The darkness in Stella’s life is lifted by love

Stella came seeking help. 

Her face was completely covered with a veil. As she uncovered her face, it was swollen, and you could see fear in her eyes more than swelling. It was fear she had discussed with her family but could not be solved.

This woman who was 26 years old had suffered for 2 years from a disease she never understood. The face is swollen, and the lips are twisted due to the swelling. Her skin, especially around her arms, itches relentlessly and she has scratched the skin to the point that she has caused wounds to the flesh and the wounds are infected. As the disease continues to cover her skin like a fog that creeps over a hill, her self-esteem is damaged.  You could see humiliation in this daughter’s face. You could see the agony and how tired she is with the struggle of covering her once beautiful face with a veil. We do not know what ached more; was it the pain caused by the disease or the pain of enduring the humiliation brought by the disfigured face?

How did this image of God get so marred and defaced? Was due to witchcraft or defaced? She did not know that she was allergic to certain foods. The disease was not caused by witchcraft, or so complicated or life threatening. She just needs to observe her diet and we prescribed her some antihistamines.

Darkness lifted, empowered with knowledge

On coming to the awareness of this, the darkness in her life was lifted.  Empowered with the right knowledge, she took the drugs and joyfully left.

It is amazing how darkness in a life can be broken by a gentle light of love. The love from all the people who gave what they had to make the camp successful. It is amazing how little help and simple love can help the vulnerable walk out of the pale shadow of life and live their life to the fullest.

— Global Compassion Resources Clinic