Distractions

This past weekend was very busy and full of distractions, and for that I am so grateful. Two of my South African kiddos had birthdays this weekend, and each of their stories is so special to me. I was thinking of them a lot, but was glad not to have too much time alone to think. It usually just makes me miss Africa and feel sad that I'm not there with the babies.

Saturday was Lewis' 7th birthday. His story is such a testimony to God's sovereignty and faithfulness. When Lewis was only 9 months old, he was rescued from his dying mother's arms in Freedom Park and brought to Lighthouse. He was also dying of AIDS and was not expected to live more than a few weeks. But God had other plans for Lewis, and he is now a healthy (and very funny) little boy.













Lewis - 9 months old

When I talked to Lewis on Skype a few weeks ago, he reminded me that his birthday was coming up and wanted to know if he could expect "a package from the United States." I responded, "Well, what do you think?" Lewis just laughed and said, "I think yes." Lewis should have received swimming goggles and two small water guns from me last week. Although I'm sure Lewis was thrilled, Mama Elsie is not going to be happy with me!






















Lewis - last summer (age 6)

On Sunday, baby Christopher would have celebrated his first birthday. He lost his battle with AIDS and went to be with Jesus back in September. The week before he died I spent so much time wrestling with God. I kept praying that God would heal him, but knew in my heart that healing him by taking him home would be the best thing for him. Christopher's mother was an HIV-infected prostitute and was saving up money to be able to take him from Lighthouse and move down to Cape Town. Let's just say that Jesus will take much better care of him than any of us on earth ever could.
















Christopher - 5 months old

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things."
Psalm 103:1-5

Happy Birthday Koketso

Today I'm thinking about little Koketso who is celebrating her 2nd birthday. She was just getting to be a pro at walking when I left, so I can't believe that she's already 2! What a big girl!






















Koketso is quite the little comedian. Within minutes of being in her crib, she would have her pants off and would be laughing as she dangled them over the side of her crib. I'm pretty sure she learned this from Mbali who would strip down completely naked on a regular basis and laugh herself silly at my response.

"Mbali, where are your clothes?" Commence hysterical 2-year-old laughter.
















Mbali

Anyhow, I'm pretty sure Koketso was paying attention and decided she wanted to be in on the naked fun. So I would find Koke's pants and Mbali's entire wardrobe on the floor beneath their cribs. So funny.






















Happy 2nd Birthday, Koke! Missing your sweet face and praying for you every day!

Joy

I talked to my kids on Skype today. It was the best 30 minutes ever. Hearing their little voices was so emotional and so wonderful. I, of course, got off the phone and cried.

Cried because I was so overcome with joy.

Cried because I miss them.

Cried because I love them so much and want so desperately to be with them.

Cried because this disease is supposed to be killing them one day at a time, but instead God has filled them with so much energy and life.

Cried because God is so good, and I'm so blessed to be a part of the bigger picture.

When did this happen, and why did he choose me? I'm so broken and sinful and need his grace just like everyone else. And somehow part of His plan was for me to be let in on these wonderful things He is doing halfway across the world. An AIDS orphanage is supposed to be a sad, horrendous place where children go to suffer and die and people turn away their eyes because they can't bear to see the injustice of it all. But instead it's this place of life and of hope, and I am so honored to have been a part of it.

I am so humbled. And so grateful. God is worthy of all the praise and glory.

Skype Date

Tomorrow morning I am using Skype to call the kids in the Main House at Lighthouse (Annah, Dineo, Mary, Lewis, and Mpho)! I couldn't even talk about it today without getting choked up. I just hope that I can sleep tonight! I will be sure to update again after I talk to them.

Nay Nay

All day today I've been thinking of little Reneilwe who is celebrating her 3rd birthday today over in South Africa. My very first day in the toddler room, she ran up to me and motioned to be picked up. I knew in that moment that I was going to love that place.
















Another special moment I shared with Reneilwe was a day that she wasn't feeling well. I found her in the toddler room curled up on a blanket in the middle of a room of loud active toddlers. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she wasn't just looking for attention. I picked her up and sat down in a chair in a corner away from the other kids and just rocked her until she fell asleep. I then explained to the caregivers that she was sick and wouldn't be joining the other kids for lunch, that she needed to rest.
















Every Friday Reneilwe's father would come to get her at the shelter. She was always so excited to see him. We would explain to the kids that "Nay Nay" (as they all call her) was going to see her family until Sunday. All the 2 and 3 year olds would wave and yell, "Bye Nay Nay!!" It was so adorable!





















I think just recently Reneilwe went back to her family permanently. I'm really happy for them that they are financially able to do so and happy for her because I know that she loves being with them. If you have a minute, say a prayer for Reneilwe and her family as they celebrate her birthday.

Missing you, Nay Nay. Happy Birthday, precious girl.

New Pictures

It had been almost 3 months since I had seen an updated picture of my favorite little munchkin Karabo. Today I was so excited to see several recent pictures of her. She is 10 months old now and looks exactly as I imagined she would look. I, of course, started crying because I was so overjoyed to get to see her sweet little face. I miss her more than words can express.
















Isn't she beautiful? Look at those two little teeth!

4 Months Later

I've been home from Africa for more than 4 months now and thought it was about time for a real update on my life. I'm not sure if any of my faithful blog readers even check this anymore since I have updated so little in recent months.

I have one semester left of college. Two more nursing classes and I'm a college graduate. I have mixed feelings, of course. Part of me is ready and excited to see what the future holds, and another part will be sad to see this chapter of my life end. It's been such a great chapter. :)

I'm planning on spending some time in South Africa this summer. I thought maybe that feeling of wanting to be there more than anything else would go away with time...but it hasn't. I do, however, feel certain that God is calling me to come back to the U.S. at the end of the summer (probably before August since I have several friends getting married in August). I've been praying that He would lead me wherever it is that He wants me to go and that His will would be my will. In the meantime, I'm trying to be patient, not get ahead of myself, and just enjoy the time I have left in school.

"Trust in the the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6