A Child-like Faith

Baby Peter is off of his oxygen. We started feeding him some breast milk yesterday, using a tube that runs down his nose, and into his stomach. He sucks well on his pacifier but his brain is not developed enough to co-rdinate sucking, swallowing and breathing. We started him off on 2ml of milk every 2 hours. Tonight, he is managing 4ml every 2 hours.Snuggling 'skin-to-skin' with his Mummy. This is a special experience for both Mum and baby. Peter is completely contentented as he nestlles between his Mum's breasts, listening to the steady and familiar sound of her heart beat.

'Sometimes when we take tiny babies like Peter, away from their Mothers, and put them in incubators, they become sorrowful..... They miss the sound of their mother's voice. They need to hear their Mothers, and smell them, and feel their touch..... See how happy Peter is with you!'

Peter's Mother nodded, smiling shyly. Her expression displayed a rare openness. She is such a special lady. So loving, so calm, so trusting. She believes that God, all knowing, allowed her tiny son to be born a full 2 and a half months before he was supposed to come into the world. She doesn't question why. She just trusts that God sent both of them here, and that we know what to do for Peter.

Rural Haitians have a wonderful, innocent faith in their God. It is a faith, just like my Nana's. My Nana died 12 years ago and now, a world away, there are reminders of her everywhere.