The Council approved this idea upon recommendation of Scott Barton.  Paul and Darlene Heller are good friends of the Bartons who have been mission workers in Malawi, Africa, for a year.  Paul was a pastor in northern New York and Darlene a public health nurse.  The Mzuzu Crisis Nursery was founded in 2006 to serve orphaned/abandoned babies suffering as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in northern Malawi.  Babies born to mothers who later died had no one to care for them during their crisis period (under 2 years old).  As a result, almost all these babies died. 

 

Paul and Darlene write:  “Our ministry is to work with a highly competent team of Malawian caregivers to help rescue, nurse to health, and repatriate these orphaned/abandoned babies.  The babies (usually a few days to a few months old) are referred to us by the Police or Social Welfare Office.  For the next 1 to 2 years of their life we feed, clothe, shelter, and nurture the psycho-social development of these infants, offering an abundance of T.L.C.  During this time the father or next of kin is encouraged to visit the baby on a monthly basis so they develop a bond so necessary when the little one is ready to return to the village. 

 

“Maternal mortality (due to AIDS, the limited availability of qualified doctors, and virtually no pre-natal care) is very high in Malawi.  In fact, the doctor-to-patient ratio in Malawi is the lowest in the world. (1 to 50,000).  Asked what happens to a newborn baby when the mother dies, one health care worker said: “they usually die.”  Formula is unavailable in the bush and when it is obtainable the cost is often prohibitive. 

 

“The Crisis Nursery saves lives.  Before babies are able to eat solid food and get off to a healthy start they are at great risk.  We are able to care for 15 rescued infants at a time and some 55 little ones have been nurtured here over the past three years. 

 

“By nurturing these orphaned/abandoned babies through this crisis period they are given a fighting chance.  Usually they return to the village and do quite well.  A baby whose parents have both died, or one who has been totally abandoned in a field by a desperate mother, is usually fostered toward adoption.  Other little ones are sometimes discharged to an orphanage.  Either way, we say a heart-wrenching goodbye to our little charges well before they reach the age of two. 

 

“Our presence here in Malawi has been facilitated by the relationship between PCUSA and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP).  Of special significance is the partnership between our home Presbytery of Northern New York and the Synod of Livingstonia (CCAP).  Paul serves as Associate Pastor of St. Andrew’s congregation in Mzuzu and is “seconded” to work as director of the Crisis

Nursery.  The Nursery itself is part of Ministry of Hope, which operates a second Nursery in the capital city of Lilongwe, as well as 6 feeding centers in villages surrounding Lilongwe. 

  

“The highlight of our service as PCUSA mission co-workers has been the amazing commitment and competence of our Malawian staff—Nurse, Administrative Assistant, Supervisor, 12 Nannies, 2 Housekeepers, 2 Watchmen, Gardner.  Before our arrival one observer described the Nursery as a ship without a captain.  But without a doubt, when we came we found that the ship was seaworthy.  Without the love and faithfulness of these dedicated folks this ministry could not exist and many of these babies would surely have died. 

 

“‘He put a child in the middle of the room. Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said, “Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me—God who sent me.’”
Mark 9:35-37  “The Message”

“There is always something new at our blog: Suffer The Little Children, please visit us and let us know you stopped by, by leaving us a comment.  Thanks.  

Paul & Darlene Heller, P.O. Box 395, Mzuzu, MALAWI”

(Note from Scott: Yes, it’s a VERY interesting blog (http://suffer-the-little-children.blogspot.com), and will give you great insights into life, and how the church is at work, on the opposite side of the globe!)