Georgia holding baby Ben

Georgia holding baby Ben

Baby Moses

Baby Moses

Baby Ben, Caleb and Lydia
Baby Ben, Caleb and Lydia

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Two days ago I heard some help was needed at the hospital because there were four new babies in the nursery, all orphans. One was found, abandoned in a field nearby and the others are triplets who lost their mother after childbirth. The nursery has over forty babies right now and usually two nurses. It is full and way understaffed.

I have been going up to the nursery when I can for the scheduled feeding times to help. During the feeding times the moms crowd into the already cramped space. Crudely made incubators, light bulb heating lamps and crates for beds fill the room. Part of the room holds criticall ill babies. It is very warm and has all of the usual smells of a nursery. No diapers. No bottles. Lots of crying. We all sit, the moms and myself, on the floor on stools and feed ‘our’ babies.

Baby Moses, who was found in a field, is doing well. He was full term and drinks his formula very well. Babies Ben and Caleb are bigger and stronger than their little sister. They drink their milk fairly well from the small medicine cup we crease into a funnel at feeding time. Little Lydia is struggling today. She is very frail and while we are giving the maximum feeding straight into her stomach through an NG tube , she is not gaining weight.

Today at the three o’clock feeding I held her tiny little body and as I slowly pushed her formula down, I prayed softly over her. I told her that you are praying for her too.

There are many orphans across this world. Many babies born sick and frail. We can’t hold them all. We can’t feed them all. But would you continue to pray for little Lydia, Ben, Caleb and Moses? And all the ones we don’t know by name. He knows their name. ~Jennifer