Babies

There are lots of new babies in the village.  This last trip, we met 4 new babies.  The village leader’s wife had a baby while we were there.  And, we were able to see her and the bundled baby when he was 5 days old.  She kept him bundled the whole time, so we never actually saw the new little one.  We asked his name…

“I don’t know his name yet.  He was born on March 30, and I don’t have this year’s calendar so I don’t know what his name is supposed to be.

But, if I don’t like that date’s name, I’ll give him another name.  Like my daughter.  She was supposed to be Diana, but I do not like that name.  So, I named her Rose.”

Another of our friends brought her son over to us so that we could meet him.  He was 2 months old by then. He was not named yet, either.  Our friend said she would name him when he is baptized.  A leader of the popular religion was in the village two weeks before our visit.  I asked her why she didn’t have her son baptized then.  She said, “He doesn’t have a name yet.”  So, which is first – the name or the baptism?

One thing I do know…All the babies have to be registered with the government in the town down close to the coast.  And, they must have names by then.  On our way back home, twin brothers asked if we could take them and their families to the town so they could register their new babies.  One was about 5 months and the other was about 8 months.  The twin’s little sister came along.  It was her first trip down to the “big city.”