Today was a very hard day for all of us. We visited the
Mityana government sponsored hospital and met the head of administration, the
lead doctor, and the head nurse. They all told us how poor the conditions were
at the hospital; despite the great amount of foreign aid other countries send
on a regular basis. They told us they lack the medical supplies and the space
for all the patients that come in seeking help. They also said that they are
low on funds to hire enough doctors and nurses, and sometimes the ones they
hire end up leaving to private clinics because they can earn more money there.
We then got a tour of the grounds and different buildings.
The conditions are deplorable!
People crowded the small porches outside waiting to be seen. Patients lay
around on the grass outside or filled up the narrow hallways. We saw the men
and women’s ward, the children’s ward, and the maternity ward…and all were
jammed packed with the sick. They were sleeping on filthy mattresses, soaked
with blood or urine. Children lay in hard metal beds while their mothers slept
on the ground, waiting to change their dressings or feed them. We were shocked
when they allowed us to peak into the operation room, with no form of
sanitation, before a woman had her sectarian section. There was a huge tent
outside that we were told was the “waiting room”. Everywhere we turned, we saw
smiling, content people in horrendous conditions. The smell was unbearable and
the fact that the huge warehouse-looking building was considered a hospital
broke us inside. Many of us, trying to stay strong and calm in front of the
patients, burst into tears as soon as we were outside. We held each other in
silence as our thoughts and tears flowed as one.
The experience reminded us how
important building the medical clinic in Butebi is. Many patients were unable
to be cared for immediately and some have gotten worse on the way to the
hospital. When the Butebi medical clinic is finished, many will have a better
opportunity for health care and the distance they must travel will be greatly
decreased. We gathered outside the hospital and before climbing back into the
van, bowed our heads and prayed for God’s grace and mercy to flow on the place.
The ride back to the worksite was quiet and filled with prayers. When we
reached the Butebi village, it was as if our strength had been renewed with a
deep passion. The men worked harder than ever and even Lila grabbed a hoe to
help. Dennis and Stephanie rounded up some kids and threw around a Frisbee.
Laughing and playing with the children brought their spirits up and the sadness
from the morning seemed to be replaced with love and attention. Sue, Annette
and Winnie went to the Mityana Baptist Church to hold another Bible study and
the 15 women who came enjoyed it very much. It was encouraging to hear them
talk and feel their acceptance and thanks. Many of them stood and shared their
own stories, encouraging the others and shedding light on the lifestyles here
in Uganda.
Meeting
back up in the evening for dinner, we shared our experiences during the day and
prayed again for the people we had seen. We talked about how, even with the dreadful
mess we saw, that God is still good and still in control. The things we saw
broke our hearts, but burned a desire in us even more. We know that all things
happen in order to bring glory to God and although we may not understand
everything, we can trust that everything is going to be okay. Many of us
realized how blessed we are and I’m sure everyone went to bed thanking God for
all the wonderful things God has given us. It was an emotionally draining day,
but it also opened our eyes and hearts to many things we didn’t realize before.
P.S. Customs is still withholding
our medical bag…
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