Not For Everyone

But She Is My Hero

Lyzette Kasigwa
Death can get really close in a third world nation.  Where I come from it is almost sanitized.  Structures are in  place to keep it as far away and as impersonal as possible. Not here.  In fact, soon after crossing the Nile River with Lyzette, our driver Peter directed our attention to something out of the ordinary, but common.  In the middle of a wide spot in the road, surrounded by a half dozen people, lie a dead man.  He had obviously just been "knocked" by a moving vehicle moments before we arrived, but was most certainly dead.


The three of us left Jinja early Wednesday morning for Kampala.  Our original purpose was to pick up Peter's passport.  But, when I found out that Lyzette was also going to Kampala to visit one of "her ladies," I insisted that she ride with us and allow us to accompany her.  She was enthusiastic.

Schola months ago
The experience of a miscarriage is trauma enough, but to give birth to your third son and never see him or be present at his burial is serious additional trauma.  Recovery from the haziness between heaven and earth found a conscious Lyzette in the mothers-with-babies ward.  It was just last February and it seemed cruel to me.  She will never see, touch, or hear her baby Hunter until she reaches Heaven.  But, she lived among mothers for several days who were nursing and attending to their newborns every hour.  The cries from the babies increased her pain and she couldn't block out the distinctive cries of the small living ones.

From this origin of darkness, desperation, depression, and death came new life known now as Women in Crisis.  Healing from God gave Lyzette the courage and vision needed to reenter the women's wards of hospitals to bring hope to those in crisis of one kind or another.

Patrick, Schola, Lyzette
I was on my first journey into her realm of women in crisis.  Schola was transferred from Jinja Main Hospital to a well known hospital in Kampala nicknamed "Kill Me Quick" hospital.  Her husband was advised to move her to Nakasaro Hospital if he wanted her alive.  Patrick and Schola have been married for less than one year, but most of that time has been consumed with fighting death and disease.  A scan last week revealed a malignant tumor.  Surgery was prescribed, but Schola needs strength to survive the surgery.  It is scheduled for Saturday.

Together for better or for worse
Patrick and Lyzette were both ecstatic about the progress Schola has made, but I was stunned by her serious condition.  Peter and another friend were also very quiet.  We all agreed that not many can find fulfillment and joy in bringing hope to people in such desperate conditions.  Lyzette is one of my heroes.  She helps these women, their husbands, and their families focus on the goodness and grace of God.  She does all she can to meet their physical and financial needs.  She cleared the sizable lab bill for Patrick and Schola and we prayed that God would provide the funds to pay off the current $5,000 hospital bill.

I know of few people who would turn this kind of mourning into dancing.  But I am committed to do everything I can to see Lyzette continue in this critical ministry.

Comments

  1. Thank You So Much! What a beautiful, if back-handed swipe at institutionalism. It is a killer - Body, Soul, and Spirit.

    Love!

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  2. Thank you God for Lyzette and her BIG heart for women! God be with Schola and bring her healing through the surgery she will be facing Saturday. Give Patrick courage and peace as he stands faithfully beside his wife. Above all, God may you be glorified in their lives.

    Again, Paul, thanks for sharing!

    With the Love of Jesus,

    Melvena

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