In the same village,
I was blessed to receive the juice box and crackers, I experienced something I
had never experienced before. At the end
of the church service, a woman came forward and asked if Chris would dedicate
her baby to the Lord. Chris spoke about
raising children in the way they should go and spoke about raising children in
church. While Chris was speaking, the
mother just stood before the church with a very somber look on her face. The baby was wrapped tightly in a blanket and
barely visible.
As Chris began to
pray for the mother and the baby, I could not help but notice tears from the
mothers face. I would have expected a
smile or some sort of gesture on her face that showed gladness. I thought it was odd, but these people were a
very stoic people and really did not show much emotion on their faces.
 |
| Mom and baby during the dedication |
Just as we were about to leave, our
interpreter returned with the mother and baby.
She explained to us that the baby had been sick and the mom asked if we would
pray one more time. I explained that I
was a nurse and paramedic. I asked if
she would like me to assess the baby, immediately the mom handed the bundle of
blankets to me.
As I began to
unwrap the infant, fear and sorrow struck my soul. As I took my first look at the baby's face my
first thoughts were, "this baby is dead." I felt sick inside. I finished unwrapping the baby and discovered
that she was still alive, barely. Her
color was an ash gray; her respiration's were erratic, shallow and hardly
notable. I felt for a pulse and barely
felt a faint, thready, slow palpitation.
I had been a medic for nearly 20 years at this point, I knew a dying
baby when I saw one. This was a dyeing
baby.
I informed the
mother that this baby needed to go to the hospital immediately and we could
take her on the bus. Tears gushed form
her eyes. She explained that she had
already been to the hospital that day and they told her there was nothing they
could do. They then told her to take her
baby home to die as they turned her away.
Our interpreter explained to me that if there were no money, that is
usually what the hospitals would say.
I had our
interpreter explain to the mother that I did not have any medical supplies or
equipment to help the baby. Then I had
her tell the mother that the best thing we could do beyond medicine was to
pray. Several of us gathered around and
laid hands on the baby, we prayed for healing.
We asked God to perform a miracle.
I think that was probably the most intense prayer I have ever
experienced. As we finished praying, an
older very sickly looking person gave the mother her ticket to see the American
doctor the next day. Because the needs
were so great, the pastors gave out tickets to the sickest of people who really
needed a doctor because we could not see them all.
As we left the
village, I felt so sick inside. I had
never felt so helpless in my life. It
took all I had to leave. I just kept
talking to God and He just kept saying, "The baby is going to be
OK." I still felt sick, but I also
had a peace. A peace that I cannot
explain.
The next day at
medical clinic, I just kept asking God for a sign that the baby was OK. I just needed something. As I looked up, I saw the mother walking towards
me with the bundle of blankets in her hand.
This time, mom had a smile on her face.
I stopped what I was doing and ran to meet her. When I got close enough, the first thing I
noticed was the life that was in the baby's eyes. God healed that baby. Our doctor did as complete an assessment as
possible and determined that nothing was wrong with her baby.
 |
| Mom, baby, and me the following day at the medical clinic, Alive!! |
James 5:15
And the
prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well;
the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
May My Life be the Proof and Evidence of His Love!
Heavenly Father, help "us" to trust/believe in you more. Each and every day, as this precious Mother and others trusted in You on that day~
ReplyDeleteBrenda Sessions