Astou

 

Astou’s story has shadows of pain but ends with great joy. When Astou was only 20 years old, she tragically lost her son during childbirth. While struggling with the pain of loss, Astou discovered another heartbreaking reality: the trauma of her strenuous and prolonged labor led to the development of an obstetric fistula, leaving her incontinent. What followed was 20 years of living with an injury that caused continual embarrassment and shame.

Loss and heartache continued for Astou. Soon after the stillbirth, her first husband left her due to her condition. She then lost her job and was forced to move back in with her parents. Astou’s story is not uncommon in the areas we serve. In fact, an estimated two million girls and women live with obstetric fistula in Africa. Many are shunned and abandoned by their communities because they’re often perceived as unclean.     Though Astou felt shame for her condition and the way it made her live, she was blessed by her family, who continued to stand by her side. That support even led to a new love.     During a family event, she met Mamadou, who asked her to marry him. Astou immediately told him about her condition, expecting him to change his mind, but instead, Mamadou made an oath: “It won’t stop me from marrying you and doing everything I can to get you help.”    After their wedding, Mamadou kept his promise and started saving up to take her to a hospital. A local doctor confirmed her condition was treatable — but it would require surgery, something the couple had no way of affording.     So, the newlyweds waited and hoped. Despite her condition, Astou became pregnant and soon the couple welcomed a new member to their small family — their daughter.   Unfortunately, during this time of waiting, another shadow began to weigh on Astou. A small goiter began to grow on her neck. While Mamadou and Astou worried that this new condition could cause trouble for her future, they still lacked the resources to find healing.  Ten years after the goiter was discovered, hope arrived. Astou and Mamadou heard that Mercy Ships was coming to Senegal to offer free surgeries. The couple went for an appointment, at first only seeking treatment for the goiter but while on board, Mamadou decided to take a leap of faith. He asked whether Astou could receive surgery for the obstetric fistula as well.

For them, the news was a miracle: ​​​​​​After 20 years of burden, Astou would receive surgery — for both conditions! “After the surgery, when I looked at myself, I felt that I was not like before,” marveled Astou. “I can’t wait to go back home to my family feeling healthy.” Mamadou is also thrilled with his wife’s transformation, knowing that her healing runs deeper than the physical.

“Since she has been treated, she is free and happy,” he shared. “She can go out and welcome whomever she wants at home with happiness and joy.”

The very first patient

Diacko

 

Childhood should be a time filled with laughter and playing with friends. But as Diacko’s legs began to bow terribly outwards, every step became painful.

Diacko was about 3 years old when his weakened legs began to bend unnaturally due to malnutrition. As he grew older, Diacko struggled to walk, every step causing pain and shame. Eventually, he quit venturing far from his home for fear of being mocked. Even his friends would tease him, calling him, "Diacko, the bowlegged boy!"  His mother, Youma, knew surgery could heal her child, but the medical care Diacko needed was not available in their village. She feared her son would live in pain forever.  “We didn’t have money,” Youma said. “So, I stayed home, waiting for something to arrive from God.”

One day, Youma saw a television advertisement about Mercy Ships and knew she would do everything she could to get her son to the ship. For the first time in years, they had hope that Diacko might find healing. They traveled 300 miles to reach the Africa Mercy.  Once on board, thanks to the support of faithful friends like you, Diacko received free surgery to finally heal his legs.     And his healing didn’t end with physical ailments. While on board, Diacko met other children who suffered from similar conditions and for the first time in his life, he realized he was not alone.

Now, Diacko is ready to step into his future!

Sira's Story

Contrasting . . .

The news that the NLFS First Care Center in the Phillips neighborhood was vandalized last night hit us hard.  We spent last Sunday with the F.O.O.s - Matt and Micah's family of origin and just this week had gotten a note from New Life thanking us for a special gift we had sent to them.  "We are so grateful for your willingness to share . . . with us . . .it is so sweet to see that your family has been blessed by the ministry of New Life.  I rejoice with you at what God has done!  We are thankful for the opportunity to continue to working with incredible people . . ."

May this just be a blip and not a block.

May God continue to work mighty ways in the Phillips neighborhood . . . 

for His glory.  Amen.   

Breaking our hearts . . .

 

Our First Care center in the Phillips community of Minneapolis was targeted by pro-abortion activists and badly vandalized last night. They broke windows and sprayed graffiti on the walls threatening, “If abortions arn’t safe neither r u.”  

Our First Care centers provide 100,000 diapers, baby clothes, car seats, strollers, and other supplies every year to families in need. Our licensed social workers support more than 2,000 women each year through the challenges of motherhood, including many who are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or mental health crisis.    

All of this is provided at no cost to the families we serve and is funded entirely by private donations.   

This First Care center was built with private donations and houses a separate non-profit medical clinic providing low-cost medical services to families and individuals living in South Minneapolis. The founders of the non-profit clinic are medical doctors who emigrated from Africa and are committed to making affordable health care accessible in the community.  

We are fully committed to continue serving the Phillips community, as well as at all our centers, with the holistic compassion and care families deserve. 

This video was taken by our President, Carl Nelson, who was onsite early this morning.

 

Love this picture!

 

And some day, I want to serve on the BIGGEST ship!

Nous sommes arrivés! We have arrived in Senegal!

Concussed!

While doing fifth grade math on Thursday, I finished writing on the white board and went to sit down in my chair - only it wasn't there!  I fell down hard, cracking my head against the bookshelves in my space!  It was LOUD and two teachers came running, wanting to make sure I was okay.  There was no bump and no blood, but boy, did my head and my bum hurt.

Since I was injured at work, I had to jump through all of the proper hoops in reporting.  Without going to a doctor, but based on my symptoms and what happened, we determined I had a mild concussion.  I spent Friday wearing my BluBlockers and icing whenever I could grab an ice pack from the nurse.  I felt nauseous, but not really bad enough to stay home until . . . 

My last group, back with my fifth graders.  I asked what happened, how did I fall on Thursday?  The answer surprised me, ticked me off and made my supervisor so angry - the young man in our group moved my chair - deliberately - thinking it would be funny, but I'm not laughing . . .  

Best Birthday Greeting of the Year!

I stopped laughing long enough to share this with you.  Have I ever mentioned that I love my co-workers - this is from one of them!  I hope it works!

https://www.americangreetings.com/pickup?rr=y&m=&token=r5c74f989-0b07-4b7d-ab5b-aee14c95e930&pn=prod3479946&utm_medium=pickup&utm_source=share&utm_campaign=receiver

Happy Birthday to me!

This year's birthday celebration began yesterday with Angela, my favorite co-tutor, bringing me an upgrade on my traditional birthday sandwich!  For the past two years, she's brought me my "birthday PB&J" because she knows I don't get them at home.  This year she raised the bar with a whole wheat bagel from the St. Paul Bagelry with freshly ground almond butter and jelly!  Delicious doesn't even begin to describe it!

Next up, one of our fourth graders (if I got to pick favorites, it would be her!) brought me a gift bag with two home-made brownies that she had made herself ("My mom watched me to make sure I did it right, but I got all of the ingredients out and put it all together.  I even put sprinkles on top!").  They were heart-shaped, on a happy birthday plate, with a birthday candle and a birthday card.  And they were amazing!

Just when you think your taste buds couldn't get any happier, Micah got up this morning and went out to the garage and came in with a Target bag.  "Happy Birthday, Mom!"  She created this little masterpiece at work yesterday and I didn't share.

In case you haven't heard, she's now a baker at Eidelweiss Bakery in Prior Lake.  She was hired the second day of her externship there last fall and she's loving it - even when she starts at 4:30 a.m.

Lucy's OnedRaiser

Lucy's mom, Megan, taught fifth grade with Sam at Marion W. Savage until she moved to the Lakeville district.  This is a story of her second daughter, Lucy, who has a genetic disease known as CTNNB1, and how they are raising funds for her to have gene therapy.

https://www.facebook.com/148260880456/posts/pfbid0YidfHJyR3bdQNK5CnNKaz6SysrSNvT7fFCRWrHyT7p7z7JXDejwd4RUtdKYGoDvfl/?mibextid=tejx2t

 

Mercy Ships 2022 Review

Unspeakable Joy

When the kinder who lives at the top of the hill stops you while you're walking around the block in your rockers, ankle socks and fleece pants to ask you to go for a ride on her new tube, there is only one correct answer: "You drive!"  We had a blast! And I loved the speed bump!

This fall was tough, but it's a new season, a season for joy . . . Jesus brought me through the dark times and I feel like I'm coming into a season of light.  Join me as we shine the Light. 

 

Cire's birthday

Until then . . .

While all sorts of fun and amazing things are happening at home, in my life and at school, one thing that's not happening right now is time . . . because of that, I'm choosing to suspend writing this blog "until then" . . . whenever "then" may be - it may be a month or two or maybe forever . . . but when the time is right, I'll be back!  Hugs to all!  Margo

Blood Donor Day!

 

LOL!  We took two cars to give blood today because Micah was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to give.  She was called in before me, but my person was quicker!  I knew my iron level before she did.  In fact, I was giving before she even got the results!

Her guy had absolutely no need for speed and he definitely did not RACE to take her blood.  I gave and was ready for snacks before she even got her initial poke.   But we were both able to give and had another good time sharing our blood! 

And, yes, I waited for her to finish, sharing stories with the ladies at the check-in and snack bar . . .

What's that hair . . .

The stories you can't make up are always the best!  From the mouth of one of Sam's fifth graders yesterday re: his mustache:

"Mr. Zupke, I want hair on my lip like you.  How did you get it?"

"Puberty and you'll get it."

 

Thankful Thursday!

I ran out of time yesterday before I could post "Thankful Thursday", and now that it's Friday - I honestly don't remember what I was going to post yesterday - which tells you the sad statement of my mind!  So we'll ad lib, and I'll just tell you the things I'm thankful for today:

• I will always be thankful that the rain held off and we had outdoor recess!
• Micah brought home four containers of lasagna last night and four containers of potatoes, two with onion and two with cheese!
• We're having lasagna for supper - and I didn't have to make it!
• Our next-door neighbors are having lasagna - thank you, Micah!
• And Jen, from work - her family is having lasagna, too!  Two of her boys, who she describes as "picky eaters", promised me today that they would try it!
• I completed my WSI training today - an entire week before it expired!  And it's good for two more years!
  
• The pool reopens on Monday and I'm already signed up to swim! 

Not to mention - it's Friday!  So much to be thankful for!

School Began!

The first day of school was yesterday!  My school, Oak Hills Elementary, houses the Districts' Ignite program - but does not provide busing for the Ignite students, so the first week or two of school, drop off is a virtual NIGHTMARE!

Since I now start at 8:45 a.m., I am always going to need to arrive in the midst of drop off traffic.  I decided yesterday that I did NOT want to be in line for a minimum of half an hour (seriously, drop off started at 8:35 a.m. yesterday and ended at 9:15 a.m.) so . . .

I rode my bike to work!  What a hoot!  It's the first time I've biked to work since the 1980's!  It was great!  I passed students walking, I waved to teachers, I saw former students!  My favorite, though, was the kinder who said to me, "My mom used to ride a bike, too, when she was younger."