Happy to see everyone! Surgery on Saturday was successful. Can we go home yet?
Getting up to speed in her new wheels, a gift from NGM. Sharon lit up when she learned she could move around like this.

From March 10th to 20th I am in Uganda visiting friends and missionaries with Next Generation Ministries (NGM) » see NGM Facebook page. Below is my attempt to summarize the story of Sharon and the care she is receiving. Click any photo to see it enlarged. 

A week ago we met Sharon, the nine-year-old girl who was run over by two motorcycles (called “boda bodas”) in Jinja, Uganda. After being admitted to Jinja Main Hospital in about five minutes, she laid in agony on a bed in the women’s ward for three days. Without treatment. Doctors and nurses did drop by, but only caused her pain.

Looking for a creative outlet, Sharon and I took turns drawing everyday items. She’s so bright, and ready to go home.

So, by the time Ugandan friends and colleagues of NGM learned of her situation, a change needed to be made. You see, children’s bones heal quickly, and if those are left untreated — let alone treated poorly or wrongly — she would have significant challenges in the future.

I’ll let you get up to speed on her injuries, the terrible care received, and the generosity of many to help enable a better future for Sharon by reading Words in Uganda: “There is no hurry in Africa.” Also, many have contributed to her medical costs (which may sum as much as $4,000 USD). » You may join in this good cause on this GoFundMe page.

Steel plates put in each arm, to be removed in about six weeks.

Fast forward nearly a week and here we are: well, here is where Sharon is. Home, that is.

Sharon got to go home with her mother on Tuesday. We all made the trip back to Kampala (a couple hours with good traffic), and brought others in need of medical care. By evening we were all home, especially Sharon with her mother Jessica, and faithful “auntie” Hellen. There was great joy in the village of Mpumudde.

Some photos:

Dr. Muballe with Paul Hunter. What a gifted and winsome orthopedic surgeon, he exudes calmness and yet fights for the marginalized and forgotten. A true friend of NGM.

The van ride back home (stopped at KFC for chicken as a group, and at a petrol station on the way so the girls who work there could see the girl they saw last week and have been praying for ever since). Since Sharon’s arms must remove straight, she and I had fun as I helped her eat an apple and sip water.

Requested Momma to carry her out of the van. A Mother’s love cannot be measured, her care is priceless.

Back home with family and friends in Mpumudde, a village outside of Jinja, Uganda. (Note the wall lettering: Honesty, Integrity, Reliability.

Another photo, this time with Peter our friend and NGM driver. He has been a joyful servant making the trip back and forth to Kampala, with great ability amidst some treacherous passages and less-than-safe drivers on the road.

This whole opportunity with Sharon and her family has been just that: an opportunity from God. It is His responsibility to bring us opportunities, as Paul Hunter reminded us in Sunday’s message. Our part is to stay prepared. We never know when an opportunity will come, when we can love, serve, sacrifice, and share. But we must stay ready, stay worshipful, and rely on God’s Spirit to direct our paths.

Paul teaching on opportunity (God’s responsibility) and preparation (ours).

So very thankful for the body of Christ, locally here in Uganda, and abroad. We have together responded to the call to serve and love and share. Yes!

Next Generation Ministries has two simple mottos:

• Being a river of relationships connecting resources to needs, and
• Changing Uganda one person at a time. 

I’d say Sharon has been changed by this whole experience, but the truth is, each of us have been changed as well.

Get well Sharon. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and May the road rise up to meet you.