Another baby - Jethro

Greetings, another week has flown by, we went to Kampala on Wednesday and shopped for two weeks as, with elections on Friday, we want to stay away from there this week and next. Things have been fairly quiet leading up to the elections so far, it seems to be a one-horse race but anything can happen after the elections so we are staying away. We have posted some recent photos of Rhode (taken today), she is crawling and loves being on her feet now though she can't stay unsupported. We hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoy her. The other pictures are of Marilyn's guitar groups who along with 4 keyboard pupils take up all of her Saturday mornings.
However we would like to tell you about Jethro. He was born on Saturday morning and spent the first three hours of his life down a pit latrine. The police called Piet because they didn't know how to get him out and knew Piet could help. He and Pita rushed to the scene to find they had just retrieved the baby from the pit and were trying to clean him with Jik (like Janola in NZ). Pita immediately took charge of the baby amidst much media attention. The mother was 'attacked' by the media for throwing away her baby which was when Piet stepped in. She was only 14yrs old and had been raped (by someone in their 30's as it transpires) when she was only 13. She had been disowned by her family because of the pregnancy and sent to Mukono to find work. Piet took pity on her and her situation and, with police consent, brought her here along with the baby. She was still bleeding as the placenta had not come away and she was torn. She has been tended to by our Dr and midwife and cared for by some of the Aunties while Jethro is in the care of Pita. He is responding to milk but only in small quantities and  there are still maggots coming out of his wee body.
The love and compassion shown by all at NACMU towards both the baby and the mother make us feel very privileged to be here, this is only the beginning of Jethro's story, he needs a lot of attention and care. It is also a new beginning for the mother, we are waiting to hear whether the police intend prosecuting her or not (we hope not) and want her to experience the real Christian love there is here. Although only 2 days old, the testimony of Jethro's life has touched many, it is a miracle that he survived for 3 hours in the poo-poo pit, so we believe God has a special plan for this baby ( as indeed He has a special plan for us all). Please pray that any diseases and muck in his body can be treated, especially his eyes and umbilical cord.
Amidst everything else today, Wolfie, one of Papa's dogs gave birth to 8 puppies. Guess who wants one down here - yep, ALL the boys. We'll see in a few weeks....

Till next time
God Bless