While we were praying at the hospital, I met a baby boy named Moses. He was three months old, and was sick with malaria. I sat down with this boy, holding him in my arms, and asked the women sitting next to him if she was his mom, and she said that she wasnt his mom, but one of his care takers. Moses was an orphan. She began to explain to me that this child was abandoned after just one day. His mother died giving birth, and the father had left the mother. Rose, Moses care taker, was a nurse at the orphanage in Homa Bay. We decided to come and visit them the next day, at the Homa Bay childrens home, where their were about 15 babies (under 1 year old).
I arrived with my two friends KC and Hezron, and my heart didnt know it if should sing, or cry. Rows of cribs, orphan babies everywhere. I leaned down to pick up one of the children, a girl named Millicent, and she grasped me sooo tight. Her head fit perfectly into to dip of my shoulder and neck, and I rocked her back and forth. She had obviously not been held in a long time. As I was holding her, I looked around and saw all of the other babies looking at me, longing for someone to hold them too. It broke my heart. I couldnt let go of Milli, but I wanted to hold them all! It was bathtime, so we helped the nurses wash the babies, clothe them, and then it was play time. I then fell in love with a little girl named Naomi.
Naomi was about 8 months old, and she has a twin sister named Gladys. Naomi’s mind is so curious. The nurses told me that she has a disability in her mind, but they dont have names for them like we do in America. I would sit with Naomi in my lap and she would hold on real tight. I would rub her head and back, and a look would come upon her face of complete amazement. I dont think anyone had ever rubbed her back before. Then she would stare at her hands in awe of all that they were. The nurses told me that she does that a lot. She could stare at her hands for hours. I think that the way she sees the world is so beautiful, God created her hands, and she thinks they are awesome! She cant get enough of it. She bends her fingers and looks at the way they move, and she smiles.
I think we can learn a lot from that. Sometimes we forget to slow down and look at the world as God created it. We get so busy with our iphones and cameras, and we want the very best DVD for sound and picture, but we forget that our hands are so intricate. We can move them without even thinking, even as I am typing this my fingers are working faster than my brain! We are wonderfully and fearfully made. I hope to go back to the orphanage today, and I hope to put some pictures up as well! I will post some picture blogs soon. Thanks for reading my stories, please pray for these children, that God would bless them and give them a home.
CP –
We miss you and Garrett so much. You are in our prayers many times each day. God has you right where He wants you for this season. Thank you for being our hands and feet and delivering a touch where we can’t reach. I can almost feel my prayers for your team being translated into a healing touch to little Milli. God truly works in mysterious ways!
I ran across some pictures of you and Lilly and Josh and Garrett. God was preparing you for what you are living through now through those experiences. Even the sickness your team has experience is now being used for God’s glory!
We can’t wait to see you. We need a hug too! Josh keeps saying he is crying happy tears – he misses Garrett soo much. Live in the moment while you are there. These stories and pictures are like food and a cool drink of water.
hmmm….are you getting attached? LOL You’re not making this whole re-entry thing easy on yourself LOL. But don’t stop investing! It’s worth it!
Love this, Alison! praying for you guys!
Alison, this brought tears to my eyes! In a good way though because you reminded me to slow down and appreciate the beauty and wonder of the simple things. I can’t wait to see you when you get home. I’ll be thinking of you and wishing you safe travels!
Love,
Jo
PS If Josh knew I was writing this, he’d say hi too. 🙂