We spotted Eric many times when we walked through town. I couldn't bear to look at this boy whose leg was swollen many times it's normal size. He had two badly infected open wounds. I avoided him many times, too repulsed by his sight and fearful he would ask for help, it was more than I could handle. I always felt guilt and sadness when I saw him. I prayed for him often. Obviously God had plans for this boy.

Chapter one: Eric is one of those cases that woke me from a sound sleep in the middle of the night. The thought was so strong and clear. "This boy could die and I avoided him and tried not to see" Ok Lord, "I hear you". The very next day I went to Lebaus and told him we have to go talk to this boy and see what we can do, maybe take him to Dr. Ruby to see if we can get medicine for the infections. My initial thought was that we would just treat his wounds so he would be more comfortable. We went to town looking for Eric but couldn't find him. Lebaus left word on the street that we would be back in the morning to talk with Eric. We were confident that the "street grapevine" would get word to him. We set out early the next morning walking down the main street of Kisumu. I felt like I was with the Pied Piper. The more we walked the more kids gathered to follow Malimu ("teacher" Lebaus) After being directed to several locations we finally found Eric in an ally heaped high with trash. Eric was getting food from the trash heap for his breakfast. We talked with him and found that Eric's leg was burned when he was very young. The burned skin healed with the leg in a bent position. The swelling was chronic, the skin was very thin and sensitive, and it would break open easily and healed very slowly. Eric agreed to go with us to see Dr. Ruby. Ruby examined him as we all crowded around to see the size of the swollen lymph glands in Eric's groin. She ordered an X-ray to see if the infection had affected the bone. She prescribed antibiotics. She also strongly advised us that Eric will not heal if left on the street. Although he was well beyond the age of a boy we would normally take into our overflowing compound Lebaus agreed we needed to take him to Agape until his wounds were healed.

Chapter two:Eric didn't fit in well with the other boys at Agape. We had complaints from some of the boys, "he is so harsh", "he wants to beat us,” “he's violent." Eric went through times when he would refuse to greet us, he would even avoid coming near me. I tried very hard to understand what this boy must be going through and what his life must have been like on the street. It was very difficult not to have hurt feelings especially after I felt so strongly that God placed this boy on my heart and gave me charge to help him. I felt a certain connection with this young man who has the same name as my second born son. My son Eric died when he was three days old. My son Eric would have been about the same age as Eric on the street. Little did I know that God was also working in the heart of someone else for Eric's sake.

We received a call from Elaine who was searching for Eric. Elaine is an American women working with street children near Nairobi. She had been to Kisumu and also spotted Eric on the street. She had been in contact with her donors and raised the funds to take Eric for surgery at Kijabi Mission Hospital near Nairobi. We agreed to release Eric over to Elaine and her national assistant Wycliffe. We would take him back at Agape after the surgery. Within several months Eric went through two surgeries both times returning to Agape but not cooperating with doctors instructions for a good recovery. The contractures were released through skin grafts so Eric could straighten his leg but it continued to swell terribly. He refused to keep it elevated and allow time for the healing process. We were all frustrated. During this time there seemed to be some changes in Eric's attitude and character. Eric was attending the Agape church and growing slowly in his faith.

Chapter three: Last January Eric came to me to show me two open wounds, one on his leg and one on the bottom of his foot. The skin was rotting. Dr. Ruby happened to be visiting at Agape and suggested Eric be taken to a hospital where they had the facility to clean the wounds. He would need to be seen daily. Dr. Paul at Jalaram suggested that Eric needed yet another surgery to clean the wound on the bottom of his foot that was so terribly deep. Eric went through surgery. The wound was not healing and swelling continued to plague the leg. The surgeon from Jalaram suggested another skin graft to speed the healing process. Eric went back in for another surgery. This time Eric was kept in the hospital for just over a month. He had no choice but to remain in bed with his leg elevated. I believe this was what did the trick this time. Eric's leg went down to normal size and the grafts started to heal.

I went to visit him often. I saw a big change in this young man; he would smile when I walked in. When Eric was finally released the Dr. sent medicine and specific instructions for daily cleaning and dressing. Eric and I started a daily routine of soaking his foot, using a soft brush with medicated soap to clean it, we applied the ointment and wrapped with an ace bandage from foot to thigh. This time Eric's leg healed beautifully. We purchased a pressure sock to give support and keep the swelling down. The doctor said the lymphatic drainage system was badly damaged so swelling could always be a problem.

Chapter four Eric is walking. Wycliffe came for Eric and took him for the special shoe that was made. Eric's leg is 6 cm shorter than the other one. Although he can't wear the shoe and walk on it for a full day without it becoming very tired he is increasing the strength gradually. Now, here is the inspiration for this story. Today during praise and worship at church my eyes filled with tears as I watched Eric dancing without even the one crutch he has been using. I could see by the look on Eric's face he was truly praising God with all his heart. Later after church Eric came into my office with his usual loud "MOM". Let me say, this is such a far cry from one year ago. He now calls Dan and I mom and dad. He walks to my desk and says, "God is so good" I looked at him and said, "Yes, I know He is." Eric said with such amazement, "I'm walking! Thank you."  I was speechless as he turned and walked out. A few minutes later I went into Lebaus office and found Dan, Lebaus and Eric there. Eric was doing the same with Dan and Lebaus; he was thanking them and said he never knew his life could be like this, as he spoke he fought back the emotions. What greater blessing could there be than to have the privilege of witnessing this past year of Eric's life. We have seen an incredible healing and physical change but even more than that we thank God for the spiritual change in Eric; he's a different young man. He is polite; he is honest; and he smiles and laughs. What a joy!

The month that Eric spent at Jalaram Hospital was not in the medical plan for Elaine and her base of donors or in the budget for Agape. Elaine informed us her board has agreed to pay for half of the bill. If you feel moved to assist in Eric's medical bill please contact the Agape office [209-524-0600]. We also have another boy that could possibly need surgery. Mourice was hit by a car; both bones in his leg were broken. When the cast came off it appeared that the leg was not set well, if it was set at all. We will be taking him for another x-ray. We fear his leg may need to be rebroken and set properly. A surgical fund for Eric and Mourice would be appreciated. We'll continue to keep you posted.

Chapter five: This chapter is not ready to be written. We will soon be counseling with Eric and send him for training in bicycle repair: his area of interest. Bicycle repair is profitable in Kisumu. Eric has some family in Kisumu with whom we hope we can reunite him once he is trained and able to earn a living. Stay tuned.

Prayer requests:

1. Keep Eric in your prayers as we develops the skills over the next year to be independent and self sustaining.

God bless,

Patty Schmelzer                             [See Photos 5-25-04]