Mexico- A hidden pregnancy

Last weekend I went to an orphanage in Mexico and was reminded again of WHY WE ARE ALL DOING WHAT WE DO. I was holding a little two year old named Lydia. As I interacted with her I could tell that she had some serious handicaps. Her body was curved unnaturally and anytime someone made a loud noise or I moved suddenly her whole body would twitch. I was looking at her face and thinking about her when the founder started telling me her story.

Her mom was in prison and hid the pregnancy from the guards. When she gave birth to Lydia she tried to suffocate her or something to kill her own baby. The guards came in and rescued Lydia before she died. Now she will live the rest of her life profoundly handicapped. I think the first response is complete anger. How could someone do this to a perfect little girl. But then as I think about it I am just sad. Sad for Lydia and sad for the circumstances that led to a mom that would be willing to kill her own daughter.

I know you all have stories of the orphans you have met. But maybe it's been awhile since you thought of them. I'd encourage you, take a second and think about them. And let Lydia's story be a reminder to all of us why we are spending our lives for children. To help those that have suffered and been rejected- to let them know they are valuable.

Lydia