Coming home to Mugisha...

Today we had the joy of seeing a very special boy again, Mugisha.  Mugisha was a precious life that was spared when we took him to the doctor two months ago.  He was treated for a blood-born staph infection and worms.   The month on his medicine was a rough one.  He didn’t eat much and continued to fight through the ailments.  Visitors reported that he appeared to be healing and that was the last that we heard.  Until today… when we walked to Kimisagara, Rwanda. 

The pathway was hard to stay on.  Rocks, loose dirt, mud, wet rocks, trash and occaisional cement landings composed our walking path that led us up through the slums toward “Mfasha Abana” (translated means: I help Children).  The sky behind us was incredibly dark and heavy with rain, but it carried a soft, cool breeze that was welcoming after a long walk in the African sun. 

We stepped into the orphanage and waited for Feliciene.  He came out, without delay, jumping and shouting!  He was so happy to see us!  He began calling out for certain children to come out and greet us and with the happy word “Mugisha!” he ran to a neighboring building to find our darling boy that we helped not long ago. 

Mugisha’s story is a special one.  He was found as an infant in a public pit latrine (a very deep hole in the ground that people use for a toilet), fished out and brought to this orphanage to raise.  He’s the ‘baby’ of the orphanage and a bit of a cutie.  When we found him just two months ago, he wasn’t in good shape, though.  He had an opened sore on his left foot that had become infected.  On his right hand a staph infection manifested and his poor belly was very large with worms, which also were coming out of his face and left arm.  However special he was/is to this orphanage, his ailments weren’t raising question enough to get him to a doctor.   Until the day we visited while scouting for a location to film.  Sadly, this same orphanage just lost a 15 year old boy just two weeks ago to Typhoid: a completely preventable death. 

This orphanage has so much room to grow!  They need education in all forms (basic, health, hygeine, even logic..), they need a way of income, they need someone to constantly pray for them… and imagine what can be done.   They have so much hope for the future in light of positive change that can happen just by bringing you, fellow reader, into their lives to know them and love them, even from where you sit at your desk.  

When Mugisha was brought to me, joy completely filled me.  It was like I was seeing my son for the first time in months.   But he looked a bit different.  His staph infection was completely gone, his belly was MUCH smaller and he himself seemed very thin.  He was a bit ‘absent’ in his eyes and limp.  I was told that he had just woke from a nap, so I’m hoping the lethargic behavior will be gone by the next time we meet, next week.   PLEASE tell anyone you know who might want to know these children to follow along here.  We all have a bit of growing to do from this story… and from this chance to change many lives and give them HOPE in Jesus’ Name. 

We want to give a big shout out to our supporters of "the Rwanda Project" from 2008 who's funds were able to save this boy's life.  Thank you so very much!  Please, keep praying for precious Mugisha as he continues to heal and grow into his purpose!