Alvin is dying.
Have you thought about Alvin like that? As you see his picture in the comfort of your home, from the screen of your computer, has that hit you? As it is we don't know how Alvin has survived this long. But last night Alvin was awake - and crying - most of the night due to a new pain. Chest pain. No doubt he has developed some infection in his chest due to the many hours each day he spends lying down. He is receiving care from a hospital, and we advised him on the importance of spending as much time as possible sitting up (can you imagine sitting when your butt and hips were in that condition???) but the fact remains, Alvin is dying. Each day his risk for not making it is increased. Each day his health becomes more precarious. Each day he cries his little heart out, as his dream of a long life filled with family, friends - a future, dwindles along with his health.
What if this were your friend, your relative, your brother…your child? What lengths would you go to ensure his survival? How much money would you spend and how much emotional energy would you expend just to save his life? Alvin's birth mom is doing everything she can to save the life of her little boy. In the end, supposing Alvin survives long enough to be adopted, she will always - always - miss him. But "missing" him is far better than watching him die. Than knowing you did everything you could…yet it wasn't enough. To ACHE for your loss. This is the horrible dilemma far too many parents in Africa are faced with. But by God's grace, there may be a way for Alvin to be saved. By God's grace, Alvin's mother knew of some place to go for help. Acres of Hope. Acres of Hope and other similar organizations in Liberia are fighting to save the lives of desperate children. Many, many, many of the children don't make it. Sometimes help isn't found before it's too late. Sometimes they don't make it out of the country to better medical care in time. Right now many people are fighting for Alvin. We are doing everything we know to do to save this child. Will you join us in this fight? Will you pray for Alvin and the many children like him who are desperate for help? And when Alvin either dies or makes it to the states with his adoptive family, will you fight to save the others? God has allowed Alvin to suffer this terrible condition for a reason. Search your hearts…go before the Lord in prayer. Ask yourself and God what reason He has allowed you to stumble across Alvin's story.
"The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern."
Proverbs 29:7
Yesterday I was able to meet with Alvin again. I wanted to get him ice cream, which is sold in carts around town, but I had to meet with one of the ladies I am counseling before meeting with Alvin. When I got to the hospital lo and behold - there was an ice cream cart! Needless to say Alvin was happy to get the treat! I spent about an hour with Alvin sharing stories of Jesus, his love for those in need, and how he stooped down to heal those in the most desperate condition. How he touched the diseased with his bare hands. How he loves his children immeasurably. Though Alvin sees people fighting to save his life, his condition is so horrible and
something he has to deal with every moment of every day, it is easy for him to get discouraged. Alvin needs to be reminded daily of how much Jesus loves him and how Jesus is fighting for Alvin, even when he may not be able to see progress from day to day. Right as I was finishing Patty and my mother showed up! You should have seen the grin that spread across Alvin's face when he saw his Grandma Patty walk in! He loves her so much…and Patty loves Alvin like her own child.
Roland from Water of Life arrived last night. He and his organization are ready to do whatever they can to help get Alvin the help he needs. What an encouragement for Alvin to see this person who has come all the way from America to help him.
Also super exciting for Alvin was to receive pictures and a Bible Story book sent by his new family.
Alvin is a very, very strong boy. As his body wastes away day by day, he still manages to put a smile on his face. As his bare bones are being sprayed with alcohol during the changing of his dressings, he gasps and grunts, but doesn't cry. He is a fighter. He wants to live.
Please do what you can to help him. Do what is in your power to help us, who are on the ground, save him.
The first thing all of you can do is PRAY. Pray for Alvin and the process that needs to be completed before Alvin can make it to life saving medical care in the US. Pray for his health. That he would gain enough strength to travel to the US. That is chest pains would go away and is intestines would not actually fall out of his back (they are visible now, but still in his body).
You can GIVE. Donate towards Alvin's needs through paypal by clicking here.
Finally, don't be afraid to shoot an EMAIL to aoh.savinglives@gmail.com with any info you have that could be of use for getting Alvin to the US. Specifically we are in need of an emergency flight, a more direct flight, or any form of air transport that will get Alvin the most speedily and safely to the US.
Please become a part of Alvin's story.
"Learn to do right!
Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow."
Isaiah 1:17
