The khawaijas go to the hospital

In today's episode of the "Khawaija Show", J and T go visiting at the hospital...

Sunday, who helps us in our house, gave birth to a little boy last Sunday afternoon. She's an amazing woman - she cleaned our house, washed a pile of clothes and dishes on Saturday, and on Sunday afternoon, gave birth to a little boy! She was only in labour for 1 hour! The baby was born safe and sound in her house, with only her neighbors around to help her.

However, last night, the baby got sick, and started running a very high fever. So she brought him to the hospital. Since we hadn't had a chance to go and visit the baby yet, we thought we should go and see them in the hospital, which is also the culturally appropriate thing to do.

It was quite comical, actually. First, we had to stop at the shop to buy some juice and some little cakes for the new mother. Then we had to find them. Jackie and I, along with 3 of the women who work on our compound, wandered around the grounds, in and out of various wards, for nearly 30 minutes before we found the building Sunday and her baby were staying in. We were quite the scene - Vicky is very pregnant and very forward, Nadia, who came from the North and was all wrapped up in her scarves, Cicilia, who just quietly smiles, and then two bewildered white girls (khawaijas)!

Anyways, we eventually found Sunday and her baby. And the Khawaija show really began. Of course, anytime there's a new born baby around, I have to ooh and aaah and coo. Sunday and her baby were staying on one side of the ward, while there were probably 5 children and their mothers and various other family members on the other end of the ward. At one point, I looked up over to the other side of the ward, and saw ALL of their eyes trained on me and Jackie! I guess they don't get too many white girls visiting there, and they were all curious to see what we were going to do, I guess.

Well, I tried to ignore our audience and just enjoyed seeing the baby and talking a little with Sunday. The baby is so precious. From what I could tell, the baby was diagnosed with some sort of infection, and so was being given IV antibiotics. He had been all sweaty and hot, so Sunday was keeping him bathed in baby powder, which is why he looks like he's also turning into a khawaija!

Here's a photo of baby with his mother:
And just because the baby is so cute...
We had a nice visit with Sunday and her baby, and before we left, Sunday asked us to pray for the baby. So I got to pray that the Lord would heal the little baby. Life here is so fragile, and when I see this little child sick, and who knows what kind of medical care he's receiving... well, I can only trust that God is in control and can heal this little life. So please pray with me for a full recovery for this baby, so he will grow big and strong, full of Life and knowing his Creator.

One of the other women who works with us in the guesthouse was also in the hospital at the same time. She, unfortunately, had a miscarriage on the weekend. Please also pray for Mary. She lost a child a few years ago, and has not been able to get pregnant again until now. In the meantime, her husband has taken a second wife, since Mary wasn't able to give him more children yet. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to be in Mary's position now. So please pray for her, too, for comfort and for her to know God's love during this difficult time.