Baby Peter

Peter in the Bible was the "rock that the church was built upon" (Matthew 16:18).  Whenever I hear that name I think of strength and I often identify with Peter's stubborness and passion. This Sunday in Gayaza Village, I met a young woman named Ruth.  Her baby's name is Peter.  He has tuberculosis.

Peter is 6 months old.  He is less than 7 pounds.  He is dying.

Peter was so thin that his arm was as big as Ben's finger.

I honestly can not imagine how this little boy has fought so hard to live for these 6 months.  He can barely eat and his lungs are enlarged and filled with fluid.  He is a fighter.  His name suits him.  I see such resilience in this little boy.  These last two days I think of Peter constantly.  If you saw his beautiful face, you would too.



With his life hanging in the balance, we admitted Peter into a hospital that specializes in tuberculosis.  He is currently in Pediatric Intensive Care which in Africa means that have 1 nurse to every 50 people versus the normal 300.  He is on I.V. and has started his 6 months regimine of antibiotics to cure his tuberculosis.  He also had malaria and is being treated for that as well.

Every dose of his treatment is critical.  I am praying that there are no shortages of the antibiotics as there were in 2009.  If you have a heart to help this family and would like to donate to them specifically, please email me at melody@pahlow.com and I will tell you how.  God bless Peter... the rock.