Impact

Recently, as I getting ready to leave for work, Owen was sitting on the floor in our room looking at some of his baby pictures. Holding up one of himself as a newborn, he said, "Dad, I just love babies. I want to always be a baby." I scooped him up and told him that he would always be our baby. I then told him that we all grow up, though, and that someday he would become a kind, gentle, caring man. "And then I'll change my last name to 'Alex' because I'm going to take care of babies," he replied. He was of course referring to our friend Alex in Malawi who is helping us with the adoption. I was struck by how one man's acts of benevolence on the other side of the world have made an impact on my four-year-old's heart. It was a good reminder to never underestimate the impact we can have when we selflessly serve others.

A Great Day!

Today was a fabulous day in so many ways!  To begin with, Owen had his routine semi-annual check up with his cardiologist. During these visits, he has a series of tests done and an echocardiogram to see how his heart is functioning. Even though we try to be easygoing and upbeat about these appointments, there's always the lingering fear that his condition has worsened and that he'll need additional medications or surgery. Fortunately, that was not the case today! Owen's heart function is great and as long as he continues to grow like he has been for the next couple of years, we may be able to avoid the need for future surgery. We're so thankful for this answer to prayer and for God's continued protection of Owen. Owen was excited, too! He kept exclaiming, "I have a healthy heart!" We celebrated by having a heart-healthy carrot cake after dinner.

The second reason that today was such a great day is that we received an update from Malawi! After several weeks without any updates, we were so excited to receive some news. As we mentioned in an earlier post, a team with African Steps arrived on Likoma Island on March 13th to work at St. Peter's Hospital.  Our friend, Kathryn, graciously offered to visit the baby and give her a general examination while they were there. Today, we received the e-mail and pictures below from Kathryn.  (You'll notice that the baby has been named Mary by her grandmother.) 

Wes,

We arrived home this morning after an amazing time in Malawi. As you probably have heard, things are very difficult for the people there at the moment and particularly for the people of Likoma. There was no power on the Island due to the shortage of diesel and when we arrived, the clinical officer was using the light of his mobile phone to operate - we carried some solar lamps with us and managed to get those installed in the operating theatre - just one example to give you an idea of how hard it is for the hospital to operate at present.

I saw Alexander on our first day as he was taking his child to the nursery school which was next door to where we were staying. I explained that the clinical officer was on the Island during our first week, but not the second and so asked him to come back to see us during our second week. 

We sat for some time with Mary and her grandparents. What a lovely little girl she is - she looks well and healthy and it seems that she is being looked after very well. I did some very basic tests and it seemed to me that she is a healthy baby with good sight and hearing. we were going to weigh her and took some scales with us, but it was obvious that she within the normal range for weight for a baby of her age, so didn't upset her by putting her on the scales.

Mary was a little unsure of what to make of us white people, but she soon settled and got used to us.

I asked the clinical officer about further tests and he said that he felt Mary had had everything which was necessary at this stage.

I'm attaching some photos of Mary and her grandmother. I also took some video, but it will take me a few days to edit that - need to unpack first!!

Please do email if you would like anymore information or if you have any questions.

When are you planning to travel to Likoma to take Mary back to the US?

Wishing you all the best.

Kathryn


It's so encouraging to hear and see (below) that the baby is healthy and well cared for.  At the same time, we were really struck by how sick her grandmother appears to be. The pictures really illustrate the pain, sacrifice, and hope of this situation. As a friend brought up, hopefully someone has shared the love and hope of Jesus with her. If not, perhaps there is still an opportunity to do that.  We're so thankful and humbled to be a part of what God is doing in this situation.

Thank you for walking with us.

Anticipation

Owen was just sitting at the table telling me about the story he is writing about how much he and Emerson love our baby.  "I can't resist our baby, Mom. I just can't resist her." Then he proceeded to sing, "I wish I had a million dollars..." (a tune from his violin lessons), "...to bring our baby home right now." He perfectly summed up how we are feeling right now. There are days when my heart aches to move this process along, to have her here.  Being patient in this process is SO challenging.

Today we learned that the social worker in charge of our case in Malawi has yet to deliver documentation of the meeting with the family in December to Hyacinth (the director of social welfare) who will give us the big "O.K." to adopt the baby. Knowing our frustration, our friend in Malawi, Alex, encouraged us not to panic and to trust God with the timing.  Wisdom spoken. Lesson learned. Lord we are trusting you...we will wait.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philipians 4:6

Please join us this week in not worrying, but instead, praying that the social worker will act swiftly to get our papers to Hyacinth.

Just a little update:

A team of doctors from London with the ministry "African Steps" arrived on Likoma Island today.  They have agreed to visit the baby and give her a full developmental examination, similar to what she would receive in the UK or US.  We are eager for their report and will be sure to share the details with you all! If you'd like to know more about their awesome ministry to the people of Likoma Island, you can find a link to their website under the "Our Team" tab.

Hope you're all having a blessed day!

Thank you...

...to everyone who has responded so positively and with so much encouragement!  It feels so good to finally be able to share this news, this joy, with you all and to also know that we are not alone in this process.  Our prayer is that this journey will not only give a beautiful little girl a home, but that it will  testify to the amazing work that God is doing in our world.

With that said, we wanted to give you a basic idea of what has happened since October when we first found out about her situation. Below is a "bare bones" timeline of what has taken place. 

October 10th - learned about the baby girl orphaned at birth on Likoma Island from our friend Nancy.

October 11th - inquired if the baby was going to be put up for adoption.

October 19th - we learned that baby's family was interested in a possible adoption.
                      - first phone call with Alex (our contact and her care coordinator). He arranged for a wet
                        mother to care for the child because of the grandmother's failing health.

November 1st - connected with Derek Macpherson and given Alan Chinula's contact info (lawyer).

December 10th - after several attempts, finally spoke with Alan Chinula.
                         - given Hyacinth's contact info (Director of Social Welfare in Malawi).

December 15th - pictures of baby's home and health report sent to us from Alex.

December 28th - Meeting on Likoma with all extended family members (including father) and social
                           worker to discuss adoption. Family agrees "wholeheartedly" to adoption, 2pm Malawian
                           time!! Pictures sent.

February 1st - First conversation with Perry Jansen.

February 3rd - blood taken for test. Pictures sent to confirm.

February 12th - Negative HIV test!

February 16th - Wet nurse left the island, need a new care giver.

February 21st - Doctors from London confirm that they'll be on Likoma Island March 13th to examine the
                         baby. Will send more pics and maybe a video!

We are so thankful and amazed by the progress that has been made. God alone deserves all of the credit!  Presently, we are waiting for Hyacinth to approve the adoption so that we can do our home study and complete immigration paper work here, all of which could take several months to process. We appreciate your continued prayer for wisdom (and patience) and for the health and safety of the baby.

Love to you all...

W & B