Day 7 in Malawi, Aug 21st

Today was supposed to be Village Projects 3 and 4 but we postponed them to Saturday because I fell and broke my foot. It should work out fine because the villages weren’t expecting us. God willing the swelling will be down enough to put the plaster cast on by Friday. Then I should be stable enough to make the trip to Zomba.

I wasn’t going to post about my foot because I am determined not to let it take the focus away of this trip. But I figured it may be of interest to some and I would also like to share how God is blessing me through this small trial. So here is the story of my broken foot:

I was stepping down off a curb onto uneven ground when my foot spun around causing a incomplete spiral fracture on my ankle near the bump that sticks out on the outside of the foot. It may technically be my leg that is broken but I am calling it my foot/ankle. Anyway, I knew it was broke right away and was suspecting a spiral fracture because of the way I fell. I was concerned about it being a spiral fracture because they are typically harder to set. But God was so good to me and the injury is not severe. It is a crack in the bone and it doesn’t go all the way to the outer edge of the bone which is why they are calling it incomplete. This is a tremendous blessing as I would have needed a cast up to the thigh and possibly surgery. I am so blessed! The foot was much too swollen (I didn’t have access to ice until an hour after it happened) to put the plaster cast. The plaster cast will be on for three weeks. I am praying that I can get it before Friday and then I will be able to get it off the day before I come home. This would be the best scenario, since the heavy cast and long plane ride are a recipe for Phlebitis, which doesn’t sound too good.

I received excellent care at the private hospital. It was clean and I was the only patient in the emergency room! It was so nice not to have to wait at all, I went right in and I wasn’t exposed to any sick people. I had two wonderful and kind nurses taking care of me. I received the most wonderful injection as soon as I arrived. It took my pain from a 10+ to a 0 in about two minutes. Such an awesome blessing! The total cost was much less than I expected. I even got to take the pain medication home and let me tell you it is good stuff. I have no pain! I am taking it easy today and have to be very careful with the foot until I get the plaster cast on as the doctor told me that the crack could easily spread causing a much more serious injury. I am drinking tons and tons of water, icing and elevating the foot to promote the reduction of swelling. I am staying with Thandie for now as I need a bit of extra help.

I am determined not to get discouraged or let this injury get in the way of me doing the Lord’s work. I am praising the Lord for everything he has done fore me. I still have one strong leg and two strong arms and am able to use the crutches with ease. I am looking forward to getting back on my feet soon, but until then I will do what I can to serve God with one foot. Thanks for the Prayers.
Please continue to pray for Thandie’s brother Blessings, he is very sick, getting weaker everyday. Thandie’s sister Martha is slowly recovering form Malaria. She is a teacher at Peace’s school. She wasn’t strong enough to teach today.