Update On Medical Fund

We just wanted to give you some updates on the two stories we shared with you recently. You may remember the blog Eric wrote entitled Aspirin For Cancer, where he shared the frustration and difficulty the people here (especially in the rural areas) have in accessing proper medical care. You can click on the title above to be re-directed to that blog, in case you missed it!

At that time, Eric invited you to be part of starting a medical fund to help a couple of people who the Lord has put into our lives here in Swaziland. In just a little over a week’s time $1500 has been received into that medical fund and a pledge of $1000 has been promised through ‘Karin’s Hope’ which started as a Facebook support group by a friend of ours in Michigan, Duane Smith, whose wife (Karin) was undergoing surgery for cancer a few weeks ago. After they became aware of Alphosinah’s story it became evident to them (and to us) how God was knitting together these two womens’ stories. Karin’s Hope has now developed into a way to connect resources in the United States with people in developing countries who need health care and can’t afford it. You can click on the underlined link above to read more about this divine connection that could only have been authored by the Lord Himself! That is absolutely amazing…and we are so thankful for the way God provides. How appropriate that these events transpired right over the Easter holidays because it certainly will bring NEW LIFE to (at least) two beautiful Swazi people! Here are the updates on Alphosinah and Linda: 

Alphosinah was seen by an amazing private doctor in Manzini who was brought to our attention through friends who work with The Luke Commission here in Swaziland. Eric and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting this doctor a couple of weeks ago and are so thrilled that we now have a relationship with such a gentle, kind-hearted, Christian physician who also has seen the trials of navigating the medical system in this country. He took the time to really study Alphosinah’s medical history and truly listen to her. He examined her thoroughly and was able to piece together a plan forward for this woman who had grown so weary and discouraged. The doctor sensed that Alphosinah had kind of “given up”, and really encouraged her to re-engage the path to wholeness and health. He likened her story to the story in the Gospel of Matthew of the woman who had suffered with a bleeding disorder for twelve years. This woman touched the hem of His garment and was healed.

“You know what you need to do to be healed…now you must go after it! Just like this woman in the Bible!” That is what the doctor told Alphosinah and it really seemed to strengthen and empower her. 

This past Wednesday, Eric accompanied Alphosinah and her son to South Africa to get the referral she needs to begin chemotherapy. There are no hospitals or clinics in Swaziland that do chemotherapy, so her only option is to go to South Africa. Usually there is at least a 6-9 month waiting period, but by God’s grace Alphosinah has only to wait until May 3 when she will go to Durban, South Africa to begin chemotherapy treatments! She does need some ultrasounds and blood/lab work prior to that which has all been scheduled!

This is such good news, and we ask you to join in praising and thanking God for his faithful care of this woman! Please pray for endurance and strength for Alphosinah as she still has a very long road ahead. A specific need is that she won’t listen to people in her community that may try to convince her that all she needs is to continue going to the local tribal ‘healer’ (i.e.: witch doctor). Pray that she will keep her eyes solely on Jesus, on the hem of HIS garment…of righteousness and healing! We trust HIM alone with the life of Alphosinah.

Linda has received some good news. It appears that his condition is not cancer! At this time the diagnosis is a bit unclear, but he is being treated for an infection of his lymph nodes. He has been seen at the hospital in Manzini (a city approximately 1 ½ hours away) and has started receiving injections which seem to be helping in healing his body! Praise God! The terrible swelling in his neck and face has begun to go down and he is much less uncomfortable. He is scheduled to return for these injections two times per month until the infection is under control.

Both of these people have been blessed by the generosity of many of you who read this blog and for that we say “thank you”! These types of medical needs arise so often and it is really outside the budget of this ministry and our own family’s budget. This medical fund will continue to bless not only Alphosinah and Linda, but others who have serious health issues. Thank you for helping to bring hope to (at least) two individuals who had lost hope!