Little Jeanne-Marie

I’m at the clinic and little Jeanne-Marie sits on my lap with her face turned up to mine. She’s 15 months old and other than a fever, she appears to be a healthy little toddler, just beginning to walk.

Except that Jeanne-Marie can’t see my face. After completing my simple sight exam, I realize the truth: She can’t see anything! Her eyes just stare and she blinks.

Her parents have brought her to our clinic because they were beginning to get worried. About 3 weeks ago Jeanne had gotten sick…with a high fever and she had had some seizures. They took her to the clinic in Maka. and she received some sort of treatment there. When they took her home it wasn’t long before they notice that Jeanne-Marie wasn’t trying to walk anymore, and that she was bumping into things as she crawled. They began to get scared. They took her to another clinic further away…more medicines…but Jeanne’s sight didn’t seem any better.

Now finally they are at our clinic with hope written all over their faces. Hope that we will have some sort of medication that will help her eyes to be able to see again! As I finished examining her and I came to the conclusion that she was indeed blind, I struggled with what I would say to this young couple! How could I tell them that their first born, beautiful little girl was now blind, changing their lives forever?!

Somehow I came out with the truth, as gently as I could. They were devastated! Both of their faces were pictures of shock and dismay, eyes downcast! We tried to assure them that we would treat her for the suspected resistant malaria which was causing her fever, but I don’t think they heard our words. I tried to reassure them that Jeanne-Marie could be a healthy little girl and have a productive life if the family would be willing to help her. They couldn’t think of that right now! We also suggested that they get an expert opinion and advice from an Ophthalmologist. But last of all, and best of all, as they prepared to leave, our Health Worker/Pastor Bori suggested that we pray together. Since the family has a Catholic background, they agreed. Pastor prayed a heartfelt prayer for the parents and then prayed with conviction and faith for healing for Jeanne’s eyes, since God is the greatest physician of all. We all murmured, “Amin” as he ended.

That evening, back in our home, I was puzzled over what could have caused Jeanne-Marie’s blindness, so I made a Skype call to my sister, Terry, who is an Eye “expert”. She made a suggestion: if there was swelling around the optic nerve, it could occlude sight; it might be worth a try to give her Prednisone to decrease the swelling. Being three weeks later, it could be too late, but it was worth a try. I never have Prednisone in my home, but just recently a nurse friend had left me with some, and I had JUST ENOUGH for a week’s treatment for Jeanne-Marie. The next morning, Gary and I drove out to the family’s village and found their compound. Everyone gathered around as the couple brought Jeanne-Marie to me. I showed them how to pound up the medicine in a spoon, add a pinch of sugar and a few drops of water. Then I took Jeanne-Marie in my arms and laid her back abit. When I put the spoon to her lips, she eagerly took the first sip….then she began to fuss. (She also tinkled on me :) I had to work abit to get the rest in her, but her parents were watching. They had to know how they should do it themselves, four times a day. As we got up to leave and I handed her back to her parents, they all thanked me for coming. I had the opportunity to tell them that God had ordained that I had the medicine at home, and that we had prayed with the family the day before for God to heal her eyes. We would continue to pray.

As the young father walked us to our truck, we asked him if he knew Jesus…he said that they go to the Catholic Church in the next village.

Will you pray with us this week for Jeanne-Marie, that God would touch her eyes, either through His Divine touch or by the medication? Pray that the love and power of Jesus would be evident to this young couple and their surrounding family! Pray that God’s Glory would be seen!