The ward full of healing VVF woman quickly became my "Little Women" as i called them. These women are precious beyond words. They have traveled a long road of shame, loneliness, and great loss before coming here, but their strong, graceous spirits are some of the most attractive i've ever met. If i could have you experience ONE thing in Africa so far, it would be to spend an afternoon in a room full of my little VVF women:
Almost all not knowing how to read or write, but all speaking at least 3 different dialects ~ each one showed me their unique personalities. We spent some of the quieter afternoons tossing a beachball around bed to bed, exercise marches/dances around the ward, braiding bracelets, chatting~ laughing as we tried to understand each other and they tried to teach me how to tie their fancy head pieces! One of my favorite afternoons I taught them all how to blow kisses!!.. that was a hit and each time i left for my shift as i went to say goodnight to my little women.. many blew me kisses and made sure i "caught" each one ;) This is one of my most cherished memories I will take with me.
Almost all not knowing how to read or write, but all speaking at least 3 different dialects ~ each one showed me their unique personalities. We spent some of the quieter afternoons tossing a beachball around bed to bed, exercise marches/dances around the ward, braiding bracelets, chatting~ laughing as we tried to understand each other and they tried to teach me how to tie their fancy head pieces! One of my favorite afternoons I taught them all how to blow kisses!!.. that was a hit and each time i left for my shift as i went to say goodnight to my little women.. many blew me kisses and made sure i "caught" each one ;) This is one of my most cherished memories I will take with me.
Bilbata is a 24 year old woman that especially touched me in a deep way. She was married, and has had two pregancies. Her first child died at the age of 3, her second was a stillborn after 3 days of labor. The long pregnancy left her with a fistula causing her to constantly leak urine and feces for several years. Her husband deserted her, but luckily her father took her in. When she heard the rumour about Mercy Ships being in Ghana, her family helped her to get here. The doctors examined her and told her they were sorry but there was too much scar tissue, and a surgery would not restore her. Laying in our hospital bed surrounded by other woman that had finally found hope of VVF repair, she became suicidal. I did not know her at this point, but heard of her. Clementine, our amazing Ghanaian Discipler on the on the ward, prayed with her and and presented the Gospel to her, asked her to think about it... A few days later Bilbata turned from Islam to Jesus... A few days later the Doctors rediscussed her case and decided although they did not believe it would be successful, they would attempt to repair her hole. Over the course of the next few weeks after surgery, I was assigned to dear Bilbata. Being my age and speaking small small English we had a great time talking and joking around. Her spirit did a complete transformation. Although day after day post surgery she continued to leak while surrounded by others that were dry, she became the main encourager of the entire ward! She sang, she laughed, she hugged, she danced each day. It was not a false happiness, you could tell it was real, it was welling up from deep inside her. Not only did it encourage the other patients, but she was a huge uplifter to the nursing staff as well. I looked forward each day to being around her, she taught me more than i can put in words. When we held VVF ceremonies for our other successful cases, and those woman got up to dance in their bright, crisp new outfits..she never ceased to be right among their dancing and celebrating with them, hugging and kissing them to say how glad she was for them. It was a deep genuiness. She continues to praise God each day for life, despite not receiving her healing. When I think of the immensity that means in her life..returning to her village unhealed, a life of isolation.... i am ashamed to think of what i consider "problems" in my own life, and my attitude towards them. She has a child-like faith that God has her right where he wants her. Story to be continued...the doctors are referring her to a specialty MD up north this month to see if anything else can be done.
Georgette, was a little 7 year old who was BORN with a fistula (congenital), very rare. Her father gave up his prized University education to pay to go from doctor to doctor to find a cure for his little girl. After years of no such luck and one failed operation, they found their way to Mercy Ships. She was a little spark of joy to our ward, she insisted in joining in with the other VVF woman, all marching around the ward together for their daily exercise, each one with their foley catheter tails in hand, Georgette first among the "little women". During her VVF ceremoney celebration, her dad shared the joy he had when she raced to him to say with a big smile that she had a urge to go "pepe". It was the first time in her life that b/c she wasn't leaking, she had that sensation to empty a full bladder. Dad and I croweded in the bathroom together as she made her first pepe, and worked on exercises to strengthen those muscles! The excitement was universal..even the 60 year old woman where bear hugging me with delight when I took out their foley catheters and they made their first toilet run in years! simple joys :)I'm sad to say the rest of my time here, there are no more VVF surgeries scheduled. This was an experience of a lifetime I hope to be a part of again one day. As these woman left this week I already feel the void of their amazing presence. Please remember them in your prayers over the next few weeks they will try to reintegrate with their previous communities and hopefully, start a new life of acceptance!
