I have to apologize for the silence, you were all tracking with us last week as we held our breath waiting for word from Lale and the child rescue he was attempting. When we finally did hear from him he had tragic news for us, the two families had disappeared into the bush and no one knew where they were. At that same time the long awaited car was finally finished and we did what we had to, we loaded it up with our family and some hurriedly packed bags and made the two day trek south. Lale said that the chances were that the kids were already killed but there was a possibility that he may be able to get to them in time. We raced our way down through the rain and over washed out roads to met Lale in Jinka where he continued on in the car to try and find the families. He came back with the news that we were all fearing, both children had been killed, the elders found them hiding in the small town and brought them back out to the village where they killed both babies. He was able to make contact with another family who said they would bring a child to the market this coming week that they had been hiding, we are praying that they actually are able to make it.
This has to be the hardest part about being over here, we are often so close but miss a child rescue. There are more than 130,000 people in these tribes that practice mingi and its not always possible to be at the right place at the right time. We know that God is in charge and knows the pain these families are going through right now. The good news is that there is now a good strong car ready and waiting and we will be out the door the second we hear of a child in need of rescue.
Today instead of focusing on the tragedy of these two kids, we are going to celebrate the ones that we did rescue. We now have Beanium living with our family, he is about 2 months old and the sweetest little boy you ever met. He is a fighter, for the first 9 days of his life he only had water to drink as the tribal elders would not allow his mother to feed him. But now after only 6 weeks in the orphanage he is strong and has a bright future ahead of him. Its stories like Beanium’s and his strength, that we need to focus on when days like this come up.
Melissa
July 30th, 2010
this is how i imagine endale might have looked as a babe…so cute
Michelle Swagerty
July 30th, 2010
So very sad … and so very happy.
Shelly
July 30th, 2010
Thank you for the updates. We stand beside you in both the grief and joy of the work you are doing. The lives of each of these little ones, both rescued and lost are impacting our world in so many ways. Be blessed and know there is a cloud of witnesses lifting all of you up today.
Monica
July 30th, 2010
What tough news to hear!! We will continue to pray that God will bring healing to these two families. We will also continue to pray that God will open the eyes of the elders in these tribes! Thanks so much to all of you and the work that you are doing! We love you guys and can’t wait to see you again this side of heaven!!
sonya
July 30th, 2010
Your story took my breath away and my heart is breaking for those precious lives lost and the mamas now grieving. What an adventure God has given your family. Thank you for being there to save these children. We will rejoice in your new transportation and this beautiful little boy whose life has been redeemed. Keep pressing into Him who is able to save us! Blessings.
Des
July 30th, 2010
My heart is hurting for those children and the parents who didn’t want their lives ended. Thank you for what you are doing.
Addie
July 30th, 2010
I know its not mentioned much, but could you tell what/if is done for the grieving mothers… is there a way to reach out and comfort them?
Anne
July 30th, 2010
My heart breaks over this loss yet I know God’s power and faithfulness remain. He is great and worthy of our praise. I continue to pray for the families of these little ones and for all of you.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9)
Stand strong in the Lord’s strength, continue to depend on Him and His wisdom. Thank you for all you are doing to change lives!
Hannah Harter
July 30th, 2010
Honestly, I am so angry and broken over this…such an evil practice…as I diaper and put my 18month old to bed, I cannot fathom what these mothers feel tonight. Praying for you guys — thank you for answering yes to do the incredible work God has called you to…may you see the hope in it as you did today.
Rhoda Baginski
July 31st, 2010
Thank you for the update and such a cute picture. HE is so precious! Emily and Micah told me about the little Bean. Thank you Lord for this little one may he Bless everyone who cares for Him. And we do pray for his parents. Bring salvation to these needy ones.And Praise Him for the Car atlast! We continue to Stand in the Gap with you
Oldqueen44
August 3rd, 2010
Continually praising God for the work you o. So sad and so sorry about the two babies that could not be saved.
Charlotte
August 3rd, 2010
Those precious babies are with their heavenly Father now who rejoices in their homecoming! Though it hurts and seems so unjust and wrong to lose them here on earth in this manner. Their lives were not futile. We are encouraged even in their death to continue fighting all the harder for the others.
We love you! Thank you for your sacrifice and love!
Brendon
August 3rd, 2010
I had not heard of this until today. I am on a message board for moms of 18 month old kids, and another mama posted a story about this. It is so hard to believe that this still happens anywhere in the world. I cannot imagine what these families go through. My son’s top teeth came in before his bottom teeth and it’s unreal that something we celebrated so much is cause for death in another part of this crazy, crazy world we live in. Unbelievable. My heart goes out to these families, and I am crying as I type this. It really makes me want to do something, anything to make a difference! Thank you all for the work that you do. Thank you for putting yourselves in unimaginable situations to save these poor, sweet babies.