Florence and Esther

We’ve all been part of (or know of at least) “dysfunction” in our family lives. And it’s not isolated to a people group or country.  We can all relate to family dysfunction.

Esther was born into a Ugandan family full of dysfunction more than two years ago.  Her parents live in the Soroti District, working as subsistence farmers.

Her mom, Florence, was one of two wives and, shortly before Esther was born, a rift had developed between Florence and her husband.  He had sold the crops Florence had labored to plant to fund his marriage to his second wife. Justifiably, Florence did not take kindly to her husband’s actions.

Esther’s arrival soon aggravated the situation even further. She never stopped crying.  Her head size was much larger than the heads of other babies her age.

Already stressed by her marital situation, Florence had a sick baby and few medical options.  Even when she heard about the CURE hospital, her neighbors told her, “Why bother taking her, she’s going to die anyway.”

The negativity took its toll.  A long time past before Florence summoned the will to bring Esther to the hospital.  But she became glad that she did.

At the hospital, Esther was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a brain disease that’s deadly, but treatable.  The hospital’s advanced ETV surgical procedure (a minimally invasive procedure pioneered at the hospital) ensured Esther would live. This wasn’t the only good news Florence received.  While she was at the hospital, she also heard about the message of Jesus’ love.  She realized how much she needed His healing and welcomed Him into her life.

Encouraged by her daughter’s remarkable transformation and by her own spiritual change, Florence went back to her home life with a different mindset.

The first few months were difficult.  He husband divorced her, and money was scarce.  But her faith sustained her.

Today, Esther is healthy and happy.  Florence’s husband had second thoughts about the divorce; they are now reunited.

It’s true there is still some dysfunction (what family doesn’t have it?), but Florence now has a new and unexpected life.

She’s thankful to God and CURE for helping bring peace to her family.