Whilst the majority of our work is with the children and their families who attend the day centre we help run, sometimes we meet others whom it just seems that God has put in our path to be able to help and love them well. "Esther' (not her real name) was one just like that.
Our team had gone on outreach to visit some of the families as they usually do some afternoons. And they saw Esther. Heavily pregnant, disabled and abandoned on the streets by her partner, Esther was very vulnerable.
In fact others who live on the streets actually approached our team to say how concerned they were about her. Yes they also live on the streets but they could see she was extra vulnerable. Our team gave her food and water and were able to help get her to hospital before her baby was born.
In fact others who live on the streets actually approached our team to say how concerned they were about her. Yes they also live on the streets but they could see she was extra vulnerable. Our team gave her food and water and were able to help get her to hospital before her baby was born.
Within hours of her baby being born Esther had been offered 200U$ for her baby. That is £128. For a new born baby. A baby who had yet to be named. Still in the hospital. The future for a baby sold really does not bear thinking about. Maybe the baby would have gone to live with a couple who wanted children but couldn't conceive. But far more likely the baby would have been sold to people who would use and abuse a baby.
Thankfully through Esther's decision and the kindness of another charity we were able to place Esther and her baby in a safe place. And even more thankfully, through working with another charity and a miracle from heaven we were able to help reunite Esther and her baby with her family recently. Esther and her now named baby are safe and well.
As I write this, I have tears in my eyes and joy in my heart. Tears of sadness that a baby's life can be worth so little and yet a heart of joy that we were in the right place at the right time...a co-incidence...no...a God-incidence....yes. Sadness that people are preying on the vulnerable even in hospital.
Joyful that those around her were so concerned although they have so little, which in turn helped our staff stop for her. Joyful that as a mother Esther did her best to protect her baby and that organisations worked together for Esther and the baby's safety and good. Joyful that we get to play a very small part in seeing Jesus' Kingdom come here on earth.
Joyful that those around her were so concerned although they have so little, which in turn helped our staff stop for her. Joyful that as a mother Esther did her best to protect her baby and that organisations worked together for Esther and the baby's safety and good. Joyful that we get to play a very small part in seeing Jesus' Kingdom come here on earth.
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