3.06.2012

We look to Yahweh.

Today, yesterday and all the days that are before us we look to Yahweh - our God, to see us through. Life as we could of never imagined is on a continual roll forward, without a pause in view. So we confidently look to Yahweh, and know that He will make a way, and His glory will come down and transform the hearts of His people.
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These next four months, that is, until sweet little Isabella joins us (baby bump pictured above) we are giving it all we have to give through the grace of God. I recently started teaching our staff english, after months of requesting, we have made a firm tight schedule that I am willing to commit to - with the purpose to believe and pour into them that they in return can give all they have to give to our children. Some can't write, stopping to study during elementary school... but they love to be in a school setting, and more so to be challenged. Who is to tell them, they can't better themselves... just because they were overtaken by poverty at such a young age? With the staff, there has been an unbelievable transformation of transparency, humility and unity... openess and expressions of the heart - culturally, not normal and most times not accepted. I can only beleive it's the love of Christ working in their hearts, and as they are shown more and more love... they love more, they love deeper.
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On to the interestingly funny pictures of Kai naked on our blog...! Yesterday, I was in a meeting with the staff and one of our girls was watching Kai. In the mountains, many times the babies go without diapers - so I can only imagine that when his diaper was full, she took it off and put his clothes back on without one. :o) When Isai came after work, we headed home and he put Kai on his shoulders as a proud Papa would... until he realized a stench, secondly pee and poop all over his neck! We then stripped Kai and they both showered, but it gave us one good laugh! Malaki loved it and found humor in it all, more so than his Papa I can imagine! All our love, from Burundi!

2.13.2012

I am not an orphan, I am a child.

Please visit our TCOAC Blog to read our latest heart's thoughts under:
I am not an orphan, I am a child.
Kai', growing older - approaching 21 months, wow! Eating Burundi's version of a fig newton, most likely imported from Uganda. We hope to find out if we are having a little girl or boy next week or so when we head down to the city! The girls home (2nd house) is underway and the walls are already 4-5 feet tall; Isai has been hard at work!
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Went with the kids to the soccer stadium on Saturday and my feet were so swollen by the time we got there, I had to be barefoot. Alice, however couldn't handle that fact so persistantly hinted that I should wear her bright green plasitic sandals in which my heels don't even make it on board... I did it to humor her. Cleria and Vane stayed close by as always playing rocks (somthing like Jacks, except the rules change - too many times).
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We are preparing for a busy year ahead of us with visits in March, April, June, July and August! Hopefully we can take a nice break around June / July when our little one comes... It's amazing to see God move upon the hearts of so many people to want to take part in what He is doing here in Burundi with TCOAC and many other ministries and organizations. It's beautiful to see the willing and humble hearts of so many lay down their lives in hopes that others may find theirs.
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Today, I woke up ready to work get alot done and then... imagine, the power goes out all day. :o) Just had to laugh that one off. Usually we have power all the time, unlike many places in the capital (perks of living upcountry!) But today... today was a different story! So there you have it, I got a blog post up and running... enjoy! All our love...

1.27.2012

Just keep on...

Morning turns to night, night to day and somehow we find ourselves at yet the end of another month, having worked and labored and given all that we have to give. Are we really at the end of January?!
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Isai is hard at work this week putting on the roof for the boys home, and building the foundation for the girls home... they are on a roll. Pray for grace - as he is currently establishing his team to build and going through many guys who say they know how to build - and simply don't and haven't any experience or skills to build on... he enjoys leading building teams but surely has entered a time of testing! In the next weeks, they are continuing to build the storage, building a police hut. We are earnestly shooting for our goal to move the kids, staff and our family to the children's village upon the completion 2 children's homes and a kitchen. If anyone has any information on Solar power / panels and or knows people interested in helping us with this type of work - shoot us an email at thecriesofachild@yahoo.com!
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With the kids, we have been fighting this horrible infestation that has come to Burundi within the last month or so of "acid bugs". They are red and black, having toxins that make your skin swollen and blistered upon touching them... At night, when you sleep they come and eat at your face as we have seen with Alice, Mari and Cleria near their eyes, nose and mouth. We sprayed the rooms and prayed, beleiving for them to leave the premisis - immediatley.
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Malaki is getting past a cold that kept him tossing and turning for nights; and might I mention he has offically stolen my pillow (I was using to elevate him) - however he seems to love it now! Official nickname of "Kai" or "Kai Kai" depending on the age group has stuck like a strong elmers glue. He has been practicing saying "baby" lately for the little one in my belly, in whom we will meet in roughly 21 weeks! However, he might be thinking he is still the "baby" and he's saying it in reference to himself: Undetermined.
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It's been an exhausting time with a continual work and ministry flow from every side. Seeing the fruit of God and His glory come down, we give all we have to give - yet still human and exhausted many of the most times... Sometimes we can get tired, bitter, frusterated and just wanting a break. It's a beautiful truth. I recently read a poem from Kieth Kent, often also attributed to Mother Teresa and it just hits the heart and reminds me to keep on. Just keep on.
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Anyway.
People are unreasonable, illogical, and self centered.
Love them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends & true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.
Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People need help but will attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.