The Burns Ward and our Ken

Steve and I arrived in Uganda August 2010. 23 year old Ken lived next door looking after some children for his foster parents while they worked. One December morning 2010 ken came banging on our gate asking for help as his younger foster sister was in severe pain. After examining her it was apparent that she had a strangulated hernia that required immediate attention. Half an hour later we arrived at Mulago hospital emergency department. Young and old lay strewn along the entrance way waiting to be seen. There were not enough beds and bottles were used for pillows. Most lay on mats and some had relatives next to them to attend to their needs. Some men who were unconscious lying on ambulance stretches and unattended. It reminded me of a war zone even though I have only seen those images on the screen. Ken's foster mother was able to stay with her daughter while waiting to be seen by the medical staff. Ken and I helped an elderly man who had no carer. He was lying in his excrement on a bare tattered mattress. This is where our hospital ministry began. Ken's sister was taken to the children's surgical ward. Across from that ward lay the burns unit. We were dumbfounded as we saw patients lying on old rusty beds and on mats outside the ward as there was not enough room inside the ward that was already crammed with 12 men's beds, 20 babies and children's cots and 12 ladies beds. Ken with his compassionate heart wanted to help in some way. So we started to visit the ward on Sundays on a fortnightly basis and we having been doing this now for 4 and a half years. We both can see Gods providence in all of this as we were both able to minister in physical ways by helping mothers blinded by acid to care for their babies and I was able to offer some nursing help, although limited. Rarely was there a nurse in attendance that first year and we would have to search the hospital for help if we came across a patient that was deteriorating. Our visits were on a Sunday morning and we gave out fruit, chapatis and eggs and prayed for those who asked. Sometimes we provided bed linen, pillows and we would pay another carer to look after another patient nearby who didnt have a carer. The nurses do not do the day to day caring of patients. Bibles that we give out bring the most comfort and joy to our friends. A year later Steve joined our team along with our neighbour Monica and we began our first worship service where we sang after giving out provisions and praying for men women and children. Over the last 3 years the team has grown by Gods hand bringing people who care about the suffering. Steve, Denis and Richard pray over the men individually, I feed and tend to medical needs then Steve leads on guitar and Ken drums. Denis preaches and Julliette prays for the ladies. Richard has recently joined our team and he preaches as well. Joseph an acid victim has been a faithful prayer warrior praying and offering his testimony to the grace of God for his own healing. I am the one who nags at the one nurse if she has arrived or I search out the hospital for a Doctor if I find a patient in need of urgent medical treatment. I have learnt diplomacy instead of losing my cool. Hundreds of bibles have found homes in the charred hands and hurting hearts of burnt people giving them hope and comfort. Over the last few months we have realised why God brought the people he did to our team. Worship is now in Luganda not English and it rocks. The atmosphere is that of humility, joy and comfort as these burnt people and their carers dance and cry out their love for their God even though they are suffering immensely. We have said our farewells to many who have gone to meet Jesus, a release from suffering and an eternity with our precious lord. Ken will be an integral part of the team driving it forward along with Denis, Richard, Joseph and Juliette. Ken who has been living with us these past three years after his foster family moved away has helped us home school Nicholas and Pauline. He is now embarking on a journalism degree. Ken is humble, hard working, runs a 2 hour 17 minute marathon and loves Jesus. His vision is to be a voice for those who don't have one. He is brave to be embarking on such a mission but is trusting in Jesus. We already have 50 percent of sponsorship for Ken. If you are able to contribute a one off or monthly amount please e-mail us or facebook a message. Thankyou for reading our blog and may you be blessed for helping us put hundreds of Bibles into charred hands and hurting hearts.