Healing

And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled,
the mute, and many others, and they put them at this feet, and he healed them.
Matthew 15:30

Healing comes in many different forms at Kijabe. It’s sometimes miraculous and always encouraging.

Mary went home this week. At age 27, she had been seriously injured in a road accident back in August, suffering a shattered pelvis, extensive groin wounds, and other injuries. The orthopedists placed external fixation on her pelvis, the surgeons repaired her wounds and gave her a temporary colostomy, and I treated her pulmonary embolism and other medical complications. Throughout her 3 month stay, she maintained a hopeful and grateful spirit, and a warm smile. Last week her external fixation device was removed and she was permitted to begin sitting up and then to walk. When we passed her on rounds as she prepared to go home this week, we applauded her and offered a prayer for her, that God would provide sustained healing and strength in the days ahead.

Joyce, age 24, has AIDS, but she wouldn’t face it honestly. Her pneumonia had responded promptly to antibiotics, but her CD4 count, the number of crucial disease-fighting cells in her blood, was extremely low. Fearful of the truth, Joyce refused to be tested for HIV, and we sent her home. She returned 3 weeks later, looking more gaunt, with TB-infected fluid in her chest and thrush in her mouth. I sat down with her after rounds one day, and explained that without HIV testing and treatment, she would certainly die within a year and never see her one year-old grow up. Mary, our HIV nurse, also talked to her, but still she refused. So we told her we would pray for her, and didn’t press the issue further. Then a wonderful thing happened – her sisters came to visit, and saw immediately what was happening. With their assurance of love, support, and help with caring for her child, Joyce finally agreed to be tested and to begin HIV treatment. The fear in her eyes was gone, replaced by a smile and a look of peace. Her body remains very ill, but true healing has begun in her heart.

Elizabeth came in last month with breathing problems and coughing up a bit of blood. She had developed breast cancer a few years back, and our fears were confirmed when a CT scan showed the cancer had spread to her lungs. We treated her symptoms and sent her to an oncologist in Nairobi. She returned last week with worsening anemia, so we gave her enough blood to bring her hemoglobin up to a healthy level, so she can start chemotherapy next week. In the long run, the transfusions and chemotherapy may not allow her to survive, but she leaves Kijabe each time with an encouraged heart, thanks to the loving care of the nurses and other staff. After the transfusion was finished, she asked if she could stay an extra day; she likes it here. We gladly agreed.

Miriam was 31 years old, with advanced AIDS. Her CD4 count was near zero, a viral infection had made her blind, TB was spreading in her lungs, and toxoplasmosis was destroying her brain. In spite of supportive care and treatment of her infections, she became less responsive, could not swallow, and began having seizures. Her death was both inevitable and merciful. We were glad that after all her suffering, Miriam has received a final healing.

Some leave Kijabe with their health restored; others leave encouraged as they face ongoing sickness or disability. We’re reminded each time that while we provide treatment, comfort, and compassion, it is God who heals, both body and soul.

- Doug