Fear - And why I'm not afraid anymore (a story mostly through pictures)

Visiting in the Children's ward at Mulago Hospital.

When I found out a few years ago that my child, my beautiful daughter, was never going to be like the other little girls I was surrounded by, I was terrified.  The world was full of “What ifs” and “How comes” and, honestly, I grieved for her…  for moments that she’ll never experience, and hard lessons that will be harder for her..  for the rejection or the day when she notices what everyone else sees.  It’s hard.  And I’m scared.  

Charlee snuggling babies (what she does best) in a neglected area close to where we live.

The guy in the middle is scared of the "muzungu" or "white person".  Charlee couldn't figure out what was wrong ;)

BUT - She possesses something that not many people do.  She doesn’t see rich or poor, old or young, black or white.  She doesn't judge by the way you speak, or the clothes you wear, or if you have drool running down your face.  She sees people.  And people are all that matter to her.

Helping deliver Easter goodie bags to some disabled children - she's quite generous with the chips!  I think Derek appreciated it :)

Derek (above) is 18 and developed a type of Cerebral Palsy when he was 3, 

after contracting Cerebral Malaria.  He looooves sweets and visitors!

He, and another girl who can't speak are cared for by their grandfather.

Baby Melissa also has cerebral palsy and is epileptic.  Her and Charlee were fast friends!

Melissa's brothers were happy to have some treats.

So at our Palm Sunday special needs support group, I tried to look at these kids like Charlee does.  To love them without thinking.  And to embrace the differences in them.  Trina has a smile that lights up a room!  Whitney sings and dances and twirls like a princess.  Pudgy baby William has such a sweet demeanour that you couldn’t bear to be grumpy in his presence.  

Whitney leads the whole group in a song at our Palm Sunday Special Needs party - her grandma and sister are so proud!

Trina has the most beautiful smile.. and it's contagious! At almost 6 years and only 7 kilos, she can't sit up on her own and her mama carries her everywhere and has a blanket she lays her on so she can be near the other kids.  We are on the hunt for a wheelchair for her so she can sit up and see her friends.

Baby William gets a ride from his sister when he gets a bit restless inside...  it's amazing, he's half the size that she is, but after her mama helped get him on there, they walked around for about 20 minutes.

The sweetest face :)

I choose to look past their disabilities and see their hearts, the way that God made them.  Each and everyone one of them has a gift too, and if I only choose to see the things that make me sad, I miss out on the biggest blessings.  THAT is why I’m not afraid anymore.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

After the day we visited in the slum, Charlee was convinced she had to go see some more babies, so last Sunday we piled into the car with our friend Dina and headed to the children's ward at Mulago Hospital.  Mulago is the largest government hospital in Uganda and is very corrupt, over populated and under resourced.  I was afraid of what we might find there, but Charlee and Dina marched fearlessly in and started talking to mothers, praying for babies and fitting right in.  I was really just along for the ride:)

After holding baby Ruth, I assumed she was about a week old, but was completely shocked to find out she is 2 1/2 years!  She was very alert in taking everything in.

This mama has 3 month old preemie twins, and she was more than happy to let Charlee hold one for a bit.  She has been in the hospital alone sine their birth and specifically called Dina back to pray with her, even though she is a Muslim.  She just needed someone to care.

Charlee and Daniella visiting with a sick boy who was tucked away in the corner.  They stood there with him and held his hand, even after his dad said "It doesn't matter."  These little girls see the hope in the situation.

Dina praying for a baby and his mother.

This little guy, Matthew, was one of the only babies here alone - every time we walked away, he would cry, so she would go back and kiss him, and then we would move on and she would go back and kiss him.... 

The ward is so crowded, mothers or grandmothers sleep on mats between the cots just so they have a place to stay.

Not one baby was left out...  And not only did Charlee get her baby fix in, she cheered up the mothers while she was a it.  They all had a great time with her around.  She really was amazing.  

Charlee danced to cheer up some of the ladies before we left.