Steve and Melinda and their daughters, Sophia and Madeline, moved to Uganda in 2005. In 2006, they welcomed another daughter, Janet, to their family. Janet is a little girl whom Steve met on an eMi trip. At the time Steve met Janet, she was very ill with full-blown AIDS. This was Steve’s touching ministry update at the time he met Janet:
"While at the babies home (YWAM), I met a little girl who was 3½ years old named Janet. She has full blown AIDS and is very sick. She had never taken her first steps. She is beautiful. When I first tried to pick her up, she was afraid of me and cried so the caretakers moved her so she could calm down. Crying is very energy-depleting for her.
"Then after holding [another little girl, Ruth] for about a half an hour, I looked down and there was Janet at my feet. From there I offered her my hand and she pulled up to stand (this she had done before). Soon after I picked her up and held her, she laid her head against my chest to rest and was loved. This little baby was so sick and in so much pain. She was desperate to have me hold her.
"She speaks very little tribal and NO English. Soon she pointed to the kitchen; she wanted food and water. So I set her down, held her hand, and we walked to the kitchen together to retrieve some bread and water. After returning to the porch, I let go of her hand and she stood on her own; first time ever. Then for some strange reason I told her in English that Jesus wanted her to walk today. I sat down several steps away and after staring at me for a few moments she took her first steps (6 total). I picked her up, kissed her and then held her against my chest for another hour. Understandably she never smiled ... it isn't in her. But her ear pressed against my chest and I hope she could hear the eternal heartbeat of Jesus ... not mine.
"But then I had to leave to walk to the bus stop (30-minute walk). I took her to the side and asked God to give her His promised reward and take her home soon. When she dies, a part of me will indeed die with her. I never wanted to let go... but I did. As I stepped back she began to cry. Out the gate we went and I could still hear her screaming from a few hundred feet down the road.
"I am back in Kampala and my heart, mind and soul can still see her walk, hug and cry. All she wanted was to be held by someone who truly loves her. The staff is doing great with the numbers they have, but they are still not enough. Janet was so sick and just wanted to be held. Once again my heart is broken. I just do not know what to do. I want to bring her home to Kampala so that she may die in loving arms, but I do not want to feel the pain when she dies ... I am selfish."
After much prayer and contemplation, Steve and Melinda are in the process of adopting Janet. They fostered Janet since the end of 2006; and as of Spring of 2009, they are now her legal guardians. They are awaiting eligibility to finalize the adoption process.
By the grace of God and through His miraculous healing hand, Janet’s health improved from full-blown AIDS to HIV status. Looking at "then-and-now" photos of Janet, you wouldn’t even recognize her as the same child. It is nothing less than a miracle.
2008/2009 Update from Steve and Melinda
On July 13, 2008, the night guard of Melinda's close friend in Entebbe was at his own home when a lady living in the same group of homes heard a small noise coming from the pit latrine (outhouse). The lady went to investigate. With a flashlight, she looked down the hole and found an infant girl (umbilical cord and placenta still attached) somehow still alive. She ran to the local police post and got a policeman to break the concrete pad a bit wider so they could send another policeman down with a rope to bring the baby back to the surface. They rescued a little girl who was 2 to 3 hours old.
Melinda's friend took the child to a doctor, and they immediately put her on antibiotics. The Ugandan lady who found her wanted to keep her; but her husband returned (from having gone into hiding due to being accused of rape, not affiliated with this baby) and insisted that she get rid of the little girl since it is not his. The Ugandan lady (having lost her job) knew that if she tried to keep the baby, she ran a very real risk of being chased away with the baby, thus being separated from her other children.
Though such things occur in Uganda, this little one really burdened Melinda's and Steve's hearts. They began praying. The burden turned to love. On August 22, 2008, they met and welcomed Hannah Grace into their loving care. On July 28, 2009, they were awarded legal guardianship of Hannah Grace; and they continue to work through the process toward adoption.
2009 Update from Steve
"I guess it is time to update you on my health. Many of you may remember that before moving to Uganda, due to symptoms, there were strong suspicions that I have an autoimmune disease such as a connective tissue disease, if not multiple sclerosis (MS). The only physical evidence found was under a microscope where it was discovered that I have microvascular disease. However, microvascular disease is a secondary disease caused by another disease (usually caused by diabetes, but I do not have that). The primary disease was never determined. So, I have been receiving symptomatic treatment ever since.
"You may remember that several months ago I suddenly went nearly symptom free. It appears that was a remission. As of late I have had a relapse. After traveling to Kenyetta Hospital in Nairobi and undergoing more tests (both in Kenya and Uganda), several doctors have determined that, due to process of elimination of known autoimmune diseases which may produce these same symptoms, I most probably have MS. It seems like a big circle; however, I have been receiving treatment for MS for the past 5+ years. My doctor in Colorado gained wisdom from years of studying and practicing in this field.
"What next? What big change is on the horizon? NONE that I know of. Here is the plan:
-I have increased the dose of one of the meds that I currently take.
-I will continue to treat symptomatically until the symptomatic "flair up" slows or even stops.
-I will continue serving Christ through eMi EA/MFL (a/k/a ACC) by managing the construction of their primary school. Melinda and I both believe this is where Jesus wants us. As long as we can physically and mentally do it, why would we not?
"God is the Author and Giver of faith. The faith He has given Melinda and me concerning this is as follows:
-We will do our best to be wise in how we look for medical testing/treatment. For example, because they did not find lesions in my brain or spine after undergoing a series of MRIs several years ago, and because having MS does not always guarantee that lesions will be present, we have opted to NOT spend God's money on another MRI. After all, the resulting treatment would be the same. If we thought it would help, we would do it.
-God has given us the faith to believe He will heal me if it is in His will. This also means that, like the Apostle Paul (no, I am far from being as Godly as that man), God may have placed a 'thorn' in my flesh so that I may know that His Grace is sufficient.
-Worldwide, many Christian theologians, pastors, priests and reverends alike are teaching that we can have full freedom from our infirmities if we simply ask and truly believe. Spiritually, we believe this is absolutely true. Physically, however, until Jesus’ return, every believer since the death and resurrection of Christ has and will die a physical death. From the moment of conception and through to the disease many call 'old age,' unless He returns first, our days are numbered.
-Bottom line is God will do with us as He pleases, whether we like it or not. Whether we physically, emotionally, or economically prosper, all we have including ourselves belongs to the Creator, the Great I AM, Alpha and the Omega, Jesus Christ.
"NOW back to what counts: God’s Kingdom in Heaven and here on Earth continues to thrust forward. Physically we appear to be losing ground, but eternally WE ARE NOT! After all, our ground is not made of dirt; it is made of SOLID ROCK! ... even when it hurts."
2010 Update from Steve (during a furlough visit to the U.S.)
"Hello Friends,
"Well OK! I have now been off all medications for about 3½ weeks. Additionally, I have eliminated MSG and related items from my diet. I have been feeling much better by the day. I picked up the flu a few weeks ago, but even still and overall I am feeling much better by the day.
"Now today I met with my neurologist here in Colorado. I passed all my tests! No symptoms of MS. None! In fact, I have no residue of ever having had it. For example, when he checked the sensations in my right foot, I felt the 'ticklish' sensation for the first time in years.
"MSG allergies can mimic MS symptoms. Additionally, the very medicines that I have been taking over long periods of time can begin mimicking the very symptoms they were meant to reduce.
"So I have an allergy to MSG and other similar flavor enhancers and/or preservatives. Penalty? I have to eat healthy foods to maintain a healthy life. I think the Lord intended that all along.
Isaiah 53:4 NIV
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered
him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted."
Matthew 8:17 NIV
"This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up
our infirmities and carried our diseases."
"Here is an interesting definition of infirmity that I found on the web: 'Any disease which has become habitual, either owing to its chronic character, or its numerous relapses.'
"I don’t really understand the how’s and why’s of my health issues over the past 6+ years, but I accept it. And I believe that Jesus had and has His reasons. I do not know what tomorrow may bring, but through sickness and in health I want to honor Him. Give all the Glory to God as it is rightfully His.
"I don’t know why some heal while others do not. The ebb and flow of our health here on Earth is in the hands of God. I do know that every 'body' reading this email, my own included, will one day fail once and for all. In the meantime, forget the wind and the waves and focus on Jesus.
"Thanks for your years of prayers!"
Steve
