PePe Update

PePe is still at Mbabane Clinic. She is now receiving tube feedings via an NG tube to increase her calories and improve her nutritional status. She has lost so much weight because of TB. This terrible disease has caused her to waste away to a mere 12kg (26lb), at 12 years old. This was her weight upon entering the hospital 3 weeks ago. She is now up to just under 15kg. She has difficulty keeping anything down that she takes by mouth. We have had to give her medications by NG tube as well. She had to have a blood transfusion, which helped to strengthen her. She is finally tolerating the tube feedings now. At first, she had vomiting and diarrhea when she got her feedings.

We are waiting to find out if the latest sputum specimen is negative so that she may be able to go back to the home and get her tube feedings there until she can tolerate the feedings by mouth. Our first challenge is to get her to take her medications by mouth again, without vomiting. She is getting really bored with staying in one room, so Sandra and I try to get her out as much as possible between feedings.

We took her to the park on Saturday. She was only able to play for a short while, before her strength was gone. We got one smile out of her, when she was turning the steering wheel of the pretend train! I went yesterday and gave her addition and subtraction problems to work on. When she got to the higher sums, she started using her toes to count! I was on the phone with Sandra, when I noticed her playing with her toes, then I realized she was counting them when she ran out of fingers!

PePe doesn’t talk much, but she is very smart, and she has a very strong will. That is probably why she has lived so long, as sick as she has been. She will not take her medications by mouth for the nurses. Sandra and I have to remind her that if she wants to go home, she must take her medications by mouth, not the tube.

Tonight, we went to visit, and she had made notes for Sandra, Joelle and I, each written personally with our names on it, spelled correctly, saying that she loves us. I will cherish these forever! I know God has something special for this little girl and I am anxious to see what He does in her life and what she will become in Him! She is certainly a blessing to my life!

Mission of Mercy - Medical Mercy

We had the privilege to host a Medical Mercy team this past week. There was well over 1000 children and adults seen at the five Mission of Mercy CarePoints. The patient flow started with registration, then the medical team, HIV testing/counseling, then spiritual counseling, and then the pharmacy. Tremendous testimonies came out of the spiritual counseling where each patient was prayed for individually. Tremendous testimonies from tremendous hardships and pain. I watched as one crestfallen young woman (17?) came out of the HIV testing bewildered and in shock. Not having to say a thing, I knew what the results had told her. What answers do cold dead religion or an uncaring culture have for her? There is no hope there.
We received the results from PSI from testing during the clinics. PSI and TASC are two agencies here that offer free HIV testing and counseling. TASC will test children. Below are the statistics from PSI. (I know column 1 doesn't add up, I'll correct it when I get updated info from PSI)

CHILDREN’S CUP REPORT - FROM 7 TO 11 APRIL 2008

AGE	15-19		20-24		25-29		30-34		35-39
SEX	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M
NEGATIVE	1		2	1	2	1		3	1
POSITIVE	2		6		1	1	3	1	4
Pos %	66%		75%	0%	33%	50%	100%	33%	80%
TOTAL	5		8	1	3	2	3	4	5

40-44		45-49		50+
F	M	F	M	F	M
1		11		8	2
1		2			3
50%		15%		0%	60%
2		13		8	5

Some people walked in to be tested on their own. Most were referred by the medical team. Many people did not test even after the referral. The numbers don't look encouraging.

The tremendous testimonies came from people who recognized that in their hardship and pain, there is One who offers hope above and beyond our present circumstances.