Florenda's* Baby

Remember the pregnant woman at the clinic who I posted about before with many children and no food to eat? The woman who when I first met her, looked into my eyes and with desperation on her face asked if wanted the baby growing inside her. I wrote how she came to the clinic famished and shaky after days of not eating and how her countenance improved when the clinic began feeding her lunch every day. I shared that we explained to her that if she was serious about giving up her baby that we could help connect her with a children's home in the area that works with international adoption programs.
She gave birth Monday evening. I wasn't on shift during her delivery but I was in the clinic the following morning for a meeting and heard that she delivered a baby boy weighing 5 pounds 7 ounces. Small but just below the low end of normal for a boy. This is good considering her fundal height was only 29 centimeters when she went into labor. This was her 7th pregnancy. She has 4 other living children. 2 of her other babies died shortly after birth for unknown reasons. She is only 27 years old. The really disturbing part is that her husband isn't willing to give the baby up for adoption because he wants to sell the baby. Yes, sell it. Because they need the money. After observing this man, some of us think he may have a drug problem. My boss spent hours with the mother trying to convince her of the better option. Apparently nothing can be done without the father's consent. When I heard this I felt crushed. Our meeting started and we began our worship and prayer time.
As I spoke up in prayer on behalf of this little one with an uncertain future, I broke down crying. I prayed, "Somebody wants this baby! Lord, intercede on his behalf. Work in the hearts of his parents. Provide a better way!"
During the last few days, with this mother still in our care we brought in a social worker from the children's home to talk to both parents. The father still insisted on selling the baby. According to my boss the father is a very mean man. The social worker got very angry at him and chewed him out. She explained that what he wants to do is illegal and how she is going to report them. She got their names and address and then went to the neighborhood social welfare office and reported them. Hilary told them we wouldn't release the birth certificate to them unless it was clear they weren't going to sell the baby. She also said that at least for the next 6 weeks, if they don't show up for their scheduled baby check-ups we would report it to social welfare.
Many staff talked at length with the mother about how she is going to care for this baby boy. 3 of her 4 older children are all living with relatives because their parents are not able to adequately care for them. It is possible that just based on that, the social welfare department could take custody of her children. We'll see what happens and if they actually do anything.
I worked on Wednesday and while the mother went home briefly to find money to pay her bill I got to hold her baby boy. I prayed over him and I spoke to him. I told him that he is wanted and that Jesus has a plan for his life. I prayed for his protection. I prayed that he would know the love of his Heavenly Father. I sang worship songs over him and held him close. I fought back my tears and I did not allow myself to think about how much I wanted him.
*(Not her real name)