baby bel

17th August, 2009 - Posted by Helen Harrison -

Hello! I hope and pray that you are well!

Well, just as we were settling in with our gorgeous and still very tiny baby Esther Ruth (2 weeks old tomorrow); we have another addition to the OAI family. Belinda Caroline (named by her biological mother) has been on our radar for some time now….one month to be exact! Born one month ago tomorrow, Bell (our affectionate name for her) has been on the streets her entire life.

You may remember the story of Beatrice who we took in April at 2 ½ years of age from the streets? Bell is her sister – same mom and maybe even the same dad. The 19 year old mom, has been living on the streets for over 6 years. There have been a couple of organizations that have worked with her to get her off the streets, including right after she had Bell, and she continually goes right back to the streets. She is an alcoholic, sniffs glue and smokes weed. In fact, just today, the mom had hidden 2 bottles of glue up each pant leg of the infant – unbelievable! The District Children’s office asked us to take her 2 weeks ago, but the mother kept refusing. Today she began refusing, but somehow, gave in…it is nothing short of a miracle. This one act of kindness towards her baby has guaranteed LIFE to beautiful Bell!

I cannot even imagine how Bell must feel tonight; she is warm, clean, dry, safe, secure, fed and loved. She is breathing clean air and not feeling the intoxication of glue permeating into every pore on her body. (Street mother’s have their babies sniff glue too). Bell is serenely lying between us now on a soft, warm bed and not on the cold, wet cement listening to the screams of street people at night. I know that it is probably wind/gas as babies aren’t supposed to smile yet, but all night long I keep seeing her smile and I am beginning to believe it is true!

Thank you for praying her into our arms, Open Arms;-) Please pray that the drugs and alcohol that she has known since conception will have no affect on her. Pray that she will not experience withdrawals. Pray that she will not be a fetal alcohol syndrome baby. Pray for God’s amazing plans and purposes for her life!

Thanks for sharing the joy with me and Daddy David! Bell would not be here if it were not for each one of you and the difference that you are making for the Kingdom of God through OAI. You are a blessing and we thank God for you!

Hmmm, now things always seem to come in threes, don’t they? We better get some sleep before the next one arrives;-) By the way – Baby Diana loves both of her new sisters and still manages to be the center of attention!

Hugs,
Rachel

Posted on: August 17, 2009

Filed under: News Of The World