A time to embrace JOY.

JOY. An emotion that is priceless. It has been indescribable being back for the Holidays with our families. Christmas was simply great. May you enjoy some of our Christmas moments with our beautiful family... camera died right before we got to my parents house for dinner... (I'm sure my mom got great pics)! Spending the last year in Burundi was nice as we shared it with our Chinese, German and Burundian friends; (a Christmas we will never forget as we shared on the book of Luke and saw Gin's eyes light up!) Although this year, it was filled with many many emotions.

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We have the greatest joy in the world knowing we were in the midst of our family in this precious time, at the same time trying to cherish every moment knowing just a week later we are returning back home to Burundi. (That contains a joy all in itself, as we are about to take in precious orphaned children who are so broken)... We always find ourselves divided. Isai continually reminds me "Let your heart be where you are". He explains, when your in America let your heart follow you and not remain in Burundi that we can give our all to those we love. And visa versa of course...

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On a side note, Malaki got dedicated today at our home church "Orlando House of Prayer". We look forward to all the Lord has in store for him. Malaki meaning God's messenger; Daniel meaning God is my judge. A powerful name, for a powerful child of God born with purpose and a calling to help usher in the coming of the Lord.

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Off to Maryland to share and visit with one of our partner churches on Thursday and early next week... we begin our 2 day trip back to Burundi via Ethiopia! We have to sleep in Ethiopia due to our layover; can't wait for Isai and Malaki to see the beauty of this land! All our love...

Hip Dislocation... I think not!

Yes! We took Malaki to a pediatric orthopedic doctor yesterday to get his hip dysplasia checked out... After a few xrays the doctor explained some eye opening things with some future advice on the side; and declared that Malaki's hips are just perfect. He had been previously diagnosed with partial hip dislocation and now everything is aligned and good. Glory be to God.

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It was funny, after months of research and googling things concerning health, Isai and I felt like we knew quite a bit... When talking with the doctor we were explaining how alot of people in Burundi have a limp to their walk and we thought it had to be because of hip dislocation... The interesting thing is, its generally because of tuberculosis. We got Malaki checked out in the first place because of his continual "hip clicking" that we heard ALL THE TIME. The reality is, when there is hip dysplasia, there will be a hip clunk, not click; those very specific words are vital to diagnosing at a young age! Good to know, huh?!?

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In the end, I wonder if we were really connected with that doctor because of Malaki's hip, or because the Lord intends for him to train doctors and medical workers in Burundi one day. Only time will tell, as he continued to ask about the work in Burundi and the needs for medical doctors like himself; you could see a passion in his eyes and a burden in his heart. End of story, Malaki is healthy, happy with 2 front teeth, and strong. This my friends, brings peace and joy to our hearts. All our love...

Malaki Daniel.

Handsome and amazing he is. Often goes by Mal, Kai, Malakiah, Malakiki and the list goes on. Papi's humor and personality, mami's sensitivity and strong will (I think he picks that up from both sides!)... Today I stand grateful for him as I look deep into those brown eyes of his. A joy he has brought to our hearts.

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As we prepare to leave for Burundi our nieces and nephews are asking "will you bring baby Isai with you"; meaning his ashes. They have asked this every time we come back to visit, but this time, yes. We will bring his ashes with us to spread on our land. A place where orphaned children will be restored and given a hope for the future. Amazing pictures of our little one, Trey... a big thanks to you. All our love...

moments, friends, endless joys...

Oh, how nice it has felt to be back in the midst of family and friends... great moments where I just sit back and remember what it is to have a belly laugh, a nice conversation with a close friend and just being here for Christmas. Simply priceless. To think we return in 3 weeks Burundi, to think 4 weeks have flown by...
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On a side note, Malaki's first tooth came in! He is approaching 7 months and boy does time fly. All our love...

Family. Away from family.

Cape coral, enjoying our family away from family as we share with one of our partner churches the progress that is taking place in Burundi! In the midst of becoming nothing, we have become something. This is one of the phrases Isai used this morning in his preaching.... as he shared how in the midst of our brokenness we have come to see the person God created us to be. Great day, great friends, grateful for this time. Enjoying Arianna's 12th birthday today, how fast they grow up!!! One of our favorite pictures.... Zianna our niece kissing Malaki. All our love...

A reality.

A reality I have recently come to know has really hit quite hard in my heart. As I repeat the words over and over again in my head I try to make sense of it. Is it harder to be in Burundi half way across the world from our families or is more challenging to be in their presence. Its quite funny, I remember for months Isai and I anticipated this trip knowing Malaki would meet all of his family members and them in return would absolutely fall in love with him. We talked about how amazing it would be to be together with our loved ones again... (and truly, it has been unforgettable). Although the point I am grabbing at is, being in Burundi... we never could of imagined how important it is for Malaki to have his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents around; simply because we never experienced it before. Being here, I think often to myself. Cease the moment, appreciate the weeks we have with our loved ones, build memories and savor precious moments. This of course sounds relatively easy. Although, I find myself in a battle within my heart... realizing how nice it is to simply be around family. In Burundi, its easy to be caught up in the work we are doing there and downplay the emotions of being away from our family. As it is a work that bursts out from our inner being, a work that brings us joy and pain, a work that the Lord created us to do...

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Today, I find a new reality. Its no longer Isai and I... I am believing that the Lord will give us wisdom to not only maintain the relationships we have with friends and family, but to allow Malaki to enjoy, appreciate and to deeply love his family here in America as he grows up in Burundi. I have come to see that time brings depth to relationships and surly the Lord has granted us time. At the end of the day in the stillness, I can still hear the cries of orphaned children, and somehow, at some point everything comes together once again. All our love...