Where to begin…let’s start with GN.
The last time we had seen GN was in February, earlier this
year when left him at the Mother of Mercy Home for Babies. He was the start of what was still
hypothetical, to our now…One Step In Faith 501c3 organization. He was one of the many proofs; God has a
purpose and a plan. And, we had been
carrying this little boy in our hearts, fighting for him from across the
sea. We’ve shared his story, raised
funds, and supported him in both basic needs and in medical needs. Our missionaries on the ground, Dave &
Ellen Bartlett, have walked and talked with the family. They have been there in the waiting, in the
travel, in the frustration, in the anxiousness, in the excitement, in the
milestones, in the blessings, in it all.
Returning this past September, we were anxious. There really isn’t another word for it. We didn’t know what to expect, we didn’t know
what we would experience. We just knew
God was calling us to return and we were counting the days until we
arrived. Up until the return, Dave &
Ellen had been keeping us updated with pictures and videos whenever possible. We really had been so blessed by their
constant communication and allowing us to feel like we were right there, every
step of the way through his surgery, recovery, and reintegration back
home. Nothing was going to prepare us or
them for what was unraveling. Prior to
our arrival, Dave & Ellen were in Accra & Kumasi for conferences and the
much needed purchase of a vehicle. If
you look at a map, they basically left the north and went to the south. J They were gone for a few weeks. Shortly before their departure, GN had
contracted malaria, which they believed was on the mend, since he was released
home before they left to Accra. During
their time away, GN’s malaria either didn’t improve or reoccurred (not sure it
matters which). Also during this time, GN’s
biological mother returned from Kumasi to her parent’s home (where GN was
living) to deliver her baby. That is
right, she was pregnant. Dave &
Ellen only arrived back home in Bolga a couple days or so prior to our arrival
in country. So, we all went to visit the
family at the same time (our first time since February, and their first time
since their trip south for a few weeks).
In those few short weeks they were away, so much had happened, and his
health had decreased so much. I’m not
sure we will ever truly know the family’s intent, the day to day care he was
receiving during those weeks, or even the overall cause. We have several opinions, we have several
interpretations. In the end, it doesn’t
really matter. What matters is the call
God places in our hearts, and following through with the direction He
gives. It had come to a point where GN’s
family was not really able to provide the level of care he requires. They are farmers, and require laborious amounts
of hours in the fields, working for every morsel on their plates. GN’s family, like most families in the North
(and in several other areas throughout Ghana) has a very bleak belief of value in
the life of a disabled child. Their
opinion is not malicious, just based in decades of tradition surrounded by the
reality of poverty and survival. In
order to care for a disabled child, of GN’s condition, time and money is taken
from the other needs. In their reality,
a self-imposed caste type system is sort of established. In this case, the new baby, GN’s mother’s new
baby, his new sibling, became the priority.
The other healthy children of Grandma, became the priority. They didn’t abandon GN altogether, but they
also didn’t provide the level of care necessary for a child who has undergone
brain surgery this year and was continuing to battle malaria, after at least
three weeks. And, they weren’t providing
the level of care he had been getting when he was living in the Bartlett’s
home, right after integration back into the family’s home, or even shortly
before he contracted malaria and the new baby arrived. During our visit in September, it seemed GN’s
external physical capabilities were not much different than when we saw him
back in February. We had seen videos and
pictures during the months since his surgery…all revealing improvement.
Dave & Ellen had seen and experienced, albeit slow, but they saw and
experienced progress. Even GN’s doctor had
been excited in his improvements, again, slow but still progress. However, this perfect storm of events leading
up to the September visit still happened and his progress had gone backwards.
We were all on our knees on this one. There were many details to be considered,
relationship building, live and death of a child, and more importantly what was
(and is) God’s desire for this circumstance.
I can’t say we all handled the experience 100% perfectly. I can’t say we have made the perfect solution. But, I can say, we all love this boy…we want
God’s will for this boy AND his family.
So, after much prayer…advice from dear friends and those who’ve helped
along the way in country, the decision was made to propose transferring custody
of GN to those we are working with in country.
With the approval of the chief, the head of the family, and GN’s
grandfather, GN has been relocated from Bolgatanga to Kumasi. He is currently living with a friend of Eddie’s,
who was with us when we first rescued him back in February. It has been about a month since he relocated
to Kumasi, staying with Eddie/family prior to living with the new caretaker. And, we all agree he is doing great. There are many hurdles still before him, but is
gaining weight, getting stronger and stronger.
Since his relocation, he is sitting in a chair for his meals (for the
first time), using a baby walker (well, he isn’t really “walking” but he is getting
exposure to building leg strength), and his is now able to move across the
floor on his stomach. He isn’t full out
crawling on his hands/knees, but he is able to do what we would call an army
crawl. Some of the bigger hurdles are
sleeping through the night. GN was never
really trained to sleep through the night, so his caretakers are working
patiently to help him learn to be awake in the day and sleep at night. Also, he still is struggling to swallow. As he grows stronger, he will begin to
improve. Dave & Ellen connected with
the doctor to have GN’s medical information forwarded, so he would be able to
have a follow-up appointment with a new neuro doctor in Kumasi. We are still pending these details. Once this is complete, GN will be assessed
and hopefully next steps in his recovery plan can be determined. Please join us in prayer as we press forward
in his care and in his journey. Also,
please keep Dave & Ellen in your prayers as they continue to work with the village
where GN is from, balancing this with his absence.
Hugs to you all…soon, an update on Baby Y, Brother A, Isaac
& Ama.
