Update from Zambia
Dear Friends and Ministry Family,
Most of you may know that I am good with older children but often have no idea what to do with the little ones! I do know how to return them to the nursery when they need a diaper change. Most of my time in Zambia is spent in administration, meetings and organizing. This year when I am hosting almost 50 visitors and volunteers I barely have time to get into the nurseries. But when I do pick up a tiny baby or hold an older child on my lap they move right into my heart. These are my children. They are the reason I am here. There’s no time to tell you about all of them, but here are just two, well actually three because the other story is about twins.
Natasha’s aunt and uncle resented having to care for her after her parents died. They made her work and when she didn’t please them, which was often, they beat her with a stick or burned her with hot coals. When neighbors alerted the authorities Natasha was brought to the Kanyama Crisis Nursery. When I met her last week she had been with us only two days. She was pitifully thin and had eyes full of sadness and fear. Her stomach was bloated and hard from malnutrition and she has to eat a simple diet of pre-digested food. We sang and played with all the children and Natasha slowly began to join in. Before we left she smiled and I was amazed at how beautiful she is. God is giving her beauty for ashes, replacing her sadness with singing.
The other two children are miracle twin girls. Three weeks ago we wre hoding a concert at Jesus Army Church. Pastor Mtonga took Tom Ravensberg (a third time visitor with us) aside to ask us to hurry to the hospital. A mother from his church was in the hospital, but because they had no money to pay for medical care she was in the charity ward (which is horrifying-- believe me). The doctor said one baby was dead and the other was in a breach position. They would do a C-section the next day and try to save the living baby. We prayed for the woman and her babies and I volunteered to pay for another doctor.
When the new doctor examined the mother both babies were in normal birthing position and there were distinctly TWO HEARTBEATS! Tomisina and Sandra, named after Tom Ravensberg and ME( ! ), were born last Thursday, healthy and strong.
I feel the strength of your prayers daily. Thank you so much for standing with me and with the children we serve. It is your faithfulness in prayer and giving that makes it possible for us to be here.
Sandra