Jacob has been coming to Good
Shepherd Hospital for a dozen or more years to treat the tumors
that arise in people with this lack of skin pigment. Albinism
is a disease where there is an absence of melanin, the pigment
found in the skin that gives us our color, including the colors
of our eyes. People with this disorder are extreemly sensitive
to sunlight and develop skin cancers regularly. They have poor
vision and, often, nystagmus (twitching of the eyes). The visual
problems, which require proper glasses, present a serious problem
to their ability to be literate. Glasses are not easy to come
by in this country unless you have the economic means, which few
people have. The skin cancers are often located on the head and
neck as these areas are more sun-exposed. Jacob has a cancer on
the right side of his neck that has been operated three times
and is too deep to remove. It is tightly attched to the major
artery (carotid) and vein (jugular). Jacob will die of this disease.
He has four young children, three of his own and one of his brother’s
who died of another cause. In Jacob’s own words: He also
has the right to walk the earth, to work to support his children,
to live! There are organizations that work for those afflicted
by polio, tuberculosis, AIDS, leprosy, onchocercosis (a disease
that causes blindness), and several others, but there is no real
support to properly deal with the problem of albinism that is
very prevelant. There is no sun block lotion available. There
is no proper therapy, radiotherapy, available in this country.
For people like Jacob to have a chance, radiotherapy might offer
some hope but is only available in the “other congo,”
Congo Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo. Their capital is
across the river from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. It might as well be on the other side of
the earth or moon, as only the rich can afford such expensive
treatment. Jacob estimates that it would cost about $1000. The
average family income is about $100 a year. Ten years pay for
radiation treatment.
We talk daily to folks such as Jacob who come to our home seeking
help. We listen quietly to their stories and hear their requests.
We try to address their needs but admit that we are incapable
of addressing the majority of needs in this vast country with
so little hope. This is one of the most difficult areas of mission.
We pray for these brothers and sisters as you pray for us. We
appreciate that as do they. The women I was called to see at 4:00
this morning had just delivered twins and was bleeding to death.
We did save her life. I ask, how many others died this morning?
How many children became orphans today be it from their mother
dying in childbirth, their father killed while working in the
mines, or from the many diseases that can be treated and prevented
but require the money to do that.
If you are reading this, at least one miracle has happened, our
Internet connection has revived itself.
Our love from the Congo,
Mike and Nancy |
