Rainy and cooler

The weather has gotten cooler the last few nights, which has been a nice break. It has been so warm here, which has had the potential to make everyone a little more on edge, but the rain has cooled things off. Here I am at the end of Tuesday night already. This is my last full week, and now it feels like my time is quickly wrapping up. Approaching this week I felt like I still was going to be here for awhile, but the more time I spend with my kids the more of them I get to know them, and the more I realize how much I am going to miss them. I feel like they finally have grown to trust me, and expect my return to pick them up at the nursery each morning. One of the babies just waves good-bye to me when I put her down, which has been a nice change from her being very unhappy every time I dropped her off. My guess is that she trusts that I will be back for her. The babies are doing really well, and I am blessed to have seen them make important developmental stages in their life. What a treat, but at the same time I wish it was their parents. It is amazing how much these children have learned and improved, and a lot of it is due to them getting love and attention, which makes them more motivated. It has been challenging because Daphne' can stand for long periods of time, but refuses to take steps on her own. I am hoping that she justs gets courage and motivation, and takes those steps. I know the nannies would appreciate it, and I know she would be able to get around much better in the nursery. She is one of the older ones in the nursery, and I know she has it in her because she is determined. J-Widler, who is in need of eye surgery to correct his eyes, seems to be getting the chance of getting to the U.S. on medical visa in the beginning of August, which is such good news. The other babies are and have been learning to sit and crawl on their own. I can't imagine how excited parents get when their child does new things, because when our babies do something new..we make it known and celebrate loudly. I got very excited when Fanes crawled across the mat yesterday, which made all the days worth it.

This weekend was great and relaxing, which was much needed. We went to the lookout, which overlooks Port-au-Prince and the ocean, the Baptist Mission, and the grocery store on Saturday. It was fun to get out and see more of Haiti once again. I wasn't feeling the greatest this weekend, which took away from my last outing, but I am feeling much better now. Health can be so easily taken advantage of. God works in ways we cannot always see, but other times it is very obvious. I feel like we have seen many miracles happen here. One of the babies got very sick last week. It was one that was up on the balcony a lot with me throughout the time i have been here. He was doing great and was fine, and then the one day he got a bad infection. They didn't know if he was going to make it or not, but they did all they could. They did CPR on him for 2 hours straight, and watched him closely. He currently is doing very well. In the States it would be no question if these babies would survive or not, but here it is a different story. The Lord watches over these babies, and really has in hand in all of their/our lives. On Sunday we got another baby at GLA that weighed about 2 lbs, and was born about 5 hours before the mother brought her in. She is so tiny, and is currently in the incubator. She is small, but doing really well. Her mother knew that if she had any chance of surviving, she had to bring her to the NICU at GLA. There are many selfless parents here, and I cannot imagine what they give up for the benefit of their baby.

Sunday we had house church again back at Joel and Evyonne's house. He spoke on God's father like characteristics, and how he lavishly loves us, and delights in us as Children of God. It was very encouraging, and once again we had an amazing time of workship. We also went to the waterfall again. We love to get out and hike, and meet new people. We met up with three little girls who were walking to the waterfall to get water for their family. They were each carrying water jugs that weighed about 5 lb or so each. They were strong, because we offered to carry it, and I was def. feeling the extra weight when we were climbing the hill. Many people hike the path with water or with something on their head. I am always very impressed. As we were walking back the one girl's shoe's sole was falling apart. She kept telling us this, and was pointing to her feet. I was wondering what I could do, because I broke my flip flops the day earlier, and many Haitians were pointing and laughing at me. Some of them were probably very excited to have better shoes then my falling apart shoes. Finally I decided to give her the only money I had with me, and told her to buy shoes with that money. It was not much at all, but the smile on the girls face was huge. The other two girls gathered around her, and they walked away with an extra skip in their step. I was reminded again how true it is that it is soo much better to give then receive. We are so blessed with so much!

I continue to need prayer for focus and the ability to savor each moment with these kids. Yes, I am leaving soon, but I don't want that to hinder my time with the kids or the other volunteers. I have learned to go to Christ first, because here I have very limited access with others, and the Lord has taught me a lot through that. I have enjoyed the slow pace of life here, and the ability to sit and focus on these dear kids. Today another family has come to visit with their son who they are in the process of adopting, and it is so exciting to see and hear their journey. They said there are no words to describe the feelings you experience when you get to meet them in real life for the first time. It has been a joy talking with them, and seeing them love on their son. It is the same love our Father feels towards us, and God is so good!