God weaves a beautiful story through time!

But, as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “you are my God”. My times are in your hands.”(Psalm 31:14-15a)

A number of years ago my gran and I went to visit my Fitzpatrick family in Australia. During this time my aunt Alison shared with us the wonderful story of the Hamlin’s and how the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital began in Ethiopia. Alison gave us a book called “A Hospital by the River” written by Catherine Hamlin. It was incredible to read how Catherine and her husband pioneered this work of helping Fistula victims. What is Fistula? It occurs during and during childbirth or because of sexual violence “An obstetric fistula develops when blood supply to the tissues of the vagina and the bladder (and/or rectum) is cut off during prolonged obstructed labor. The tissues die and a hole forms through which urine and/or feces pass uncontrollably.”(www.fistulafoundation.org/aboutfistula)


On my return journey to Sudan in Dec 2009 – Jan 2010 we were going from village to village showing the Jesus film. When we came to the village “Hidere” the mother of “Sunday” asked me to come and pray for her daughter. When I saw her I immediately recognized her as our Kindergarten cook. She had lost a lot of weight and looked so sad. Then her mother explained that “Sunday” fell pregnant and lost her baby! After 3 days of labor the baby had still not arrived. They transported her for 3 hours across extremely bumpy dusty roads to Torit. Her dead baby was pulled out and “Sunday” suffered severe injuries. She had become a Fistula victim. I was devastated and prayed with her. I then remembered my aunt and her stories of the Adidas Ababa Hospital. I sent my aunt an email asking if she could find anyone that could help me. It was over Christmas time and my aunt sent many emails to all the contacts she could find. Well this email went from Sudan, to Australia, America and then Ethiopia! The incredible thing is God provided transport to get to Ethiopia where she was wonderfully treated, had a successful operation and was able to return home a renewed woman! In her time in the hospital she commited her life to Jesus! Praise Him!