Ernesto Junior had been left in a single room with his three children… he was severely burnt trying to save his 2 year old in a fire.
This was in February. Two weeks ago his community removed him from his home and abandoned him and his children in a room away from them because of 'the smell' …
… his wife also abandoned him …
… leaving her three young children and a blind grandfather to tend to him …
We arrived … and the smell was overwhelming in the room. It was like Tacloban all over again. He could not move. He was in excruciating pain … he cried, and cried.
We brought him and his children back to Gentle Hands… the hospitals would not take him.
We spent four hours changing his dressings… soaking them in water, and bit by bit, lifting them off… maggot infested.
As worship music played, the prayers flowed from all of us, filling the room…… what else could we do! This could not be done in our strength.
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| Our arrival….. |
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| Six year old Micah |
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| Four year old Anna |
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| The children's bed |
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| The 'kitchen' |
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| Onlookers….. at every window ….. covering their noses against the stench!!! |
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| The move to Gentle Hands …. Miss Anna….. smiling, loving, trusting …. a strength beyond my comprehension |
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| Our arrival at Gentle Hands …… |
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| ……. and up to the medical wing |
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| ….. and a gruelling four hours of dressing change |
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And yet, Ernesto Junior is with us, and his children are safe … we have been given the incredible privilege of restoring life.
