One Drop at a Time

There is still so much about Burundi that is yet unprocessed, both in my computer files and my brain.  Almost three thousand photos swim around in disarray; how do I begin to categorize and organize and share? 

One of the experiences that is most deeply etched in my heart is that of my time spent with new mommas and their preemie babies in what here in the states we would call the NICU.  I loved being at the hospital in general, but I especially loved my time with these beautiful women. 

The day before we left Kibuye for Bujumbura, Eika and I accompanied Dr. Pfister as she delivered supplementary formula to Francine for her tiny twins.  The baby girls were a few days old, and the outlook was grim.  Weighing in between 2 and 3 pounds each, their little bodies couldn't stay warm.  They couldn't latch on to nurse, and it was hard to imagine the miracle it would take for them to thrive.

Eika and I couldn't say more than "Amahoro" (hello), but we sat down with the new mother and fawned over her fragile bundles.  I expected her to feed the babies right away, but she didn't.  After a little while I pointed to the bottle and the babies, and she got out the feeding syringe.  I held one baby while she tried to feed the other.  For almost five hours, we took turns holding and feeding.  During that whole time, the babies never woke up, never cried, never opened their mouths or sucked or squirmed.  It was constant work just to get them to swallow one single drop at a time.

The next day after we got packed up and ready to leave for Bujumbura, I walked back up to the hospital one last time.  I was scared to go in the room, envisioning that maybe only one of the twins had made it through the night.  But God's mercy is greater than our faith--they were both still breathing!  

Three days later the report came that they were both still alive.  After we came home, I continued to get reports from Dr. Pfister and Heather about their progress.  Two more weeks became a month, and they were gaining weight!

About a month after we got home from Burundi, we got the exciting news that the twins were doing well enough to be sent home!  

Proud mama Francine and her twins Mukuru and Butoyi

Sweet Anna Fader who sewed mattresses for the new incubators

Pediatrician Dr. Alyssa Pfister, overseeing the progress of these and so many other preemies at Kibuye Hope Hospital