A Doctor’s Experience of Mission in Uganda

By Macy Rupprecht, DO 

Each time I travel abroad, the Lord seems to teach me something new. This past November was no different. The Lord showed me, in new ways, the fragility as well as the resiliency of the human body. He also revealed the great love He has for each of us.

Thanks to many supporters and prayer warriors, including the Catholic Medical Association, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Mission Doctors Association at two of the hospitals that they collaborate with in Southern Uganda. While in Uganda, I had the opportunity to work alongside other U.S. physicians and local Ugandan physicians. Most of my time was spent running the pediatric and NICU wards at Saint Francis Hospital in Mutolere, Uganda, near the Rwandan border. I had a crash course in basic NICU care the first week that I arrived at the hospital. I was then left to manage these two departments when the American physician who was there completed his trip and returned to the U.S.

It was in caring for these tiny babies and precious children that the Lord revealed to me His love. It was in the short life of a 24-week-old baby that was delivered that I came to know just how fragile and resilient the human body can be all at the same time. When I got the call to come to help attend to this newborn, internally, I was panicking as I had never had to care for a child this young and fragile before. As I walked to the NICU, I prayed for guidance to know how best to care for this little one, and I also prayed for the Lord’s blessing upon the child. The Lord provided. Thankfully my mentor was still at the hospital, and he came to assist by placing an umbilical catheter and starting CPAP on the child, which was the top of the line care we had at the facility. The guidance and calm that this mentor provided gave me the confidence that I needed for the remainder of my time at the hospital. Although the child only lived a few short hours, he was a fighter, and I could sense the Lord’s presence. It was a great blessing to help care for this baby. I can confidently say that we did the best that we could for this child before the Lord called him back home.

During the few remaining weeks, I was able to care for several babies and children suffering from malnutrition along with other children suffering from several different conditions. Each day I started my day with Mass, which was a wonderful opportunity to ask for the help and guidance I would need for that day.  I felt the Lord’s presence, and protection each day that I worked on the wards. I also came to love the families of the children I cared for. In the best way that I could, I tried to convey to these parents how much I cared for their children. I like to think that the universal language is love, and I didn’t need a translator for this.

I can recall the number of times I tried to ask a question in English when a translator wasn’t around and being met by blank stares and then giggles. Quickly everyone in the ward would be giggling at how silly the situation was. The moms were wonderful as they tried their best to thank us for the care we were providing for their children. The nursing staff was also incredible. They cared so well for the children, and they helped me in so many different ways from helping me to navigate the local medical system to translating. I could not have done my job without them. We had many laughs and sweet moments together.

One moment was when a nurse and I had to transport a child to get a CT scan. It was quite the scene as the nurse and I snaked our way from the pediatric ward to the radiology department. I was carrying the small child, and the nurse led the way as she wheeled a portable oxygen machine with us. We did not have a bed small enough to maneuver through the narrow halls of the hospital. While we waited for the scan to be complete, the nurse, Mary, turned to me and said, “Doctor, I have a secret to tell you… Whenever you smile you make me so happy. Your smile is just so beautiful.” This really touched my heart.

I had countless other kind gestures from the nursing staff, including them constantly asking me to stay because I cared so well for the children. I credit all of this to the Lord, as I often felt inadequate for the job. Yet, I showed up each day and tried to remain open to the promptings of the Lord. It was through all of this that I felt the Lord’s love each day, not only for me, but also for the nurses, patients, and families. It was difficult for me to leave the hospital as I knew that once I left there would be no doctor dedicated to these wards. They would go back to sharing the doctor who managed the adult wards, and the babies and children would no longer be a priority.

This trip helped me to realize that as a missionary doctor, we are often called to step outside of our comfort zones, yet the Lord will guide us if we are willing and open to His promptings. I am grateful for the experience. I am grateful for the countless prayers that friends and family prayed, and I am grateful to our Heavenly Father for guiding me every day.

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