Words can not describe.....
Today we visited a hospital that JMM built in the last year in a remote part of Hyberabad. The Hospital itself was ruins less than a year ago. They are still building and finishing - but it is a functioning hospital. This is the one that I would come back and work at for a week a year God willing!
Words can not describe today...........
Words can not describe today...........
I haven't been able to journal since we left (amazing since today has been rather low key). There was this lil boy that followed me around and finally let me hold his hand as he led me around the hospital. Makesh is 5 years old and looks all of 3. He is HIV + but on the triple cocktail here. He looks well. He is an orphan because HIV/AIDS patients are shunned in India. Makesh also introduced me to his friends one of which looks like a 6 month old but is 18 months old. His mom is dying and won't give up nursing so his viral load continues to climb. Makesh led me through the women's ward, the children's ward and the men's ward. Then, we went to his home - the AIDS ward. Because of customs they must be housed ina separate building. I honestly have not seen this stage of the disease in the States in YEARS. These people were skin and bones, unable to hold themselves up, unable to eat, unable to speak but hanging on. Many were born again Christians and were sobbing as we were touching them, praying for them, talking with them, helping them.
They are starting construction on a children's home across the street from the hospital. As you can imagine it will hold children orphaned by AIDS. Many of the people who show up at the hospital with HIV/AIDS are young married couples who never had a clue. Many have already had children - who unbeknownst to them - are also HIV +. Education has not reached this part of the world. Education and prevention. Education and testing. Education and medical support.... Nope none of it is here. The real count of HIV/AIDS vicitims here is not known due to the lack of testing, education and prevention.
The hospital is amazing and to be honest with you I am unable to write any more. Words can not describe today.
After an emotional day at the hospital what does one do to decompress???
WE WENT SHOPPING! (As flippant as it sounds - it wasn't). Deb (my new friend from N.C.) and I ventured out into Hyberabad by ourselves, armed with our strong personalities and determined to find some Indian clothes to wear for the rest of the trip. Long story short - I found MY BANK here in INDIA and got some money. Deb (and I) went into a DIVE of a travel agency for her to exchange her $$$$ and we were out on the town. We didn't have long - but getting out, walking, decompressing - did wonders for our state of mind (Not to mention our Cankles and pitting edema from the heat, humidity and statsis). We were all charged up for the crusades that started tonight!
THE CRUSADES! Now there is a bright note.
It was unbelievable how many people showed up tonight (the first night - a Thursday) to hear Joyce talk about Jesus and what Jesus can do for them! She so elegantly and simply stated the Gospel. After an hour of preaching on Jesus, the one God, the Only God, the most Awesome God - the one who they can only find salvation from - she did an alter call. MANY - I mean MANY (Imagine two foot ball fields full of people sitting on the ground listening to Joyce...... That's how big this stadium is that we are in) made the choice to give their lives to Jesus. They were then greeted by local pastors, a book and followup help. THIS WAS ONLY the first night!!! ONLY THE FIRST NIGHT!!!!! The sight of watching them after she was done preaching - dancing and singing praise and worship songs with hands in the air was unbelievable.
They are starting construction on a children's home across the street from the hospital. As you can imagine it will hold children orphaned by AIDS. Many of the people who show up at the hospital with HIV/AIDS are young married couples who never had a clue. Many have already had children - who unbeknownst to them - are also HIV +. Education has not reached this part of the world. Education and prevention. Education and testing. Education and medical support.... Nope none of it is here. The real count of HIV/AIDS vicitims here is not known due to the lack of testing, education and prevention.
The hospital is amazing and to be honest with you I am unable to write any more. Words can not describe today.
After an emotional day at the hospital what does one do to decompress???
WE WENT SHOPPING! (As flippant as it sounds - it wasn't). Deb (my new friend from N.C.) and I ventured out into Hyberabad by ourselves, armed with our strong personalities and determined to find some Indian clothes to wear for the rest of the trip. Long story short - I found MY BANK here in INDIA and got some money. Deb (and I) went into a DIVE of a travel agency for her to exchange her $$$$ and we were out on the town. We didn't have long - but getting out, walking, decompressing - did wonders for our state of mind (Not to mention our Cankles and pitting edema from the heat, humidity and statsis). We were all charged up for the crusades that started tonight!
THE CRUSADES! Now there is a bright note.
It was unbelievable how many people showed up tonight (the first night - a Thursday) to hear Joyce talk about Jesus and what Jesus can do for them! She so elegantly and simply stated the Gospel. After an hour of preaching on Jesus, the one God, the Only God, the most Awesome God - the one who they can only find salvation from - she did an alter call. MANY - I mean MANY (Imagine two foot ball fields full of people sitting on the ground listening to Joyce...... That's how big this stadium is that we are in) made the choice to give their lives to Jesus. They were then greeted by local pastors, a book and followup help. THIS WAS ONLY the first night!!! ONLY THE FIRST NIGHT!!!!! The sight of watching them after she was done preaching - dancing and singing praise and worship songs with hands in the air was unbelievable.
I said at the beginning that words can not describe what today was like - but I can tell you this.... (LISTEN UP NAT AND RO! and Norm).....
WE'RE ARE SO COMING BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On a small side note.... GUESS what movie will be starting here soon??????
C. S. Lewis LION WITCH and WARDROBE!!!!!!!!! How aprope!!!!!!!!
That's all I can type tonite - I am exhausted!!!!!!!
posted by B at 09:55
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