Rescued (part two)

Another God Surprise!

In my mind I envisioned Alick starving to death. God had a different vision.

Monica, one of our nannies, had a special attachment to Alick. Unbeknownst to us she had asked the family to let her foster him. Was it possible that we could actually pick him up and take him back to Mzuzu? Take him to Monica’s house where he would receive the nutrition and nurture he so desperately needed? Could such a miracle happen? Today? Right now? Maybe.

Fostering in Malawi is tricky. Every single family member has to agree to the arrangement. And the last word, the final OK, is from grandpa. If the grandfather doesn't say yes, nothing happens. That’s just the way it is.

We sit outside on tiny wooden chairs and Augustine (our administrative assistant), the social worker and the family talk. Eventually, everyone agrees. Alick can go to live with Monica. Everyone agrees except grandpa. Grandpa says “No.”

Now Grandpa does nothing to care for Alick. Grandpa contributes no money into the meager family pot. Grandpa is blind and does not move around very well. But he still holds all the power.

We decide to have another family meeting and try again. It is the cool of winter now, but I move into the shade and find I am still sweating. What would it take to convince Grandpa to foster this child and save his life? What O Lord? I feel totally and completely powerless. I pray and wait. Grandpa loves Alick. The question is, does he love him enough to let him go where he can be cared for.

YES! Grandpa relents. We can move Alick today....now! Granny gets out a basin and sponges him off and I put on the new clothes we had brought with us. I feel light, and so do Granny and Auntie. Alick is going to Mzuzu, to a warm home with food and a net and maybe even school in his future. Thanks be to God!

Monica is at the Nursery to meet Alick and take him home. He remembers her and she reports that he had a good first night under a snuggly blanket in his new home. This morning, she dresses him in warm clothes and prepares breakfast. On his own, he goes and gets a raw potato from her bin and starts eating it – his usual village breakfast. She takes it away and gives him a nutritious bowl of warm porridge. He loves it!

Pictured:  Grandpa, Alick, grandma and auntie on the way to the truck, Alick at the nursery.

Rescued ?

Alick was one of my favorites. A loving, sweet baby he had an easy smile and endless enthusiasm for life. He made us laugh.

Alick (at 21 months old) was discharged to his home village into the care of his grandparents. They said they would care for him well.

Six weeks later, at his first follow-up visit he had lost 7 ounces. LOST 7 ounces. Alick was filthy and unhappy. His smile had disappeared. We suggested moving him to an aunt's house where it was reported that she had adequate food. Grandpa said OK. He was moved a short time after that.

At our next visit, 3 months later, Alick had lost another 2 ounces. This is a serious pattern in a healthy toddler. The aunt said he was a “picky eater” and refused food at times. He had suffered from malaria. They said he was sleeping under the net we had provided but, when we asked to see it, they admitted they didn't have it. We had given him a mattress (4” foam) upon discharge as well but that was nowhere to be found. We instructed the aunt on proper feeding and emphasized its vital importance. She nodded, saying she would do it.

Two months later (5 months after discharge) we made another follow-up visit. Alick had gained 1 ounce but was still 6 ounces under discharge weight. We found him malnourished and unhappy. He wouldn't play or interact and cried easily. We discussed another move but Grandpa would not hear of it.

Yesterday (five months later) we returned to visit Alick again. He was back with his grandparents but not doing well. Both he and his clothes were filthy. His hair was brittle and his abdomen bulging. His puffy hands and feet were another sign of malnutrition. He had suffered from a second case of malaria but there was still no net. The family water bucket was sitting next to a brooding hen in the bedroom where Alick and granny slept. The family's food was in the other room surrounded by the rest of the chickens and ducks. Everything was kept inside “to protect from thieves”. The house was a 2 room mud structure with no windows. There was no electricity in the entire village and the bore hole where they got water was a 15 minute walk. None of this is unusual. However, the extreme poverty of this family allowed for no food for this child. Alick was slowly starving to death.

It's hard not to feel totally hopeless in this situation. It's hard to keep going. What can we possibly do to keep this from happening again, and again, and again? I don't cry any more. I have built a fence around my heart so that these feelings can't get in. I can function better that way. I cry at night when I think about it. I try not to think about it.

(Next: Another God Surprise!)

Divided

Sometimes I feel divided.

For I lead a double life,

Though I have a single paycheck

And I have a single wife.

I am a missionary

At home in Ma-la-wi.

And I am a North American

At home with family.

When I am there, I am not here

And no one understands

What life is like for me at home

In this impoverished land.

When I am here I am not there

And no one comprehends

What life is like for me at home

With family and friends.

Yet I’m at home, there is no doubt,

Though half a world apart.

Both America and Africa

Lay claim upon my heart.

Perhaps it’s there my double life

May one day be united.

For only love can make as one

These places long divided. 

Paul Heller

What's the News?

“Malawi is a failed state.” the article declared. It was our first day back in country and Malawi had appeared on a list of failed states based on social, economic, and political progress. “Malawi has a new flag.” announced another article. It was our second day back in country and the Parliament had just voted to convert the Malawi flag from a rising sun into a noon day sun. The reason? Malawi is a shining example of progress. No doubt the reality of Malawi’s status lies somewhere between these divergent views.

“Sex worker attacks witchdoctor” This was not a front page article but one that caught our interest. A sex worker who plies her trade at Malomo Trading Centre … last week chased a Mponela-based witchdoctor, who she accused of recommending false concoction for attracting men. The sex worker, who refused to disclose her identity, explained that she met the witchdoctor at the trading center where he claimed to have traditional medicine for various problems.

“He also mentioned that he had juju to enable us {sex workers} attract men. I bought some of the medicine at K1,800 ($ 12.00) but I did not see any change in my business,” lamented the woman. She explained that when the witchdoctor visited the trading centre again, she confronted him about his juju’s failure but the witchdoctor insisted that his medicine was effective.

“This angered me and I threw stones at him and he fled,” she said.

Freedom of the press is quite robust in Malawi and catching up on the news is always both interesting and entertaining. We’ll catch you up on the Nursery news next week.