Salgado DR Mission: Yeison’s story

With so much talk about abortion these days I have something I want to share since everyone seems to be putting their two cents forth. This is not a structured argument or anything, but it is part of our story.

Some of you who have supported or follwed thi sministry know about a special little boy named Yeison. Many of you know that, through an incredible series of events, the Lord opened the door for Yeison to come into our home when he was only three months old. Many of you know that he was born to a mother who is mentally handicapped and lives in very poor and difficult circumstances.

But here is something many may not know….

Our son is a product of rape. His mother was left alone and abused by an unknown man, and it was later discovered  that she was pregnant. This was absolutely a tragic and horrific act, and if ever found, that wicked man should be brought to justice. Castrated even!

Yet, I thank God that abortion is not legal here in the Dominican Republic. At least not yet, although sadly it may be just a matter of time. Yeison’s  biological mother is mentally about four or five and can never live by herself and will always need care, but she knows she has a child. She knows his name. She asks about him. She loves him. I am sure she remembers what happened to her, though she may not be able to process everything that happened during that traumatic experience. Even in her condition, you can see that she loves her son.

The question is, how is this Yeison’s fault?!  If so, how?

Another thing that others may not know is that  I had prayed for a few years for another child. Admittedly, at first I did not want to start over. Our children were getting older and I had my plans. And back then, I was dead set on them.  But over time, the Lord changed my heart.

I prayed for a long time, and interestingly enough, during that same time God had me working in a very poor area for a few years when I shared the Gospel, taught Bible studies and preached often.

The Lord orchestrated things in such a way that He not only answered prayers, but He put me in a position to help Yeison, his mother and her caretaker. Yera (his biological mother) is in a much better situation today than the day we found her with baby Yeison, by God’s grace.

But the sad reality is that he probably would have died had not the Lord crossed our paths when He did. He suffered from malnutrition and was dehydrated when we found him. Yera’s mother was dying of cancer at the time and bed ridden, and Yera had no idea no how to care for Yeison. She couldn’t even care for herself.

But this got me thinking and it truly horrifies me to ponder, what would have happened if abortion were legal here?? Especially in a case like this with Yera’s condition and it being a rape?

I am almost certain that we would have one son less than we have today. It breaks my heart just to think about it. Even in cases of rape, like with our son, the child should never be the one to pay the price. It is never ok to murder a child in the womb, period. Every human being, be it inside the womb or out, at any stage of development from conception, has intrinsic value and created in the image of God. We simply have no right commit such atrocities regardless of how some may try to justify it.

Lord willing, Yeison could be the first one in his family to study and perhaps go to college. Or better yet, he may throw himself upon the mercy of Christ and be used mightily by the Lord someday. But this I do know,  he is already bilingual and very bright. We love him SO very much and really could not imagine life without him today.

His siblings love him and always cared for him with such tenderness. He is no different to them at all. He has brought so much joy to our family, and God has taught us so much through him over the years. We are so very thankful that the Lord allowed Yeison to be born in a country where abortion still is not legal or, chances are, he would not be with us today. Just the thought makes my heart extremely heavy. Abortion is murder,  be sure of it, and though we must be gracious when addressing the topic, Christians should work together to end it…. AND minister and give hope to those who may have had an abortion but now are feeling the deep loss and sorrow. There is forgiveness and there is healing for them.

When I see Yeison, I see myself. He really is a constant reminder of the Gospel for us. For when we were not God’s children, Christ came to rescue us and through Him, we can be ADOPTED into the family of God.

For me, apart from marriage, adoption is one of the most beautiful pictures of the Gospel. The Almighty Creator becomes our Abba Father. We go from lost enemies and rebels, to becoming co-heirs,  privileged sons and daughters. This makes my heart rejoice and extremely grateful. And the only proper response to this is to worship passionately and live for Him. Praise God from who all blessings flow!

May we live and act in such a way that people can see the Gospel in all areas of our lives. God forbid, they only hear it in our words alone. Pray.

   

2 Replies to “Salgado DR Mission: Yeison’s story”

  1. Such an amazing story. I love Yeison and I know how much he has changed your lives and how much you have changed his. Blessings to you all.

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