Little Lourdes

                Lourdes Meliza. That’s the name of the boy who’s captured my heart. He’s 11 days old in the children’s’ hospital and was born with a cleft lip. I’d say no one wants him, but I’d be wrong; I want him. And God longs for his soul. For whatever reason, financial or otherwise, his parents left him. He depends on the nurses for care and love.

                For the past two days, we’ve gotten to go to the children’s hospital. On Tuesday, our first day, it was primarily to meet and pray over the families there. I was in the two and under room with a few of my teammates, talking with the parents as much as I could and loving on the kids. I noticed two of the guys go and pray over a little plastic bassinette that no one was around. When I was free, I went to check it out and found a precious little baby with a head full of hair. For the next hour, he was mine. I held him until my arms were numb and the nurses even let me feed him. He’s so tiny. Premature.

                Then yesterday we got to go back. My crazy teammates and I performed some skits and sang some songs for everyone who wanted to come and we had a pretty good turnout. Afterward, I went to go find Lourdes. I went to his room and peaked in the window, but he wasn’t there, only a ton more babies and parents I didn’t even recognize from the day before. When I was about to ask the nurse, I saw him. Tucked away behind the nurses’ desk, he was tossing and turning in his crib. I can’t even explain what it felt like to see him. I was so happy he was there, but I’m so terrified for his little life. I don’t know what happens to kids who get left in hospitals. When and where do they go? Especially when one of the local orphanages already shut down.
                But God is good even in the midst of injustice. He is looking to make his glory great and make his name known, even if that means Lourdes living a harder life than I could ever imagine. God, I know you hold his heart in your hands and you sustain his life. I’m not asking you to make his life easy but God, give him the strength to live. Walk with him through every day and put your hand on him. You have a purpose for his life, fulfill it. As he grows, put your love in his heart. Surround him with your presence in the middle of the night when no one is there. He is your son; you are a father to the fatherless.
                Please pray!  For communication with our contacts here in Puerto Barrios, joy and peace, supplies for some construction we’re trying to start, and just for the harvest to be great here. Today is the day of salvation! I love you guys and I miss you all.