Heavens Babies
I am helping with the First Year Missions doing Discipleship and ministry with them in South Africa; we came to Swaziland for a week outreach. I have been doing hospital ministry this week in Swazi… I forgot how much I love it here, I go to the baby ward and pray with the mom’s and spend time with them, even teaching them how to care for the babies, they don’t have the mother instinct, they receive it well and it helps me build relations with them… I then OF COURSE spend time with the babies, holding them, praying for them and trying to be Jesus to them… This week I had a connection with 5 babies and parents 3 have died and one is one the way… the other day I was holding this baby who was an abortion gone bad, she had burn marks all over her body and was in so much pain, I prayed so hard for her… her name was Papilla it means “life” her mom left her and the dad was trying to take care of her, but didn’t know the first thing about babies, I talked to him and showed him how to change her diaper and to hold the baby close, she had ants crawling on her cause the baby was laying in blankets full of pee, as I was changing her I felt how stiff she was, and she was clammy cold…. Little did I know that she was dying, I have never felt anyone like that, and it broke my heart to hear that she died hours after I left. Yesterday I was with a little boy, he hasn’t eaten in 7 days and was stiff and cold just like papilla, I couldn’t stop crying, all these babies are dying and don’t have a chance! Marissa asked the nurses why they are dying. She told her they have diarrhea, Marissa said that wouldn’t kill them, and then she told they have AIDS and never live more than three months. It has been killing me, it is hard because God has given me the compassion and I have such a heart for them but it is killing me inside to hold dying babies. I need prayer for peace in my spirit. Pray for courage to be with the mothers afterwards and the words that I speak to be from the Lord. I want nothing of myself… I can say nothing to comfort and bring peace, these people need Jesus. I am just the empty vessel that He is choosing to use… I feel weak and unprepared, but I am walking in this in faith, knowing that He is with me. Pray for Life for these precious little ones, and pray for the mothers as they come to the hospital that Jesus will meet them and they will find peace and comfort in the midst of loss. I am heading back to South Africa on Monday; I will continue to work with the First Year Mission teams until I come home for Christmas. I am excited to see all that God is doing within this team of young students.
Oh Heather… I will be praying for you and the Swazi’s. I share that heart of compassion with you and it is a beautiful thing despite being so hard to handle. Just remember you don’t need to carry the hurt, be with the people but pass the burden onto Jesus. Keep shining, I know He’ll work wonders through you. Love you.
Oh Heather, I know how your heart is breaking. I have had to release two babies back to Jesus and you never forget the tiny life no matter how brief their visit here is. I will be praying for these people. I want you to know that I would have no idea about the condition or need for help in Africa if you were not experiencing and sharing your heart for these souls. I love you and look forward to holding you in my arms at Christmas. I love you!
Aunt Lenny
Sweetness….. you are sweetness to our Loving Father and you extend sweetness to His children. When I pray for you in this curcumstance, I see you as a liason between Jesus and this world. Much like the adoption agency who holds the child but for a moment and then releases them to the Adoptive parent. They have the grief of the natural parent to bare, the burden of comforting them with the knowledge that the ‘new life’ for their child, although difficult to comprehend, is the absolute best for their baby. You, my sweetness, are the arms that Jesus has chosen to be the liasion between their arms and His. Although your heart breaks for these babies, YOU know the rest of the story and you will be the one to comfort the parents and lead them to the hope of eternal life with Jesus.
Thank you my friend for being obedient to His calling. He loves you more than I ever could. He is your protector and provider. I love you sweetness and I hope to see you soon!
Love ya bunches! Terri
John 1, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made .In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ HE lighteth every man that cometh into the world…. and these babes have experienced the touch of God in your hands. I have come to understand that God limited His Sovereignty on earth when He granted men free will. Sin opens doors to great violence. It is not God’s purpose, will nor heart. He is the God of restoration to whosoever will. Ultimately God Prevails, being the All in All, read 1 Corinthians 15. As we who love God become more knowledgeable, growth and boldness become our portion unto taking authority in faith in the Word by the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and power of His resurrection. Remember too David, when he lost his infant child (2 Sam. 12) and know you will see them again. Keep moving forward in God’s purposes, His mercies are new every morning, and stand continuing in that courage of the overcomer in Him. I love You!!
Hello Heather!
Sorry for not writing last month. We had the International Children’s Choir at our church last week and they were incredible. Not your “usual” time with a kid’s choir. It was worship! There were several kids orphaned by AIDS from Uganda, so mine and Kim’s thoughts turned to you and Marissa and what you guys are witnessing. Your letter this month reminds me to pray for your heart’s protection again. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to hold babies that you know are dying. All I can say is that God knows you can handle it or He wouldn’t have sent you. You are surrounded by evil and hopelessness in a land of death, but don’t give up my sister! YOU are God’s light in that dark world. The few minutes that you warm a cold child in your arms may be the only love they ever expereince in their short time on this earth. Here’s what God says in Psalm 27: “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the Living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord!” So today…may our great God encourage your heart and soul in just the way you need. Just bury your head in His chest and cry for a while, because I know it’s painful to see what you see. Then be strong and confident as you wait on Him to do what only He can.
You are still loved and we can’t wait to see you at Christmas!
Scott