Beauty for Ashes

                                                                Isaiah 61:3
To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.

This is Emmanuel (pictured right with his Jaja in the village). He is the little boy that the Lord lead the McCourtney's to through Joyce who works here on staff. Joyce had come to the McCourtney's and mentioned that there was a baby in a village neighboring her further north in Uganda who was doing poorly.

His mother had died of cancer a year earlier and since her death, he had slowly gotten worse.  The name given to him meant "bad chance". We are told that before she died, his mother wanted to kill him and even had a knife hidden under her pillow. Her reasoning was that once she had died, he would suffer, slowly worsening until he eventually died of malnourishment and neglect. Praise the Lord, He had a plan for this little one and her plans were discovered and thwarted.

Although the Father seems to have affection for the child, he is unable to keep him at home because of a second wife who refuses to allow the children of the wife who has passed away in her home. Instead, the three children were sent to the Jaja (Grandmother) house. She was unable to work in the fields and tie him to her back, so he was locked in the hut during the day to fare for himself. It would seem that possibly the mothers fears were coming to pass. However, it would seem that God had another plan for this young one.

One week ago, with the families permission, we brought him to the McCourtney's home to care for him between 6 months and a year, endeavoring to save his young life. He weighed 14 pounds at 1 year and 11 months old. He didn't inter-act with the other children, he could barely sit up and made no noise except to cry went set down.

What a change one and a half weeks can make! His name has been changed to Emmanuel meaning "God with us" and you would hardly recognize him! Pictured to the right, you can see he is standing on the side of a chair. He has been playing with the children, even smiling at them and is even standing up in the middle of the floor by himself. He will crawl to you from across the room when called and keeps eating and growing! Truly, God has shown Himself mighty in this small one and His name is being glorified through his continued improvement.

Joel 2:25

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.

I look forward to keeping you all updated! I am betting, that in a week, Emma will even be walking! PRAISE GOD :)