A Week of Celebration and yet…..Sep. 2017
This week for me began with the Dia del Nino celebration here in HN on Sunday, September 10th. Today, September 15th, we celebrate Honduras’ independence from Spain. It has been a full week of activities, piñatas, and parades.
I am motivated to write not because of these celebrations but because of a death. One of my workers had a premature nephew born Wednesday by C-section. Although born at 7 months gestation, he appeared healthy and was taken to another hospital to be placed in an incubator for 15 days before being released to go home.
In the year of 2017, he died because the hospital did not have enough incubators. He had to wait before being placed in one but while waiting, he died.
In my North American mind, this is hard to accept. While in the US, people scream “Black Lives Matter!” or “White Lives Matter!” Senators and Representatives sit in their corners like “Little Jake Horner” unwilling to take action for the people who put them in office. Athletes, who make enough money to supply all the incubators needed in San Pedro Sula, refuse to stand for the Pledge of Alliance to the flag of the country that provides them the opportunity and privilege to have a choice. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and fire ravage the country and many families grieve the loss of all the material possessions and for some, family members. I know that many lost their primary residence but others lost recreational property, boats, and toys. Instead of replacing them with new toys, maybe the people of the US could think of others before thinking of themselves. Give food to a local food bank, donate to a reputable non-profit who will help those in need. Visit the sick, the poor, and the lonely. Become a part of the solutions and chose not to continue to be part of the problem or just a bystander. Get involved in something outside yourself. The reward will be greater than you can imagine.
Where is Jehovah, the One True God, and the Great I Am? He is still on His Throne of glory! He is aware and He cares. He suffers as He watches the earth He created to be a paradise, dissolve and His people seek their own way instead of seeking Him.
He welcomed the premature baby into His loving arms, as He knew the little one would come early and He knew he would die. We cannot understand the “Why?” of it all. I pray that his parents can feel the love of God especially during this difficult time. I remind myself that when we don’t understand, we trust the Truth of God’s Word. I am reminded of why my husband and I chose to be obedient to God’s call for us to build a children’s home in a small town in Honduras. It is for the “least of these”. I am grateful for each baby and child God has brought into our home and long for the day when we can care for more and more and more. To Him be all the glory! Amen!
Roxanne