Nothing Short of a Miracle

Our day started, as most days, with the warm Ugandan sun shining down as we walked the red dirt roads into town. Although this day would be the first one of its kind, I hardly imagine it will be the last.

Courtney and I had planned on helping at the Crisis Pregnancy Center again yesterday morning, assuming that we'd take the babies while the mom's were in class as we had on Tuesday. When we got there we were taught how to make tea and serve the mamas samosas (imagine a wanton with meat or veggies) and then weigh the babies and take their temperature. As more and more mamas entered the room, we both feared how we were going to handle having so many babies and with only 4 hands between the two of us.

Plans began to shift when one woman, one girl I should say, entered with a two month old. Her baby -- Miracle -- weighs 4lbs. The sight of her scrawny little arms and legs brought Courtney and myself to tears multiple times throughout the day. Roma -- a nurse that comes once a week -- and Carolyn were discussing what medical attention the baby needed, and suddenly Courtney and I found ourselves in a car on the way to a hospital while I held Miracle in one arm and held the mama's hand in the other. Our first attempt at one of the hospitals in town only directed us to another, so we made our way to the Children's Hospital in Jinja. As Carolyn is currently battling malaria (she is an amazing woman, I would have been in bed!) she went home and Courtney and I were left to fend for ourselves with a 16 year old mama that does not speak a word of English, and a baby that was too weak to even cry.

Praise the Lord for the new ward they have added onto the Children's Hospital! It is solely for children that are malnourished, and they were able to admit Edith and her baby in right away. Miracle is also battling hydro-cephalitis and needs an operation done at a hospital a few hours away. However, we were told that she needs to be stabilized before travel is even recommended so she will be with her mom in the hospital until further notice.

I have never prayed so hard for a life to be spared. I have never cried at the sight of a baby just struggling to breathe. Courtney and I were so blessed to experience this, but it was overwhelming and exhausting. Even though I could not speak a word to the young mama, her eyes and smile told me that our presence was enough. She held my hand nearly the whole time we were together. This girl needs Jesus so badly. Our hearts are heavy and ache, but filled with such hope in knowing that we serve a great and mighty Lord. 

He made the beautiful stars that shine so bright here. He made the red dirt roads that I love so much. He made Edith and He made Miracle. I truly believe that her name is not accidental. We are praying for a miracle.

We visited her again today and Miracle is showing signs of improvement. Micah Berger taught me to say some phrases in Luganda and Edith just thought it was the funniest thing to hear me speak in her language. However, she went off for a while thinking I could understand her! Tulisaba -- we are praying. We were able to pray with her and then I sang the few songs I know in Swahili as lullabies, she then sang some of the ones she knows. The nurse told us that she has to reach a certain weight before she can have the operation, so we're not sure on how long she'll be at the hospital. We would appreciate your continued prayer for Miracle as she has become very dear to both of us.

Edith and Miracle today at the Children's Hospital 

We love to play with the Jore kids!!