Edwin

Edwin Mutiri, 16th June 2011

This is Edwin's story:  Edwin was a 13 year old boy, he was an orphan due to HIV/AIDS and himself was HIV positive.  We met Edwin for the first time after developing Hepatitis and was in the hospital due to retention of liquid in his abdomen.

Pastor John encourages Edwin to eat some boiled maize

Edwin's abdomen was as swollen as a 9 month pregnant woman's would be.  However after about two weeks of slowly draining the liquid, he was released from the hospital and even returned to school.  We were excited that Edwin was getting better.  The Headmistress at his school even had a special foods and fruits for him.  This year was an important year for Edwin, in November he was to take the KCPE; the exam that would take him to secondary school.  He was worried about missing so much school and having to catch up, but we assured him that he would be able to do it.

After a couple weeks, we heard that Edwin was at home because he was a bit weak and decided to visit.  That is where we took his photo with one of the ministry team (above).  He was looking good and improving every day.  We encouraged him, and when we left he walked us to the gate and we told him we loved him.  

We were shocked to learn on Saturday that Edwin had passed away that Friday in the hospital.  From Thursday evening after we left he had begun to vomit blood.  Apparently the medications he had been taking were so strong that they caused ulcers in his stomach and they ruptured and bled out.  

Edwin is with the Lord, whom he loved.  We are thankful he is resting and no longer in pain or having to take medication or having to be poked and prodded by doctors.  We are thankful that Edwin knew that he was loved, even up to the last day of his life.  Edwin's sweet smile will be missed.