Everywhere you look there are babies. Tiny little ones cradled in their mother's arms. It takes a lot of self disipline not to hold them all, especially when we are on our way somewhere. I could stop at each one of them and cradle them myself. In the first week of being here this was not my reaction. I couldn't help but think why do these women want to bring children into this environment?
Naturally I prayed about because I really started to think we needed to hand out condoms not food. It really made me sad to think that these children had no choice but to grow up in this filth. However, the Lord asked me how I felt about bringing children into my world? Anyone who knows me well, knows that I can't wait to have my own children. That's when God asked me, "Then why do you think I should deny them the opportunity to have the desire of their heart?" Since He put it like that my eyes were opened, and I saw the light in what I thought was darkness.
Today I had the opportunity to rejoice and congratulate with a number of mothers. We went to the hospital in order to feed those who are staying and visiting. The first floor held a number of children who had been admitted for various reasons. Some were malnourished, many had pneumonia, and others were premies under weight. I had the pleasure of laughing with a 9 month old who had the most beautiful smile. Later we went up to the maternity ward. There were 4 rooms with about 12 beds a piece. Each bed held a mother and her child. Two of the rooms had two mothers and two children per bed.
It was wonderful talking with the mothers and holding a few of the days old babies. I just couldn't believe that these mothers were sharing a hospital bed with their baby, let alone sharing with another mother and her child. This was their place to recover. Since they had to share space they didn't even have a place to lay down flat, they had to curl up on half a bed. It occurs to me now though the people here live in such tight quarters that this is their norm. In fact staying in that hospital, as dirty and crowded as it is, most likely is better than being at home. They were all smiling and they all were so open allow me a precious moment with their child. For this I am grateful to God. When it's my turn to be in the maternity ward I will again be grateful as I reminisce my time spent here. Ok, maybe I'll be a little caught up so you might have to remind me to think back to this day. Either way, I know that God has these women and children in the palm of His hands!
