I'll keep this short as I am tired. After 3 nights of not sleeping well due to Faith's high fevers, I think she is getting better and now I am ready to sleep a whole night through ;) Yesterday I took her to the hospital due to a rash that developed and then she began throwing up. Doctor had no idea what was causing her high fever but gave me a broad spectrum antibiotic in hopes that it would fix it. It took a few hours to get her to take her first dose as she was very nauseous, but I think it is just what she needed. She woke up feeling pretty good with her head hurting "just a crack bit" in her words! She was great all day and the fever and headaches did not return! Yeah! Thank you God! And thank you for praying with us for her healing.
Good Night,
Anita
Monday, January 16, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Sleepless Night
Last night was a very bad and sleepless night for me. I will tell you one of the hardest things about being in Maseru is the lack of good and trustworthy health care options. Faith was feeling bad in the early afternoon and then began to have headaches and neck pain at the base of her head. Her temperature began to rise and when I gave her ibuprofen, it just kept on rising. It hit 104 F/39.8 C as bedtime neared and I had given her both Ibuprofen and Tylenol. My friend Donna, who is a pediatric nurse (and a major blessing) gave me some advice about what I should do if it got any higher or if it was still very high in the morning. So I went to bed with thoughts and fears of meningitis on my mind. I tried to be brave and prayed God's healing over her, but I was terrified that she would get worse.
If she worsened I would have to get her in the car, cross the border into South Africa, and drive her 2 hours to the hospital that would be able to treat her the best. I did not sleep much at all and was up many times checking her temperature. God was very gracious and her temperature went back to 99.4 by morning. It did get worse again this afternoon and went back up to 102.2, but with both medications going, it is staying controlled.
For me, being a mother in a 3rd world country and having my kids get sick is a real fear. In Zeeland,I was so comfortable to call my doctors or take my kids in whenever I felt they needed to be looked at and it was a 10 minute drive and I trusted the doctors and nurses. God has been very gracious and given me a great friend and resource in Donna or I would be a basket case at times ;) It is also a huge blessing to have my mother-in-law here as she is also a nurse and we can bounce ideas off each other. She can keep me calm if I am worried or she can verify that I have reason to worry.
At this point we will keep an eye of Faith tomorrow and if the fever returns we will seek medical care, so please pray that she is feeling better and that this is not a serious illness. More that likely it is just a virus but she has no cold or flu-like symptoms, just head and neck pains, and a fever. Thank you for your prayers for my little sweetie.
Anita
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Special Day
Wow, yesterday was a really special day. We had 2 couples who adopted their children and it was a milestone for Beautiful Gate in that one couple adopted their son from us 3 years ago and is the first couple to come back and add another Beautiful Gate child to their family. Seeing their joy and tears and hearing them choked up while expressing their thankfulness was touching, but also seeing the faces of the staff at seeing one of their boys being loved and well cared for over the past 3 years, was amazing too.
Another part of the ceremony that was special to Bryan and I was that the first child who came into Beautiful Gate after we moved here, was joining his family as well. We watched him from the time he was only about a week old until this past week when he left for bonding and it blessed us to watch him join his new Mom and Dad. He was happy and doing great and I could tell by their looks and actions that they were totally in love with him.
For those of you who were nervous on my behalf, I survived running my first adoption ceremony. I was a bit nervous, but it helped that both couples had visited the week prior for a tour and one couple came for dinner so I was more comfortable than if it had been total strangers ;)Praying God gives me the grace to continue in this role as needed, but I will be very happy when our social worker will be back to running them when she returns from her vacation/holiday.
The final thing I wanted to share was a very new experience for me. All the staff are in a first aid training this week and we had a new child brought in from DSW. Our social worker asked if I would admit the new baby as she had to get to the training. I have never admitted a child and the social worker who brought her had never filled out the forms, but we managed our way through the forms and then I was given the honor of naming the little girl. In honor of my dear friend, Lori, I named the child after the girl they loved and had to let go when they were in Lesotho. It is a beautiful name with a very special meaning and I was amazed how sacred that moment was to me. Holding a new born child and choosing her name as if she were my own. I did not know how emotional it was to receive a child and take that first responsibility for them, other than when I delivered my own 3 children. I felt like it was a holy moment between God and myself and I committed to care for her, love her, and help her grow until He brings the family He has already picked out for her. I am in awe of the huge responsibility He has entrusted Bryan and I with and pray He continues to give us the wisdom and justice to see it through.
Another part of the ceremony that was special to Bryan and I was that the first child who came into Beautiful Gate after we moved here, was joining his family as well. We watched him from the time he was only about a week old until this past week when he left for bonding and it blessed us to watch him join his new Mom and Dad. He was happy and doing great and I could tell by their looks and actions that they were totally in love with him.
For those of you who were nervous on my behalf, I survived running my first adoption ceremony. I was a bit nervous, but it helped that both couples had visited the week prior for a tour and one couple came for dinner so I was more comfortable than if it had been total strangers ;)Praying God gives me the grace to continue in this role as needed, but I will be very happy when our social worker will be back to running them when she returns from her vacation/holiday.
The final thing I wanted to share was a very new experience for me. All the staff are in a first aid training this week and we had a new child brought in from DSW. Our social worker asked if I would admit the new baby as she had to get to the training. I have never admitted a child and the social worker who brought her had never filled out the forms, but we managed our way through the forms and then I was given the honor of naming the little girl. In honor of my dear friend, Lori, I named the child after the girl they loved and had to let go when they were in Lesotho. It is a beautiful name with a very special meaning and I was amazed how sacred that moment was to me. Holding a new born child and choosing her name as if she were my own. I did not know how emotional it was to receive a child and take that first responsibility for them, other than when I delivered my own 3 children. I felt like it was a holy moment between God and myself and I committed to care for her, love her, and help her grow until He brings the family He has already picked out for her. I am in awe of the huge responsibility He has entrusted Bryan and I with and pray He continues to give us the wisdom and justice to see it through.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Malealea Outing
We decided we had better head off campus for a day of sightseeing for Bryan's parents after our fun but busy week (sorry to miss you though Katie). We took them to Malealea Lodge as we took a trip there in the winter and it was so beautiful. When we left last winter, we all talked about how much fun it would be to take Oma and Papa there.
Last night I told the kids we were going and they were thrilled and began to talk excitedly about what color horse they wanted, etc. We left early this morning and when we arrived we signed up for the 2-3 hour pony trek where you take a break after the first hour and take a steep hike to some bushman paintings. It was so scenic and a great opportunity to see the true rugged beauty of the Lesotho mountains. The hike to the paintings was a bit difficult at times, but a very cool opportunity to see some real cave drawings as it is something we learned about in art class last semester. It was such a nice family day and I am thankful that we had the opportunity to spend quality time with the kids doing something they LOVE.
The kids are getting ready for the big ride - Safety first ;)
Elijah and Faith are ready to go. All 3 of them have a helper who will walk their horse.
Here we go leaving the Lodge and heading out into the great outdoors, surrounded by mountains.
We all decided that Mercy is a natural at riding. She was so comfortable in the saddle.
Here is a picture of some cave drawings. There are not many at these caves, but it was worth seeing.
Anita
Last night I told the kids we were going and they were thrilled and began to talk excitedly about what color horse they wanted, etc. We left early this morning and when we arrived we signed up for the 2-3 hour pony trek where you take a break after the first hour and take a steep hike to some bushman paintings. It was so scenic and a great opportunity to see the true rugged beauty of the Lesotho mountains. The hike to the paintings was a bit difficult at times, but a very cool opportunity to see some real cave drawings as it is something we learned about in art class last semester. It was such a nice family day and I am thankful that we had the opportunity to spend quality time with the kids doing something they LOVE.
The kids are getting ready for the big ride - Safety first ;)
Elijah and Faith are ready to go. All 3 of them have a helper who will walk their horse.
Here we go leaving the Lodge and heading out into the great outdoors, surrounded by mountains.
We all decided that Mercy is a natural at riding. She was so comfortable in the saddle.
Here is a picture of some cave drawings. There are not many at these caves, but it was worth seeing.Anita
Friday, January 6, 2012
What day is it??!!
Okay, I honestly keep forgetting what day it is...I am going to attempt to recount my week as best I can, but I am sure I'll forget some things.
Tuesday began with an adoption ceremony at 10:30am. The night before, BG's social worker told me that she wants me to start doing the adoption ceremonies in case she is unable to attend due to being on leave or at a meeting, etc. I was unprepared for this request and told her that I will watch her a few more times and then I will give it a try. For those of you who know me, I am not a public speaker nor am I comfortable even in small group settings, so I will be getting stretched again. After the ceremony, I walked around with the new family and talked with them for a bit. We also had a 3 week old baby dropped off. He was found on the side of the road somewhere. It was special to see how happy his house mother was to hold him and welcome him to her family.
Wednesday Bryan with the nurse and social worker went to the hospital to see a new child who might be coming to BG. She has a lot of special needs that will require extra care. It looks like she will be coming, maybe next week. The doctors were very concerned that she find a place to go as growing up in the hospital is not much of a quality of life for her and her parents have stopped coming to visit.
I was out playing with the BG kids and we had unexpected visitors, who happen to attend our church. Bryan and Laury were busy so I gave them a tour and took in some donations they brought. It was a nice visit as they had never been to BG and hearing their perspective was encouraging. I also spent a lot more time in the baby houses and with the play group since we are not having school this week.
Thursday was just busy! We had 6, yes 6 kids brought in from social welfare and it was crazy. 4 of them were tiny babies less than a month, we also got a 1 year old and a 7 year old. The house mothers were shouting and trilling with excitement as each kid came and they were all hoping to get one of the tiny babies ;) During this excitement I also got to give a tour to the new parents of the first little boy who came to BG after Bryan and I moved here. We watched him grow over the last year and now he is with his mom and dad and it was very special. We also had our friend, Nthabasang over for dinner (volunteer from the Netherlands) so my in laws could pepper her with questions before they travel there on their way back to the US.
Today we had the adoption ceremony for 2 more children and I had my pastor stop by unexpectedly so it was a very busy morning and I had no choice but to do a little talking at the ceremony as Bryan was gone at a court hearing. I showed one of the families the houses that their son was raised in and then hurried home to check on my kids. Tonight we will also be having another adoptive family over for dinner and we are excited to see how they are bonding.
God brought my Mother and Father in law here at the perfect time as this has been the busiest week I think we have had a BG and it was hard to keep track of my kids during all these visits, tours, and adoptions! Bryan and I keep looking at each other and asking which day it is and what we have going on because it has been busy! I guess the rest and relax post was not really true, hahaha. It is busy but it is a blessing to be a part of it all here at BG.
Sorry I did not get a post out sooner for those who check often!
Anita
Tuesday began with an adoption ceremony at 10:30am. The night before, BG's social worker told me that she wants me to start doing the adoption ceremonies in case she is unable to attend due to being on leave or at a meeting, etc. I was unprepared for this request and told her that I will watch her a few more times and then I will give it a try. For those of you who know me, I am not a public speaker nor am I comfortable even in small group settings, so I will be getting stretched again. After the ceremony, I walked around with the new family and talked with them for a bit. We also had a 3 week old baby dropped off. He was found on the side of the road somewhere. It was special to see how happy his house mother was to hold him and welcome him to her family.
Wednesday Bryan with the nurse and social worker went to the hospital to see a new child who might be coming to BG. She has a lot of special needs that will require extra care. It looks like she will be coming, maybe next week. The doctors were very concerned that she find a place to go as growing up in the hospital is not much of a quality of life for her and her parents have stopped coming to visit.
I was out playing with the BG kids and we had unexpected visitors, who happen to attend our church. Bryan and Laury were busy so I gave them a tour and took in some donations they brought. It was a nice visit as they had never been to BG and hearing their perspective was encouraging. I also spent a lot more time in the baby houses and with the play group since we are not having school this week.
Thursday was just busy! We had 6, yes 6 kids brought in from social welfare and it was crazy. 4 of them were tiny babies less than a month, we also got a 1 year old and a 7 year old. The house mothers were shouting and trilling with excitement as each kid came and they were all hoping to get one of the tiny babies ;) During this excitement I also got to give a tour to the new parents of the first little boy who came to BG after Bryan and I moved here. We watched him grow over the last year and now he is with his mom and dad and it was very special. We also had our friend, Nthabasang over for dinner (volunteer from the Netherlands) so my in laws could pepper her with questions before they travel there on their way back to the US.
Today we had the adoption ceremony for 2 more children and I had my pastor stop by unexpectedly so it was a very busy morning and I had no choice but to do a little talking at the ceremony as Bryan was gone at a court hearing. I showed one of the families the houses that their son was raised in and then hurried home to check on my kids. Tonight we will also be having another adoptive family over for dinner and we are excited to see how they are bonding.
God brought my Mother and Father in law here at the perfect time as this has been the busiest week I think we have had a BG and it was hard to keep track of my kids during all these visits, tours, and adoptions! Bryan and I keep looking at each other and asking which day it is and what we have going on because it has been busy! I guess the rest and relax post was not really true, hahaha. It is busy but it is a blessing to be a part of it all here at BG.
Sorry I did not get a post out sooner for those who check often!
Anita
Monday, January 2, 2012
Free Time
Bryan's parents arrived on Friday Dec 30 and so we will be taking some time to enjoy the sights of Lesotho and South Africa with them over the next 2 months. Bryan is going to work this week as we have 5 adoptions that should be happening this week (children are already bonding with their parents). Oma, Papa, and I are taking the kids to the river this morning so they can jump and play in the sand. We will be taking this week off from school so we can enjoy "Grandparents Week" and then we will do school off and on depending on when we travel with their grandparents.
It is such a blessing to have them here. I have heard many times that returning home will be way more of an adjustment than when we arrived here in Africa. So, the more friends and family we have who come and visit us, the more people we will have who will understand us when we return home. They are happy to see the people, buildings, and sights that they have heard us talking about for over a year. And now that they will be here for 2 months, they will have a real opportunity to experience the culture as well as our dialy ups and downs. I praise God for this opportunity for our family to grow even closer during this time and there are really no words to describe the happiness I see in my 3 children as they play with, cuddle with, and show their grandparents around campus.
Thanking God for His timing and gift of family,
Anita
It is such a blessing to have them here. I have heard many times that returning home will be way more of an adjustment than when we arrived here in Africa. So, the more friends and family we have who come and visit us, the more people we will have who will understand us when we return home. They are happy to see the people, buildings, and sights that they have heard us talking about for over a year. And now that they will be here for 2 months, they will have a real opportunity to experience the culture as well as our dialy ups and downs. I praise God for this opportunity for our family to grow even closer during this time and there are really no words to describe the happiness I see in my 3 children as they play with, cuddle with, and show their grandparents around campus.
Thanking God for His timing and gift of family,
Anita
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
God heard our prayers...
Last month I asked for prayer as we have over 20 children who are placed, but they have been stuck here longer than necessary. Well, God heard these prayers and He is moving kids to their new adoptive families and reuniting others with extended family. Currently we have 5 children who are bonding with their new families. 1 going to America, 1 to the Netherlands, 1 to Sweden and 2 to Canada. We also have one of our oldest girls who will be moving to her grandmother's home and another little boy who will be rejoining his family ( since asking for prayer we have 7 either adopted or in process and 7 who are reunited or going soon). God has answered our prayers in a huge way, and I am so grateful to Him as we have very happy families and we have more space in our homes for those children in Lesotho who need it.
With this joy of answered prayer comes one more request for prayer. The last month has had many children leaving for adoption and reunification and our house mothers are feeling the pain of loss. With the adoptions, they feel mostly happy because they know their children will be happy, but they will miss their children. With reunification come sadness as some kids are returning to the same people who abandoned them or let them get so sick that they almost died. When the social welfare department decides a child needs to return home, it may not always be in the best interest of the child and it leaves these mothers with a lot of anxiety and pain for the children they have loved and cared for. Please pray for these house mothers to find peace and healing and pray for the children who are returning home. Pray that God will protect them, guide them, provide for their needs, and that they will feel love, and also that if this new situation is not safe, that He will bring them somewhere safe.
Thanks again for your prayers as we are seeing the evidence of them!
Anita
With this joy of answered prayer comes one more request for prayer. The last month has had many children leaving for adoption and reunification and our house mothers are feeling the pain of loss. With the adoptions, they feel mostly happy because they know their children will be happy, but they will miss their children. With reunification come sadness as some kids are returning to the same people who abandoned them or let them get so sick that they almost died. When the social welfare department decides a child needs to return home, it may not always be in the best interest of the child and it leaves these mothers with a lot of anxiety and pain for the children they have loved and cared for. Please pray for these house mothers to find peace and healing and pray for the children who are returning home. Pray that God will protect them, guide them, provide for their needs, and that they will feel love, and also that if this new situation is not safe, that He will bring them somewhere safe.
Thanks again for your prayers as we are seeing the evidence of them!
Anita
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