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 September 4, 2010 |
Update for September 26, 2005Dear Mom, Remember Joyce? It was just a few days ago that I wrote an email asking you that same question. Although that day was a long, busy day, it was a bit more happy and more rewarding than today was. It was a great relief to know that we had finally gotten Joyce registered for treatment if it was deemed necessary. Yesterday I returned from Eastern Province and one of the things on my list for today was to find out how things were with Joyce and whether or not she had heard anything from the VCT Center and whether or not she had been or needed to go for treatment. Before I got that far on my "to do" list for the day, I received a phone call from Elias, Joyce's oldest son, saying his mother had died this morning. Apparently she had fallen ill and was admitted to hospital early last week, which being out of network coverage area, I had not known. No more pain or suffering for Joyce. No longer does she have the continuous headache which I heard her speak of so often. She is at rest and rejoicing with her Lord. However, there is a big hole and a great sadness being experienced by her four children. With heavy hearts, Mrs. Sakala and I went to that little two-room home where Joyce had stayed with her children. In true Zambian style, we found all the furniture moved outside and only mats for the mourners left inside. They were kind enough to bring a chair for this stiff-legged white gal. Elizabeth was able to find out some of the needs and we went off to buy some food (supplied by the Pastors' Wives Fellowship) which would be needed to feed the mourners. The PAOG(Z) District Office personnel were busy dealing with the body and paper work. They are hoping to bury tomorrow, which should cut down on funeral expenses which can become exorbitant if the funeral is delayed. I know your question now is, "What will happen to Moses and his brothers and sisters?" That is not yet known. The landlord has demanded that immediately after the funeral, everything must be moved out of the rooms. So for the time being, until something more permanent can be arranged, Moses and the two younger children will go to stay with their Great Grandmother. That's right...Joyce's Grandmother! Poor woman, she has seen her daughter die and now her granddaughter and is left to care for 3 great grandchildren. More than ever that Child Care Plus support is needed for Moses, Samson, and Mercy. As I understand it, an uncle has taken in Elias, the older brother and is teaching him some carpentry. So it appears as if they will be looking for places to stay for only the three younger children. The Great Grandmother really is not able to keep them on a prolonged basis. The saddest thing that I found out today is that the HIV test which Moses had on that day when we took he and his mother to the VCT clinic showed that Moses is HIV Positive. We don't know yet what is the result of the CD4 count and whether or not he will be put on ARV drugs. After the funeral is finished and things settle down, we will have to take Moses back to the clinic for further assessment. He also has run out of the TB drugs he was on and needs to be reassessed for that also. So Moses really needs to be taken care of and given good nutrition. Knowing Moses' status, it is quite likely that the two younger children are also HIV Positive. Likely we will take them all for testing after the funeral is finished. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Pray that God will comfort that Great Grandmother and these 4 children in their time of great loss. Pray that a good living solution will be found for the children. Pray that God will speak to individuals and Child Care Plus sponsorship will come through so that there is some means of support for the children. Pray for health and healing for Moses...God is greater than TB...God is greater than HIV/AIDS!!! With a heavy heart, I sign off, Cheryl Ann
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