This week I was encouraged by two very special women, who are great mothers despite the difficult circumstances that they overcome and face on a daily basis. 

The first is named Jacqueline. She is Cyril’s mother and also has four other children at home. Her youngest two children also have a disability and she struggles to provide for them. Yet she never loses heart.

Jacqueline

 I went down to her house on Sunday to celebrate Henry’s birthday. She wanted to do something special because she told me that it is because of God’s love for him that he made it this far. She said that it is only through Christ that he survived two surgeries to remove cataracts and glaucoma. 

Henry and I

She comes by the house to visit Cyril and so she knows the other kids here very well. She was asking me about Willy because the medicine for his epilepsy isn’t working and he is still having seizures almost daily. She said that God will heal Willy. She said that I have tried everything, every medicine, hospital and doctor. She said that know it is only God who can help him now and that all I can do is pray. I am amazed at her faith and pray that God will give me that faith as I pray for healing on his body. 

The second lady is named Pamela. She is HIV+ and lives with her son and three of here nieces. She has the biggest, most welcoming woman I have ever met. 

She lives in such a small house with her four children, so I helped them build a bigger mud house with two rooms and a sitting area. School closed last week and a few of the kids that are sponsored have no where to go so they stay at school. When I dropped of her children, she looked more frail, week and sick than I have ever seen her. Despite all of that she said, “I heard my kid’s friends need a place to stay. Bring them here to stay with us. You have blessed us with a bigger house so why not have the kids stay with their friends.”

The house where Pamela and here five children stay

The frame of their new house. It's almost completed now. 

I was shocked by her hospitality and brought Brian and Ezekiel to stay with her. She was at work when I went to drop the boys off, but that night she called me and thanked me for bringing such great boys to stay with her and her family. 

Ezekiel and Brian before they started school at Purpose Driven Academy.

I pray that God will continue to change me and make me have a heart like these women. A heart that loves even though the situation seems hopeless. A heart that always welcomes and never gets bitter in the face of struggles. And most of all a heart that relies on God to be the absolute provider in each and every situation. 

Today we headed to Eldoret, which is the closest place where we can get a CT Scan. Bramwel was born with a large soft spot on his head that took longer to close than it should have. So he has lines in the center of his forehead and big veins that run along side the soft spot. We took him to the doctor to get a check up and he told us to take him to get the scan just to check to make sure that everything is alright. 

The whole hour and a half we spent in the car with Bramwel he was singing. Sometimes what he says is hard to understand, but he was clearly and repeatedly singing “It’s only you Father” and “Thank you Father.” I was reminded of Jesus’ words from Matthew 18:3 where he says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” 

Because of Jesus’ love and guidance I am able to care for these children. He gives me the strength, finances and enough love to be able to give kids like Bramwel the life that they truly deserve. He’s almost seven years old and he has never had the means to be able to get a brain scan that he needed. We had a big meal for lunch afterwards that was probably more food than he ate in three days at his house. 

Bramwel with two plates. One full of chicken and one full of french fries. 

Then we went to a mini zoo and looked at lions, monkeys and all kinds of birds. He was able to have fun and run around without a single worry or care, like every kid should.  

Bramwel checking out the peacock.

Without God’s hand on my life and Bramwel’s none of this would have happened. Bramwel’s song reminded me how we all need to take his attitude and be thankful for the small things each and every day. It also reminded me to not let the little hiccups that each day brings to get me down and to live each day with as much joy as he has in his sweet little heart. 

Meet sweet little Allan.  We met him in an area of town called Waitaluk. We had arranged a meeting with the chief of that area a few weeks before and on Tuesday we went to meet some kids from his area. 

Allan

When we walked up we saw sweet little Allan sitting there on the grass and we instantly fell in love. The chief wasn’t there yet, so we talked with his grandmother, Alice, while we waited for him to come. Alice lives with him because her daughter was mistreating him and not giving him proper care. Alice not only is responsible for caring for Allan, but she also lives with and cares for her mother and grandmother. She was met with the challenge of having so many people relying on her to meet all her needs and not having a steady income or means to provide for them. 

Allan walking over to us with the help of his grandmother.

After talking with the grandmother, we knew that he was a good fit for the house. He is the sweetest little 9 year old boy you will ever meet. He has cerebral palsy, but is not hindered at all. He can crawl anywhere and everywhere he wants to go. He can pull himself off of the couch and get down with no problems. If he has something he can grab on to he will stand and even walk along the couch. He can talk and loves playing with the other children. We are so blessed to have yet another precious child in our home. 

Allan in his walker. All the other boys took turns pushing him around the yard.
Everyone had a blast.

Peeking out the window waiting for us to come home.

Such a little cutie.

Funny faces with Franco.

I thank God for putting yet, another wonderful child in my path. Another one of his beautiful creations into my care. I am excited to see Allan improve and to have him as a part of our family.  

God continues to bless me with great support from family and friends. Everything from prayers, to financial support, clothes and toys for the kids and visits. We really do appreciate all your love and support. I wanted to say a special thank you to Mr. DelPadre’s 5th grade class for sending cars, socks, and cards. The kids loved each and every one of them. With each car I brought out they were so excited. It’s encouraging to have the support of such young people with such giving hearts. 

Margaret and Sammy playing cars outside

Willy playing with his new car

Isaac holding his car. He was so happy
and couldn't stop laughing. 

Newton

Lavender loved her big pink truck!

Bramwel

Bramwel and Willy playing cars together.

My mom and Sammy reading his card together.

Willy and Newton reading their cards.

Cyril.

Isaac.

Lavender loved all of the letters written to her. 

Margaret reading her card. 

Bramwel checking out the drawings on his card. 

Dan taking a break from reading to pose for the camera. 

Newton showing off his letter. 

Another exciting thing to happen around here this week is that my mom came out to visit. The kids love having her here and so do I. I took her around to see all the places and to meet all the people I always talk about. It’s so great having her around. 

Dan, just hanging out.

Playing outside with Willy.

Cyril, Lavender and Sammy.

My mom and Margaret

Lavender practicing walking.

Newton and Sammy

Willy the photographer.

Willy!

Mary and her mother, Katherine

Visiting Henry

Franco and Marvelous

The whole gang from Purpose Driven Academy

Cuddle time!

Cyril.

Willy

Sammy

Visiting Sister Freda

Visiting Margaret, the head master of Purpose Driven Academy.

Sammy snacking on some goodies my mom brought from home.

Selina and Jennifer

Lavender coloring in her stander. 

Bramwel

Our to dinner with good friends.