Update from Townsend

This week I began my project with Dr. Nick at St. Phillips Health Center, where I’m helping analyze patient wait times and satisfaction. It has been humbling to see how something as simple as improving wait times can actually do so much. God cares about details.. and I’m seeing that even small systems and processes can be used to love people well.

On Thursday, I’ll be visiting one of Dr. Nick’s smaller village clinics; just 1 out of 80, each run completely by a single nurse. One nurse serving an entire community. It amazes me. These clinics are often the only access to healthcare for miles. Please pray for me as I go, that I would listen well, learn well, and encourage the nurse who faithfully shows up every day to serve. This reminds me that Jesus often met people in small villages, in ordinary places, and did extraordinary things.

Next week I’ll be traveling a couple hours away to a ministry called Albaanas Hope, run by U.S. missionaries. They hold another one of Dr. Nick’s clinics, and I’ll be staying there from Tuesday through Thursday to volunteer and serve. 

There are moments of joy, laughter with patients, worship in the evenings, seeing healing happen, but also moments that are heavy, where the need feels overwhelming. But through it all, I see God moving and present. 

In the evenings, I’ve been so grateful for the gift of community. I’ve been spending time with the bishop’s family, as well as Sarah and Simon, joining them for meals and game nights. I’ve also been attending local yoga and dance classes as a way to engage more fully in local community. It has been such a joyful experience. 

On top of that, I’ve been taking language lessons so I can be more involved in patient consults. Even learning a few phrases has made a difference, you can see how much it means when someone tries to speak your language. I’m praying the Lord uses these small steps to help me love and serve more deeply.

This trip has been teaching me that missions aren't always about big dramatic moments. Sometimes it’s about showing up, listening, collecting data faithfully, or holding a baby while a mom sees a doctor. But somehow, God uses all of it.

I want to ask for urgent prayer for a very special patient named Gifty. Gifty is 8 years old and has severe heart problems. The only way to cure her condition is through surgery. However, because she is so young and her heart is so fragile, and because the healthcare system here is not as advanced, every hospital and surgical center Dr. Nick has contacted has refused to perform the procedure. He has reached out to hospitals in Kampala and throughout Kenya, but so far none have been able to take her in. Dr. Nick has already fundraised for the surgery. The funds for the procedure are there. All we need is a hospital willing and equipped to step forward. “In the U.S., she would have been operated on without a doubt. But here, it’s almost impossible to be facilitated,” Dr. Nick said. Over the past few months, Gifty has actually been doing well for her condition. But this week she came in complaining of soreness in her knees which Dr. Nick found it is because she has begun losing blood flow to her lower body. It is heartbreaking.

Please please pray boldly:

- That a hospital, whether in Uganda, Kenya, or elsewhere, would come through and agree to perform the surgery

- For protection over Gifty’s heart and body while she waits

- For wisdom, favor, and perseverance for Dr. Nick as he continues advocating for her

-  That Gifty and her family would feel God’s nearness and peace.

Additionally, I would also love to ask for some more specific prayers:

- Please pray for the bishop’s daughter, Nola, as she is currently in the hospital preparing to go into labor with her second child. Pray for a safe delivery, peace over her, and health for both her and the baby.

- Pray for Bishop Godfrey as he is in Nigeria attending a bishops’ conference; for safe travels and wisdom. As well as Bishop Jeremiah who is attending the conference as well.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. I truly feel them. God is working here and I’m so grateful to witness it.