A lost Gift - Heartbreaking news from Mama Carol

Sorry we've not updated people recently. We've been back a few weeks… spending time getting re-acquainted with our families and friends, facing the familiar day-to-day tasks and slipping into certain normal customs. The trip is still fresh as we’re still unpacking and going through the thousands of photos/videos. Meanwhile, we’re finding our experiences have changed us in some ways. We’re trying to shift into a new rhythm of life, with a greater appreciation for the many things we have in this country (the United States).

I’m frustrated by how many people buy bottled water – I think, simply because they can (or, more likely, because the consumerist-marketing-machine convinces them they must). Sure, there are people who need it for medical reasons and some have poor tasting water coming from their taps… but the U.S. enjoys some of the safest water in the world. Not only could that money go to better use, all of that plastic is terrible for our environment. It’s unbelievable to think some people buy bottled water for their pets! Don’t get me going on how much the U.S. spends on pet food.

I’m enjoying my food more than I ever have. After eating everything from ants to unidentified meats (everything tasted good at the time)… I appreciate the quality and quantity of the foods available to us, and how cheap it is in comparison to many places we traveled. Rita and I have always been conscious about food waste, when eating at home or away. While visiting nieces and nephews over the past couple weeks, they have been put on alert – they will get a scolding from me if I see them throwing away food – or even taking it for granted.

I’m reminded about the fragility of life and the blessings we have. The day we returned, we received word that a dear friend – healthier than either of us, had a serious stroke. While we were gone my younger cousin’s cancer returned – and more than half of his liver was removed in a 7 hour surgery. All around us, we connected w/people and found our prayer list growing as people face new personal challenges. When we talked about taking a long trip, we knew there would never be an ideal time. I know now, there is no time like the present to do things.

Then today, I received word from Lusaka, that we’ve lost Gift.

Gift was the name of a baby we met at Salvation Home when we were doing the photo shoot for "Horizons" magazine. You may recall reading the blog about meeting Mama Carol and taking photos for the Bemidji State University Alumni publication. Gift, was the son of one of a young woman that Mama Carol brought into Salvation Home, helping her get off the street and get an education. Gift was a beautiful baby and Mama Carol seemed more like a Grandmama around him.

In the mail today, we were excited to receive a package from the Minnesota publisher with advance copies of the magazine with our pictures. On the cover of this edition is the photo (above) of Mama Carol with Gift in her arms. Not two hours later, we received this eMail from Mama Carol, thousands of miles away in Africa.

I bring you the tragic news of the death of our baby boy, Gift. He had been sick with pneumonia and should have been hospitalized, but I did not have the money to pay so we were turned away. I feel very responsible for his death and pray that i will never again be in the situation where I don't have enough money to keep a child alive.

She went on to say her heart was "shattered into little pieces" and explained it is a difficult time for everyone at Salvation Home.

I remember holding Gift - who's now gone. Today I felt like I got a scolding - a difficult reminder that - no Gift should be taken for granted... or wasted... and that we all have Gift's of our own to nurture and share.

Jeff


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