Tears of Gratitude in Koutiala

Early this year, we hit the 15,000 baby mark—that’s the number of deliveries at the Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children since our doors opened in Mali in 2006.

One of the 25 poorest countries in the world, Mali’s infant mortality rate ranks second in the world—after Afghanistan’s. Mai’s story illustrates the impact of this life-giving medical ministry with which I’m so privileged to serve.

Mai’s Tears

“Pray that Mai and her family will open their hearts to Jesus and that baby Mamadou will grow strong and healthy,” requests the author.

Last week, after two months of hospital care, Mai returned home with her tiny but healthy newborn baby boy, Mamadou, and her 11-year-old daughter, Tata.

Mai had wept as she was preparing to leave and saying her good-byes. When we asked if something was wrong, she explained: “I am crying tears of gratitude and joy!”

When Mai initially arrived at the hospital, she had all the indications of preeclampsia, “a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious or even fatal complications for the mother and baby,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

Since it was too soon for her to deliver, we monitored Mai’s condition and managed her high blood pressure over the next several weeks. During that time, Mai told us she had lost so many babies that she wasn’t sure how many. In late June, she delivered Mamadou prematurely by C-section.

Last week, her baby boy was finally big enough to leave the hospital with his mom and older sister. What a joy it was to be able to send Mai home with a healthy baby after so many lost pregnancies.

New Lives in Christ

We’re also so grateful to witness God giving spiritual life to Koutiala’s patients and their families.

“Last year, an estimated 100 patients as well as family members and friends—most steeped in West Africa’s predominant religion—found spiritual wholeness in Christ through the hospital’s ministry,” one of my colleagues reported several months ago. That’s the most number of decisions for Christ in a year that we’ve experienced!

Based on a report by an Alliance international worker, serving at Koutiala Hospital in southeastern Mali

Pray

“Pray for our patients here who have recently expressed sentiments, like Mai’s, of being touched by the care they’ve received as well as the message of hope in Jesus that they’ve heard,” urges the author. “Pray that many more will be drawn to Jesus through our ministry.”

Use the weekly Alliance Prayer Requests to join the Alliance family in interceding on behalf of our teams in West Africa and worldwide, who often serve in challenging circumstances that require Holy Spirit–inspired wisdom and creativity in communicating God’s love to those who don’t know Him.

Learn More

“One of our patients, Oumar, and his family are among those who have found Christ at the hospital. If you don’t receive Alliance Life magazine, be sure to read this wonderful story in the May/June 2015 issue,” the author adds.

Check out the Koutiala Hospital Web sitePlease note: Clicking on this link will take you off of the Alliance Web site.

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