A letter from Mike and Nancy Haninger in Congo
March 30, 2009
Dear Friends,
We want to share with you a couple of wonderful stories that you are making possible. The first is of Kimbila Kimbila. Last month, when we arrived back at Good Shepherd Hospital following our trip to the United States, Mike made rounds and was introduced to Kimbila. After delivering her baby by Caesarean section, she stayed in the hospital because she could not urinate.
Kimbila Kimbila almost starved to death in the hospital after giving birth because she was abandoned by her husband. Gifts from Presbyterians saved her life and the life of her newborn.
Kimbila rapidly became very ill with temperatures of 104° and extreme weakness. She had barely eaten since her surgery, losing significant weight and becoming weaker and weaker. Her husband had abandoned her and the baby in the hospital and was providing no support. In Congo, patients’ families must provide them with food. She had had none. Her baby was also quite malnourished, as Kimbila could no longer produce breast milk. The child’s weight had declined from seven pounds at birth to less than four pounds.
Thanks to your generosity, we had the funds and the means to respond to this life-threatening crisis. Both the mother and her baby were placed under the care of the IMCK Nutrition Center, which Nancy supervises. The mother began receiving three meals a day, and we purchased artificial milk powder in order to allow the mother to feed her baby. In just a week, the child had gained over a pound and the mother began to look alive again. It is hard to imagine that people can slowly starve to death in hospitals in Africa, but it is a reality. Your gifts are responsible for the photo and the gift of life to these two beautiful people.
The second story is about Mbombo Kapinga. Mike was asked to evaluate her when she arrived at Good Shepherd in labor. After seeing her, he asked her height. It was 4 feet 3 inches. She is 28 years old, unmarried, with her first pregnancy. Equally important is her obvious impaired intelligence. Her labor was stalled, and there were early signs suggesting some distress in the baby. Therefore, a Caesarean section was performed, and a healthy baby was delivered.
Mbombo Kapinga could provide no information as to the father of the child or as to how she got pregnant. She had no money to pay her hospital bill of $100.00. Thanks to contributions from faithful Presbyterians, her bill was paid.
Afterward while making rounds each day in the maternity, Mike learned more about Mbombo. She had childlike manners at certain times and could provide no information as to the father of the child or as to how she got pregnant. With her short stature, she had a very small pelvis, mandating delivery by Caesarean. Observing her as she mothered her child was heartwarming. We have no real ability to evaluate the mental capacity of people here in Congo, but the capacity of their love, particularly for their children, is incredible.
We knew that she had no means to pay a hospital bill and thus would be held in the hospital, probably for months, until she paid. This was a “no brainer.” The fact that due to decreased mental capacity, Mbombo will never have the opportunities that we have should not be an impediment to living a full life. God expects us to care for all of his children, particularly those who are the most vulnerable. We are so grateful to all of you for providing the means to answer that charge. Mbombo went home a week after her Caesarean on the planned day of discharge. Her bill, $100, was paid by your love.
From the Congo with our love,
Mike and Nancy
The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 39
