She knew there was something wrong with her leg, because it hurt. But like most of us, she just kept going, enduring the pain. It would be difficult to get an appointment with a specialist in the government health service. Since their business had collapsed and they had lost everything, there was no money to pay for a consultation.
Sitting in an immaculate living room with simple, sturdy furniture, we listened as she and her children 
told us her story. Her twelve year old daughter never leaving her side, this mother would look up to her child to confirm her memory, to check and see if she had her own story right. Daughter and mother had switched places, if only for a little while and the daughter was helping her mother along physically and mentally.
She told us that finally the pain was too great and she found her way to a doctor whose diagnosis was shocking. She had signs of a very old injury to her leg that had never healed properly. The injury had become infected and now her whole leg from just above the knee was consumed with gangrene. It would have to be amputated.
Her three children stood by her. But it was so difficult to face the news. There was no time to think about it, no time to waste or the infection could spread and kill her.
An amputation is not a simple surgery. There are many possible complications. She went into shock as a result of the surgery and sustained some brain injury. Now she has trouble with her short term memory and it is difficult to read. She is hopeful that over time her brain will heal and she'll be able to read and remember normally again. But there is no money for therapy, so she is hoping and praying instead.
Even more pressing is the need for a prosthetic. She is a good candidate to do well with one. But the cost of a prosthetic leg is almost $1,800.00, unattainable for a poor family.
Her identical twin sons are so devoted. They remain at home to care for their mother. One is a professional dance instructor for the traditional dances of Sri Lanka. His instruction generates the only income for the family. His brother continues in school and is in training to be a bank worker, but there is no income until he completes his training. Her daughter stands by her side with an affectionate hand on her mother's arm. They are very proud to share some tea with their guests from the USA.
Rev. Rohitha de Silva asks if we would consider helping this poor woman get a prosthesis made and fitted. We assured her that we would find a way to help her. A beautiful smile spread across the faces of everyone in the family as words of thanks tumbled out of their mouths. How beautiful it is to be able to offer in the name of Christ some hope to a family in trouble.
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