Let the Little Children Come

These past few weeks we’ve seen how Jesus “lets the little children come unto Him,” no child too small.  About two weeks ago, a 21-month-old boy became the newest resident of Children’s Hope. Due to severe malnutrition, he looked about 6 months old, weighed 12 pounds,  could not hold up his head, and

made no sounds, not even crying. He had been left at a local hospital by his parents, who by report, looked extremely sick themselves. The contact information they left behind was false and the day before he came to Children’s Hope, his mother died. 

God orchestrated his care because that very same day, a medical team arrived and in addition to that, there were two other nurses in the compound. So he was examined, started on medication and an appropriate feeding regimen, and given around-the-clock care. 

I pulled night shift and was immediately thrown back into the time warp of mothering an infant. Remember those days, moms, when you arrive at the end of another day and ask yourself what you really accomplished? But God is accomplishing much in this boy’s life. He can now sit up, roll over, cry and eat solid food. This morning at the breakfast table, he even fed himself a few morsels! His contracted arm and leg are relaxing and he is revving up to crawl. Amazing!

I was convicted of my own sin in judging his parents. Who would abandon their baby at the hospital? But as more and more pieces of the story were revealed, I believe it was an act of compassion and great love on their part. He was admitted to the hospital with indications that his parents tried to get him medical care previously. Imagine knowing that you couldn’t care for your child and that you yourself might not be alive much longer. What would you do?

“Let him come to me, and do not hinder him, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as he.” And He placed His hands on him. Matthew 19:14-15

The unsung heroes of Children's Hope, the nannies who care for the children

They were honored with a Mother's Day tea by one of the visiting mission teams.
It was Mother's Day in Haiti last Sunday.

 

My baby became a teenager May 21st. (Thus the oversized picture.)