Odds & Ends

ok...some 'lighter' fare for a change....here is Paul getting first haircut in Africa....ouch....hasn't been that short since he was 14!

and....you  thought a "Rolex" is a watch...au contrare.....it's actually what you eat for breakfast in Uganda.

And to let you in on a little secret...I don't always spend my time on 'heavy' stuff.....here's Joe, a member of our staff during his first EVER golf lesson....the start of a serious obsession (yea!) and the first member of my golf ministry in Africa.

And...while taking some 'time off' while in Kijabe, we took a little side trip to Nairobi for a few hours and found this wonderful ice cream shop (Solomon's dad on the right and our missionary 'guest house' mgr turned tour guide on the left.

And now finally....if you miss us for a few days....we'll...I'm headed to Barcelona, Spain to rendevous with Janet for a few days before picking up Cassidy whose been visiting a friend near Barcelona.....no updates from Spain :-)...but then we're ALL headed back to Jinja for more adventures with our CoG kids!

PTL.....Progress has arrived!

Not to make light of the situation, but a HUGE 'God moment' today. We got word from Mom and Dad that little baby Solomon's 'poopie' has arrived! This means the dr's surgical procedure was successful and mama can start feeding him again. For all the mom's and dad's reading this note, you know the joy the parents felt today hearing this news. Now he needs to start adding some weight every day so his little body can handle the next phase of surgical procedures coming within the next month or two. We'll be accepting donations to cover medical cost for a while, so your support of this family is a blessing to them. Though medical costs are so much less expensive than the US, the family's total medical expenses to date is $2,000....a lot in this part of the world! Go to http://www.childrenofgrace.com/ to donate.

Pray for Progress

Africa certainly has presented many life time 'firsts' since arriving here 5 weeks ago. This one's definitely right up there in the 'top 10'. Since Baby Solomon's surgery last Monday, his body has been trying to heal and recover. The key test on whether all the 'plumbing work' has been successful, according to Dr. Mike, is seeing evidence coming out the 'pipe'....yes, as the modern, revised, 21st century translation of the Old Testiment describes it....poop....or as the local Kenyans in Kijabe pronounce it..."poopie". As of today, this key evidence hasn't appeared. He's still  only on IV feeding until this happens. Meaning, mama can't do what she does best! Doc had to take baby Solomon back to surgery yesterday to insert a feeding tube into his chest so he could start getting more nutrition. Once he passes this key event, mama can start feeding him again and medical team can begin to plan for the next phase. Until then, we just need to pray for "poopie". Here's a pic of baby Solomon taken a few days ago. He had to make it through many, many needle pricks trying to find veins, as well as his first few hair cuts/shaves. But he's a strong little boy and a real fighter. So is his Mom and Dad! It has been amazing and a blessing to witness their strength of heart and courage. We love you David and Mary.

Baby Solomon update: Monday's God Moments

This is one credible story in the making, no matter what happens from this point on. Its Monday night here in Kijabe and today was one awesome day for baby Solomon. His little body (all of about 5-6 lbs) endured and survived today's 4 hour surgery. The next 2-3 days for him are still critical. He's not 'out of the woods' yet and he's most probably here for many weeks to come.

But its important to stop and reflect on the incrediable things that happened today, ones that I call "God moments". Let me list a few.....
-though we didn't want to come days before we knew surgery could be scheduled, God knew differently.
He knew Solomon's body needed to gain some strength with healing of the skin in/around his abdomen area to improve chances to survive surgery....which did happen in a way that even surprised the dr when he first saw Solomon early this morning.
-the father and I had tender moments of prayer and scripture reading while waiting outside the doors leading into the surgery 'theatre' area. Watching the Lord calm the father through the scripture were moments I will always remember
-we were outside surgery the entire 4 hours, watching the 'parade' of patients going and coming. When a gurney rushed by with a baby totally covered, the father instantly knew it was Solomon in a way that only a father (or mother) can...and was encouraged by the speed of movement that baby Solomon must be alive....with a sigh and a smile that was totally a God moment at a time when 'worry' had started to settle in.
-we are blessed with finding one of the best pediatric surgeons in the world, who is humble, God-loving man. As he told the father in his 'post-op' report, he is simply using the gifts and skills God gave him to bring glory and honor to the heavenly Father. Watching his abilities to clearly, simply communicate a very complicated series of procedures on the operating table while deflecting all the praises to our Lord was another God moment. Not your usual surgeon's demeanor!
-meeting the surgeon's wife as I was walking from hospital to guest house and learning the dr. spent the last couple days praying, communicating with colleagues around the world and further reading/studying as he prepared for today's procedure...marks of a humble man for sure.
-as I entered the maternity ward early this morning hearing the sweet sound of hymns coming from the nurse station during what I assume was their normal daily or weekly staff meeting...confirming the Holy Spirit was alive and well among us.
-witnessing the power of the Holy Spirit comforting the father and mother throughout the day.
-tonight, as we left the hospital we got report that Solomon had no bleeding and abnormal drainage since surgery. After an exhausting day for the father, that unsolicated report from the nursery attendent was yet another comforting moment.

Thank you for your petitions and prayers for baby Solomon. He still has mountains to climb in his journey to live, but today was one monumental step that we give thanks and praise to our very loving Lord.

Goodnight from Kijabe

Safe in Kijabe, Kenya: Baby Solomon Surgery Tomorrow--Prayers Requested

Brief Update....internet is here, but not reliable. We made the journey safely...in 11 hours! Baby Solomon immediately examined by staff and pediatric doctor. Awesome...Solomon got better treatment in the first 30 minutes here than he got in weeks in Uganda hospitals. What a blessing!  This place (www.kijabehospital.org) is truly amazing. More on all those details later.

Baby Solomon is scheduled for surgery 8am local time, which is 10pm Sunday night PST, midnight CST and 1am Monday morning on the east coast. God knew he needed to be here for a few days before surgery, cause one of doc's main concerns is his nutrition and related small size. His little body will have to muster all the strength to make it through the surgery. So for all the prayer warriors out there, now is when the family needs you. Mother and father are obviously worried and concerned....but they have a strong faith.

In closing, it was an amazingly moment to see the dr today ask to pray with family and the staff in the middle of baby nursery...everything stopped while he prayed for baby Solomon.....only by His grace.

Shalom

Baby Solomon-journey to Kenya: The Lord is certainly Good!

Destination text

As I write this note, its Thursday evening, prior to a very early departure tomorrow morning at 5:45am. We're headed to Kijabe, Kenya a 10-12 hour journey from Jinja. The Lord has certainly blessed baby Solomon and his parents in locating a Dr at a missionary hospital in Kijabe. One that has the experience with his condition. We travel knowing his journey is not certain, nor predictable. But what we do know is that he needs surgery to sustain life. The surgical procedure we anticipate having in Kijabe will be only the first of many. We also know we serve a very loving Lord who has shown Himself in so many ways, in just baby Solomon's short 4 week life.

So off we go....father, mother, 'auntie', one of our staff and myself. Loaded with some home made goodies from Bonnie, lots of water, supplies, money (yes this is a cash society where many things are short-circuited with a little 'cash'...especially at the Kenyan border as I'm told), pillows for the very bumpy ride, warm clothes for the 7000 ft elevation and lots of faith the vehicle will make it without ANY breakdowns.

One short story that I must share. When our staff arrived for work this morning, there was an immediate recommendation to go as a group to baby Solomon's home and pray with him and his family. So we overloaded our vehicle with all 9 of us and drove the few miles to their home. As we gathered around the living room, with mom and baby solomon the center of our attention, we opened in song and then prayer. I truly wish it could have been recorded and included here. The Holy Spirit was alive, the moment was one to cherish with sweet music, loving and caring prayers and tender words of love and  encouragement. What a blessing it was to just be there and experience the love of our staff for one of their own and little baby Solomon. Only the Lord knows the journey He has in store for baby Solomon....but along the way He is comforting and showing His love in ways only He can do! Awesome.

Thank you for your prayers and overwhelming support we've seen over the past week. I'm not bashful to ask for your financial support. The medical costs are going to be expensive....not like it would be in the USA, but not inconsequental either. If its on your heart to contribute, go to http://www.childrenofgrace.com/ , see the article "Urgent Pediatric Medical Situation - Please help!" click on donate now button. Just write in comment field "baby Solomon". We'll take care of the rest.

Here's a pic of baby Solomon taken a few days ago when he and Mom were still at the Kampala general hospital.

Off to Kenya for the next phase of this adventure.....and I've been here a day short of 4 weeks!

Urgent pediatric medical situation....SHORT UPDATE

Its been one of those amazing days that shows the power of prayer and God's provision. Just returned to Jinja from a 'day trip' to Kampala to see mom, dad and baby Solomon along with meeting the current attending ped. drs. A day trip to Kampala isn't your ordinary journey. "Only" 2-3 hours each way, but along a road that is full of diesel exhaust, heavily congested and your typical African roadway where there are 3 lanes of traffic on a 2 lane road! 
A quick update, with details of the 'God moments' in subsequent post in which you'll be blown away! We literally had a worldwide response today from our use of social media tools, with several VERY promising leads to Dr's in Kenya. Baby Solomon has a difficult journey ahead of him, with most importantly to beat back the current infection. Not always easy here in Africa. I'm exhausted, but at the same time overcome with the joy of seeing first hand the love of Christ today!  Stay tuned!

Urgent pediatric medical situation....PLEASE HELP US!

This note is unashamed appeal for help from anyone in the medical profession anywhere in the world that may be able to help us. A member of our COG staff here in Jinja had her first baby 3 weeks ago...boy named Solomon. He was born with condition that is diagnosed as cloacal exstrophy . Kinda rare...1 in 250,000 births..w/o getting graphic it means he has abdominal stuff that should be inside his body...but is actually outside! Serious, life threatening condition w/o surgical procedure. The pediatric surgeon at the largest hospital in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, says they are not experienced in the required procedure and can't help. They released mom and baby after 10 days from birth w/o taking any surgical procedure...unbelievable given his condition.Baby Solomon got infection within days and has been back in Kampala hospital with Mom since Monday.

Most logical destinations for us are Kenya, South Africa, India, somewhere in Europe. We know the required procedure could be done in US, but logistics are difficult. HOWEVER....if you have any contacts with a children's hospital or orthopedic surgeon...we are seeking your help. Please send email to paul@childrenofgrace.com or Mary Ann McCoy at maryann@childrenofgrace.com

We also covet your prayers and have a huge amount of faith that the Lord's will be done in this situation. Our job is to be the arms and legs to do all that is humanly possible to save this little boy's life, while giving the entire situation over to Him who loves us unconditionally.