It
all started with King David…
December
29th I was playing with a little boy named King David
(yes, that is his real name… LOVE IT!!) He is an orphan who is
cared for by Mama Tom, who you will read about in one of my many
coming blogs in the next week. I was loving on him and said, “King
David, do you want to fly?” His eyes lit up and he raised his
eyebrows which is the cultural sign for yes. I lifted him high above
my head and spun him around about 6 or 7 times. I have done this
millions of times with many kids, but this time, something went
wrong.
Later
that night I began experiencing severe pain in my lower back. I
figured I had just pulled a muscle so I took some aleve and went to
bed. The next morning I woke up with more pain, and by the next day,
New Years Eve, it was unbearable. I went to the clinic in Busia and
after a thoroughly un-thorough examination, got a diagnosis of a
muscular/skeletal strain and was given some pain meds and told to
relax and not to do too much work. I spent rest of the day resting
beyond walking across town to the church for our all-night, ring in
the New Year prayer and worship. Yet by 10:00pm, the pain was to the
point of tears and I got our pastor to drive me and one of the other
girls home. I spent that night and the next day lying down and that
night I went to a hospital an hour out of Busia with two other
sickies to get checked out by a real doctor. He looked at my back
and was concerned and asked me to come back the next day for an
X-Ray. The results of the x-ray showed discopathy, or as I like to
call it, “disco” pathy. Sounds more like a party than a back
injury, right?! I essentially have a compressed disc and pulled or
slightly torn lower back muscles. Fun stuff!!
I
have been on pain killers, muscle relaxers, and best rest for the
last two weeks. No lifting anything, no bending over, no biking, no
activity… I could walk to the squatty potty and back, though the
squatty was incredibly difficult to use. While there was initially
concern that I may have had a slipped or herniated disc, I am happy
to say that the pain is alleviating steadily and I didn’t have to
get an MRI or any extra examinations. I have been slowly building up
strength with back exercises recommended by my doctor back home and
have more mobility every day. I am being very careful to take it
easy so that I don’t re-injure my back and start back at square
one. Today I am going to try walking to the Internet café!! I
haven’t left the compound in over a week and have been going a bit
stir crazy, so this will be good for me. I just have to be a good
judge of the pain and not attempt to push myself further than I can.
I
was initially very discouraged by this injury. I am not the type of
person who likes to sit by while everyone else takes part in the
activity. I hate having to stay home from ministry. Satan really
used that time of vulnerability to attack me with old lies about
being useless, worthless to the ministry, and mostly a burden to all
those around me. Yet God is good and uses all things to His Perfect
Plan. He has been revealing Himself to me in new ways over this time
period. I have been praying for and seeking a Mary heart, yet
always seem to let distractions get in the way. During this time of
rest, He has really been teaching me how to be still in Him, to wait
on Him, and to refocus my gaze from myself to Him. I am slowly
finding my full identity in the love of Christ. It is a painful yet
amazing process. I could expand, but that is a whole other blog!!
He has also brought ministry to me, through my team and the visiting
of the New Hope Orphanage girls. I am once again overwhelmed by His
goodness and provision in my times of darkness.
My
teammates have also been incredible supports, both spiritually,
emotionally, and physically. They have really helped me through
every bit of this, kept an eye on me, carried things for me, and
encouraged and prayed over me daily that this injury does not make me
useless or worthless to our time here. I thank God daily for
blessing me with teammates who pour their love onto me. I see Christ
through them and it is an encouragement, especially now.
So
there you have it, a full on party of the back, right here in Busia!
Please pray for continued healing, both physically and emotionally
and that God will continue to use this time for spiritual growth and
renewal. As someone just told me, God has me exactly where He needs
me right now and is using me there. Praise Him!!
Many
more blogs to come in the next few days and hopefully the pictures
will finally work so hold on to your hats!!! Love y’all!
“Do
not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord
will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you, you need only to
be still.” —Exodus 14:13-14
