The sound of a baby’s cry can be a piercing sound that breaks through silence and says,
“I’m hungry” “I’m tired” “I don’t feel okay”
But the message for sure is,
“I’m here!” “I am with you!” “Don’t forget about me!”
In 2023, thousands of babies were born in safe environments across the world, thanks to your partnership. Just this year you have made it possible for mother and child-specific medical missions to provide better care in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and S.E. Asia.
Lonnie Burley our Director of Short-Term Trips tells of a time at a medical outreach this year when a medical provider was seeing a whole family, one at a time. But when it came time to examine the baby, their cute little look turned into a cry! The cry probably was saying, “Mommy, I’m here! I’m with you! Don’t forget about me!”
Lisa Law, another one of our FAME staff was in Haiti and a pregnant woman came into the clinic at the mission. After a brief labor, and with the help of some college nursing students from Indiana, her baby was born. Lisa says, “I was in the triage area and heard the newborn baby crying as it came into the world.” I bet it was saying, I’m here! I’m with you! Don’t forget about me!”
In Luke and Matthew’s gospel accounts we read about the birth of Jesus. “She gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger.” (Luke 2)“…the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” (Matthew 1)
I know that the song, Away in the Manger says, ‘No crying he makes’, but with all due respect to the songwriters from over a century ago; I think Jesus cried.
And when Jesus cried, he was saying, “I am here!” “I am with you!” “Don’t forget about me!”
This Christmas if you hear a baby cry:
One: remember there are thousands of babies who have been born and will be born soon, safely cared for around the world
because of you!
Two: Jesus, Immanuel “God with us” – wants you to know “I am here!” “I am with you!” “Don’t forget about me!
Thank you for saying “Yes!” to FAME that allows FAME to say “Yes!” to global partners so that more and more people can say “Yes!” to Jesus. And that millions will know Immanuel is here, He is with them!
God Bless,
Bill Warren
Executive Director