What a mixed bag of emotions it was today (Sunday).  We visited a home where abandoned babies are being raised in a loving, caring environment.  The founder, Yasmine, is doing a wonderful job with these kids, some of whom were found in garbage dumps, thrown away in plastic bags, abandoned and basically unloved.  But when we arrived we were greeted with knee hugs (that’s all the higher they can reach!) and outstretched arms wanting to be picked up….which we happily obliged 🙂

That’s Yasmine in the background with Chuck

snack time

Is this not the cutest face!?

Sorry it’s blurry but with several little ones climbing on you getting a clear picture is near impossible 🙂

So that was a high point of the day, however just as we were finishing up our tour at Zaidi ya dreams (which I googled and it translates as “more than dreams”) we received a text message from a friend:

“Brought the pregnant woman some help and found her in a pool of water and blood.  A few minutes later she gave birth to twins.  They are still alive but I don’t know what to do.  I am not sure whether they will make it to the hospital.  Trying to find women to help me but everyone of them is saying today is the sabbath day and they can’t assist.  I have called a doc who says he will come at 2pm after church.”

Let me put in my 2 cents worth which is actually Jesus’ priceless teaching found in Mark 3:

Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

 

Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.

 

He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Later as Chuck and I were heading out we received this text

“Sadly the babies died as we were waiting for the doctor.  Now we have to report to the chief and police then bury the kids.”

My only comfort is knowing these two precious little ones are resting in the arms of Jesus.  We had just come from a home where the children are treasured and yet neighbors of this woman couldn’t be bothered on the sabbath to help and I bet they were the loudest worshipers at church too.

You may not be asked to help save the lives of two newborns on Sunday morning but what other life saving/giving opportunities are we putting aside because we have to get to church?