Phillip: God's joyful miracle.

July 2012

Upon arriving to GSF I had heard much about a boy named Phillip from my mom and other missionaries who have served here. It wasn't until I met him that I truly realized how special he is. 

Phillip is one of God's incredible miracles. He is a boy that when he smiles, it touches your heart with such passion that you will be effected for life. Every time I see this boy, something inside of me just...I can’t really even explain it. My heart just swells. Phillip will never fail to make you smile or laugh. He really reveals to you the glory of God. 

Phillip has been at GSF since he was a baby. He is one of the HIV children.  As a nurse intern I look over many of the children’s medical files so that I can know of what all has gone on with them and/or is going on. When I got to Phillip’s, he didn’t have just one file, he had TWO. Both files are about as thick as a C.S. Lewis novel. Phillip has come so close to death several times. So close, that they have made the calls to say the time has come. 

My relationship started with Phillip on June 15th as we traveled to JCRC in Entebbe with all the HIV kids. I was made aware of his story and his status, but I didn’t really take it truly to heart until this day. When we got to JCRC he jumped out of the car and headed up to where we checked in. He got his porridge and plopped himself on the ground in front of the TV showing the movie, Tarzan. He laughed, he smiled, he ran around. All day. There wasn’t a moment where Phillip was just sitting, unless we made him. Phillip carried around this massive teddy bear most of the day that had a beanie hat on that he eventually took off and wore himself. At lunch, Phillip didn’t just eat one normal plate of food. He ate on MASSIVE plate of food mainly with his hands but sometimes using utensils. This boy can eat! He put on so much weight so fast during recovery that he was told he needed to stop gaining weight.  I would say that is a praise! We talked several times as we waited to see doctors, counselors and pharmacists. He never once was negative. He spoke on the most random things but they were all hilarious and so entertaining. He was constantly making me laugh. I wrote a blog about this day and how it was hard to see a kid who should not be alive, be so happy and joyful. Why aren’t we more like Phillip? He doesn’t let his sickness get in his way. He loves life, he loves. Phillip is a boy who will show you the true meaning of humbleness. While during this hospital visit, Nurse Katie shared with me a lot of Phillip’s history. The story that most impacted me was the one she told that happened this past October. Phillip was hospitalized and nobody thought he would make it out. The doctors told Nurse Katie he most likely had a rare type of Pneumonia and was not going to make it through the night. She made phone calls and all his loved ones gathered around as they said goodbye. But by the grace of God, Phillip lived. AGAIN! This isn’t the first time his CD4 cell count met 0. In english, this wasn’t the first time Phillip wasn’t supposed to make it. I got to meet the doctor that was with him that night. When she saw Phillip in June, she was blown away. Phillip is doing so great! He still has a weak immune system and can catch illness quick, but you could never tell. This boy is truly a miracle. God has such a marvelous plan for Phillip. I believe God has kept him on this earth and hasn’t taken him home yet, because I have witnessed Phillip’s discipleship. Phillip may not know it, but he is touching so many hearts and is really showing people how great our God is. I am so excited for what God has planned for Phillip's future.  

June 2012 at JCRC 

My relationship then continued as I began to do nursing rounds. Rounds are done at 7 am in the morning and 7 pm, every day. In the morning we go to every house to check in and give medicine. In the evening we go to just the houses who need medicine. So, with Phillip needing a lot of medicine, I have been getting to see a lot of this boy. I love it. Every morning he puts a smile on my face when I hear, “Auntie Clayyyaaaa good morninnng!” He always has some joke while taking a handful of pills. He never complains, he never refuses, he never lets it interfere. My favorite is when he takes his gummy vitamins. He chews on them in such a silly manner and always tells me how much he loves them. I then get to see him every evening. I remember one evening he comes up to me as Nurse Katie and I are headed to his house, and yells “RACE ME CLAYA!” He takes off running, so, I did too. He actually did “win” me. I really tried. HE IS SO FAST! Nurse Katie came up to me and told me stories how he always used to race her even during his recovery. The way she told her story to me, you could tell how much love she had for this boy. How special he is to her. It is incredible how much endurance, strength and perseverance this boy has. This past week I even got to meet at four of his stuffed animals! His favorite our his cow and dog. He really loves dogs. He keeps his bed so tidy and made up. He greets me every morning in his school uniform, looking very “smart” with his leather book bag full and on his back. It never is hard to get up in the morning knowing I get to see Phillip. 

Our relationships continues on to Sunday School. I get to teach the 11-12 year old Sunday school group. This means, I get to teach Phillip. This boy comes every sunday with his big old bible. He always has it open and is reading. Phillip always wants to know more verses and read for the group. He also has an extremely goofy, yet very intelligent side. Phillip is VERY smart, book and common sense wise. Very. One Sunday he was rambling on about who knows what so I asked him what he was talking about and he looks me in the eye and says, “personal hygiene!” You never know what is going to come out of this boys mouth. He is hilarious. This past Sunday I was trying to get the group to start a worship song, of course everyone was shy at first. Well, Phillip just takes the lead and starts to sing, “Rain drops are falling on my head!” Of course, he made everyone smile and laugh and eventually sing. He loves Jesus. He loves to make you laugh. He makes every day for me, a great day. 

Phillip...well, Phillip is just one of those kids. He is someone who has already changed my heart so much and is continuing to impact my life in the greatest way. He really shows me the power of our God’s kingdom and how merciful and glorious He is. I am so just thankful for this boy and his life. I am so beyond blessed to spend time with him. He can bring me to tears just with a smile. Even today at lunch when I was so exhausted, he began to preach to me with his fully belly popping out of his shirt and of course, I died laughing. If you come in to contact with Phillip, you will be blessed beyond all measures. He shows you how God calls us to live our lives. I can’t thank the Lord enough for bringing Phillip in to my life. 

I have some photos of my own that I have shown you but I would like you to see photos Nurse Katie took of him just this past fall. You will see how incredible his story is just by looking at these photos. Please continue to pray daily for Phillip. He really is so incredible.

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.

August 2011- Nurse Katie

                        September 2011- Nurse Katie                                 November 2011- Nurse Katie

This is the drawing Phillip drew for me to give to Nurse Katie. He did it all on his own, even all the writing. He did not once ask for spelling help or help with remembering. Something very special.