baby Abraham

After eating lunch today, Yosmairy came and found me pleading for me to go home with her. I was excited to see her house and her family since it’s been quite awhile since I’ve visited her at home. On the way up the hill to her house, we stopped by her grandparents’ house where her mom and little brother were spending the day. I walked in and greeted grandpa, brothers, aunts, cousins, and friends and then got invited to the back part of the house. As soon as they pulled aside the curtain and I saw her mom and brother, I instantly remembered the first time I met her little brother…

It was a day early last spring when I was going up the hill for home visits. I had never met Yosmairy’s mom but she stopped me as I was walking and asked if I would help her carry things up the hill to her house. I noticed she had her tiny baby in her arms, a few buckets, and some shopping bags. I assumed she would hand me a bucket or a bag and I was glad to help her. Instead, she handed me her little baby. I was shocked- and nervous! The walk up the hill is on a gravel road with lots of big rocks, uneven ground, kids running, and motorcycles flying down the hill. When I asked the baby’s name and age she told me that this little baby I was carrying was 13-day-old Abraham. As I walked, I prayed with each step that I wouldn’t trip or get run into by anything and trying my hardest to shade him from the strong sun by keeping his little face under my chin. Finally arriving at his house at the top of the hill and placing him back into his mom’s arms, I walked out the door and down the hill knowing that was an experience I would never forget.

Abraham is now a beautiful toddler with brilliant eyes and a contagious smile. He knows how to crawl and walk, is getting teeth, and claps along as his sister sings the song “Father Abraham” to him J

He will soon complete his first year of life and as I looked at him I couldn’t help but wonder what his life will be like. I know it will come with its share of struggles as he grows up in that village- he will most likely face poverty, inequality, violence, and racial tension. But, I see in his brilliant brown eyes HOPE. He has a mom who loves him, a sister who will cheer him on as he grows up, and most of all a heavenly Father who will never abandon him. Our God provides, sustains, protects, and loves. It’s probable that in four short years, he could be entering our care center as a kindergartener. I hope that is the case! I can’t wait for him to grow up and learn about Jesus’ love for him. I pray that little Abraham will choose to follow Christ at a young age and grow up to be one who obeys God and points others to Him.