It is hard to believe but I have been in Campo Mourao for almost six weeks. It is more than exciting to find my my place in the Miriam Home ministry - and that place, at this moment is "tampa buraco" (a plug). Between driving classes (learning to drive a stick shift, oh the joy) and writing letters (but not blogs - obviously!) I have been filling in where ever I'm needed. It is a great way of joining the Miriam Home team because I am learning what the different people in the ministry do and how the ministry functions, from the house moms that take care of the children in the house to the counselors that help the children with school work, going to the doctor and other special needs, and the adminstrators that keep everything running.
When you think about children's home it is to get sentimental, but day to day living brings you back to reality pretty quick. In the short time I've been here there have been several "reality checks". The biggest to date happened yesterday. Altieres and Thivaldy, twin bab
ies who have lived in the Miriam Home for over a year, were returned to their mother. This precious pair arrived weighing less then 6 lbs each (at nine months old), unable to roll over, much less sit up. Today they are tiny dynamos! They have such joy, excitement and love that they capture the hearts of everyone they meet. Their mother, I believe, loves them. Unfortunately show loves to drink more. Knowing the physical conditions the children were returning to (worse than any I saw in favelas of Belo Horizonte) and the inability of theri mother to care for herself, much less two babies with sever health problems, my heart broke. When I went to my apartment last night Fran (a Bible school student on campus) asked for some help with homework, understanding that we are co-heirs with Christ and co-particpants in His promises. As we talked about both of these incredible, precious provisions of God I realized that this conversation was a gift for me. The Lord wanted to remind me that Altieres and Thavildy are partakers in His promises too. "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you" Is 49:15.
ies who have lived in the Miriam Home for over a year, were returned to their mother. This precious pair arrived weighing less then 6 lbs each (at nine months old), unable to roll over, much less sit up. Today they are tiny dynamos! They have such joy, excitement and love that they capture the hearts of everyone they meet. Their mother, I believe, loves them. Unfortunately show loves to drink more. Knowing the physical conditions the children were returning to (worse than any I saw in favelas of Belo Horizonte) and the inability of theri mother to care for herself, much less two babies with sever health problems, my heart broke. When I went to my apartment last night Fran (a Bible school student on campus) asked for some help with homework, understanding that we are co-heirs with Christ and co-particpants in His promises. As we talked about both of these incredible, precious provisions of God I realized that this conversation was a gift for me. The Lord wanted to remind me that Altieres and Thavildy are partakers in His promises too. "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you" Is 49:15. God's heart for these precious babies is greater than all of ours combined and praise the Lord, He holds them in His hands!
