Weekly Encouragement

Mapacha "The Twins"
Saturday, September 15, 2018 by Hannah Hunter

Twins! That single word evokes change in how we plan for the birth of a baby. Medically, it means more frequent visits to the doctor, ultrasounds, measurements, blood work, and vital signs checks. We determine the sex of the babies, their positioning in the womb, their sizes, and how mom’s body is handling carrying two little ones. From this information the doctors, staff, and parents determine when the birth will occur to ensure optimum health for mom and twins.

In Kenya, Mapacha (Swahili for twins) is often not realized until birth. In fact, in some tribes, twins is not a blessing but a curse, and it is the job of the family or midwife to kill the mother and babies. If the twins are not detected or the tribe doesn’t follow this barbaric practice, there is no prenatal care—no doctor visits, no ultrasounds. Most homes have no running water and only a hole in the ground for a toilet. When a woman begins her labor, the midwife or “helper” is summoned. The father is sent away, and the woman is assisted with birth in her own bed. The current charge for the midwife is about $50 American or 4,352 shillings.

Kilgoris, Kenya, is a tiny village eight hours by taxi west of Nairobi. You may have to share your ride with chickens. Zebras graze along the road. Baboons sit in groups as if they are “people watching.” Some motorists toss them food. They dart out, retrieve the food, and run back to the side of the road.

On a January Sunday, I received a call from our head intercessor from our ministry, Team Seasoned Heart. I could tell in her voice something was amiss. She had received a text message that one of the wives of the Kilgoris mission team was in labor, and there were complications. When I left in December- three of the team’s wives were pregnant.

Caroline had begun her labor six hours before. This was her fourth child. She had everything ready, and the midwife was called. When the midwife arrived and assessed Caroline, she realized something was wrong and that she was carrying twins. Samwel, Caroline’s husband, called for Dan, the leader of the mission team. He came and stood watch at the door of the house and prayed. He also put a call in to his whole team to pray. At the same time, a text was sent across 7,000 miles to Pennsylvania to pray. As is Dan’s custom, it was a terse message with few details. Caroline was moved to the local hospital accompanied by Samwel and Dan. Four doctors determined one baby was “transverse lie” meaning the baby was lying sideways and blocking the birth canal so neither child could emerge. Doctors painted a grim picture for mom and babies.

This team of holy men began to gather and intercede. The team is made up of all Kenyan-born men with their wives and families. Their mandate is to restore to widows, orphans, prisoners, and drug addicts their God-given inheritance. They also rescue little girls from FGM (female genital mutilation). We here in the U.S. who love this team, prayed and waited.

Caroline had to endure five more hours of labor, while doctors consulted, the mission team there interceded, and we in America prayed and kept our cell phones close. The doctors then performed a Caesarean section. God in His infinite mercy called forth David first. His cries were lusty and could be heard echoing up and down the halls. Jonathan soon was born and a duet of cries followed.

They each were about 2.26 kg or five pounds. Good weights for twins. Both had the chubby cheeks of their dad. We all thanked God and breathed a sigh of relief.

There were those in the community and hospital who began to murmur, “How come she can have two babies? Some women have none and have lost babies. They should give one or both up for women who have none. She already has three children.” In Kenya, babies have been stolen from the hospital with the help of hospital attendants. Some are never recovered. The family had to set a watch on these twin boys. Servants of God, as they honorably call their pastors and bishops, showed up and gave prayers and blessings. The hospital began to realize God was the one who gave the blessing of the twins and their healthy birth. The team assembled, prayed over the twins and prophetically named them.

The drama did not end there. In Kenya, the hospital keeps the mother and the babies until the bill is paid in full. Sometimes patients or families have to do work by cleaning rooms or bathrooms until the bill is paid in full. Normally, mom and babies are sent home after three days, even with a Caesarean birth. Nearly a week had passed, and Caroline and her newborn twins were being held at the hospital because of their upaid bill. Again, we went to God for His mercy. Sovereignly, God laid it on the heart of an American mom with twins to pay the bill, and we rejoiced as pictures of Caroline, David, and Jonathan safe at home were posted.

Mapacha, parents, and siblings are doing well. What a privilege it was to hold them last month while in Kilgoris. God placed them in the perfect home and place on earth HE chose for them to be able to fulfill the purposes God has for them.

Update: Hard to believe these little guys are now in school, and have a little sister. They are more social and pudgy delightful little fellows. GOD is more than faithful.

Psalms 139:13-16 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!

Share This Blog:


Previous Posts

TSH June Newsletter
Hannah Hunter

6/20/2024

What Cultural Mountain is Yours?
Hannah Hunter

6/1/2024

Good News for all creation
Hannah Hunter

5/18/2024

Iron Rod
Hannah Hunter

1/13/2024

Betrayed
Hannah Hunter

1/8/2024

War Paused
Hannah Hunter

12/23/2023

A Song of Hope
Hannah Hunter

12/16/2023

Home
Hannah Hunter

12/2/2023

Touchstone
Hannah Hunter

11/25/2023

earthquake and gentle breezes
Hannah Hunter

11/18/2023

Bulwark and Fortresses
Hannah Hunter

11/11/2023

Thanksgiving of November
Hannah Hunter

11/4/2023

Angels in Africa
Hannah Hunter

10/31/2023

Northern Gate of Africa
Hannah Hunter

10/31/2023

Fires of Revival
Hannah Hunter

10/31/2023

The Scepter and the Rod
Hannah Hunter

2/6/2023

The Secret Place
Zachary Hunter

2/2/2023

Labeling People as False Prophets
Hannah Hunter

1/24/2023

Healing Rifts
Hannah Hunter

1/16/2023

Expect Angel Visitations
Hannah Hunter

1/9/2023

January 2023 Newsletter
Hannah Hunter

1/5/2023

Human Perfected
Zachary J. Hunter

9/27/2021

Something Different
Zachary J. Hunter

8/28/2021

God's Movement Week 4
Zachary J. Hunter

8/10/2021

God's Movement Week 3
Zachary J. Hunter

7/31/2021

God's Movement Week 2
Zachary J. Hunter

7/24/2021

God's Movement Week 1
Zachary J. Hunter and Hannah S. Hunter

7/14/2021

Be the Change
Zachary J. Hunter

5/27/2021

Our Pledge and Declaration
Zachary J. Hunter

1/28/2021

The Cup of Iniquity
Zachary J. Hunter

1/15/2021

The Father's Heart
Zachary J. Hunter

1/6/2021

Joshua and Caleb
Zachary J. Hunter

12/31/2020

Elijah
Zachary J. Hunter

12/18/2020

How Important is Worship
Zachary J. Hunter

12/11/2020

Believe
Zachary J. Hunter

12/2/2020

Our Focus
Zachary J. Hunter

11/24/2020

Taking a Beating
Zachary J. Hunter

11/11/2020

2020: American Presidential Election and Aftermath
Zachary J. Hunter

11/4/2020

Daniel 10
Zachary J. Hunter

10/28/2020

Daniel 9 and What it Means.
Zachary J. Hunter

10/22/2020

Respect for God's Authority
Zachary J. Hunter

10/15/2020

What It is to be a Seeker?
Zach J Hunter

10/8/2020

Non-Debate
Hannah S. Hunter

9/30/2020

Odyssey Observations
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2020

Miracles in Motion
Hannah S. Hunter

8/27/2020

Unplug and Reset
Hannah S. Hunter

8/20/2020

Set Apart Not Aside
Hannah S. Hunter

8/12/2020

Did I Really Say That?
Hannah S. Hunter

8/6/2020

Silence, Stillness, Solitude, the Secret Place, and the Supernatural
Hannah S. Hunter

7/30/2020

Supernatural Season
Hannah S. Hunter

7/21/2020

tachycardia
Hannah S. Hunter

7/16/2020

Peaceful Protest
Hannah S. Hunter

7/6/2020

Piercings
Hannah S. Hunter

7/2/2020

Unshareable Glory
Hannah S. Hunter

6/24/2020

Ancient Roots
Hannah S. Hunter

6/16/2020

Perfect Love
Hannah S. Hunter

6/9/2020

Mountains Tossed into the Sea
Hannah S. Hunter

6/1/2020

Genesis of Nations
Hannah S. Hunter

5/26/2020

Torchbearers
Hannah S. Hunter

5/18/2020

Trilling and Aflutter
Hannah S. Hunter

5/12/2020

Mchungaji
Hannah S. Hunter

5/5/2020

Mountain Top to Mountain Top in Lockdown
Hannah S. Hunter

4/29/2020

Observations from the Shadows
Hannah S. Hunter

4/21/2020

He Called It! His Fast!
Hannah S.Hunter

4/13/2020

When Being Passed Over is Good
Hannah S. Hunter

4/7/2020

Alternate New Normal
Hannah S. Hunter

4/2/2020

Nor'easter Wheels Within Wheels
Hannah S. Hunter

3/24/2020

Stillness- the posture of Reshaping and Remolding
Hannah S. Hunter

3/17/2020

Dwelling in the Everlasting Flow
Hannah S. Hunter

3/10/2020

Godly Reprimand, Removal of Shame, and Redemptive Restoration
hannah hunter

3/3/2020

Essential Oil is Love
hannah hunter

2/25/2020

Going Into the Deeper....
hannah hunter

2/17/2020

Feet of Your Soul
Hannah Hunter

2/11/2020

Activating Our Children
hannah hunter

2/3/2020

Vigilant Observations
Hannah Hunter

1/28/2020

Commander in Chief
hannah hunter

1/21/2020

Heights of Hope
Hannah Hunter

1/16/2020

Shepherds Shielding in Storms
Hannah Hunter

12/12/2019

Shepherds Shielding in Storms
Hannah Hunter

12/12/2019

How did Jesus Celebrate His Birthday on Earth?
Hannah Hunter

11/27/2019

Paul and Pauline in this Season
Hannah Hunter

11/19/2019

A Day in the life of an Expat in Kenya
Hannah Hunter

11/11/2019

Conquerors in the Nest
Hannah Hunter

10/30/2019

A Look at Fear
Zach Hunter

2/22/2019

The Beauty of the Cross
Zach Hunter

2/15/2019

Turning Disgust into Grace
Zach Hunter

2/8/2019

Take My Faith
Tyler Robertson

1/12/2019

Love is really REALLY hard (but totally worth it)
Zach Hunter

1/5/2019

Is He Lost or Am I?
Tyler Robertson

12/29/2018

Pointing Fingers
Zach Hunter

12/22/2018

Sold Out Slaves
Tyler Robertson

12/15/2018

Stirring Deep Wells
Tyler Robertson

12/1/2018

Seasonal Suffering
Hannah Hunter

11/24/2018

God's Play Room
Hannah Hunter

11/17/2018

Voting Day
Hannah Hunter

11/10/2018

Homework
Tyler Robertson

11/3/2018

The Way
Tyler Robertson

10/21/2018

Battle Fronts
Tyler Robertson

10/6/2018

True Love
Tyler Robertson

9/22/2018

Mapacha "The Twins"
Hannah Hunter

9/15/2018

Venomous Snakes Thwarted
Hannah Hunter

9/10/2018

In His Arms
Hannah Hunter

9/1/2018

Follow Love’s Thread
Hannah Hunter

8/25/2018

Remanded Rest
Hannah Hunter

8/18/2018

Clueless Obedience
Hannah S. Hunter

8/11/2018

Same Old Days
Tyler Robertson

8/4/2018

A Child of Mine
Tyler Robertson

7/29/2018

He is I Am
Tyler Robertson

7/24/2018

Joy's Calm
Tyler Robertson

7/7/2018

The Dire Hour
Tyler Robertson

6/30/2018

Joyful Warriors for the Kingdom
Hannah Hunter

6/23/2018

Daughters of the Mountain
Tyler Robertson

6/16/2018

Daniel and Malicious Intent
Hannah Hunter

6/9/2018

Forge Me
Tyler Robertson

6/2/2018

Grieving Grace
Hannah Hunter

5/26/2018

His Revelation
Tyler Robertson

5/19/2018

Micaiah - I Stand With Him!
Hannah Hunter

5/12/2018

The Sense of God
Tyler Robertson

5/5/2018

Removing Junk from your Treasure Chest.
Hannah Hunter

4/28/2018

To know the pain.
Tyler Robertson

4/21/2018

Meeting my Maker
Tyler Robertson

4/14/2018

Stop! In the name of Love!
Tyler Robertson

4/7/2018

For Such a Time
Tyler Robertson

3/31/2018

Rejoice in the Fear!
Tyler Robertson

3/24/2018

In the Blood
Tyler Robertson

3/17/2018

Can't Fight the Need
Tyler Robertson

3/10/2018

In Everything
Tyler Robertson

3/3/2018

Let Freedom Ring
Tyler Robertson

2/24/2018

IT'S Coming.
Tyler Robertson

2/17/2018

Nailed It!
Tyler Robertson

2/10/2018

Complacency Kills
Tyler Robertson

2/3/2018

Measure of Faith
Tyler Robertson

1/27/2018

Darkest of Nights
Tyler Robertson

1/20/2018

Destination: Church Unknown
Hannah Hunter

1/13/2018

Peace 2018
Hannah Hunter

1/6/2018

Blessed Are the Servant Healers
Hannah Hunter

12/30/2017

Honoring HIS Wishes
Hannah S. Hunter

12/23/2017

How is Your Shine?
Lori Meed

12/16/2017

Beatrice-Bringer of Joy
Hannah S. Hunter

12/9/2017

Smooth Stones
Tyler Robertson

11/18/2017

Littered Valley
Tyler Robertson

11/11/2017

What Happened to the Church?
Tyler Robertson

11/4/2017

Antithesis of Rage
Hannah S. Hunter

10/28/2017

Truth Prevails
Hannah S. Hunter

10/21/2017

False Pretenses
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2017

Eye of the Needle
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2017

Wells Every Where
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2017

Underestimated Army
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2017

Third World Eyes
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2017

Songs of Joy in Drudgery
Hannah S. Hunter

9/11/2017

Spirit of Sanballat
Hannah S. Hunter

8/11/2017

Guardian in the Night
Hannah S. Hunter

8/11/2017

Sacredness from Kenya’s Wilderness
Hannah S. Hunter

7/11/2017

Pause
Hannah S. Hunter

11/7/2016

Perception, Prayers and Purpose
Hannah S. Hunter

11/7/2016

Tribes
Hannah S. Hunter

11/7/2016

Take Courage!
Hannah S. Hunter

10/21/2016

Kenya Elections 2017
Hannah S. Hunter

10/12/2016

Define Rest and Refuge
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2016

Soaring or Sailing
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2016

Life Threatening Worms
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2016

Mapacha, The Twins, and Micronutrients
Hannah S. Hunter

10/11/2016

Angel Awareness
Hannah S. Hunter

10/10/2016

When Seasons Come Too Early
Hannah S. Hunter

8/6/2016

RVP (Restoration Village Project) Kilgoris, Kenya
Hannah S. Hunter

6/15/2016

Kinsman Redeemer
Hannah S. Hunter

1/23/2016

Free Flow, Clarity, and Airlift
Hannah S. Hunter

1/16/2016

Synergy
Hannah S. Hunter

1/9/2016

Wilderness Base Camp
Hannah S. Hunter

1/2/2016

The General’s Tent – 2015 Posts
Hannah S. Hunter

12/29/2015

Control Held by None
Hannah S. Hunter

12/25/2015

Qualifications for Vessels of Honor
Hannah S. Hunter

12/19/2015