December 15, 2022
Who will they grow up to be, these five little Christmas babies who came to Neema Village this month. As we care for them, we think about who they will become some day now that their lives have been given back.
These little ones who have been thrown out, forgotten, abused, unloved, we wonder who they will become someday. How far can they go now? Whose lives will they change now that their lives have been changed? So much hope and possibility in their lives now.
When we look in the faces of these babies with such tragic stories, we have to wonder what this saving will mean. Could they grow up to be healers and helpers, will they work with the blind, the lame, the sick. Maybe they will become great leaders and help heal nations of hatred and greed. Maybe they will find cures for what ails us all. Maybe they will grow up to be teachers or preachers and help people seek goodness and most of all to seek Jesus? Maybe they will just be good moms and dads who will love their own children. As if that is not enough!
This time of year, as I think about all the babies at Neema Village, 62 of them in-house today, and all the possibilities of their futures, it reminds me of that beautiful song,
“Mary did You Know”. Like us, Mary didn’t know but she pondered all these things in her heart.
Did you know that this baby boy could someday help the blind? Maybe.
We are pretty sure Max is blind at least in one eye. His mother left him in an open toilet pit (an outdoor hole in the ground) shortly after birth. His skin is scarred from the exposure to bugs and everything else that grows in a toilet pit. His eyes are swollen and filled with infection. We don’t know how long he was in the pit until someone came by, heard him and fished him out. This could have been the extent of baby Max’s life. He is safe now and will receive treatment, but most importantly he will be loved at Neema Village and he will have a future. His mother is in jail, but who knows what this poor mom was facing in her life.
Did you know that this baby boy could one day rescue the lost? Maybe.
Sweet baby boy Noel was born and abandoned under a bridge near a river. We thought River or Moses would be cute but it’s Christmas and the nannies have chosen. It is hard to think about how long he must have lay there before a kind man rescued him. It was clear when he was found that he had recently been born, his umbilical cord was still attached. Social Welfare called Neema to come pick him up. Noeli is now in a safe place where he will be loved every single day. He will bless the sweet volunteers who come to hold him and everyone who holds him will be blessed. Now that his life has been given back whose lives will he bless?
Did you know that this baby boy could one day help heal the sick and the hurting?
Newborn Yacobi’s young mom was a student at the boarding school where five of our Neema Village girls go to school, Memusi, Nengai, Jojo, Yacinta and Lucia. The baby is 10 days old. His mom had just passed her school exams and asked to be able to go to her village during break. She did not want anyone to know she was pregnant but there was no medical help in her village. So, this young girl with so much promise to help her village died in her remote Maasai village having a baby. This Breaks my heart.
Did you know that this baby girl could teach the deaf to hear someday? Maybe.
Baby Rose we believe is about one month old and today she only weighs 2.15kg (4.7lbs). She was brought to Neema Village by her father, auntie and social worker from Maternity Africa. Mom is 19 years old and the third wife. She is having mental issues and cannot care for a baby right now. The social worker is going to work with her to get her the help she needs. Hopefully mom and baby can be reunited at some point in the future. Rose is beautiful, has eaten and is sleeping in heavenly peace at Neema Village tonight.
Did you know that this baby boy might calm the storms in people’s hearts someday? Maybe.
Little Lawrence was born October 23, 2022. He was still only 4.4 lbs when he came to Neema this month. His mother is an alcoholic and has no family nearby. She comes from Kenya the social welfare officer believes. The mother has said she would allow Lawrence to be adopted. He will be at Neema for at least six months and will get healthy and be loved every day. Please pray for his mother to get the help she needs. Please pray for Lawrence and his future forever family.
Did you know that when you kiss these little babies you have kissed the face of God.
Jesus said what you have done for the least of these you have done to me.
Mary Did You Know
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy Has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know that your baby boy Has walked where angels trod,
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God?
Mary, did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again,
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb!
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy was Heaven’s perfect Lamb,
And the sleeping Child you’re holding Is the great, the Great I AM?
Oh, Mary, Mary, did you know?
Words and Music by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene Arranged by Tom Fettke
Isaiah 9:6. “Unto Us a Child is Born”. Arranged by God.