All three of my children were born prematurely, without medical intervention at quite a big scale they would not have servived and possibly neither would I. Today we visited a neonatal ward. The two rooms were full of babies at different stages, very few nurses, medicine and medical equipment. There was no bleeping of machines, simply because they did not have any machines and the machines they did have were not working. If medicine is needed then a patient is asked to go and buy it. Many struggle to aford it. The realization that my children now age 13,11 and 9 would not be here today if they were born in Tanzania is a dreadful thought. One of the team armed with his tool box was able to repair 2 incubators simply by replacing the batteries! Meanwhile other team members were busy taking school lessons, painting the Grassroots dispensary, collecting more chickens and carrying them – tucked under arms – to give to families. We also continued to construct pig pens.
Then it was off to one of the feeding programmes. At this one, each Friday, 300 children are welcomed, lead in some games and some inspirational Christian stuff before receiving a fantastic, hot, nutritious meal. Tomorrow the rest of the feeding programmes happen. 2000 children will be at 7 centres. Each team will enthusiastically welcome each child, check if someone isn't there and make sure someone follows up, then do all they can to let them know they matter, have great potential given them by God and then the catering team give them some great food. For many it is the one full meal they will have all week.
So another full day. We may have missed the opening of the Olympics, but we feel like we are running a marathon.
Please pray for strength and stamina for the last 3 days. Thank you Sharon