Little John Peter arrived in our village with his parents when he was just 3 months old. His story is one that is far too common here. Shortly after his arrival, his mother developed a cough, and died just a few days later. Perhaps due to the shock of losing his wife, John Peter's father suffered a stroke, became paralyzed and was taken in by relatives in the area. But they didn't want little John. They viewed him as a bearer of bad luck, and they wanted no part of it, or him.

So the family abandoned baby John at our preschool. But what were we to do with him? We aren't an orphanage. The youngest children we care for in our daycare are 6 months old, and the children in our preschool are between ages 2 and 6. We have never cared for an infant. Besides, we are only able to care for children during the day. Nevertheless, right here in front of us was a newborn baby, with no one to care for him.

I didn't know what to do. Christ's words rang through my mind: "Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me" Matthew 18:5. So I looked for a way to help. I arranged for John Peter to spend his days at our day care center Monday through Friday. We provided him with all of his clothes and food. On the weekends, we arranged for others to care for him in their homes. Those who cared for him were afraid that he had the same disease that killed his mother, and prayed they would not catch it.

We decided to dedicate little John Peter to Christ, since he had been committed to spirits and witchcraft when he was born. A common practice for most Mozambican infants. With his father's permission, we held a dedication service at church. We were so surprised that he gave us permission, and were even more surprised to see his father attend the service! Still paralyzed and ill, he wanted to see his son consecrated to God. It took courage on his part to be willing to break the family traditions of witchcraft. I was overwhelmed with amazement and joy.

John Peter ... who will he become? Abandoned and given up for good, then saved and dedicated to God. No one knows what the future holds for him, or what he will ultimately become in God's plan. What I do know is that he is a gift from God, and that he will be one of the first to go all the way through our day care, preschool and El Shaddai Christian School!

Read the original post at http://www.worldventure.com/News-And-Prayer/Stories-Around-the-World/Stories/The Curse of John Peter.html