How many of you have ever heard the statistics on deaths caused by malaria each year? I would say, probably most of you. I mean you can read about the “malaria crisis” on the internet, in books, newspapers, and even hear about it on the news. It’s everywhere, and with good reason! Malaria is a terrible disease that takes the life of over 1 million people every year.

But, how many of you have ever heard about the millions of people every year that survive malaria, but suffer permanent damage from the effects? Probably not as many of you, I’ve not often hear those numbers. I do know one though. I live with one. I care for one. I love one. And her name is, Teddy….

In 2009 Teddy came to our feeding program on Tuesdays and Thursdays! She would line up outside my gate along with 900 other children from Masese. She would wait patiently in the smoldering sun until it was her tern to hold her bowl up over the massive pot of beans and rice. Once her food was in hand, she would carefully walk back to her home, sit on the ground, and eat her lunch!

Teddy was attending a local preschool; learning to speak English and recite the alphabet. She would walk home hand in hand with her friends, backpack bouncing all the way. Their laugher was so contagious, and soon they would all be giggling uncontrollably. She played, laughed and danced her days away…

Well, in September of 2010 all that came to a halt when Teddy fell very sick. Her mom, Brenda took her to a nearby clinic and she tested positive for malaria. She began treatment and little by little she began to improve, and soon she seemed to be fine! But a few weeks later she fell sick again. This time the malaria had escalated; it came back even stronger. Brenda rushed her baby back to the hospital where she was quickly admitted. She began treatment right away, and they stayed in the hospital for what seemed like forever. Weeks, with only slight improvements, followed by bigger back slides. She began to have seizures. The hospital staff was at a loss, and soon she was transferred to another health facility. But when she moved, Brenda was unable to go, as she had to stay in Jinja for work. Teddy’s Grandmother volunteered to stay with her, and Brenda returned home to Masese. Teddy and her Grandmother stayed at the hospital for one month…she continued to have out of control fevers everyday and because of her high body temperature her brain started to show signs of damage. She continued to have seizures. Her immune system was so weak that she developed a severe case of pneumonia. She was treated. She contracted meningitis and became paralyzed. Because of her paralyzed position she could not eat properly and soon moved to a liquid only diet. But even then, while attempting to swallow she would choke and milk would find it’s way into her lungs. Aspiration pneumonia set in. They again treated her, but this time the pneumonia was somehow resistant to the drugs and so the treatment course was twice as long as the first.

By this time it was well into the month on November and her condition had only worsened. She continued to get deathly ill, receive treatment and improve a little, then in a matter of days she would be right back where she started-literally fighting for her life. Struggling for every breath.
Yet again, she was transferred, and the same story took place, just in a new location.

Finally with nothing left to do, and no money remaining in her pocket Teddy’s Grandmother took her home. There had been no improvement for months, and very little hope that there would be any in the months to come. Teddy, at age 3 was completely paralyzed, and unresponsive.

In the course of moving from place to place, Teddy picked up almost every sickness imaginable and she grew very thin. She lost her desire to eat food, and when forced she would inhale it into her lungs and further infection would breed. That’s when one Wednesday morning, in a state of desperation, Brenda ended up on my fount porch….

That night at 9 o’clock Brenda, Teddy and her Grandmother arrived. As they walked up my front steps I was….overwhelmed. For that very afternoon one of our precious little boys had gone to be with Jesus. I, along with a sweet sister of mine had just returned from bring his body to the family’s village. I was drained in every sense of the word.

When Teddy was unwrapped and I saw her small, stiff, sleeping body for the first time my heart broke. I didn’t feel “ready” to handle what she was bringing to the table. I mean earlier that day I just tried with every part of my being to save a little boy, and I had failed. I told God “Now is not the time. Can’t you just allow me heal first?” my emotions were still so raw…. But what was I to do? Nothing? No, that’s never an option in my book. So with a cautious heart I extended my hand and greeted our visitors and newfound friends. Prying all the while.

That gesture was the start of a new journey…one of incredible pain, frustration, and of just plain unknown. BUT, it was also the start of an opportunity to show Jesus to a hurting family, to love a broken Mother. That night I was given the option to choose hope; to be a giver of hope, and I took it! And let me tell you, it’s not been easy. Oh no, it’s been extremely hard. I’ve had to do things that I never wanted to do, and make decisions I had no desire to make. Following God to the hard places is not always easy, that’s why they’re called “hard places” and oh my goodness, have we been to those hard places. But, Christ has been our strength, our refuge, and our constant HOPE along this long and difficult path!

I would love to tell to you that today, Teddy is a new girl. I would love to sit here and say that God turned her life around and completely healed her. But I can’t because as of now, it's not 100% true. In the weeks and months which followed that night, life was still hard for Teddy. She continued to battle for her life…sometimes harder than others. Many tears were shed. Sleepless nights were had. And SO many prayers were prayed. Oh my, following the call God puts on your life is exhausting!

THOUGH, I am very pleased and excited to report that last week during weigh-ins teddy showed a weight gain of 2.2 pounds!!! In just only one week! Wow, God is good! She still has a long way to go, but seeing some improvement brought tears to my eyes and a song of praise to my heart! I wanted to burst with joy! I don’t think I can really express the feeling in my heart when I saw that scale reading, so I’m not going to try. But, it's a moment I will never forget. Never-ever.

I still don’t know what God has in store for Teddy. I don’t know if, or how, or when he will choose to heal her, but I do know this, He has not forgotten about her. He’s crazy in love with her, and when the time is right he will move mountains for her! He already is!

The night after Teddy arrived...

Last week!

I would like to say a very HUGE thank you to Danielle and Jennifer!!! You girls rock!! I couldn't have done it without you. You were both so instrumental in Teddy's everyday (and night) care! Thank you for loving her like Jesus!!!