Give a cry! Amanda gives the newborn a little pat.
Who would have thought that my alcohol swipes would be used to clean off an umbilical cord of a newborn?
This month, we’ve grown close to a single woman in her ninth month of pregnancy. And, we’ve been praying we’d be there for the delivery especially with nurse Amanda.
When Nellie came to get Amanda last night, we knew the baby must be coming soon. Adrienne was pacing the yard. Each of us would take turns holding her hand or bracing her during a contraction. She is strong.
Amanda and I headed back to the house to ask pastor if we could use the church for delivering the baby (Deliverance Church – fitting, right?). While we gathered supplies and waited for his approval, Alex rushed in. “She had it! In the yard!”
We grabbed our stuff and bolted through the dark, along the bumpy clay path littered with rubbish, picking up neighborhood kids in a trail as we ran. Upon arrival, I waited with Cassie, Allan and Greg. I knelt next to Vanessa, Adrienne’s 4-year-old cousin who saw it all and was scared. She thought Adriane was being beaten.
Two ladies came out and scooped up the placenta with a hoe and placed it in a sack to cart away. I grabbed my camera, and Greg took Vanessa. Minutes later, there we were, our entire team taking part in caring for a newborn and a strong young mom.
Adrienne lay in the corner of the kitchen/dining area on the concrete floor. The only light in the room came from two lanterns.
Amanda and Alex assist Adrienne in the corner while Cassie holds the newborn baby girl.
Cassie gave Adrienne her jacket to help her stay warm. Amanda wrapped up the little baby girl, tied the string tighter on the umbilical cord, and did all the necessary procedures for Adrienne. Allan held David, Greg held Vanessa (they had carried water over earlier from our well). We each took turns holding Adrienne’s hand and rubbing her belly – and holding the baby. Amanda placed the tiny newborn to Adrienne’s chest. The pain was still intense. And fear of an uncertain future was crushing.
The joy of a baby is eclipsed by worry.
Where will she live? How will she provide clothes and shelter? Who does she turn to?
This is Adrienne’s second pregnancy. She had twin girls at age 19. Her mother took them and turned her back on Adrienne. Adrienne has lived since January with her cousin Nellie, and Nellie’s three children -Vanessa, 4, and twins David and Vickie, 18 months. Nellie’s husband James works as a mason in a distant town, and Nellie works as a teacher. Adrienne has cared for all three children.
While my girl teammates helped clean Adrienne and take care of the baby, I stepped out into the cold night air and listened to Nellie sob. Vanessa watched her mother, picking up the distraught tension. Tears poured down her cheeks in the dim light of a lantern.
Nellie’s brother came to visit this past weekend but with unpleasant news. Their younger brother was told to go home from school because he couldn’t pay the school fees (public education is not free in Kenya). The family needed Nellie to pay.
“I had made up my mind when the baby came that Adrienne had to go,” Nellie said, her voice choking. “I would have to hire someone to care for her and the baby and I cannot afford that and also take care of my brother.” She dissolved into tears and stepped away into the darkness.
I held Vanessa on my hip, her sobs more violent when her mama walked away. Why in the world could I not think of a song to sing to her? Finally, I hummed a part of “hush little baby” to Vanessa and switched into a traditional Kenyan Swahili song. I looked up. Thousands of stars were scattered across the sky.
“Vanessa, see how many stars there are? God knows each of them by name and He knows you too. He loves you so much. He will take care of you,” I whispered, then started to pray for her and the family.
Please join us in praying – for a full, healthy recovery for Adrienne. For a healthy little girl. For a safe place for Adrienne and her new little girl. For reconciliation with all family members. For Nellie and Vanessa and their family.
Pray that in the words of “How He Loves” – these afflictions would be eclipsed by God’s glory and His love.
Rodeo Girls with Adrienne and newborn.
