Praise and PRAYER

- Revised at 8pm, Eastern Africa Time -

I'll leave below what I wrote earlier in the afternoon, but since then, things have changed. Adano is not doing well at all, and Susanne said that she thinks it will be a miracle if he lives through the night. For the past week and a bit, Sade has not been following Susanne's instructions very well, be it because of the language barrier or because of a lack of motivation - I don't know. One day things seem to be going better, and the next, not. Adano has lost half a kilo of weight, and Susanne and Rachel must decide how to respond. I believe they will talk with Sade about whether she wants to keep the baby, or give him up for adoption. Rachel has specifically asked for prayer for wisdom. Obviously, it is ideal that Adano stay with his mother, but it is hard at this point to tell whether or not she'll be able to care for him. I'm told that Sade's mother wants her daughter to learn to care for and keep her baby, but Sade seems less interested... If he makes it through the night, Adano will have to be taken to a good hospital soon to assess his condition, which will involve extra costs and need for a vehicle, plus travel over very rough terrain (i.e., your entire body is jarred as you are tossed up and down, going over rocky two-tracks... not the best for a 1.3 kg baby!)

Please ask God to keep Adano alive, and that He would give Rachel and Susanne the following:

- supernatural wisdom 

- discernment

- grace

- strength

- patience

- an ability to communicate well and in love.

Please pray that Sade and her mother would also have wisdom and understanding, and that God's love would be revealed to them in this.

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Since I last wrote to you almost two weeks ago about Adano and his mother, who we will call Sade, there is much to be thankful for. Her parents arrived in Kalacha about a week and a half ago, and were incredibly kind, caring for their daughter and new grandson well. HUGE praise for that! A few days after arriving, her father returned to Marsabit to take care of the rest of the family, while her mother stayed behind. The three of them, Sade, Adano, and Sade's mother, have been here since then, staying at the guest house on the compound. It has been a joy to see how much more open and happy Sade has become; her mother is also very friendly, and it's been fun to help take care of them with Leah in small ways, while also practicing some Gabra with Sade's mother, who hardly speaks any English. Before they can return home, however, Adano's health must significantly improve: he has lost more weight than would normally be expected of a newborn, and is having some trouble feeding. They cannot travel to Marsabit until he begins to consistently gain weight. 

Please pray for the following, that:

- Sade would be able to understand and follow Susanne's care instructions well

- Adano would grow stronger

- God would give Sade hope about the future, and courage for when she eventually leaves a rather protective, safe, and loving bubble here, surrounded by family, missionaries, and visitors, for life back in her family's village.

I am so thankful for the fact that Sade showed up at the dispensary when she did, and that she came to Susanne, rather than the government health clinic, where I've been told it would be no surprise if they had not bothered to resuscitate Adano when he was born, given the Gabra view of children born out of marriage. Again, huge praise for the fact that her family has been so loving and accepting. Thank you all for your prayers!