Maggie's Story...(by Dottie Shealy)

Maggie was born in October 2005, eight months later she was diagnosed with meningitis. She was very sick for quite awhile. This affected her mental and physical development. Maggie's father left the family, which isn't uncommon in this culture. It is often seen as bad luck to have a child with disabilities. Leah, Maggie's mother, had a good job working at the airport and was able to support herself and Maggie. She was also able to provide Maggie with physical therapy. The physical therapy helped Maggie develop neck control and other issues, however about 2 1/2 years ago she lost her job. This ended Maggie's physical therapy. Leah had to take on odd jobs, mostly doing laundry, to make ends meet. She had to wash the clothes in small basins on the ground with Maggie on her back. This was becoming very difficult as Maggie grew larger. Leah was loosing all hope for a future for her and her daughter.

In February a team from North Wilkesboro, NC was in Nairobi. We went to a ladies conference led by Kay Chenowith. After the conference Lindy took us to Heshima (a center for disabled/ special needs children) to see the children and to purchase some jewelry (made by the Mothers of the children). The group of ladies were very impressed with the way Heshima Children's Center ministered not only to the children but also their mothers.

A few days later this same team was in Kakamega for Conferences for men and women, and a one day Bible School at an orphanage. On Sunday we attended church at Berith Life Center in Kakamega, where Pastor John Imala asked for prayer for his daughter and granddaughter. He told us that his granddaughter had been effected by a disease and was not able to walk or talk. He also mentioned that the father had abandon them and his daughter was without a job and had lost hope. On our way back to the hotel, all the ladies knew that we needed to get her to Heshima, but the team was to leave in just a few days.

Frank and I would be staying for another 10 days, so we promised to do what we could to get help for this family. We all prayed that if this was the Lord's will that we would be able to make contact with Leah, take Maggie to Heshima, that they would have room for her, and we could find a place nearby for them to live.

We did make contact with Leah, went to visit her, met Maggie and fell in love with her. She is such a sweet happy child. Leah has been a great mother. We took Maggie to Heshima for evaluation, she was a perfect fit for the center. One problem, they were full. Frank and I were so disappointed, I just said a silent prayer for God to make a way. In just a moment Tracey said that she felt like they could make room for one more. She said that God had spoken to her and said it is all about the one. Or something like that. God had also been dealing with me about ministering to the one. Now that was taken care of we now had to find a place for them to live. After looking all afternoon we couldn't find a place in our price range. We told Thomas our problem and asked if he would see if he knew anyone that might be able to help find her a place to live. He did the very next day! We were able to move her in on the Saturday before we returned to the US on Tuesday.

Isn't God Good!!

Maggie will have to have surgery to correct her club fett in July. We have hope for her future and for Leah's future. Many people in our home town have been touched by her story and have made contributions to her surgery and as well as to the ministry at Heshima Children's Center. Please pray for Leah, Maggie and Heshima Children's Center. You can go to www.heshima.org to see more about what their ministry.