We met Christlove about a year and a half ago. We were driving to Fonfred, near les Cayes, to check on the medical clinic construction for Forward in Health. We noticed two little boys, stark naked, playing in a stream by the road. One of the little boys we really noticed, because his scrotum was extremely large. We stopped to find out what was going on.

Clara, a woman in her late twenties, was washing clothes in the stream, with Makenlove and Christlove splashing right along side her. We greeted her and she stopped washing and said “bon jou.” We asked about the little boy. She began to explain the situation to us and described how the child would often spend the night screaming out in pain. Lex held Christlove and we played with him a bit. He was one of the cutest little boys we’d ever seen.

That afternoon we visited their home. They were renting a room in a mud/thatch hut with a dirt floor. They had only sheets spread out on the dirt to sleep on. There was no sign of food anywhere. Christlove’s father is not in the picture and Clara was not able to work, because of the boys. She didn’t ask us for anything, but we felt compelled to do something. That day we sent someone into the city to buy food (spaghetti, rice, beans, fish, etc.) for the household. We made arrangements for Christlove to be seen by a doctor, who confirmed that he did indeed have a hernia. We tried to make arrangements to have the hernia repaired, but no one in the area would do it, because he was so young.

Since that time we have been helping Clara with food, rent and other needs they had, but we still could not find a way for Christlove to be releaved of the discomfort he was experiencing. Finally, we asked Clara to come to Grand-Goave and we had the whole family checked out. Mackenlove was able to have an umbilical hernia repaired and just a couple of months ago, Christlove finally had his hernia repaired. He’s now running and jumping and playing just like all the other kids. And he doesn’t scream out in pain any longer.

It’s time for Clara to think about going back home, now. It will not be an easy move for her. She’s seen both her boys’ health improve incredible during her time with us. Both are now strong and active. We would very much like to see Clara and her boys have a small home of their own, where no one can kick them out for not paying rent. Perhaps she could run a small business out of it, too. If you would like to help make this a reality, please donate either online or by mail and make a memo that the donation is for Clara’s family.

I believe that this family’s tomorrows will continue looking brighter. Together, we will help to see positive changes in their lives. When I look at Clara, Mackenlove and Christlove, I am reminded of Jeremiah 29:11, which reads, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”