Christmas time is here...

Christmas Eve, and here I find myself writing a blog while Malaki sleeps; it's been nearly 2 months of not writing... (I know, it's bad!) I purposed to do this blog to keep our family and friends posted on our family life.. I hope to this a little better in the coming time. We hope you all have an amazing Christmas and a fulfilling new year, to our family and friends we love you and deeply appreciate our relationships we have together.

The last months have been a time of growth, pruneing and beauty to say the least. For one, we are pregnant and expecting our next child in June (which is amazing!). I'm just getting past all the morning sickness and thankful to see my "feeling good days" approaching. If there is no complications in the pregnancy I will give birth here in Burundi again.

Isai just returned from the USA for one month and it feels great to to have him back...! Was is hard, absolutley! Mix morning sickness, with my sweet 19 month son, with loads of work and traveling often... I was definutly able to test many personal limits! Many miracles and amazing testimonies took place as Isai traveled sharing the heart of God for His broken and hurting children here in Burundi. Isai raised his voice for the voiceless and we were awe to see the Lord move upon so many hearts to respond and take the choice to help change lives. We have new team members in the US, new partners and an amazing team, truly we are honored to labor beside them. Over the month that Isai was gone, I had some huge perspective changes about life... things I can say I wouldn't of seen as clearly had I not had so much time to ponder on them. As hard as it was being apart as a family I know we are stronger and wiser for it, and it feels undescriable to reunite with man your in love with after a month... it was beautiful.

As soon as Isai arrived back there was a million things to do from visits from possible partner organizations to Christmas trees and decorating to gifts and orgnanizing the 4 - 50 pounder bags he brought back! I was so touched to see that every material need we expressed for the kids, people made it happen. Our family was extremely blessed with so much and I could never thank all of you enough for giving. To all of you who sent gifts, thank you for spoiling us... we greatly appreicate it :o)

Today, I sit back and can't stop thinking of how blessed our family is... and for this we have this inner joy bursting out from within us. Yesterday, we had a visit from the city of 50 youth to celebrate Christmas, it was a blast! Today, we are doing Christmas with the kids and staff and tomorrow we are welcoming some of the responsibles and siblings of our children to join us for a small lunch in the afternoon. And finally the 26th, the kids are off for a week to visit their villages... A full few days ahead of us, I can't wait to see the joy inexpressable on our kids face when many of them "celebrate" Christmas for the first time.

Merry Christmas to all! All our love...

Out of the ordinary... yes!

On Saturdays, we bring the kids to this beautiful flat ground near the house where alot of the neighbor kids play soccer. A normal sight: seeing grazing cows chase the kids in the midst of the game. When we get together with friends, we find ourselves doing things that we would never think of doing... like putting yeast dough on sticks and roasting them on the fire. Awesome discovery for both the sweet and salty tastebuds! (Malaki had mud everywhere, because it had just rained, hints his hair!) I have to say, something I appreciate most about living in Burundi is the opportunity to share and grow with so many different cultures and nationalities. I love culture, differences, alikes, accents, languages and so on... but theres something special about bringing many different backrounds and people together in the Kingdom of God. It's beautiful to see how vast and uncontainable God is through His people, He created, in His image.

Things we do while living in Burundi, that we would never appreciate or take time out to do while living in the US... making homemade pizza's, homemade bread, walk... (everywhere), get to know people in the road, neighbors and strangers, having to invent things (like a water faucet out of a bucket that you refill), it's like having running water... that runs out! May I mention that the above things are so much fun and worth the time! Getting back to the simplitcity of life, as it is. Just another ordinary, out of the ordinary here in Burundi! All our love...

Now let the weak say I have strength.

And now the weak say I have strength by the Spirit of God; that raised Christ from the dead.

And now the poor stand and confess, that my portion is Him and were more than blessed.

We love you, Lord. We worship you. You alone are God. You alone are good.

Let your church shine as the bride, that you saw in your heart as you offered up your life.

Let the lost be welcomed forth, by the saved and redeemed; as adopted as your own.

- Hillsong, Saviour King.

The beauty of life.

We have seen the hand of God, time and time again in this beautiful season within our lives... reminding us of both the beauty and frailty of this life we live. 1. The Biskups from Germany, also living here in Muamvya - came to be with us at our land to encourage us in the work we are doing there and to stand with us in prayer that God will indeed draw Bukeye unto Himself and shake all that can be shaken. 2. Claude, one of our boys was learning how to use the camera... he was a little off center, but the photo turned out great!

We are excited to declare that we got our passports and are working on the visa's! A big thanks to all of you who helped us to accomplish that... it feels great to be legal again! (after having all the documents stolen, last month...) Life has been good, hard, fun, exhausting, interesting and enjoyable all together; finding beauty in our lives through the little things.

Last week, we were driving back home from Bukeye and there was a bad accident on the road blocking the mountain. Upon pulling up to it, we jumped out of the car to see how we can help, as there are no 911 phone calls or paramedics on their way etc. 5 people were badly injured with broken limbs, blood everywhere, in shock and pain. We got out our first aid kit and began cleaning up some wounds and helping to keep them stable until the road was cleared for on coming cars to give them lifts to a hospital about an hour away. We were laying our hands on them, praying and asking God to give them comfort in the midst of so much pain; knowing that it would be quite some time before they can even get to a hospital and recieve basic care. This road from Bukeye to Buja is deadly... cars and trucks passing eachother at high speeds on blind corners through the mountains. Usually, each trip we take we see an accident... a few times deadly accidents. Times like this really get you thinking...

Malaki is huge... talking, running, helping (he loves to help with laundry)! Isai just finished with his team putting cement on the outside and inside of the 1st children's home and is preparing to do the roof; so excited and feeling acomplished... Our staff our good and growing, the children are awesome and excelling in school. They all are striving to be at the top of their class... and are improving in miraculous ways. They are precious, impacting and every moment being with them makes me smile for in them the love of Christ is manifested. Isai is preparing to go to the US around November 17th - Decemeber 13th and we are so excited for what God has in store. Malaki and I will miss him and would of loved to join him but were not able to get all the funding for our family to return. Isai will have an awesome time! Please, spoil him :o) Malaki and I will stay busy here with the kids and staff and know that God has all things under control. Including us missing Isai in undescribable ways! The Lord knows!

Off to the next day. Tomorrow we will be taking time with a group of students in the Baho project here in the Mountains founded by our dear friend Stefan. It's a program that focuses with underprivledged children and youth; we will be talking on life management and purpose, counseling and just having a good time together. Grateful for an opportunity to be a part of a great work focusing on pouring into the future of Burundi. All our love!

An atmosphere for miracles.

"An atmosphere for miracles" - is all I can think about as I look over these past months... God has allowed us to be in a position of desperation, a place where we can solely depend on the Father heart of God and believe for His miracles of provision in our lives. At times it can be a scary place, a stretching place, a maturing and trust (place)... truly an edifying place that keeps us at the feet of Jesus. Walking by faith and not by sight most times isn't a walk which is joyfully chosen (at first) ; rather a position God allows us to be in to help grow our faith and mature in His Kingdom. The reality is, these past months have been challenging to say the least in simply trusting in God's provision; however, in His faithfulness we have never / ever lacked. Miracles have taken place time and time again... and had we not been in a position of need it's possible we would of never experienced such things. We just simply needed to believe.

A dear friend of mine was recently telling me about amazing testimonies she heard about a man who had many orphaned children. Many times there wasn't food for the children and he told them "go get your plates, let us pray and bless the food". After praying over empty plates, food appeared, they ate and gave thanks to God. An atmosphere for miracles, indeed. There is many seasons as we pass through this journey called life. Many, indeed. Times of abundance, times of contentment in the little things and times where we cry out in need to God "help!". However. Jesus taught us to pray "give us today, our daily bread." We just need to believe, and in that I pray we can see it as an atmosphere for miracles rather than lack. An opportunity for the glory of God to be manifested on the earth as it was in the days of Jesus. No matter what season we may be in God turns all things into good. Simply because He is goooood.

Over the last weeks, we can sum it up in a time of maturing in our Lord and Savior... getting to know Him a little better as our sole provider and trusting in His will for our lives; here in Burundi, building a children's village, being together with "the least of these", our precious children who will be a part of radically changing this nation as future leaders themselves.

Pictured above is Malaki, playing with this huge locust (half dinosaur) looking insect... one of our staff Zeverino put it on a string for him! Just a heads up to our friends and family, we are considering to send Isai back to the US for a few weeks to share with some of our partner churches about all the amazing things taking place here, expanding our partner's and supporters, and raising awareness of the opportunities within our children's village - "The Village of Jeremiah 29:11". If anyone is interested in helping us make this happen, that would be great! Please email us, we are raising roughly $2,000; $100 of that going towards a new passport (as ours were stolen), $100 for travel and roughly $1,800 in tickets. Just think. If 20 people wanted to pledge $100, we got it! Or rather, 100 people at $20 each! It's absolutely possible, and you can help us to make that happen today! If you donate online, please note that it's for "Isai's travel"! All our love, friends and family.

Moments, that simply pass you by...

Malaki, just passed 16 months old on the 18th and full of life. Pictured above on the PO, eating guyaba (fruit), working like Papa, and wearing his all too cool Burundian pants...! It has been one of the busiest, fruitful, most productive and exhausting months we have had yet. Things seem to have slowed down a bit for us at the moment! From building, to bringing on more staff, to attending an amazing 3 day training with Audrey and the Mama's to temporarily taking in a young girl with 2 severely malnutritioned twins at 3 months old - nothing more than skeleton and skin to say the least to just everyday life... it has resembled a semi-organized whirlwind! Because I tend to function that way, only through the grace of God.

Lately the Spirit of God has been sweeping in like a wind, doing so many healing's and transforming many hearts. It has been beautiful to say the least. It is a privilege to be among so many poor and needy people. Learning little by little from them what it means to depend and trust on God completely... simply because there is no other way, no other option... just God. All our love...

Grace, Lord.

Malaki, our sweet, sweet boy approaching 16 months, and as for cloth on his head... well, he kept persisting for me to wrap it on! The words that have been continually upon my heart lately... grace, Lord. Our passports got stolen along with $250. I thought to myself "grace, Lord". Many of our kids need alot of medical attention right now, locally and abroad. As we pray for healing, I ask of God once again... grace, Lord. In the midst of building, all construction materials have sky rocketed in the last month due to inflation. Cement is $5 more per bag... each house uses approx 250 bags. The Lord knows, as we stand strong in our weakness through His grace. As we try as a family to find our balance between home sweet home, ministry, our 15 children, 30 + staff & workers, constructing a children's village and giving our best efforts to help our team out in the US to raise the adequate funding for all projects, and monthly budgets and so on... we cry out... GIVE US GRACE, OH LORD! Give us grace...

We are praying for God to bring in the laborers, for the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, as the word of God best describes... In any capacity, if you are interested in helping to see orphaned and abandoned children restored and given hope for their futures, here is your invitation to be a part of something great, something so much bigger than us... something dear to the heart of the Father. Email us, today! thecriesofachild@yahoo.com All our love...

It is well, with my soul...

Today, we remember our precious son Isai Lazarus who though never took a breath in our world has made a lasting impact on so many... and surly his legacy lives on. 3 years old, today. I can imagine hes sitting on the lap of Jesus, declaring truth and justice, or simply playing soccer... only the Lord knows.

Sometimes we think and imagine what life would be like with Isai Lazarus... it's a reality. However, we know that God turns all things to good for those who love Him and are called by Him, and today... today, it is well with my soul. With our souls...

The more I ponder on the word "stillborn" which is what they call a baby who is born dead (having died in the womb or in delivery during birth etc.) The amount of weeks old the baby is determines whether it's a miscarriage or a still born. I think on this word and the meaning behind it, and all I can get from it was that he was still born... meaning although he didn't take a breath on earth, he was still living, and he still died. He still had a life, a soul, a precious heart... a purpose and was a beautiful little baby at birth. I know the Lord has a great purpose for him... even now being in heaven. He was created to love and worship God. A purpose, we here on earth often find at the bottom of our priority list after our work is done and so on. But I can imagine, that Isai being just being a small child knows his purpose and is walking it out in the heavens. Today, as I think of our son I am reminded that we are but pilgrims in this world, waiting for our inheritance... waiting till the time that we join our little one. I am reminded that my sole purpose in life is to love and worship God in all things that I do. I am reminded through the remembrance our Isai Lazarus. I no longer feel a deep pain when I think our sweet boy, but rather a inner peace and joy. Longing to see him again. Longing to see Jesus.

We miss you little warrior... and will meet again some day if the Lord wills. All our love...

Kirundi, French, Swahilli.... and English too!?

Recently, I started inviting the children to our house in the afternoon to learn English... a new environment, motivation to focus and so on! They are all on board, except the little ones of course and had a blast! English is key for them to learn as the government and schools are in the transition in the coming years of using English as the official language. Really, I should of thought of this idea in the beginning of summer...! I suppose it's never too late to start something good. Most children here, and most adults learn up to 4 languages. Kirundi, the national language. French, the official language. Swahilli, the Central / East African language. And English, being a all around the world language and soon to be official language! The kids are so smart, and love to learn. I'm hoping Malaki can know English and Spanish in our home, and Kirundi he can learn with the children and staff. He already is picking up so much in his understanding... our sweet little boy.

Please be praying for Alice, pictured above with the blackboard writing of Thursday / Friday. Yesterday, Audrey brought her to the capital to see a good doctor and they informed us that her ear drums were blown out... they described them as "broken". I will have more information when they return today, although the Doctors indicated the only way to help treat her is by operation in nearby Kenya or possibly India. Once again, I will have more adequate information today... just wanted you to join us in praying for her. May God heal her and take away this intense pain she has had for a long time... All our love...

This journey we call "life"

Precious Bambino, above. Life is forever changed with him, and we are grateful to God for that. I've been spending alot of time lately just thinking on this journey we call life...

Our purpose, what takes our energy and time each day, questioning if we are being good stewards of this life we were given by God. Created for a purpose. Created to serve, to love, to be drawn unto His heart, transformed and to be a light unto this world.. that in return others come to know this amazing Jesus that has forever changed our lives. I am firm believer that the things we take time for each day are things we enjoy, things we are passionate about, things we must do to simply live. I want to live a life... to walk this journey called life with Jesus in the center of it all. Oh, how I want this. To read his word, because it helps me to know more about Jesus and the Kingdom of God and leads to the way of truth and Holiness. To spend time with God... real, precious time. Why. Because for any relationship, it needs time and effort to grow. And I want to grow closer to God. Closer than now, closer than before. Why. Because He is the only true peace. He is the only unfailing love, He is the only constant thing I will ever find and hold true.

The Spirit and the Bride say "Come Lord, Jesus, Come."

I used to be lost. But now I am found in Him. I think daily. What do I have to offer our children... love, yes. teach them English and skills, yes. simply to just hold them, yes. But that's not enough. They need my supplier. They need the King of Kings, the one I run to, the one I encourage them to run to. Sometimes, in life we find ourselves in the midst of a much needed routine in the midst of much work and demand. But with all that put aside, I see clearly, daily I need to lean on Jesus. Daily I need to give him my time, my effort... and my heart. How unforgiveness and bitterness loves to just make its home within my heart. But there is a better way, there is a way that leads to life. Today, I am reminded. Establish your heart in the Lord, for Jesus is returning. This is reality. May this be the reality I live for, as we walk on this journey called life. In the midst of so much suffering our eyes witness, we can only offer them Jesus. And this, was, is and will always be more than enough. I leave you with this - what takes up all your time each day, your efforts, your thoughts? All our love...

My heart, broken within me.

There's alot on my mind lately, unfortunately there wasn't any picture that could describe the deep pain and emotions within. Therefore, this post is picture less.

I've been sick lately, and really, it's a bit challenging being in Bukeye at times; being sick. No stores to buy comforting foods (besides bread, yogurt and peanuts; in which, I don't personally find any comfort!), many people crowding me (as they don't see Muzungu's too often), many people wanting to grab Malaki (as they don't see babies like him to often), and I guess the effort it takes just being here (and that effort is somehow failed in the midst of being sick). A friend asked us recently being completely transparent, "pray that I will have compassion and mercy instead of frustration and exhaustion in the midst of being around many people who are very poor; pray that I can be more like Christ". This is a reality I was thinking today also... as I just wanted to tuck myself away in my bed and get past this mean sickness! In the midst hearing near our fence "Mama Malaki!, Malaki, ingo!" Children calling out to me, and for Malaki to come out to play. In America, our lives were a whole lot more private as you can imagine even being friendly open people, and here... living in the mountains among the people there isn't to much privacy. And that's O.K. It just takes a little getting used to... especially when being sick! Things are a little different at our house in the center of Muramvya as we have been there for 2 1/2 years and have been able to make things comfortable, but in Bukeye (a little more into the bush as people would say), it's a transition that is taking alot more effort and its clear this community is alot more poorer and in need then in the center of Muramvya. (There are 5 Communes or cities as one would say inside of Muramvya "a province", and Bukeye is one of those communes).

Living among a people that are desperate, hurting, in need... a continual cycle of poverty. One needs grace and patience from God. Why not be completely open? My heart is broken within me. Yes, the genocide that flowed over from Rwanda in 1993 - 1994 is finished and over, leaving some 300,000 Burundians dead and massacred. Yes, wars continued on... and yes, the last rebel group finally surrendered and became a political party in 2009 (16 years after the genocide). Yes, that's all said and done. But the reality is, the after affects of war live on. The cycle of poverty, dependency on programs, and desperation live on... in real ways. War, as it does in any nation affects a people so deeply the process to move forward, heal and leave the past behind is so delicate. But my heart, is broken within me. Right now there are many rumors of all types of killings... rumors. I'll leave it at that. God knows... Burundi, when will you find your peace? A beautiful land that used to be known for prospering and kindness... has continued to follow the way of violence and many people, are simply tired.

It's interesting the prospective one can have of "Africa", thinking... "there will always be starving children, there will always be rebels, it will always be the most devastated and poverty stricken continent as we know it." The news is faithful to share glimpses of this... Sometimes we even think, it doesn't affect me, why should I be concerned? But when you live here, and make friends, and your friends become your family, and you begin to have a deep love for that family; you begin to question why it has to be so. You begin to hope for change because of the deep love you have for those that call this their homeland. America and Burundi, two worlds away, to very different worlds. My heart cries out, Burundi, unite and grab hold of that peace, that peace you once knew. My heart cries out.

I was recently reading an article by Rene Lemarchand and she wrote: Burundi has the sad distinction of having experienced the first genocide recorded in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa. In the summer and spring of 1972 between 100,000 and 200,000 people were taken to their graves in the wake of a Hutu-led insurrection. Though largely overshadowed in public attention by the far more devastating bloodbath in Rwanda – a total genocide – the ghastly carnage in Burundi undoubtedly qualifies as genocide, or at least a selective genocide. The key difference is that in Burundi the Hutu, not the Tutsi, were targeted for extermination. In both cases, however, the killings were intentional, and deliberately aimed at a specific ethnic community.

This post was to bring of awarness... this post is to share my heart, broken within me. This post is for our Burundian children that we love, our staff that we have grown so close to, and our Director that we have grown to love like a sister. Our friends, who hold us up. All our love...

a joy unspeakable.

This little boy, right here is a character alright! Here are some moments from the past week, captured in beauty, giving us a joy unspeakable... Malaki, you bring a light into this world. It's nice to think that one day, his Kirundi will be so much better then I could ever hope to speak it! At home we speak English and Spanish with him, but with the children and staff it's always Kirundi...

As for me, exhausted I sit back tonight in amazement as I meditate on Jesus, our Savior. I have been getting together every Monday night with the Pastor's wives from one of the churches we are partnering with and every time, it never fails I am left in awe of God. We thought it would be a good idea to come together for a time of teaching and prayer... seeking to be transformed in the love of Christ... and see where it takes us. In all my time in Burundi, never have I experienced with a group of women such a pure transparency and desire at any cost to humble ourselves before God, that Christ can be made known through us to a hurting world. For the first time, it's not all about what I have to offer in this country; but together we are growing in the love and fear of God... together. And its a beautiful thing. Being a foreigner in a foreign land is a cost for anyone... and usually quite exhausting as you are often poured out like a drink offering (it's an expression!)... however, it is vital in every aspect of our lives to find that place where we can be filled, strengthened and refreshed once again. Privately, yes and also in the aspect of community. Tonight, I have a joy. a joy unspeakable.

Little one, go therefore into the world... and simply love.

The bubba's. An amazing little boy indeed. Someone once told me that living here in Burundi, I would be amazed at how many doors would be opened and how many opportunities would come forth because of our children. I thought inwardly in ignorance "Even without children, God can open doors"; my pride speaking of course having not had a child at the time... But, I missed the point. These last few days, those words are brought back to remembrance as they are played out before my very eyes.

Malaki and I are in Bukeye with Isai from Wednesday to Friday each week and we are back at square one, getting to know a new community once again. You see, our land is in Muramvya, but another commune about 30 minutes from our children's homes... and here, we are alot more rural then in the center of Muramvya. I think we are the only foreigners living here in Bukeye as I haven't seen any others.. and usually, you would know! What I am trying to say in the midst of all this is Malaki is used by God in so many ways here, it blows my mind. With government officials who love him and want to hold him, to all the mountain people that are drawn to him simply because they don't see little light skinned babies to often if at all. Daily, at our house in Bukeye that has a little bamboo 4 foot fence around it, there are loads of children waiting for him to come out and play. I still remember how distant Cedria was when she came to us, and Malaki would just walk up to her and embrace her. I mean, what else can you do when a 1 year old at the time walks up to you just to rest his head on your shoulder!

I. am. amazed. At 1 year and 2 months, he is breaking barriers in the spirit and natural that I could only hope to do. Just in the pureness of his heart, he goes forth. Besides the beauty of this time, and Malaki making the front of our house the playground for the whole road... things are good. His molars are coming in on both sides, and I can imagine it hurts quite a bit as he has been really fussy lately!

Isai had a great birthday as we celebrated at a pizzeria in the city with some friends. On Sunday we celebrated with the children and they all surprised him with cards and songs! A precious time. All our love...

14 months later...

Malaki, just passing 14 months on the 18th - how time flies... I can still remember 14 months ago when our lives were enriched / forever changed with this amazing little boy. 14 months later... what is he up too?

- Kicking the soccer ball around the entire house. (really, dribbling the soccer ball as though he was taught at some point!)

- Talking up a storm, especially when he is with Papi.

- He likes to try to do a head stand looking through his legs upside down. (he often finds it amusing and laughs at himself)

- He really enjoys spending time with Desire who is now 16 months old. They are with each other almost everyday, and chase each other around the house. The staff and I find ourselves always watching them in laughs!

- He also really likes to look at all the pictures of family hanging from our walls (ALL over the place!) He points and tries to say things...

And to sum it up, it's really been a nice season with him. Maybe the easiest time thus far as he is growing alot more independent and has a happy character. He hasn't been sick for quite some time now, and we are grateful for this. I love, love the pictures above. Especially the one where they are both raising their foreheads as they watch Kay (our dog) fight her temptation to eat our rabbits as they tease her by coming to the edge of the fence! All our love...

Encouraged, indeed.

On Friday, we welcomed a group of Americans and (1) German to our land to join us in praying over the land, the Children's Village (The Village of Jeremiah 29:11) and to simply give thanks to God for bringing us this far... From left to right, Kelly, Sasha (Sara) :o), Kristina, Bill, myself and Stefan. They are in Burundi for a short, yet impacting time teaching English among many other things.... It was such an encouraging time for us as they prayed earnestly for God's will to be done. They came to us for a great purpose, declaring and bringing to remembrance the promises God, therefore I say, we were encouraged, indeed.

On a side note, last night I was extremely broken as we were at a baptismal celebration and I saw something that just made me stand still for a moment. The mother of one of our boys, who gave him up because he was born out of prostitution, the family rejected him, and they were extremely poor unable to find the means to eat... she was also at the celebration. As I walked around the back of the house, I saw her emptying all the remaining morsel's of food from some 50 or so guest plates into a plastic bag for her family to eat that night. I remember during the interview and time of assessment she was asked by someone why she was wearing a clothing that looked new, being that her family was often hungry. She replied "even poor people have pride, and if they have to attend a meeting, they can only hope that clothing can be borrowed from a friend for the occasion..." I have learned alot from these moments. She is among the many, too many of women that turn to prostitution because they see their children starve, they themselves are hungry, unmarried or widowed and are simply desperate". They need help. And hopefully with that help, at some point they can begin to help themselves and through Christ they can be made whole again.

On a third note, yesterday morning a woman came to our house saying that she was exercising when she came across this boy in the road that looked very bad. She told me "he has worms in his fingers, he's about 7, lives in the streets... just lost his job. (Just lost his job? "I thought!") She persisted, please take him, he is in desperate need of help. There goes my fragile heart again. Broken and dismayed. The reality is, street children need alot of different attention that we don't offer right now and also alot of one on one counseling and medical attention. We have 2 children's homes for children who don't have families and need families. But working with street children, that have been raped, that do drugs, steal, beat and have no sense of discipline... you have to use wisdom in that. So then the question comes. What happens to this boy? Who can help him? That question ate at me all day...

We have been thinking on a transition house for street children, meaning a temporary place to sleep in the midst of helping to relocate their families or finding them a new one, counseling, feeding them, loving them and seeing them delivered from the life of begging, stealing and living in the streets. Key words in this paragraph are "we have been thinking"! It's a burden to both Isai and my heart, and we both have a some experience in working with children in that kind of situation... we are just seeking direction from God. Also, trying to get connected with other organizations here who work with children in the streets to see if they are able to help this need in our province, or would like to consider a partnership etc. Who knows... but one thing I do know, is that someone has to help them. They need a helping hand. Please be praying for us as we seek God's direction in this, as it's found time and time again to be a burden within our hearts. Many children come to us from the streets and we are not able to take them into our 2 homes... we just don't have the space. However, God will make a way, where there is no way. All our love...

You are my sunshine.

Mala, enjoying walking around... just mastered getting down the one step to make it outside when our front door is open. Interesting enough our dogs Maya and Kay are so concerned with him that they watch every move and when he falls, they run to his rescue licking him to ensure he's ok. Yes, this is a glimpse of today.

On a side note, we had an awesome time with some friends in Buja for a few days. Well, really family. While in Buja, we also were invited to a meeting from the Minister of Solidarity to gather all organizations, people and churches working with orphaned children. It was a very insightful meeting as they gave us trainings on minimal standards they expect as we care for children. Currently there are 98 different homes for orphaned children. Yes. This is a massive amount for a country that is the size of Maryland. There is over 5,000 children in care within these homes, and still the need is vast. I commend the government for taking time to focus on good solutions in caring for their orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children that are many. This meeting was surely the beginning of something positive towards child care and standards for the nation.

Today is our children's last day of school, their teachers are praising them for improving so much in their studies; its really encouraging to see them doing great in school. They go to visit their villages on Monday and have the choice of how many days they want to stay up to 2 weeks visiting siblings, friends and neighbors. Some of our children want the whole 2 weeks, others 3 days or so... we encourage them to remain connected with their families, but do not force it. We are happy that all want to visit their families; and all their families are able to receive and feed them for a short time.

Besides all this good stuff written above. Life is normal as usual. Lately it's been an exciting time as the fire of God has been coming down and the Holy Spirit has been moving and transforming so many. What do I mean by this. It's like you go to visit someone and the Holy Spirit is pouring our words of wisdom, words of knowledge and prophetic words... as though God is speaking to His people. Reminding them, hold on to that hope, seek me and your joy will be restored. God is speaking, and if we are willing to listen, if we are willing to yield ourselves, we are but an instrument in the hands of God for Him to speak to His people. It's but a reminder in our hearts of the urgency of the times we are living in. Jesus is returning... this is a reality near to our hearts.

Hanging on.

Literally, it's one of Malaki's favorite things to do with Isai. Hang from the ropes where we hang our clothes to dry. Believe it or not, Mal is strong enough to hang on all by himself! Also, I threw in there a pic of Mal loving on David... it's nice to see how they grow on each other. Malaki has been very sensitive and affectionate lately approaching the kids with his arms open to then rest his head on their shoulders. It's just precious. He tried it with Desire who is just 2 months older, and they both toppled down on top of one another.

It's a good time in life right now... we are healthy and together doing what we were created to do in life. Many seasons of hardship, as for this season, well... I'll enjoy the rest, stillness and contentment that my soul often finds these days. Sometimes in life, we need to just hang on. All our love...

"Makito"

Makito, as Abuela would often say... is growing and turning into a smart "just like Papa" young boy. He enjoyed some chocolate spread imported from somewhere in Europe, really nice stuff. Malaki is just over 13 months, walking and talking up a storm; as we often express it in the states! In this time I have had many things on my mind and was reminded of something beautiful today.

We don't live for ourselves. We weren't created for ourselves. And our purpose in life... is absolutely beyond ourselves. Humbling... just a bit!

My wonderful brother Jay is getting married in a few days and I have been really sad that we weren't able to make it to the wedding and also to be with the family. It's one of those things that you are confident will never happen, and somehow... it ends of happening (type of thing). In the midst of my self - pity I was gently reminded by our loving God... we have a purpose in Burundi and sometimes, we have to make sacrifices; and that's O.K. It may not be enjoyable, and it may be really, really hard. But that's, in fact also O.K. I hope my brother can know how much we wanted to be there, and would of done anything to be there, but just weren't able to make it happen. I am confident it will be a memorable time, my whole family in Alaska... there's no question! To our parent's, sister's, brother's, neice's & nephews, well, the whole family... we miss you all so much in this time and have been on our hearts continually.

Besides all this "what's in the heart" stuff, life is good, our children are great, the staff are awesome and God is moving in a special way. Isai is almost done with building a worker's hut for Zefirino to watch all building materials on our land day and night and also beginning the building of the latrine; the fence is nearing completion and the road is beautiful! Audrey and I are going crazy (in a good way) of what flowers we are going to put where to make it a beautiful to the eye mountain top. A friend recently gave LOAD's of flower seeds and we will make good use of it on our land. All our love...!

Medical training time...

Vered, who is a retired Pediatric nurse back home in Israel came to us and did a 2 day training for our staff, and also a session with our children. From first aid, to preventing dieseses and sicknesses, to adolescence and also giving advice on what to have in our medicine box for the children's homes and much more; it was a learning time for both us and our staff... well, and our children too! We had all our staff attend as they function as a family and although one's position can be getting water or security we believe it is vital to give them the opportunity to grow not only for their work with us, but also for their families and in life. We are grateful for the opportunity to have had Vered, as she gave us alot of advice on how to care for our children's health in a good way.

Additionally, we made a good friend that we will never forget. A great heart, good sense of humor, and she likes our cooking...! Trainings are key to helping our staff work in excellence, and their fun too! It was a time for our staff to get away from work, laugh together, be challenged together, and grow together. It is our goal in the future to also hold trainings focused on mental wellness, education and again, health care. All things proceeding to the love and mercy of God and His plan to give them a hope for the future. Jeremiah 29:11, what a beautiful declaration from God. "For I know the thoughts I think towards you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a hope for the future." Thank you to all who are supporting our work here in Burundi; together, we can make a difference. Until next time...