
The doctors have given Mable about a year to live. I feel this is not true. God has a plan and I feel it goes beyond 2011. I may be wrong, but He has looped us into Mable’s life. Pray we know that we know that we know what is next. And we beg you…please pray for Mable and her family. Living in poverty is hard enough but to have special needs makes it extremely difficult. This family has been plucked out. God is all over them. May we be His hands and feet…may they feel His love all of them.
This Friday, we visit again. We will be taking Mable to lunch and then ?????? Lord?????
1 comment
How touching is this childs story, and we spoil our kids so much by buying their love, she is beautiful, and a precious child of God. We think about ” hard times” and they are nothing compared to these precious lives! May God bless you on your journey!!