When I walked into the therapeutic feeding center at the hospital, I didn't really expect to be affected like I was. Ally and I were quickly greeted by a little boy named Moses. He waddled towards us and he immediately laid his head on Ally's lap. He is the most cuddly little boy ever but also quite a handful. He hates when we put him down and is very stubborn, but still so precious. As we walked into the room where all the children were, my eyes quickly focused on the girl in the second bed. I went over to meet her and she said her name was Esther. My friends Makyla and Darby had been in the ward the day before and told us that if we saw Esther, we needed to tell her the story of Esther from the Bible. As I looked at Esther, I was heartbroken. She literally was skin and bones. I rubbed her back and I could feel every bone in her back. Even her eyes spoke of so much pain and I could tell that this girl had been through a lot. I asked for her age, and she said she had celebrated her 13 Birthday the day before. Ally and I told her the story of Esther and than we continued to walk around and pray with all the children in the ward.
Leaving the ward, I had a lot of different emotions. I was having a hard time understanding why this is ok. Why are these kids fighting for their lives due to lack of nutrition while I will probably never in my life be truly hungry?
I decided to go visit Esther on Easter because I just couldn't get her out of my mind. Darby came with me and when we arrived, Esther's mom Helen was there. Her mom told me that Esther has HIV and that she had some sores in her mouth and down to her stomach. Because of the sores, she hasn't been able to eat. She also said that Esther was put in a boarding school and that the diet (they eat the same meal everyday) at the school was not conducive to her nutrition needs. On top of this, she hadn't been taking her meds because she is suppose to take them with milk and of course, the school does not offer this. So from what I understood from Helen, it was a combination of these things that led Esther to her current state. Esther currently weights 42 lbs. 13 years old, and she weighs 42 lbs!
Again I was questioning, Why God? Why does this 13 year old girl have to suffer so much due to circumstances she has no control over? Why was I blessed to live in a country where this would never happen while this is normal life here in Africa?
I don't have the answers to any of these questions. What I do know is that while drawing and coloring with Esther, I saw her smile. I do know that she wrote Darby and I a letter saying that she wants to be our Best Friend. I do know that God loves her more than I ever could and even though I don't understand how, I do know that God has a plan.
Even though she is few with words because she is so weak, Esther has grabbed my heart. While I used to dread going to the hospital, I now get so excited to see her. If I can just bring a few smiles to Esther's Beautiful face, It will all be worth it!
Please pray for Esther and the rest of the children in the Therapeutic Feeding Center. Many of them are battling HIV or other immune system issues. Thank you and God Bless!!
