Author: Layne

A Layne Post

Meet Lucia

Lucia

Yes, she is gorgeous. This thirteen year old girl arrived at the hospital months ago, accompanied by her father. I remember the first day I met her; she was shy, yet captured my attention.  She had a bulging tummy, and honestly, I thought she could be pregnant. After a few visits, it became clear it was cancer… a HUGE tumor. Hope for recovery was small in our minds.

With time, she opened up. Her real mother had died, and currently her “second mother” took care of them, who I think might have been an Aunt. She had four sisters she missed a lot. She told me she liked to play at home. Innocent. Thankfully she was able to call home frequently.

Like any teen girl, she liked her nails painted, her earrings, her cute skirt. I remember one day realizing a skirt she was wearing was nearly identical to one I had, just shorter. I promised her I’d wear mine soon. When I did, she’d giggle as I told people we were twins.

Meet Longo

Longo

This is Lucia’s father. We called him “Pai de Lucia”  for so long before we found out his name. Longo quickly joined Jon’s Bible study, and thoroughly enjoyed his time with the men. I remember his eagerness to pray and the way he would hold his hands up to the Lord while doing so.

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Lucia struggled with Chemo. She would have five days at a time. It seems like some bodies just handle the strong medicine better. Lucia was not so fortunate, as she was unable to keep any food down, still vomiting whatever was left in her stomach. She would become so weak.

Her father was amazing. He would hold a bucket for her, fill her water, and just sit near her, cradling her head or wiping her sweat. He did more than many mothers I see. The worry and concern was evident on his face.

To our surprise, it always seemed like Lucia would bounce back in a matter of a day or two, and resume her playing outside and bright smile. How strong she was! She would always be anxious to see Anaya’s new photos and would ask how she was doing every time I visited.

Feeling Anaya move

But as we have seen frequently, it only takes one treatment and a turn for the worse. That time came for Lucia a couple weeks ago. She didn’t bounce back; the smile did not return. She could not eat, therefore, she became more and more weak. Together with her father, they decided they wanted to try and make it home, to the north of Mozambique.

We thought they had a plane arranged, but we found out Lucia did not have the identity card she would need to travel. This was devastating news. In desperation, they decided to attempt to ride bus 20 or so hours. Upon arriving at the bus station the next morning, the driver refused to allow them to make the trip. Lucia was in bad shape, already crying before the bus was moving, so they had to get off. Another devastating blow.

Our friend Alice quickly made some calls, and miraculously the Lord opened doors and provided a way for for Lucia to obtain a new ID card, which would allow her to ride the airplane. The next afternoon Jon received a phone call from Longo. He was giggling as he reported he and Lucia were sitting on the plane. Even Lucia was feeling better for the journey.

Currently they are at the hospital in the north, a 10 hour train ride from home, resting and getting final documents. They sound full of hope, as they should arrive home tomorrow. Not hope for life necessarily, but hope to be together as a family one more time.

God is good. He cares for Lucia and Longo.

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Please pray for them in the week(s) to come. Lucia’s life will likely not be long, and the last days painful away from the hospital and morphine. Pray for the presence of the Lord and His grace.

We miss them already.

If you have time you can go over to the “About Us” tab at the top of this page and see a new video we’ve posted about our lives here. We’ve a few pictures of Lucia there as well.