Young Pregnant Girl-- Oct. 31st

This was Dawn's general email to everyone on October 31st.

Jai Masi ( Praise Jesus!)

We have been enjoying having my brother here. He loves being home! Everyone enjoys his natural ability to communicate in their language and it has come in handy numerous times to begin building relationships with everyone from the District Police Officer to the Chief District Officer.We, along with church elders, have been talking with these dignitaries in the process of trying to assist a 15 year old girl who got herself pregnant ( forced by a 16 year old classmate ). She didn't tell anyone until 3 weeks ago and now she is almost due. There was a court case filed by her widowed mom and her uncle against the boy who fled and for the last 2 weeks was not willing to take responsibility. We have talked with her at length as a church to assure her of our forgiveness and support since she has confessed and asked for forgiveness and had things pretty well worked out for her to go to Kathmandu to have the baby. She does not love the boy or want to marry him, she wants to give the baby up for adoption and wants to continue her studies and eventually become a nurse.

There is a church in Kathmandu that will take her in and assist her and 3 families in that fellowship would love to adopt. We have a family in a different church that would take her in and help her with her education if we can find the financial means to make that happen. We have a pledge of $100 for starters and $25/ month for a year. We estimate a need for $500 for travel, delivery ( more if a c-section) and 6 weeks room and board at this church. She'd need at least $60/ month to stay and study in K-du if we have calculated correctly.

Her family canceled/dismissed the court case and the legal papers are in order. Our plan was to leave in the morning and go to Dhangadi and spend the night there and then I would accompany her on the bus for the next 16 hours to Kathmandu.

2 setbacks have occurred today. The "Boy" suddenly called ( he's been missing for several weeks) this morning and has decided he will "accept her" and admits the child is his and his dad can relax and no longer push for the DNA testing ( only available in Kathmandu for 200,000 rupees). He agrees to marry her.

This puts a curve on the program and he wants us to bring her to Dhangadi to him!!!!!! I just took her up to the hospital and asked for a few tests as she has had no prenatal care and a few who knew estimated her at 36+ weeks. We just did an ultrasound and discovered she is 39 weeks and breech!!!!! And I'm going to take her on a 24-26 hour ride!!!!

Dr Arun assures me there are hospitals every 3-4 hours along the way and her being primip she will be fine even if she goes into labor along the way! He is giving me an OB kit and gloves and a baby blanket for the road. He obviously has more confidence in me than I have !!!

So I'm calling for urgent prayer for protection and safety and that I won't have to deliver any babies on the way!!!!!!! She still wants to go to Kathmandu and doesn't think he would be a good match for her if he did marry her. She is sure his call is the result of pressure from his father and family.