I went to Namanjalala to visit Bramwel last week. As soon as I met him, I instantly fell in love with him. It broke my heart that such a sweet little boy was in such a desperate situation. We went back the next day and talked to his parents about bringing him to the house. We found out that they have 8 children  and struggle to provide food for them. When we went back to pick up Bramwel we found him and three of his siblings eating lunch out of this small bowl. 

Walking to Bramwell's house.

Eating lunch

The neighbor kids crowding around the door.

 We brought him to the house and he ate lunch again and couldn’t wait for dinner. When he was eating dinner he stopped, looked up at me and told me that at his house they don’t eat. I reassured him that with us, he could eat as much as he wanted and a huge smile came across his face. 

He loves playing with the other kids and is such a little snuggler. He is so happy just to have that loving touch. His mother also told us that he doesn’t play with other kids and mostly keeps to himself because the neighbor kids are mean to him and make fun of the way that he talks. Here he is happy because the kids here don’t care if anyone is a little different and he fits right in with the rest of the group. 

Check-up at the doctor's office. 

So cute!

Playing cars with Willy.

We’ve had a busy week at the house. I feel like I say that everytime I blog, but we have expanded our little family here. Margaret moved in last week. She had been staying at a rescue center for street girls in Kisumu Kenya. A friend of ours met her in March and helped her get off of the streets. Check out their blog to read about Margaret’s past and why we are glad that now she has a safe place to call home. http://untilthen.org/margaret/

The organization where she was staying tries to place children back with a relative or with a new family, but there was no where for Margaret to go. She is a joy to have in the house. She is a great helper and is so sweet. She helps feed at mealtime and she loves playing with Lavender and is great with the other kids as well. When her face lights up with her beautiful smile, you can’t help smiling. She is a great addition to our little family and we are so excited to have her here. 

Margaret playing cars with Sammy outside

Margaret feeding Dan his dinner. 

Shopping for some new clothes.

Heading to church.

Playing with Lavender.

One of the hard things that parents of children with disabilities have to deal with is the lack of assistive equipment for their children. It’s hard to find special standing or sitting aides for the kids and when you do they can be very expensive, especially for a family living in a slum or village area. We are thankful for the people who not only give us monthly support, but also for those who give gifts for us to purchase specific things that we need for the kids. As I look around my house it is full of chairs and splints and standers that God has blessed us with. 

Dan loves his chair. He sits here all day and will even take a little nap when he is tired. He is more alert when he sits in his chair and he loves looking out the windows. 

Dan in his new chair. 

Nap time!

Lavender also loves her chair. We put a cushion underneath so that she can reach the table. She is learning to feed herself and these chairs provide the perfect place to learn. 

We also recently purchased a stander. We looked online for a few pictures and took them to the carpenter that we use. He built the perfect stander. There is a pad between the kid’s bellies and the wood so they can stand comfortably. There is also a table that gives them a little added support plus  allows them to stand longer because they are able to play. It is also adjustable so the table and pad can move up to fit an adult. We had to fashion our own strap to hold them in place. We went to the outdoor market and bought a long belt that you can fasten at any length. Then we cut open a swim noodle and stuck the belt inside so that it would still be comfortable for the kids. It works great and provides the support that they need to learn how to start standing on their own. Everyone takes turns on the stander and everyone is growing stronger. 

Lavender standing and playing with her toys.  

Lavender loves the new stander. 

Thanks again to everyone who continues to support us in so many ways. God bless you all!

I got a call over the weekend from one of the motorcycle drivers that I use frequently. He told me that while he was waiting for a customer he met a kid that he wanted me to go meet. So this morning I gave him a call and he drove me out to an area of town called Namanjalala to meet him. From the main dirt road into the area we had to walk about twenty minutes to make it to his house because there are no good roads that lead there. Then I had the pleasure of meeting sweet Bramwell. He is six years old and lives with his family and four other siblings in this small home. 

Bramwell's sister and who younger brothers. 

Another one of his brothers. 

Bramwell outside of his house.

He is one of the sweetest children I’ve ever met. He instantly came up to me and sat on my lap while I talked with his mother. His mom told us that she tried to send him to school, but they sent him away saying that he can’t learn. Bramwell appears to have Down Syndrome. His mother told us that his speech is very delayed and he understands things, but it takes him time to process what is being said. He also has a soft spot on his head that goes from the top of his nose to the middle of his head. His mother said that it just never closed up and since they live in a village area the hospital is far away. Despite that, she said that he is healthy and has no additional ailments. He is a such sweet little guy and I am excited that God has brought him into my life. Please keep him and his family in your prayers!

Isaac’s father paid him a visit today. Every time he is so surprised to see how much Isaac has grown. It is so encouraging to see how much Isaac’s father loves him and how much he wants what is best for him. He is such a great example of how to rejoice in the little improvements that your child makes and I love how willing he is to accept Isaac as he is. He is even great with the other kids here. Barasa likes to make friends with anyone who walks through the door and Isaac's dad picked him up and played with him.

He brought Isaac’s sister, Lea, along to visit. She is such a sweet little girl, who loves her brother and was excited to see him. 

Lea holding her little brother.

Waving to the camera. Such a sweet little girl.