Wiping Away Baby Tears: A Stillborn Daughter in Heaven
The Spanish-speaking nurse placed a stethoscope on my swollen middle and listened in vain for a heartbeat. Her expression showed concern and she whispered to the other nurses, who then called the Italian-speaking doctor. He broke the water, took one look, and then asked my husband to step outside. Neal returned to tell me the baby was probably not going to live. Having observed the reaction of the team, I was not surprised. My heart sunk. Well, I thought, the worst has happened.

What mother enters childbearing without passing thoughts of What if…? What if the baby dies? What if the baby is not healthy? How will I bear it? Will God help me?

In the late 70s I had married Neal in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and moved two countries east to his Bible translation project in northern Togo. A few months later, I was pregnant. Continue

More Articles by Carol Brinneman

Out of Order
A paper hung on the machine that read "Out of Order" printed in dark, authoritative lettering. All of the fumbling for quarters on the way there had been for nothing.

"Aw, it's broken." Her voice dropped as she said it. "Those are my favorite kind. I love the cinnamon ones."

When a mother hears those words spoken, there is a desperate desire to try and make up for the child's disappointment. Kicking the machine over and pounding on it was not an option. After all, it was a public place. Continue

More Articles by Christine Prueher

• Enjoying the Season You're In
• Balance
• Patches of Godlight
• Whatever Happened to Holiness?
• Little Norma's Easter Dress
• Garage Sales
• God, My Rock
• The Promise of New
• Storms