LOVE... Always Perseveres
Monday, July 13, 2009 at 10:31PM | Share Article 
Me and the little angel Xiao Mou, who is now in heaven.
I'm usually giving you happy news about our work, and today is no exception, but to be balanced, I should also tell you about the distressing side.
I regularly get very sad emails from our staff at the Xining Children's Home. Many abandoned babies come to us with such serious deformities and illnesses that their life is in serious jeopardy. Desperately poor parents have no hope of paying the high cost of medical care for infants like this and believe they have no choice but to abandon the child.
We have had eight infant deaths since October 2008. Babies who have died in the last few months included one with serious heart disease, another with encephalitis, which is usually brain inflammation caused by a virus, and in April, a four-month old baby boy died with meningococcal and encephalitis, despite desperate efforts to give him the best treatment.
One baby boy, Xiao Mou, came to us in December 2007 weighing just 1.8kg. On January 15, 2008 he underwent simple surgery for hydrocephalus and we waited for him to reach 5kg so that he could have more extensive surgery. We brought him to Hong Kong for further treatment. On April 3rd he underwent his third ventriculostomy, but a mass was growing fast in his brain. He had his fourth surgery on April 23. For four months he recovered well under the care of Sue at the Home of Loving Faithfulness. When he reached 8.1 kgs., we returned Xiao Mou to the Xining Children's Home, still giving him intensive care and specialist treatment. But in October he left us. One of my staff wrote, 'I am so glad that God placed him here for a short time and we were able to give him the love, care and attention he needed at that time. I can't believe he is no longer with us, but I rejoice that he is now whole, happy and not suffering. He has the privilege of being in the presence of Jesus, what more could we wish for him!'
I believe that grieving for these infants is part of our calling. I know you will agree that in the midst of the sad news, this is the good news: we can give these children love, care and attention, even for a short time. The way our staff perseveres with a sick child, even in the middle of the night, trying to save a life, is a real inspiration to me. As the Bible says, giving love that protects, hopes and perseveres is the best thing we can give during the last days of these precious lives.
On a related / unrelated note, the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Beijing has just presented us with two plaques. One is for Christian Action and the translation is, 'Christian Action sowing blessings.' The other is for our Xining Children's Home and means, 'Loving the children forever.'
What are your thoughts on reading this week's post? Please leave a comment below and God bless you!
Siew Mei
Reader Comments (4)
Your weekly posts have been an inspiration to me. I've been to the orphanage for a few times now, and developed a connection with the kids. Unfortunately I can't be there this year. But I'm always thinking about the kids and commit them before Him. Keep up the good work!
Dear Siew Mei,
Xiao Mou was a little angel to all of us. It was sad to loss him but it's always please to trust that he is in God's hand. The memory of Xiao Mou is 'Love that we all shared'. There are many other little angels God send to us to learn how to love and care.
Let's keep up the spirit and good work!
In Christ,
Sarah
Dear Mabel,
First of all, thank you so much for visiting my blog for the regular updates that I love sharing with Christian Action’s supporters.
Second of all, God bless your kind heart for having interest in the lovely children in our Homes and paying attention to their development. It is wonderful to know that you have visited the Home and made connection with the kids, I’m indeed very grateful for the kindness and love you have given them. I hope that you will share more of your experience and journeys with us in the future.
God Bless.
Siew Mei
Dear Sarah,
Thank you for your message, how lovely to hear from you. Indeed Xiao Mou and the other little angels are truly missed by all of us as they have touched our hearts so deeply, even during the short time we had with them.
I am very grateful for all the effort and support you had given to Xiao Mou, for giving him the chance for recovery, although unsuccessful, but your kindness shall never be forgotten; and I am sure Xiao Mou could feel and appreciated your love and support.
God Bless,
Siew Mei