Baby Girl

Baby Girl
Originally uploaded by Derek & Sarah Grant.

This morning after hearing the news, we went down to the hut, in somewhat unbelief. When we arrived the child was hanging in a net
bag. I touched her head to make sure she was dead. She was cold.

Our co-worker, Jennie, had tried to give Wikipane and her baby malaria medicine a couple of days ago. Whenever we give malaria
medicine it is mandatory that they stay put, until the treatment is finished. As semi-nomadic people, they like to travel. They
wouldn't agree to stay, and therefore refused the medicine.

Yesterday evening I went down to the hut just as they were practicing sorcery over mother and baby, in attempt to drive away evil
spirits. During that time, it was said that it was forbidden for them to smoke, eat a potato like substance, or sugarcane." That
was kind of upsetting because the baby wasn't drinking anymore, and sugarcane could have helped. As a result, I gave some
re-hydration drink hoping that would help.

Please pray for the family. The mother Wikipane is still sick, and she is quite upset over the death of her daughter. The child's
father, Iyepiya, and brother, Magabadedi, were staying in another hamlet. I'm sure by now they will have heard the news, and will
be arriving later today.

Iyepiya is a tough man, but you could sure tell that he loved his daughter. As far as we can tell, Iyepiya is a believer in Jesus
Christ. Magabadedi sure is, but we are unsure about the mother, Wikipane.

This morning Wikipane started on malaria medicine and we hope she will recover and that the Lord will use this sorrowful event for
His glory.