Todays note is from Anh. She is Tam's assistant. Oversees the office and The Father's House (our unwed mothers home) Enjoy and as alaways. If led please send a note of encouragement. Her job is not easy!
The most precious gift in the world
What is more beautiful than hearing a newborn baby's cry and seeing their first smile? What is more beautiful to hear than their first words and see their first steps? My heart melts when I see their innocent cute faces or when I hold their tiny hands. All babies have a reason to come into this world and they all have a right to live and deserve to receive love and care from others. How come their lives are taken away?? No one has the right to take away the life of a baby!! As a matter of fact, Viet Nam is still one of the top five countries in the world with the highest abortion rates. Due to social prejudices, shame and guilt never leave women who are pregnant without marriage.
Just recently, I watched a short video clip about how to abort a baby. A baby's body was cut into pieces by forceps in order to take it out of the vagina. It seemed I was dying at that time. My heart started beating rapidly and it felt hard to breathe! My head ached and I wondered to myself how could they do that? The baby is not at fault at all and they have to suffer this inhumane action. What an awful clip! But I reminded myself that this is reality and it has been happening every day and everywhere. I keep asking myself how we can prevent that.
GIBTK has been running a program called The Father's House and we have done an amazing job. But how can we help more? That's also urged me to go outside more. I go to clinics more often to see if I can help pregnant moms. How can we help those moms feel more courage to confront the rumors and believe in themselves that they are valuable?
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| Mother and children reunion party |
I remember one case that I received over a month ago. She was only 15 years old and had no idea about pregnancy. One day she came to us with her mom. She had a pretty naïve face filled with nervousness and anxiousness. I leaned close to her and whispered: "How do you feel? Are you worried?" "Yes" she replied timidly. She then began to burst into tears and her mom cried in silence too. Her mom was frustrated with her daughter and afraid of the rumors. She could help her daughter financially but not emotionally. She wanted to hide her daughter away and that made her feel better when she faced other people. She said if someone knew her daughter's situation, she would die because of the shame. Holding the girl's cold wet hands, I gently told her, "We will protect and take care of you and your baby. No one can hurt or harm you anymore. You are so beautiful and valuable. No worries at all! We will keep you safe and help you overcome this tough time."
Again she cried but her face looked more comfortable. Then she came to TFH to live the very next day. At that moment she smiled a lot, talked a lot and made jokes with other members. Thanks to the emotional health program and the discussion about the book Mirror Mirror, she has changed a lot. I don't know how I can help the moms more, but I believe if we treat them the way we want people to treat us, things will turn in a positive way.
I love the moms here as my real sisters and I do hope they will be successful in the future. When I see them succeed, it is time for me to smile and pat myself on my shoulder as if to say "Good job, Anh." It has been a blessing to have a valuable job and to realize that this is a great fulfillment in my life!
Sincerely Anh;
