Update #3

I want to share a few stories about some of my patients:

E.M. is an 18 year old who most likely was affected by tuberculosis at a young age but did not receive treatment until 6 months ago. Those who have tuberculosis here are sent to Tchamangala for 6 months of treatment. They stay there, so that the staff can directly observe them taking their medication each day (DOTS). The tuberculosis was treated, but it had already destroyed much of his right femur head and pelvic joint; so much in fact, that he has been using crutches and has not been able to put weight on his right leg. The only operation that can be done here in Angola for him is a fusion of the hip joint which would allow him to walk on it and bear weight. Sadly, this means he will not have any movement of the hip joint. We did the operation yesterday and he seems to be doing ok so far. He says he is in a lot of pain, and has "tenturas" (dizziness) from the pain medications he is on. Before the operation I had the opportunity to share a little about God and he wants to know more and would like to read the bible. You can pray for him as he recovers from surgery in these next few days. I have also asked the hospital's chaplain, Pastor Moises, to come with me next time I chat with him. Today he smiled as I placed a bible on the table next to his bed. He also shared with me that he would like to become a teacher.


P.K. is an 8-month old little girl who came in vomiting and not eating who turned out to have a WBC of 300,000. We think this is most likely leukemia. We started her on Prednisone and her count went down to 48,000 so we are hopeful. We sent her to the oncology hospital in Luanda, the capital of Angola for further treatment. Pray for this sweet little girl.


L.P. is a young girl, maybe 15-16 year old, who sustained trauma to her birth canal while giving birth earlier this year. This trauma caused an abnormal connection, a fistula, between her bladder and vagina. We fixed her fistula a few days ago. Please pray that the repair is successful! Also, pray for her life decisions and choices in school, marriage, and child-bearing. Pray for God to guard her mind, heart, and spirit. Pray for the young women of Angola, so much seems to be against them.

A.T. is the sweetest little boy ever. He sustained a femur fracture when a motorcycle hit him! He will likely be discharged this week, praise the Lord. He has a lion toy and a tiger toy that he plays with, and yesterday he was super excited because he received a toy guitar from his mom.

Thank you all for your prayers, e-mails, and support. I am really encouraged by your notes! The time in Kalukembe was really busy, we did 46 procedures/surgeries! Plus 100+ clinic visits AND saw the patients on the wards! I then got to take a day off on Monday and went to the beach which was super nice and relaxing. I went with Sheila (Dr. Foster's sister), Rebecca (an 18 year old who is here in Angola who will be studying to be a teacher next year and hopes to return to Africa to work with children), a Dutch family (he teaches at the seminary here), and four men from Holland (who were here building a house for pastors who will be attending the seminary). It was a sweet time to appreciate God's creation and for fellowship.

This is my last week here in Angola. Please pray for wisdom in taking care of critically ill patients and small children. Pray that I would use my time with the nurses working on the wards to teach and encourage. Also pray that I would be obedient as God calls me to pray for patients and share with them about His love and sacrifice. I am writing this by candlelight because we do not have electricity so I will have to end here before the computer battery dies!

I will be back in USA on Saturday afternoon.

With love in Christ,
Marcela.