Now that I am back it has just been trying to get back into the swing of things again. The first 24 hours are always the toughest because everything is so dirty. Even though you know what to expect, it is always a shock. Dr. Danae welcomed me with a hug and said, "welcome to dirt". She knows every time she comes back it is the same thing. It doesn't matter how much someone cleans your house before you get here it still seems dirty. But after time things begin to blend in and your back to not caring about it.
When I got back I got the report that my very first baby on the baby milk program died from malaria. She must have been about three years old. I don't know if you remember the story back when we had the bad storm and this little baby girl's mother died. Cory, my son, came to me and was concerned about how this baby was going to live without a mother. She was a newborn and needed milk. If a mother dies here the other family members will just give the baby water until it dies. Which I think is just awful. But I understand now how hard it is for them to get the formula. It costs about $6 a can that will last about 1 week and they only make about $1 per day. It is nearly impossible for them to afford it. I had a container of formula in my cupboard that I bought "by accident" and that was that the beginning of the baby milk program. I am very proud to report that we are giving out about 65 cans of formula a month and the program continues to grow. We are being able to build relationships with the family members that come to work for us for 2-4 hours a week for the formula.
I was just talking to one of the young girls that has Aids with her little 10 month old baby girl on Friday. She was working out in our yard sweeping trying to work for the formula for her baby. I noticed that she was not wearing any shoes. Since Naomi, my translator, was working with me that day I had her talk to her with me. I asked her first how things are going for her at home? She replied that everything was fine. As I continued with the questions she began to cry. I asked her what is really going on? I told her that I am here to help if she needs me. She began to open up about how she is living with her brother and his wife and how mean they are to her. She doesn't have any extra food for her baby girl. She said, "I know my baby is little and I just can't feed her any more than I do right now but I know she needs more." I asked her where her shoes are and she said that they broke. I just felt like I should do something for her and give her a chance in life. I started her on a business for $20. I taught her how to do the financial side of it and told her if she were to pray over her business everyday that I just know that God will multiply it for her. I also gave her a pair of my shoes and gave her $4 for clothes for herself and I had a few things in the house for her baby girl. It felt so good to do something like that for someone. In my heart I just knew that she needed just a start. Working for God like this is just so rewarding and I thank God for always providing us with means to do what He is asking me to do.
The other thing that I wanted to share with you is about one of my dear friends. We always call her Mama Presil. She is a very old lady but I have always thought she was such a beautiful one. She is the only African here that I know with green eyes. I have been friends with her for about 3 years now. She is a very spiritual lady. One time I was able to get her a Nangjere bible along with three of her friends and when I handed them out they did a happy dance for me singing God's praises. I met her husband once before he died. He was a good man and a pastor. Well, a couple days ago her family brought her to the hospital. While I was on my furlough she had a stroke. But they brought her to the hospital because she stopped talking and wouldn't open her eyes. Two days before this happened Naomi saw her and told her that I was planning on visiting her very soon. She said she was looking forward to the visit and just waiting for me. I haven't had a chance yet to get out there. When I went to see her in the hospital I absolutely hated to see her like this. I began to cry as I was holding her hand. I prayed to God aloud and with her family. I was feeling so bad inside for not seeing her before she got like this. Then after my prayer I began to just talk to her mixing English and the little Nangjere that I know. I was calling her sister in Nangjere and asking her in English to please wake up I want to talk to you again. It was the craziest thing, she woke up! I don't know why or how but she woke up. The whole family felt like it was a miracle. I was just so happy to see my friends beautiful eyes again. I got to talk to her and I went and made her bwee, which is like a rice porridge. I spoon fed her the bwee. She has regained her strength and seems to be getting better everyday. And all I can say is praise the Lord! "
Love and blessings,
Tammy Parker
Jamie phone: +235 93 46 46 35
Tammy phone: +235 95 25 86 58
Jamie & Tammy Parker
Hopital Adventiste de Bere
52 Boite Postale
Kelo, TChad
Afique
All donations can be sent to:
Harrison SDA Church
P.O. Box 969
Harrison, TN 37341
Make Checks payable to:
Harrison SDA Church
Earmark: "The Bere Project"
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