The Door of Hope, an account with Brannon Hulsey

It was our second night in Johannesburg, and the low was 34 degrees.  Our mission team from First Baptist Knoxville was cold because the hotel wasn't heated and we hadn't discovered the space heaters yet.  We were all sleeping in socks, toboggans, gloves, and long johns.  Also on that cold night, a hundred feet from where we slept, a newborn was being left in a dropbox in the wall of Berea Mission Baptist Church.  This was another baby being saved from abandonment by the Door of Hope, an incredible organization that rescues abandoned and unwanted babies.  Infant abandonment is an epidemic in South Africa--in Johannesburg alone, 200 babies a month are abandoned.  Door of Hope has answered the Call to be a place of sanctuary, and literally, hope, for babies that would otherwise be abandoned.  We were privileged to spend time at Door of Hope.  Following is an account of our experience from my good friend Brannon Hulsey:

Working at the Door of Hope was an interesting experience unlike any I've had before. I spent time at two of the houses and was able to tour the third house. From the moment we walked in to any of the houses, the aunties and uncles (the women and men who work there) were so warm and welcoming, and they immediately put us to work. I spent time with big babies (six months to a year) and toddlers, and most of the children were happy to have new people to play with. We played, sang songs, ate lunch, and spent time loving on some adorable kids. When the children napped, there were chores to be done...inventorying donations, folding laundry, eating our own lunches, etc. I was struck at how well organized the houses were and how smoothly the schedules ran. 

While I loved spending time with the babies, I also really enjoyed talking to the aunties. These women (and men!) are such amazing individuals and you can tell that they really care about what they do. We participated in a daily devotion at each house, and the conversations during those times were deep and meaningful, even if babies were crawling all over us! These women truly believe that all babies are made in the image of God, that all babies should be cared for and loved. What an excellent testimony of their faith to dedicate their lives to raising up children of God who otherwise would be left to die.

It is hard to spend time at Door of Hope and not experience an array of emotions - joy when holding a child, respect when watching the aunties at work, hope when thinking about the new opportunity at life that these children are given, and grief when thinking about the mothers who abandoned their children. It's difficult for me to fully understand how or why a mother would abandon her child, but I've come to realize that for many of these mothers it is an act of sacrifice and selfless love. As a mother, my heart breaks for those women who have to rely on others to raise their children because they are incapable of providing basic needs. I am so grateful that the Door of Hope is there to help these women and children, and I pray that all involved know they are loved by an amazing God that knows them each by name. 

It was simply incredible to look into the eyes of children that were plucked from certain death and given opportunities at beautiful lives.  Thank you Brannon for your wonderful account.

Front of the Door of Hope dropbox in the wall of Berea Mission Baptist Church, rear view is below.

 

 

For more information on Door of Hope or to make a donation, click here.