Love and Chanda!

So, this blog may be on the long side…… Today we took Joe Joe back to UTH to get another checkup. Brock and Megan are still going through the process of adoption – they have gotten the consent forms signed by Judith, Joe’s grandma, and are now awaiting for social welfares’ decision on their committal order to be processed. Realize how huge of a deal this is – Last year in Zambia there were only 20 adoptions – FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. This baffles me because Zambia has the highest per capita orphan rate in the world. I am not saying that we should just hand a child over to any willing parent –but come on. Some interesting things I’ve learned through this whole process are – there are no set rules – every law is flexible in Zambia and everything takes time – VERY SLOW MOVING PROCESS. So, for the Birkenfelds to have accomplished everything that they have is only through the Lord. Please continue praying for them. Watching Joe bond with them has warmed my heart, and I am grateful to the Lord for this amazing couple who will raise Joe Joe.

So I have started thinking. I want to start a VCT clinic. For those of you unaware – this is HIV testing and counseling clinic – here in Zambia. These are kind of my ideas – I want there to be testing – which is free and readily available to all Zambians. I would like there to be better pre and post counseling. Having sat through this process -There was no pre counseling and ABSOLUTELY NO post counseling. I know they say they do this – but they do not. I would like for this clinic to focus not only on that (testing, pre and post counseling) but do AIDS education and awareness programs in the community schools and orphanages who we partner with for Camp LIFE. I would like for there to be trained educators and counselors who go to these schools and have a seminar for the caretakers on the importance of getting their children tested and the causes of HIV. (Also getting tested as caretakers.) The crazy thing is you have to have consent from a caretaker if you are under 18 to get tested even those some of these little girls are raped without choice. This brings me to another thought of counseling for sexual abuse victims and offenders that are here in Zambia. Having done both of these – I see such a need for this since there is such trauma that happens to these beautiful girls. Most of these girls live there lives never telling anyone about the trauma they go through. They need counsel and need the Lord during this time. Also there has to be more education and counseling for the offenders. They need to know the Lord, respect for Women, and grace. I know the task I am thinking about is large – and I know that you can not change a culture – I know that is not ethical. I just want services offered. The children also need to know about transmission of HIV and the importance of getting tested. You would think that people know but they do not. Weston and I had several of these talks with our boys about sex, HIV, pregnancy, abstinence, and protection. Let me tell you our boys did not know a lot and they had a lot of questions because they had a lot of misinformation. The talks were not comfortable (especially for me), but they are needed. At least my kids can not say that they are ignorant of the causes. I think opening a specific clinic on this is important – not just a general health clinic but one geared on HIV and testing and AIDS awareness and counseling. I know the language and cultural barriers. I know that there are other VCT clinic, but I have seen them and I just am baffled at one – the lack of empathy and education , and two – the lack of Christ centered counseling, and three – some sanitary issues at certain testing places. I just know there can be a better way of doing this. CHRIST centered being the key. I definitely do not have all the answers, but I have been talking to a lot of people – physicians and other agencies. There has to be more of an incentive to get tested since it is such a stigma – but somehow God has to override the stigma and fear of getting tested to get these people treated. I have thought a little on the logistics, and I am not sure about funding other than I know that you can receive national ARVs, and I know some American dollars go towards VCT in Africa. I know there needs to be a room for testing, waiting, counseling, education, and files. I know there needs to be a staff of doctors, counselors, educators, and office management, not to mention waste disposal and sanitary regulations. Somehow transportation to get tested or mobile testing at schools. (Partnering with the community schools and orphanages to educate and test.) This is of course non profit so donors – whether corporate or small. Anyway, I have just been praying about it and throwing the idea around in my head. Sometimes, when I have been running at night and talk to the Lord I will think at how amazing He could do this and then other times I get so beaten down at the logistics (and culture and enormity, etc.) I think there is no way possible, and then I get discouraged. But I know with the Lord all things are possible. So, I feel it is this cycle of a roller coaster that goes on in my brain daily. But I do know that the people who are crazy enough to think that they can help change the world – are usually the ones who do.

Another child of mine went to the doctor today – He is my little boy with a speech impediment and the looks of a cleft pallet who stuttered last year. Well, there is a speech pathologist who has been here for three weeks. Never did it occur to me to open his mouth and look at it. Oh, yeah he has a cleft pallet. It is a miracle this boy has even survived as long as he has. Most of these children are seen as a curse and they use to be thrown away (now there is a fine for that – praise Jesus!) – now they are just starved to death. Luckily, he has a family who loves him and did not do this , but his cleft pallet makes it extremely difficult for him to eat and I can understand when he talks but most others can’t. Anyway, we got him screened today for cleft pallet surgery. It is free – and it is scheduled for August 5. WE check him in on August 4 and he will stay over night for 3 days. I plan on staying with him since, his mother has many young children to care for. I can’t believe that my baby is going to be able to talk normally. Last year – I told him to pray and believe that God would use him.

.Often times I feel like a mother – taking children to the clinic- talking to many doctors, going to the schools, playing with them, praying over them, being concerned – ALL THE TIME, etc.. It is not overwhelming -just it can be amazingly tiring. So – here is a thank you to all the mothers out there. You have an incredibly hard job – and little recognition is given. SO – thank you.

The final note – I went to Buseko market the other day where some of my boys from Destiny lived. I was truly humbled by what I saw. My boys live in house made of plastic tarps tied to wood beams (think glad plastic bags tied to rotten wood.) It is dirty and smoky and there are tons of fires, the water is unsanitary, and most of my boys have a common case of dysentery and worms. I wanted to open my mouth at how horrible this was- even for AFRICA- but I just plastered a big smile on my face, as my boys proudly escorted me through the plastic streets where there truly is no name. Despite their grueling circumstances – they have hope – it is real. So is their joy. I see it in their eyes. I know they have a future and plans that the Lord has designed for them. I don’t always get life and get why certain things happen to other people who don’t deserve them – but I think I’m starting to get love. My boys have this - they choose this. They know they are loved by the Lord and they know I love them so much I can’t stand it. Love is being selfless -putting other before yourself. Just like Christ did for us not only in his death but throughout his life. I see my boys do this as they share a meal between 11 of them. I see them help one another. I see them rally for each other. So, I just want to challenge you to live beyond yourself, and to start really loving others WELL. Give to the less fortunate - I promise the Lord will repay you in Joy. The same Lord who blesses us WAY TOO abundantly in the states is the same Lord who pours out His spirit here in Africa. Remember what Jesus said - the greatest of all the commandments is to Love the Lord your God with EVERYTHING and to LOVE others!!!!