two. today. Isai Lazarus Torres our firstborn son.
A poem from us to you.
O precious, tiny, sweet little one
You will always be to me.
So perect, pure, and innocent
Just as you were meant to be.
We dreamed of you and of your life
And all that it would be.
We waited and longed for you to come.
And join our family.
We never had the chance to play,
To laugh, to rock, to wiggle.
We long to hold you, touch you now
And listen to you giggle.
I'll always be your mother,
He'll always be your dad.
You will always be our child,
The child that we had.
But now you're gone... but yet your here
We'll sense you everywhere.
You are our sorrow and our joy,
There's love in every tear.
Just know our love goes deep and strong
We'll forget you never...
The child we had, but never had
And yet will have forever!
-Author Unknown.
Here are some random pictures of my two guys. I gave Isai a buzz cut, not to good with the "fade" trend yet but it works for now! Malaki is bundled up in Isai's arms when we went with our friends to a restaurant by the lake and there were a million mosquitoes... literally. We had to keep him bundled in well.... anything! We even have a mosquito net for his car seat that our friend is letting us borrow; who would of thought they even make those things! Burundi lately has thrown its challenges at us in so many ways... although a challenging day is always expected somehow. I remember in the US how we used to just sit out on our porch grilling with no worries, concerns and or having to say "no, I won't give you any money, food, water or my dogs!" As we wrap this day up, we think much of Meraly on her birthday and how we wish we could of shared it with her. Malaki says "Happy Birthday Titi!" Day's like this make us miss you all the most. All our love...
How Malaki never ceases to fail at brightening our sometimes challenging days of transition we have been entering into. This child. Truly a gift from the Lord. There's no doubt in my mind that he will have Isai's funny yet unique personality and humor... Oh the joys of the coo's and ahh's. We are preparing everything to go back to the US in just under 2 weeks... so much to be done, and so much to return too. Surly our motivation of seeing these children restored to having a simple hope and a glimpse of light keeps us going. As we approach the 2 year anniversary of our son Isai Lazarus going to the Father we are reminded once again of the faithfulness of God. The one who has never failed us. All our love...
Today was a good day. A day filled with friends, food and well... walking up a mountain. Megan is visiting us this week; she is here in Burundi for 5 more weeks working with an association that helps women in difficult situations to teach them how to sew. Funny thing is... she is actually from Wisconsin; where I grew up as a child. Megan and I took a walk down into the valley today to see the new brick project that was recently built. There are about 50 workers there making bricks, 25 of those workers being children, the youngest child being 7. As I asked so many questions in my (not so perfect Kirundi) my heart began to be filled with compassion as I looked upon these children willingly working like slaves to make about 38 cents the whole day. Interesting enough, they had huge smiles and amazing hearts as they called out to me "Mama Malaki!". Summer break for these children is far from a break. As I came home telling Isai the story, I pondered "what makes them work as hard as they do... being as young as 7?" Isai replied "Hunger." I write stories like this not necessarily for pity, although I find it vital to bring perspective and awareness to a world far far away. On another note: Malaki's cheeks are growing larger and larger by the day. These days hes busy talking with Papi, smiling and laughing at everything and so interested in our farm animals. See you all soon! :o) All our love...
As we return to the US in 2 1/2 weeks.... yes, I said just a bit over 2 weeks (how time flys!); we are doing a fundraiser called "Bags. Created to Respond". This fundraiser will consist of 3 different bags. All 3 items are $20.... although the small bag will have Burundian coffee in it! Which I must add... is the best coffee I have ever had, along with our brother in law Gus's of course! :o) Also pictured is Malaki with the artist who painted our logo on the bags and also Malaki with the director of the project. She gave him a baby blanket as a gift... she loves him! The organization that partnered in this fundraiser with us gives opportunities to 67 women to support their families located in the village of Musaga by painting and sewing.... one of the poorer quarters of the city. We only have 2o of each large bag and 40 small bags with coffee in them, so get them quick! All our love...
Things have been a bit challenging doing all the "legal works" of an NGO in a third world that is well known for being the most corrupt among the East African Community. Here, you would quickly find that there are 4 or 5 answers to a questions that strictly needs one answer from many of equal authority. Usually laws would be specific and clear, yet somehow we find ourselves always realizing in the end that there is way to much "gray areas". We can only pray that God would give us discernment and wisdom as we take steps forward. Step by Step literally. Please remember to always be praying for us, as one could easily grow weary in the midst of such a complicated structure. Surly God will make a way. Pictured above; Malaki, of course nothing close to complicated! He has been laughing and smiling so much lately, the beauty of a 3 month year old... officially an infant today! All our love...
When I am with Papa... 
Something to brighten your day... 
These pictures have nothing to do with the story... but boy is he handsome! On to the story... What not to do. Tell alot of poor people that you have many gifts for them and in the end; there turns out to be many more people than anticipated. We just saw these past nights a situation that was meant to benefit the people turn really... really bad. A few days ago was a holiday for the Batwa; a minority ethnic group in Burundi. An international organization wanted to do something to help them seeing that they are among the more poorer of the country by giving them clothes and food. As their celebration was over, they all made their way to the office of the organization with anticipation to receive a gift. There were well over 1,000 people surrounding the gate and office as we passed by on our way home that night. It turned out that they ran out of things to give away early in the evening and many many people became angry and began rioting. The police came and tried to keep them under control. Many slept on the road that night outside of the office and others down the road at a field... expecting that in their persistence they would somehow receive something. A lesson to be learned in the end. I would say one of the biggest lessons we have learned here is being VERY specific in our words and promises as we have had to learn from many mistakes ourselves in the past. Also, dealing with people who are hungry, poor and just emotionally distressed we always have to keep in mind to be as sensitive as possible in all situations. Pictured above... Malaki bathing! Isai snapped these while at our friends house in the city. All our love...
We think often of our family in the states... and how different life would be for us living there. We would be able to take nice HOT showers, eat the most special of foods, and most importantly enjoy our nieces and nephews as they grow. God has given us a beautiful grace to love Burundi and the people in the midst of our hearts longing for our family. We believe we are all challenged in our own ways by God to live lives that are truly not our own. Not necessarily in Burundi :o) Just living a life geared towards seeing and helping others to be loved, restored and to be the very person the Lord has destined them to be; as we all have amazingly important destiny's... We look at Malaki often as he is gazing into the sky smiling; we wonder what destiny the Lord has for him. Surly one that will be an example of the unrelenting love of the Father for His children. Malaki is growing up... we even put a pair of shoes on him today! They were his first gift from his daddy. All our love...
We had a funny situation happen last night... that somehow was good in the end. We had a meeting with the Govonor and planned on meeting at a resturant to get some sodas after his meeting with the president... (he had to clarify that..) We have met him once before, but somehow I forgot what he looked like. Isai and I had been waiting there for about 20 minutes and a group of 6 men came in looking like men of authority with walky talkys. I saw one of the men dressed well and he looked familiar so of course I am thinking this is the Govonor... I welcomed them with a nice big "Caribu! Shaka Fanta?" Meaning welcome! You take a soda? They all didn't even look surprised as they came to sit down at our table. I then asked them all their names as I was waiting to come accross the name of the Govonor. One by one they said their names and their jobs... Of course, no one there was named Oscar! Isai and I look at each other realizing that we are sitting down with the wrong people! They were Police officials, a taxi driver and others working with agriculture. I then had a come back of "we have a meeting in a short period, but we just wanted to get to know you and greet you!" When the Govonor arrived, we then excused ourselves to meet with him. I just thought... how funny is it that. In the end, it's nice to know the police officials I guess. All our love...
Living in Burundi. We are challenged to be wise as serpents, yet harmless as doves... Yesterday we were in the city finishing our paperwork for registration and a thief came and stole our spare tire which was secured by a metal bar. At that point, we got the police and he took us to park at the police station outside the market. As we did this and went a short distance in sight of the car, another man tried to break in to take our bags. I then went to the police station as they brought in many young boys who were standing around our car when the thief stole our tire and I almost wish I hadn't of been there. They took the boys in the back room and began to beat them to try to get some information out of them. I heard crying and hollering and finally they stated that a man cam on a motto and took it leaving quickly... although no one knows him. I insisted that they shouldn't put the young boys in prison as they were only observers, but the head man told me "maybe they will have more to say once they see how serious we are". Not a nice day... although its a reminder once again of where we are. Burundi - a third world country; and just got boosted to the #1 spot as most corrupt country in the East African community bumping Kenya to #2. How we are reminded of this statistic daily. I guess it motivates us to be here and pour into those around us and the children we will be caring for; as God is pouring into us his love and truth. Truly they are the future for Burundi and they can change this country; the future lies in the hands of the children we are working so hard to help be restored and healed from the past circumstances. There is a purpose for us being here, along with all the other people serving in Burundi. In the end... let us be found wise as serpents and harmless as doves. All our love...
Maybe we stick to 3 + 7 memories... 37 might be too many!
