Zion

Zion was found by a couple who run an orphanage, barely alive, amongst a large pile of rubbish in a small rural village. It was impossible to know his exact age due to serve malnutrition and neglect. Some said he was a newborn, other claimed he was older, either way, this was a tiny, precious baby close to death.

He was immediately taken to a local hospital where he was cared for around the clock for the next 6 weeks. Over the following months, he battled severe malnutrition, recurrent pneumonia and many viral infections that knocked back a lot of progress being made. As well as providing financial support to cover medical bills, we invested as much time as possible in loving this little boy. The trauma caused by abandonment, rejection and severe neglect is powerful and we recognised that dealing with the emotional trauma was just as important as the physical. I will never forget the permanent look of fear and terror in his eyes, he would never give any eye contact.

We would spend hours and hours cuddling Zion, speaking words of life and purpose over him, holding him close, telling him he belonged here and that we loved him. We watched as this tiny, frail, terrified little baby began to respond and eventually thrive despite the knock backs. The day Zion looked back into my eyes and held my gaze was the most rewarding and precious moment of the journey with him. From that day on, he never stopped staring into the eyes of those who loved him. When he was well enough to leave the hospital, Zion was released into the care of the couple who found him near their orphanage. We visited regularly and supplied all his milk, nappies, medications and regular hospital visits.

Looking at Zion now I can hardly believe it is the same child. He is a happy and healthy little boy and loved by all those who meet him.