What Would You Do?

A couple of months ago Brother Remheart, a young preacher at the Church in Minglanilla, asked for prayers for a pregnant mother in the congregation where his father preaches. He stated that the mother was worried because she could not provide for the baby financially and that she was searching for a family to take care of her unborn child. He asked us to pray that God would send a family to help this desperate mother. Later that evening, Doug and I took the opportunity to talk more in depth with Remheart. We listened with concern as he told us how the mother already had two children and that her husband was not financially able to provide for the family and how it was her place to provide for the children she already had. She was especially worried because she had been diagnosed with Leukemia and might become too sick to even provide for them, let alone, a newborn. We told Brother Remheart we would pray for the mother and to keep us updated.

Doug and I prayed throughout the week for the mother and as we prayed we just felt God was talking to us and leading us to do more. We talked it over and decided that we would have Remheart talk to the mother and see if she was interested in allowing Lilia's Place to help her through this difficult time, after all, that was why we were here in the Philippines. At first our plan was to go to Sister Virginia's home and meet her, but that option was quickly changed to plan B when it was explained to us how dangerous it might be for us to travel to her home because of terrorist activity.

On October 1st, Virginia arrived in Cebu City. Upon meeting her, you immediately sensed her gentle and loving spirit. We enjoyed the evening fellowshipping with Virgina, Remheart and his mother, Bebe, who had accompanied Virginia for the trip to help care for her. The next morning we visited Dr. Luz Cannen and quickly learned that the diagnosis of leukemia had come from a mid-wife. To our surprise, this was the first time Virginia, who is 43, had ever visited a doctor. Lab tests quickly dispelled the leukemia diagnosis, but however confirmed anemia and possible diabetes. An ultrasound showed no abnormalities but a low fetal weight. It was recommended that a few of the tests, including an ultrasound, be repeated in a couple of weeks. We were all very thankful that Virginia did not have leukemia.

Since our intent had been to provide care for the baby while at the same time getting medical treatment for Virgina so that she could get healthy enough to take care of the baby was no longer needed, we thought all was good. Little did we know that the real dilemma was only beginning.

Yes, she was healthy, but that did not change her financial situation. She was still unable to provide for her two children she already had and at the same time take care of a newborn. Virginia's dilemma was choosing between her unborn child or her two older children, who are 15 and 12. You see, if she kept the baby, she would not be able to work for food for her older children, there are no daycares in the tiny village where Virginia lives. In order for her to feed her two children she had to still give up her unborn child. It was a painful choice for this mother. To have no other option was something I couldn't understand. Doug and I offered monthly support for the baby so that she could keep her child. However, Sister Virginia still has much fear. What if something happened and we couldn't send the money, how would she provide. In her eyes, making the wrong choice could cost her all three of her children.

We tried providing assurance that we would be here to provide for the baby, but she is a desperate and frightened mother who is forced into a dilemma that most of us could never comprehend. Lilia's Place will welcome her baby into our fold when it arrives, but our first choice would be for the baby to be with its mother. The baby isn't due to arrive until the end of October. We ask that you pray for Sister Virginia as she decides the future of her unborn child. Pray that God will comfort her and guide her during this difficult time.

I leave you with this question; if you had to make the choice, what would you do...could you, or would you have the strength, to make this choice? Don't be fooled into thinking Lilia's Place is an easy out. Giving up her unborn child will be a heartbreaking choice that will forever leave a void in a mother's heart. I know because I saw the love on this mother's face as she saw her baby for the first time on the ultrasound and as she smiled and watched sadly as Doug and Lilia played together.