Shade
As many of you may already know, part of the infants in distress program includes a bi-monthly milk distribution: one in the village and the other right here in our city. At these distributions, all the babies are measured (height, weight, temperature, brachial perimeter - an indication of nutrition) and given a health check up before they receive a month's supply of milk. Each distribution also includes a session on health and hygiene education as well as a devotional, lesson, or story from the Bible.
Last week in the village we had 10 present and only 2 absent, and today in the city we had 47 (including four sets of twins) and 8 absent. This makes for a current total of 67 in the program.
More important than the numbers present are the ways that lives are being touched.
Last week in the village, Rebeca gave an excellent health lesson about the importance of taking your children to the doctor as soon as they become sick instead of waiting until they become severely febrile or dehydrated (a common problem we see here). Her health training session then melted perfectly into her biblical teaching as she encouraged them from her heart to go to church, pray and seek God, and trust him in all things.
A local pastor was also present (to transport a mother and baby who were from his congregation), and he joined Rebeca in teaching the women from Psalm 121:5-6, which says "The Lord guards you always. He is your shade at your right hand."
People here understand the importance, value, and necessity of shade. On a 120 degree day with full sun, the shade is not just a convenience, it is a life-saver. You can never truly appreciate shade until you have felt that heat! As the women heard about Christ as their shade, their shelter, and their refuge from the heat of life's sufferings, they nodded their heads in understanding and roared with applause at the end.
This past Friday at our city's distribution, the same message was given and the women again listened attentively - might I add with an unusual silence and focus! - as they bounced their chubby, happy babies on their laps. Sabilan was there, looking healthier than ever after we intervened on his behalf two weeks ago. Namwin Bonna Youor (God Knows Her Name) was also present, a premature baby who became the poster child of the infants in distress program in 2015 when this program possibly saved her life. She will graduate in May when she turns two year old. A new orphan baby came for the very first time and was enrolled today...just days after his mother's funeral. I looked around the room at each face and knew each one has a story. Some of their stories I know better than others. I am personally involved in some stories more than others. I recognize some stories are in he very beginning stages of being written, and the care they receive through the infants in distress program will be a part of that story.
Thanks to the milk program and the work of the ladies who run the infants in distress program on a daily basis, families are receiving support that gives them hope, and they are hearing the message of Jesus as our shade and shelter.
Last week in the village we had 10 present and only 2 absent, and today in the city we had 47 (including four sets of twins) and 8 absent. This makes for a current total of 67 in the program.
More important than the numbers present are the ways that lives are being touched.
Last week in the village, Rebeca gave an excellent health lesson about the importance of taking your children to the doctor as soon as they become sick instead of waiting until they become severely febrile or dehydrated (a common problem we see here). Her health training session then melted perfectly into her biblical teaching as she encouraged them from her heart to go to church, pray and seek God, and trust him in all things.
A local pastor was also present (to transport a mother and baby who were from his congregation), and he joined Rebeca in teaching the women from Psalm 121:5-6, which says "The Lord guards you always. He is your shade at your right hand."
People here understand the importance, value, and necessity of shade. On a 120 degree day with full sun, the shade is not just a convenience, it is a life-saver. You can never truly appreciate shade until you have felt that heat! As the women heard about Christ as their shade, their shelter, and their refuge from the heat of life's sufferings, they nodded their heads in understanding and roared with applause at the end.
This past Friday at our city's distribution, the same message was given and the women again listened attentively - might I add with an unusual silence and focus! - as they bounced their chubby, happy babies on their laps. Sabilan was there, looking healthier than ever after we intervened on his behalf two weeks ago. Namwin Bonna Youor (God Knows Her Name) was also present, a premature baby who became the poster child of the infants in distress program in 2015 when this program possibly saved her life. She will graduate in May when she turns two year old. A new orphan baby came for the very first time and was enrolled today...just days after his mother's funeral. I looked around the room at each face and knew each one has a story. Some of their stories I know better than others. I am personally involved in some stories more than others. I recognize some stories are in he very beginning stages of being written, and the care they receive through the infants in distress program will be a part of that story.
Thanks to the milk program and the work of the ladies who run the infants in distress program on a daily basis, families are receiving support that gives them hope, and they are hearing the message of Jesus as our shade and shelter.
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