A Mysterious Disease.
Nodding Syndrome is a mysterious disease affecting the brain and nervous system of many children in Northern Uganda, South Sudan, and previously Tanzania. The disease is characterized by nodding of the head followed by seizures, and can lead to disabilities and cognitive impairment. During times of seizures, those affected cannot control their body movement and are prone to wander off. Sometimes they fall into fires or drowning in bodies of water, causing disfigurement or even death. There is no known cause or cure, but with careful treatments the health of these children can drastically improve.
“Can I Show You Something?”
The first time I experienced nodding syndrome was when a team from our church visited a remote medical outpost after a pastor’s conference in Northern Uganda. A local man asked if he could show me something and we agreed to go and see this distressing situation. Arriving at this small medical outpost, there was so many people surrounding the building, yet it was not open. As I looked into the people’s eyes and those of the children, I had never seen such a thing in my life! I have observed some desperate situations in my travels, but never hopelessness like this! The only thing on my mind was, “We have to do something!” But what? The crowd of people were just waiting–praying that someone or something might happen to change their situation.
Her Face Was Severely Burned
As we prayed over them and prepared to leave, I looked over and saw a beautiful young lady. As she turned her head, I could see she had been in a fire as one side of her face was severely burned. My heart was wrecked! The Lord directed me to give this young lady a picture of me and my wife and to tell her that God was not going to forget her. As I handed her the picture, I asked her name. “Sarah,” she said with her eyes to the ground in shy Ugandan fashion…
I will share Sarah’s story in another post. But I can tell you today that God is good and faithful to fulfill His promises. This picture is of that day and the people surrounding this medical outpost.
All Things Are Possible To Him Who Believes
So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire or into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Mark 9:21-23
