The positive power of Facebook

Saturday lunchtime: visit a very sick lady in Acholi Quarters. Single mum, two young sons, no near relatives, too ill to make food or earn money, 3 days until eviction from the shack they call home due to non-payment of rent for 4 months (been ill for 3 of those months). Has medication but unable to take as needs sufficient food for it to work. Downwards spiral. 

1hour later I post a simple request for prayer for the family on Facebook. No photos, no names, just a simple outline of situation

Three days later I have the privilege of being able to return and give the lady a host of good news: 

- some clothes that a lady from uk had made and sent it with me 'for whoever I felt needed them'

- some cookies I had baked on the new cooker at my hosts house

- enough money to pay the rent arrears donated by someone who read the post

- money to pay the next months rent, also donated by a Facebook follower

- money for food for the family and milk for the youngest child, who isn't thriving as weaned too early due to mums illness, also donated by a Facebook follower

- news that the older lad can now go to school as someone has offered to pay his school fees

- assurance that there is more donated money to be able to cover subsequent months rent so the mum can focus on getting better. 

It was a very special time being able to give all that news, and tears of relief and joy were wept on both sides. 

Prayers were definitely answered thanks to the power of Facebook, and some of the conversations I had via that medium during the donation discussions were very precious in many ways. 

I know some people have suffered badly as a result of Facebook posts and messages, but in this instance God definitely used it as tool for very positive change.