Welcome Walks!

On April 23, 2010 Welcome walked by
himself for the fist time. This might seem like a normal thing for a
baby to do. But this is different because of Welcome’s story. When
Welcome came to Michael’s Children Village, Iris South Africa, he
weighed barely15 lbs. When
he was admitted to the orphanage he was suffering malnutrition, HIV,
TB, and pneumonia. His weight was so low because his parents
intentionally starved him. He contracted the HIV from his mother. And
then because of his HIV he contracted TB (it is almost expected to
have TB if you have HIV, in South Africa). He contracted the
pneumonia because he has no immune system, thanks to the HIV.

It blows my mind how you could
intentionally starve your child. How can you just have your baby,
your own flesh and blood, sitting in the corner wasting away like
that? His parents wanted to kill him, but did it in a way where, to
them, it wasn’t “murder.” And because of the neglect he had as a
child, and because his parents didn’t have him tested, he wasn’t able
to get on the HIV medicine early enough to prevent it from growing.
Now, Welcome’s state of HIV is irreversible, and if there isn’t a
miracle, he will not recover.

This picture was taken after Welcome
had been at the orphanage for around 3 months, and he was making
great recovery. He still had his malnutrition-belly, and his legs and
arms had next to no muscle or fat, but he was able to not throw up
all his food, and sometimes hold his bottle. Now, he has been at the
orphanage for 7 months and he is making amazing recovery. He is just
like a normal, healthy baby, minus the fact that he is HIV and TB
positive. He is a little behind where most kids should be at his age,
like with talking, walking, etc, but that is how it is with AIDS
babies. He is saying words now, and is walking!!!

This is a video taken the night that
Welcome started walking. He was 22 months old at this time. He is so
excited and happy! (I’m the one wearing ripped jeans and holding a
baby.)

The day after, there was an Iris Staff
meeting. I brought Welcome over to the meeting, because I was
babysitting him at the house I’m staying at, to show everyone
Welcome’s skills. As soon as he walked in the room and started
walking people started saying “Syabonga” and “Calimombu”
(thank you in Siswati and Shongon) and saying “Thank you Jesus.”
It just reminded me of how the only way we are going to get anything
in this life is through Jesus and his amazing grace, blessings, and
love.