Precious miracles

This past week a woman arrived carrying a plastic wash tub on her head. When she set it down, we saw 2 premies!! She, and her sister had walked 3 days to get to the clinic. The twins were 7 days old, so that meant that she had started out on her 4th day after delivery. The twins were so small that we estimated them to be at about 32-34 weeks. They were so premature that they didn't have enough sucking power to nurse.
The babies were severely dehydrated - having survived on sugar water.
But God works in mysterious ways -- for on this day there were two American nurses helping at the center. One works in a newborn/premie ICU and the other is a lactation specialist. Also, this woman was from a village that is NOT a part of HHF, had passed another hospital and clinic on her trip to the Center, but had heard that WE could help, so came here. Besides the long walk, it had also rained each day.
Our resources pulled together to help: both premies were given a complete newborn exam; the mother had very little breast milk because of the lack of stimulation, but was taught how to use a hand held breast pump to attempt to restart lactation; the mother and her sister were taught how to use finger stimulation to get the youngsters to suck while at the same time dropping formula into their mouths; the mother was given formula to help her through the next weeks; the HHF nurse who specialized in breast feeding and lactation education spent time with her; and the mother was given iron, fluids and a water bottle, encouraging her to keep well hydrated. The picture above was as she was getting ready to leave. Both children had gotten their first milk/formula and were asleep. The mother had a smile on her face as she began the 3 day journey back to her home (and her 5 other children.) Will these babies live? We hope and pray they do. But I do know that there is no such thing as coincidences and on this day, everything worked together for a good outcome.

Before I leave, a personal message. This past week visitors brought a package for me and, quess what, it contained M&M's. So, for the past few days I have splurged and took more than 3 a day!! :o)
Tomorrow is Pentecost. I will have to "beg" the Holy Spirit for the gift of tongues, especially if it is in Creole.
God bless. Take care. Mary Ann