Somewhere in China...

Somewhere in China a woman is giving birth. As the labour progresses, she becomes more and more anxious. Her husband looks in with a worried expression. Their gaze meets and she knows his thoughts. Her sister, who is assisting with the birth says the time is close. The mother to be closes her eyes as the pain increases. She whispers a silent prayer...not that the baby will be healthy, but that she won't have to part with it. She prays for a boy.

Late into the night, a cry is finally heard. The husband rushes in as the sister holds a perfectly formed baby girl, naked and wet. His eyes are fixed on the miracle of life before him for a moment and then he turns away, knowing he will never see his daughter again. The new mother weeps as she holds the newborn to her chest. They finally fall asleep in the moonlight as the infant nurses hungrily.

For two days, mother and baby rest in the little hut. Each hour is more painful as the bond between them grows. She knows she will have to leave soon. No one will ask where she went. No one will ask about the baby. Everyone will know. The pain in her eyes will tell the story of her baby girl.

The day arrives. She knows it is time. She dresses the infant in layers and wraps her in a red blanket. The mother leans over and kisses the tiny head as a tear falls. She hastily puts on the baby's bonnet and places her in a basket. Mother and baby leave the tiny village and board the bus to the city. Old ladies look into the basket and coo at the baby. No one asks whether it is a boy or a girl. The mother is relieved. The bus finally pulls into the city. She has timed it perfectly. It is late and no one is around.

In a dirty, dark alley, the new mother crouches down, nursing her baby for one last time. She must be well fed, for the wait may be long. She doesn't touch the baby's head as she feeds. It is mechanical now, for her own sanity. This baby is no longer her own. Quickly, she tucks the little one back into the basket and pins a little paper with the birthdate on it to the red blanket. She can see the orphanage through the opening to the alley. No one is in sight as she runs over to the steps and leaves her precious package on the concrete steps. Tears streaming now, she runs back into the alley and watches. She sobs now for the first time and prays for her little girl. Soon she sees one of the nannies come down the steps, pick up the basket, look around and then go back through the gates.

This little baby is my niece. Just about now, somewhere in China, this drama is being played out. My second little Chinese niece is being born. My brother and sister in law are going to pick up a little one year old next spring. For all who read here, please pray that this little baby, so recently born and abandoned, like thousands of other little girls, will be healthy and happy until her mom and dad can come to get her. Please pray for all the Chinese mothers who are forced to abandon their baby girls and last of all, pray for China....pray that the country will change their policies...that the love of God would spread and that all life, regardless of gender, would be valued.