As many of you know, last month Melanie and I were made aware of the Baby Emanuel’s extreme need.  Baby Emanuel was born with his two legs bowed in, eyes crossed, and other physical and mental needs.  Emanuel is now 1 1/2 years old and his mother desires to go back to school.  Her plan was to “destroy the child.”  In Liberia, special needs children are often left outside the town to die or are thrown into a river.  Repeatedly, she threatened to abandon Emanuel or to “destroy” him.  While meeting with Emanuel’s mother and Grandfather, I learned that they viewed Emanuel as an “evil spirit that had visited their family.”  

In my last update, I told you that my friend was opening a home for special needs children here in Liberia.  I also told you that money had been pledged to cover Emanuel’s living expenses until the orphanage is opened.  Since that time, God has done two truly miracles for Emanuel.

First Miracle:
After several meetings with Emanuel’s family, Emanuel has been removed from his home and is safely in the loving home of my friends Augustin and Josephine.  When Augustine and Josephine learned about Emanuel’s needs, they immediately told me that they wanted to care for Emanuel.  This truly was a miracle because Augustine and Josephine are some of the poorest people I know.  Often their family has gone hungry in the past because their house was “dry” (no food in the house).  Augustine and Josephine felt called to care for Emanuel before they knew that they would be receiving financial support from the United States for his needs.  Due to Emanuel’s special needs, Josephine will be not be able to work outside her home so she is forced to be a stay at home mom.  The money they receive each month to care for Emanuel will not only meet Emanuel's needs, but it will also help meet their needs.  I praise God for his miraculous provisions!

Second Miracle:
There is a ministry in the States called, “Ray of Hope Medical Missions.”  Apparently one of you forwarded Emanuel’s story to Ray of Hope and Rebecca, the president of Ray of Hope contacted me. Rebecca said that she was extremely interested in Emanuel’s case and would like to work with us.  Praise God!  There is a very good chance that Ray of Hope will be transporting Emanuel to the United States where all of Emanuel’s medical needs will be met.  Emanuel will likely have surgery to straighten his legs and eyes.  While in the States, all his medical needs will be treated by the best doctors in the World.  After recovery, he will then be transported back to Liberia.  By that time, we pray the orphanage will be opened to meet his long term needs.

I am amazed at how God met all of Emanuel’s needs.  When Emanuel’s life hung in the balance, God was there.  God moved each of our hearts to do our part to help Emanuel.  The word Emanuel means, “God is with us.”  I pray that Emanuel’s story will remind all of us that God is with us.  There is no need to worry, God is always aware of our needs and He is always with us. 

Matthew 6:25-34 says, “Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable tan they?  Who of you by worrying can addd a single hour to his life?… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”