New Levels

wife #2  bringing the baby of wife #1--who died in childbirth--to give him away

Elle has been home for over a week and because of many stories like the one that goes with the picture above, I've probably had a harder time than she has dealing with all she experienced in Africa.  She has a new threshold for what is "horrible."

  When I'm horrified at seeing my baby boy's tummy bloated from hunger, she'll say how all the kids have bloated tummies and at least James has a family to come home to.

When I'm horrified at children at an orphanage sleeping on the floor, she'll say how fortunate they are to be sleeping on a floor instead of the street.

When I'm horrified at how she ate food knowing it had parasites in it, she'll say that at least they had food to eat when they were hungry.

....you get the picture, and it goes on and on.

The stories are endless and they are her stories to tell.  I couldn't do them justice anyway.

medical visit

They brought this sweet little one back to the transition home because she could receive better care there.  She has 7 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot, along with other issues.  Julie took care of her.

precious feet infected with bugs

and now......

James and Nate ---2 of our 5 boys

Elle brought back tons of video and pictures of our boys.....still waiting for Mercy and Isaiah.  I can't wait until we pass court so I can show their beautiful faces.

This is the bathroom at their orphanage.

Merry-go-round fun....Nate at far right

laundry day

beautiful mountains in Holeta

Heartbreaking-- this is the flower factory where our children's mother worked.  She died from all of the chemicals they work with.....many children become orphans this way.....something to think about next time you buy a beautiful flat of flowers!

...all the precious faces!

I cannot thank you all enough for all of your prayers and encouragement!  There were so many times when I know that they were completely surrounded by angels with flaming torches to keep them from being harmed.  Elle did have an accident in Kamashi when she slammed her head on a metal pole trying to dodge giant moths and dragonflies, but it could have been so much worse!  Thank you Lord!

When she connected with her Visiting Orphans team she got to visit the America World transition home where Levi was.  This is part of their wall of LOVE!

Welcome HOME!