Today we went to Shimo and spent a lot of time catching up with families that we have developed relationships with. We started with Mary’s house. I had heard that her mom was concerned that her shunt wasn’t working properly. We went to the house and saw that her head has an open wound where fluid is draining out because there is just too much pressure inside her head. We bought some medicine to keep it clean and some medicine to prevent it from getting infected. Luckily she has no fever and hasn’t been vomiting, which are the signs that the Hydrocephalus is getting to a sever and possibly life threatening point. We will keep visiting her frequently and monitoring the wound to make sure that she is making a nice recovery. 

Mary with her sister

Mary's wound on her head.

So cute!

We also went to visit Julie. She was so happy to see us and greeted everyone with a big smile and a hug. We hung out at her house for a little while and talked to her mom. She said that Julie is still having seizures occasionally, but overall the medicine is helping her from having several each day like she was before she started taking it. 

We also checked on Henry and Sheldon. Sheldon can now sit by himself and is just the cutest. Henry is doing good. He is still having problems with his eyes and ears that are frequently getting infected. He will be traveling with his mother this week to go to a doctor near Nairobi to get a checkup to see if he needs a second operation.

Hanging with Henry

Of course along the way we saw many other faces and friends that we love from Shimo. 

Sweet Collins carried my bag the entire time
and refused to let me take it.

Little Mary passing out candy along the way.

Patrick with his brother and sister.

Lucy!

Jennifer and Baby Jay Jay

Our new friend Kevin.

John walking across the bridge all by himself. 

It's so great to be back. All of the kids at the house are doing great and it was so good to see them. While I was home I was blessed with people who were willing to support us financially or donate supplies. I thank everyone who continues to support what we are doing here. The kids thank you too and were so excited for all their new goodies that came over.

Isaac looking out the window.

Sarah and Lavender playing ball

Dan loved getting his haircut.

Little Mary cutting Sammy's hair.

Just hanging out with Dan.

Lavender was so excited about her new shoes, new doll and new hat!

Dan in his new chair with his new leg splints. 

Cyril looking good in her new dress.

Newton and Sammy playing with their new cars and reading their new book. 

Story time!

Lavender trying on her new splints. 

So happy!

Standing almost all on her own.

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Dan's first time putting his feet on the ground willingly.
He was watching the rain through the window. 

Holding himself up almost completely on his own. 

Isaac getting therapy from Dr. Boaz.

Therapy tired Dan out so much that he fell asleep standing up.

Little Mary and Sammy

Sorry for the long gap in posts. I spent a month back in California spending time with family and friends. It was great to see everyone, but I am so excited to be back home. The kids are all doing great and still making great progress. The internet is not cooperating with uploading pictures, but as soon as I get it figured out more posts and pictures to come soon!

Each time I come back I feel like I meet a new child that instantly breaks my heart. This time his name was Jacob.

 Leila had met him while I was gone. I walked past his house at least everyday and didn’t even know that there were people living in there. He lives in an unfinished building with his mother and grandmother. There are no floors, just mud and no windows or doors to protect from the cold and rain. 

This is the kitchen area where the family cooks their meals

 The mother and grandmother sleep on this makeshift bed that is just a pile of clothes. 

Jacob sleeps down here in this little corner of the room. 

Jacob’s mother just got back from a stay at the District Hospital because she has severe malaria. She is home now, but she still looks like she is recovering. On top of all the struggles this family is facing Jacob is blind. One of his eyes is pure white with a little shadow of the pupil underneath. The other one looks a little better, but is still very clouded. He is mostly kept in that little dark room in the back of the house so he kept his eyes shut tight when he was out in the light. 

Please keep Jacob and his family in your prayers. Pray for us to have the knowledge to know how to best meet the needs of this family.