Brave little baby Christopher Hendzel is fighting hard and celebrated his one-month ‘birthday’ on March 11.

Tiny Christopher was born three months prematurely on February 11, weighing one kilogram and measuring below 36cm. He is the second son of Reverend Zshisiu and Heilie Hendzel from the Methodist Church in Louis Trichardt.

After his birth, Christopher’s weight dropped to 850 grams. He is now nearly back to a kilogram and is 36cm long. The doctors discovered that he was younger at birth than was originally thought, as his eyes have taken two weeks to open. Babies’ eyes normally open at 28 weeks.

On one occasion, Heilie was allowed to hold Christopher and fortunately a photo was taken. Mom Heilie and dad Zshisiu were so overwhelmed that the tears flowed. They said that, as they looked at this tiny infant, they realised how great God is.

Brother Anthony, aged one-and-a-half years, and dad visit daily at Die Wilgers hospital in Pretoria. The doctors said that there is no way that baby Chris can be moved to another hospital without putting his life on the line.

"We are doing quite well. We are really surviving on God’s grace and He is carrying us. It is going up and down. The one day baby Chris is very well and the next day he battles with his lungs," Heilie said on Monday.

Baby Chris’s intestines are still developing and he had to undergo an operation to check his intestines. Fortunately, the operation revealed nothing seriously wrong.

"He is such a brave little boy," Heilie said.

In the meantime, the Hendzels’ medical aid has been exhausted. Besides operation costs, the minimum daily cost is R10 000. For the first month, the cost was R250 000.

Another R500 000 is needed. The congregation decided to set up a fund for baby Chris and anyone is welcome to contribute.

Rev and Heilie Hendzel thanked the community for their continued support, messages, love and prayers, which help them to stay cheerful despite the ordeal that they face, especially the battle to keep their baby in the hospital where he will receive adequate care.

"Through this experience we would just like to praise God for His mercy and grace. We cannot testify enough of God’s power and strength," the Hendzels said.

Interested persons who would like to be kept abreast of Christopher’s progress, can contact Melody Mocke on Tel 015 516 0678 or Heidi Reidy-Crofts on 083 573 0596.

Financial contributions can be made towards the Methodist Church Louis Trichardt, Standard Bank, Louis Trichardt Branch, Branch Code 052549, Account Number 030 444 675 and the reference is Baby Chris.