Mountains and Valleys

            “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”   Psalm 23:4 KJV

            Many times we write about the good things that are happening in the Ambohimarina congregation and at the Betikara Orphanage. This kind of writing not only makes you feel good about the things that are happening, but it also helps encourage us when times are difficult. However, all of us realize that with the good times there must also be some bad times. As one American expression states, “What goes up must come down.” Life is full of mountains and valleys that we must all traverse.

            In our updates on the Betikara Orphanage for the last few months I am sure that you have noticed our continued writing and asking for prayers on behalf of Andry. No matter what seems to be happening around Andry that is good, Andry always seems to be down. It seems that Andry never reaches the mountaintops; rather he continues to tread the valleys of life.

            Just yesterday, we took Andry back to the doctor for another check up. Two weeks ago, we visited the doctor. We were feeling good because Andry has responded to the medication for his high blood pressure. For almost one month now, we continue seeing and hearing that Andry’s blood pressure is in a much better range than 2 or 3 months ago. We expected another good report from the doctor yesterday.

            A good report is exactly what we received. We should be happy for Andry; however, we now fear the aspect of what lies ahead in Andry’s life. You see, Andry’s blood pressure continues to be in a good range. The doctor even said yesterday that Andry’s heart is sounding better these days. So, you ask, “Why the fear?” Upon reaching the doctor’s office, the doctor opened the envelope that contained the latest results for the blood work that we had done last week.

            The doctor did not ask us if we wanted to report to the hospital with Andry. Rather, the doctor told us when we would be reporting to the hospital with Andry. The report showed that Andry’s kidneys still are not functioning correctly. The doctor wants to see Andry on Monday morning to talk with us about getting Andry set up for dialysis. Thus, the reason for the fear that is prevalent in our hearts and minds.

            The doctor lifted us up to the top of the mountains in one statement (Andry’s good blood pressure and better sounding heart) and then abruptly dropped us into a gapping valley (with the results of the blood work and pending dialysis). There are so many uncertainties when medical steps like these become necessary in a country like Madagascar. There are so many stories that people tell us about the lack of good Medical care in Madagascar. Then there are the lives of people that we experienced firsthand who have gone through similar mountains and valleys in their lives.

            We often wonder if the doctors receive proper training. If you remember back, we wrote about Rivo, the wife of one of the Betikara workers. Rivo miscarried and Stacy took her to a hospital in town. The hospital threw Rivo out onto the street and we took her to another hospital where she finally received treatment. Later we read an article in the local paper. The article said that one third of all of the patients that entered that hospital in the last year died while being treated.

            We are hearing stories of people that are finally granted the privilege of receiving dialysis only to find out that many times during their treatments the electricity goes off (yes, hospitals without backup generators), and they are in danger of dying, not from the lack of treatment, rather from the lack of electricity to complete their treatment. We personally know of two people that needed dialysis treatments and did not receive those treatments due to the overwhelming number of patients that require dialysis and the lack of dialysis machines in Madagascar. Both of those people died. Our first Malagasy friend was trying to get out of Madagascar and go to India so that he could receive dialysis treatment. His paperwork was never finished before he passed away. Our second Malagasy friend needed dialysis treatments and did not receive that treatment via the government, even though her husband was a government employee at the time of her sickness.

            Taking Andry into town these days to see the doctor one afternoon a week is manageable, however, if Andry has to have dialysis treatments we will soon be spending a lot more time in town. Right now, needless to say, we are down in a deep valley due to many fears and obstacles that lie ahead. We ask that you pray for Andry, and for the medical care that he needs at this time during his life. Pray for us as we continue to search out the best avenue of treating Andry in this less than ideal situation. Pray for the comfort that can only come to us from our heavenly Father. Psalm 23:4

Robert is preparing for the BAC - (High School Leaving Tests)

            Robert is studying for the upcoming tests (in August) that will decide if he can successfully graduate from high school. This is a very taxing time for students. The pressure is on for them to do well. Often we see students that buckle under the pressure and cannot get a high school diploma. Please remember Robert in your prayers for the next few months as he studies. We just viewed Robert’s latest report card today. Robert had good marks in every subject save one. It seems that we are going to have to force Robert to speak to us in English as he has failed English this last term. Robert needs practice in English and your prayers.

Betikara Building Project

            Some of you may be wondering what happened to Phase III and IV of the Betikara building project. Well, the project is still ongoing. However, right now we are not too quick to hire workers and press on with Phase III (volunteer housing). Instead we will soon get started on the water tower project that began last year before I visited the United States. We will also be working on an area that will eventually be used for a basket ball court for the Lambs.