Abundant Beginnings

    Laura (pictured left) is a beautiful 19 year old and one of the girls in our youth group. I found out in August that she was expecting a baby.   
     Honestly I really hate to see my girls getting pregnant so young and with guys who I know are going to do nothing to help either her or the baby. I really want more for them and for their children.
     Laura is currently in her first year of university studying business administration and I know that suddenly becoming a single mom is going to make school, work, and life in general so much more difficult.
     I have watched as the girls here in Candelaria have really come around Laura and help support her during this pregnancy. It has been beautiful to see the church not trample over young single moms in judgment, but to extend grace and love and walk with her through the coming difficulties. The girls have helped to throw her baby showers and prepare for the coming of her little girl.
     Laura gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on Monday (January 17th) evening. I knew that she would be in the hospital in Chinandega for a few days. On Thursday afternoon I loaded into public transport with six other ladies to go and visit Laura and the baby.
     As soon as we arrived, I knew that something was wrong. I asked Laura how she was and she quickly answered that she was fine. However, when I asked how the baby was doing she just started to cry. She told us that the baby (pictured below) was really sick because they’re blood types are incompatible. Her daughter was out having a blood transfusion as we were there. I loved seeing how all of us girls could really be community and the body of Christ for Laura. We all stood somberly listening as she talked about her daughter, tears rolling down our cheeks as they rolled down hers. Because her little girl was having a blood transfusion, we couldn’t gather around, lay hands on her and pray; however, we immediately gathered around Laura and began praying for her and for the little girl. After praying some of the girls stayed to talk more with Laura while three of us went out to buy food and water for Laura and her mom (since the hospitals here do not provide you with ANYTHING except a bed and Laura hadn’t eaten in nearly 48 hours). We returned with bags full of food and found the girls all sitting a laughing hysterically. They were really able to raise Laura’s spirits.
     I continued to pray all that night and returned the next day with three of the youth girls to hear the wonderful news that the baby had accepted the blood transfusion and was doing really well. She would be in observation a few more days, but was out of the woods. Laura and the baby would be heading home the following Monday.
     As we talked more, Laura told me that she had named the baby Genesis Belen. I love this name! I really do believe that there is power in the name you give your children. Genesis means “new beginnings” and Belen means “bread will never be lacking in your house”; a word of provision and abundance. This is my prayer for Laura and Genesis that this will be the beginning of a new season filled with the Lord’s provision and abundance.
     I know that the journey ahead will be long and hard, but I know that we serve a God who provides for His children and she is surrounded by a church that really longs to be the body of Christ for her and this precious little girl.
     Join me in praying for Laura and Genesis Belen.