Hey guys,
It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you all that we will be
cutting our trip thirty days short. You may already know by now that
our son Wyatt’s health has been deteriorating since arriving in Uganda
in early May. What started out as spells with some hallucinations
every once in a while has turned into full on grand mal seizures so
strong that only a shot of diazepam will bring him out of it. We
originally believed they were a result of the heat and dehydration but
they recently got worse. We have taken him to the clinic here on the
ranch, have seen a highly respected doctor in Kampala, have consulted
with a therapist and have spoken directly with his doctor at home
numerous times. None of their suggestions or recommendations has
worked. At this point in our trip Wyatt is having about twenty
episodes, as we call them, a day. The diazepam seems to be doing very
little now in the way of controlling them and Alicia and I have come
to think that the episodes he has been having are in fact just little
seizures that build up to a much bigger seizure event. It has been
recommended to us by his doctor here in Kampala that we get him home
to see his neurologist as soon as possible. The doctor also suggested
that we keep him heavily sedated until we can get him home. His reason
for this is that if Wyatt were to have an episode in the airport
before leaving, or while in flight, the airline could ground us
wherever we are until he is stable enough to fly. Please be praying
that doesn’t happen!!
As you can imagine all of this has left us pretty heart broken. No one
in our family is ready to say good-bye. The whole community here that
we have been working with seems to be heartbroken as well. I believe
that they have fallen in love with our family just as much as we have
them, which makes all of this that much harder. It’s crazy how much
our family fits here. I find myself more confused now than ever
before. I keep thinking, why only two months? What purpose can us
leaving early possibly serve? And While I know God doesn’t owe me an
explanation I pray with all my heart that he will be gracious enough
to give one. Maybe he’s already given it? Maybe because I’m so close
to it I can’t see it?
I have been struck with an overwhelming since of guilt about the
reason for our early departure. Why are we so blessed to have the
option to leave the country and seek the best medical care in the
world? What makes us so special? I can’t help but wonder what the
Ugandans think about all this. They don’t have the ability to leave.
They have to stay where they are, in their sickness, in their pain, in
their distress. I’m sorry for rambling or if it seems as if I’m
whining. The burden I feel for the people here as well for the health
of my child are each so heavy that I feel as if I might suffocate
under the weight of it all.
Before I end this update I would like to thank you all for your
prayers and for all of the letters of support we have received while
in the field. Everyone here is in total awe of the group of supporters
we have backing us up. We have been posting your letters up on a wall
in our house. Most, if not all, of the people who stop by the house to
visit (which is many every single day) end up standing in front of the
wall reading your letters. Your letters have been an awesome testimony
of the unity that should be seen in the body of Christ. Your letters
have encouraged us as well as all those who have read them, Muzungu
and African alike.
While we end this trip with sadness, we look forward to seeing what
God has in store for our family here at the ranch. Even though God has
chosen to end this trip early, none of us feel that he is closing the
door to us serving here.
Once again thank you all so much for your love and support.
God Bless you all,
The Wilbanks family.
P.S. We just did our Jesus Calling devotional today and we wanted to
share it with you…
Let my love stream through you, washing away fear and distrust. A
trusting response includes me in your thoughts as you consider
strategies to deal with a situation. My continual presence is a
promise, guaranteeing that you never have to face anything alone. My
children teethe on the truth that I am always with them, yet they
stumble around in a stupor, unaware of my loving presence all around
them. How that grieves me! When you walk through a day in trusting
dependence on me, my aching heart is soothed. Gently bring your
attention back to me whenever it wanders away. I look for persistence
– rather than perfection – in your walk with me. Psalm 52:8;
Deuteronomy 31:6; Ephesians 4:30
It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you all that we will be
cutting our trip thirty days short. You may already know by now that
our son Wyatt’s health has been deteriorating since arriving in Uganda
in early May. What started out as spells with some hallucinations
every once in a while has turned into full on grand mal seizures so
strong that only a shot of diazepam will bring him out of it. We
originally believed they were a result of the heat and dehydration but
they recently got worse. We have taken him to the clinic here on the
ranch, have seen a highly respected doctor in Kampala, have consulted
with a therapist and have spoken directly with his doctor at home
numerous times. None of their suggestions or recommendations has
worked. At this point in our trip Wyatt is having about twenty
episodes, as we call them, a day. The diazepam seems to be doing very
little now in the way of controlling them and Alicia and I have come
to think that the episodes he has been having are in fact just little
seizures that build up to a much bigger seizure event. It has been
recommended to us by his doctor here in Kampala that we get him home
to see his neurologist as soon as possible. The doctor also suggested
that we keep him heavily sedated until we can get him home. His reason
for this is that if Wyatt were to have an episode in the airport
before leaving, or while in flight, the airline could ground us
wherever we are until he is stable enough to fly. Please be praying
that doesn’t happen!!
As you can imagine all of this has left us pretty heart broken. No one
in our family is ready to say good-bye. The whole community here that
we have been working with seems to be heartbroken as well. I believe
that they have fallen in love with our family just as much as we have
them, which makes all of this that much harder. It’s crazy how much
our family fits here. I find myself more confused now than ever
before. I keep thinking, why only two months? What purpose can us
leaving early possibly serve? And While I know God doesn’t owe me an
explanation I pray with all my heart that he will be gracious enough
to give one. Maybe he’s already given it? Maybe because I’m so close
to it I can’t see it?
I have been struck with an overwhelming since of guilt about the
reason for our early departure. Why are we so blessed to have the
option to leave the country and seek the best medical care in the
world? What makes us so special? I can’t help but wonder what the
Ugandans think about all this. They don’t have the ability to leave.
They have to stay where they are, in their sickness, in their pain, in
their distress. I’m sorry for rambling or if it seems as if I’m
whining. The burden I feel for the people here as well for the health
of my child are each so heavy that I feel as if I might suffocate
under the weight of it all.
Before I end this update I would like to thank you all for your
prayers and for all of the letters of support we have received while
in the field. Everyone here is in total awe of the group of supporters
we have backing us up. We have been posting your letters up on a wall
in our house. Most, if not all, of the people who stop by the house to
visit (which is many every single day) end up standing in front of the
wall reading your letters. Your letters have been an awesome testimony
of the unity that should be seen in the body of Christ. Your letters
have encouraged us as well as all those who have read them, Muzungu
and African alike.
While we end this trip with sadness, we look forward to seeing what
God has in store for our family here at the ranch. Even though God has
chosen to end this trip early, none of us feel that he is closing the
door to us serving here.
Once again thank you all so much for your love and support.
God Bless you all,
The Wilbanks family.
P.S. We just did our Jesus Calling devotional today and we wanted to
share it with you…
Let my love stream through you, washing away fear and distrust. A
trusting response includes me in your thoughts as you consider
strategies to deal with a situation. My continual presence is a
promise, guaranteeing that you never have to face anything alone. My
children teethe on the truth that I am always with them, yet they
stumble around in a stupor, unaware of my loving presence all around
them. How that grieves me! When you walk through a day in trusting
dependence on me, my aching heart is soothed. Gently bring your
attention back to me whenever it wanders away. I look for persistence
– rather than perfection – in your walk with me. Psalm 52:8;
Deuteronomy 31:6; Ephesians 4:30
