Last week we had a baby come to the hospital that we’ll
never forget. His name was the same as
my favorite patient from 3 years ago… Innocent (http://johnsontwo.blogspot.com/2009/03/innocent.html) .
What a name. I sometimes wonder
how these names get placed on these babies.
They seem so awkward for names: Gift, Innocent, Blessing, Typewriter,
Delight ect. I think Africans had unique
names down long before Hollywood made them fashionable.
The name Innocent strikes a chord in me. It truly fits these babies. They are innocent, innocent from the shame
and disgrace that is placed on them for being born with Hydrocephalus. Innocent: free from moral wrong; without sin; pure…
We walked into
the ward to find a very malnourished baby boy.
He was far too skinny, with knobby little knees and a big head. His right eye had an infection and he was
constantly trying to eat. He was 4
months old, but had experienced more suffering than anyone ever should.
Innocent was
found in the bottom of a pit latrine at 3 months of age. The neighbors of the village heard the crying
baby and found him. His mother had
discarded him after showing signs of Hydrocephalus… Innocent.
Innocent had never
breast fed, never been nurtured, was too rigid and reactive to touch. When you tried to snuggle him, he was stiff
as a board.
Innocent was
placed in an orphan home and has been cared for by incredible women there. They brought him to CURE Childrens Hospital
of Uganda,. His surgery went well and he is now getting nutritional support to
help him recover and heal
This boy’s story
broke our hearts. What a little
fighter. Although he is innocent, he was
the one who was punished. What a
powerful example on this Easter week.
Here is our new
little friend:
Ah Julie, what a story. I have chills up and down my body. I complain because it rains, or because there is traffic, or because gas is too expensive, or because the groceries go up in price. Yet I complain in my nice living quarters, my paid for car, my heated office. And then you post this story about Innocent, discarded by his own mother to die in a muddy hole in the ground. Thank you for sharing about this precious baby of God. I will pray that this Innocent can live a long life and know always that He was never unloved by his Heavenly Father. Love you!
ReplyDeleteOur family was so touched by this story!
ReplyDeleteWe love you..