Finding Frankie

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As I prepared for this journey, there was one question I heard more often than any other:  Will you see Frankie?

Frankie was the young boy we met last year at Mahove.  His parents asked us to come to their home and pray for him.  He had fallen from a tree six months earlier, was paralyzed from the waist down, and after spending three months in hospital, had been recovering at home.  He had developed severe bed sores on his hips, knees, and ankles, and when we met, he had a life threatening infection.  His parents asked us to pray for him, not expecting any kind of recovery.

Our group asked to take him to the clinic in Tungamalenga, and he was cared for by Dr. Barnabas Kahwage and his staff for three months.  Healing came slowly.  His wounds were severe, and he needed nutritional supplements to boost his healing.

After several months, his parents transferred him to the Roman Catholic clinic closer to their home.  He has been there for about six months.  Last week, he transferred again, this time to the Roman Catholic compound near Kitanewa (outside of Mapogoro). He is farther than ever from home.

We visited him there today, and found him smiling, as you can see in this photo.  The large wounds on his ankles are now only the size of quarters, and not so deep.  There are a few young men around the area to keep him company.  He sits outside in his wheelchair, seated on a sterile pad.  

Unlike last year, when he didn't speak but allowed his Mama to answer all our questions, today Frankie answered our questions.  He was grateful for the gifts and for the prayers sent by SOTV members.  He said he is doing well and is happy.

We will see him again tomorrow and hope to talk with his caregivers who were not available today. 

Mungu akuponya, Frankie.  May God heal you.

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