For the past several months a beautiful young lady has been coming each Thursday to the prenatal program. Every so often she needs to miss class due to appointments with a counselor. We're normally very strict about attendance but in this case we understand the importance of counseling. It is so rare for someone in Haiti to have the great benefit and gift of caring for their mental health; we'd never want to stop anyone from seeking that.
A little more than nine months ago her next door neighbor, an adult man with a wife and children, began to force himself on this precious young woman, just a teenager. When the family of the young woman found out, they had the courage to press the police (in a broken system) to intervene. When the police questioned him, the man took his opportunity to avoid the possible consequences. He left Haiti and fled to another nearby island.
The family made every effort to love and support their daughter and when they found out she was pregnant they enrolled her in the Heartline Prenatal Program.
A few weeks ago I asked her, "Do you think you'll raise your child, or have you been thinking about adoption?" The brave young woman looked me directly in the eyes and said, "The baby is not at fault for what he did. I am going to care for this baby."
"You have a lot of courage." I said.
"Wi" was her solemn and resolved reply.
This young woman, just a girl herself, is laboring today.
Will you pray for her?
She's about to do something that will require every last ounce of her physical and mental strength and courage. She's about to attempt to love her baby unconditionally in spite of this very unfair and unkind circumstance. She's about to show us all what love looks like.
11 comments:
Praying for mom & baby & extended family, and giving thanks for Heartline! <3
Praying for her!
My goodness.
Praying for these two precious lives.
I think she's already doing well, and will do well, because of the attitude she already has about this child. May God continue to bless her in her resolve and may He bless her today as this precious baby is welcomed into the world!!
Baby boy, 6pounds 10 ounces arrived a few minutes before 5pm.
Baby is nursing, Momma is doing well.
Prayers for bonding and no infections for either of them are appreciated!
Wow,
Congratulations on the new boy. Thanks so much for sharing her story. We will be praying for both momma and baby.
And you are in Haiti....for such a time as this....to be there for this precious girl.
Blessings!!!!!!
Kelly in Michigan
I am late to your blog to have been able to pray for her during her laboring...but I will try to remember to pray for her as she now raises her son. I will call her Kouraj on my mental prayer list.
Nan klas bib aye, mwen te di zanmi Ayitian nou kisa nou fe. Yo te souri. Yo te kontan paske mwen konnen moun ap ede moun Ayitian. M' te montre yo foto nou.
I find that the longer I read your blog, the less words I have for comments. Just speechlessly inspired by the women whose stories you share here.
holy shit, this is amazing. serious ashes. serious beauty.
This post still gives me chills. Thank you.
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