Prayers for Richard

This blog post is far more important than all the rest. I am asking for prayers for our boy Richard. He is an 8 year old boy who has been with us here at JCC for many years- since the before I moved here. He lives in house 4 with Mommy Erica. His brothers and sisters there are Stevie, Senesie, Patrick, Mabel, Nancy, Janet, Sudie, Gifty, and Mbalama.

While I was home this past Nov/Dec. I got a call that Richard was sick and had been for a few weeks. They took him to three different doctors here in Bo. When I got back he was still sick and his body was swollen. Again we took him to the doctor a few times. Finally on Christmas Day at the MSF (Doctors Without Borders) hospital we got a diagnosis of Nephrotic syndrome. He was put on meds and we took him home. By the following week his body had continued to swell to the point he really struggled to walk. We took him back and he was admitted for a time. Since then he has gottten better and worse again and better and worse- after taking him back a few times we were told the doctors were discouraged with his progress and were not sure what to do.

At this point we decided to move on to Freetown. Mommy Erica, Harry and I took Richard to Freetown to Dr. Marke- he is a doctor who trained in the United States and has worked here for many years. He is also a Christian. He ran extensive tests on Richard- including ultrasound, x-ray, blood and urine tests- He confirmed for sure it is nephrotic syndrome but that he needed to be on some other meds as well. We upped his dose and added the other meds and headed back to Bo. For a week or so it seemed to be helping and then again he started to go down hill.

Dr. Marke even made a special trip to JCC to see him and we got more labs and added some different meds for other infections. After just a couple days Richard was at his worst. He stopped eating and couldn't keep down his meds- this has been three days now.

Tomorrow morning we are going to Freetown to be admitted. Dr. Marke will be able to watch him closely and see if there is something we can do to see progress in his treatment. Honestly we know that the treatment for this illness is 6 months- but it should have started making a difference long ago. Richard's body and spirit are tired. Mommy Erica and I are discouraged and have tried so many things. Even the simple things are tough. Richard cannot eat salt- that means we not only cook him seperate food but he is really starting to miss eating what he likes.

This boy is one that hardly EVER complains- I don't want to share too much- but his privates were swollen larger than an large orange- almost a grapefruit and though you could tell he was in pain he STILL did not complain. He is not letting us know more often that he is hurting- so I know that means he is hurting. He is also close to me when ever I am home or near the hut- so is he. Before this time you would always find Richard on the football field or running with the big boys- he hardly ever spent much time around me. Now to have him right next to me whenever possible I also know he is NOT feeling well.

We are trusting God and know that Richard is in his hands. Please pray with us- lift Richard and his health and spirit to God. Also pray for all his brothers and sisters I mentioned- they love him and care for him dearly. And please pray for Mommy Erica- she has a 1 year old and 8 other children she takes care of and she too loves Richard and has tried her very best to help him and it is so hard when you do not see him getting better and spend your nights up with him having to watch him in pain.

I know those of you who have met him care deeply for him and those of you who haven't I know i can still count on your prayers for this young guy and all who do love him and just want to see him back on the football field with his big brothers.

Unexpected Gifts in the Container

It was afternoon number who knows how many and I was yet again in the hut where we had quickly unloaded a bunch of the stuff and really just threw it all inside. Some boxes and bags, Random piles of clothes and other items, the lone flip-flop or shoe that would later have to be matched... I was over knee deep and completely surrounded and this was even after many other items had been removed. I look over to one side and see this red infant swing with two metal hooks on top. I just think to myself- HMMMM. Not really a good hmmm or a bad hmmm but just looking at something I did not really expect to see while trying to decide if I can even figure out where to start in this hut just made me think hmmmm. I held it hanging from my arm and continued to look around- I looked at Barjon and Saidu who were in that hut with me (this is NOT my hut by the way but a one room open hut on the lower side of the compound) and then just walked out of the hut and headed to the kitchens of the upper three houses as the twins are both up there. I may have no clue how to begin in the hut but I can figure out a way to hang this swing.

We have a metal clothes line that runs behing the kitchens and ties to a tree beside it. We threw the hooks over the line and it was actually Mbatilo who was there with us. We put him in the swing and he almost immediately had a huge smile on his face. He didn't want to be taken out. The next morning we brought Mbalama out for her to see what it was all about. As you can see from the photo above she was also in love.

The twins now fight over this swing. When ever you try to remove them they squirm and fight to stay inside. If they are far away from the swing but see it they will try by all means to get over to it. We have had to start taking it down when we really don't want them to be in it. But most of the time it is fun for everyone involved- even those who are too big to sit inside. It is so helpful for the moms as well as the kids are kept happy, occupied, and honestly tied in if they really need to get something done. Now we just need to put two of them side by side.

Thanks to whoever thought to put this into that jam packed container.

Black Shoes

Schools here in Sierra Leone all require the kids to wear a uniform and black shoes with most also requiring white socks. As you can imagine with all the kids in the home, our big kids and the ministry houses, our reunified kids and foster kids.... we go through a LOT of black shoes. The cost of these shoes is any where from $8 for the little ones to $10-$15 or more for the big ones. Each September a large portion of our school budget goes towards buying these black shoes.

After we purchase them the kids who are in junior and senior secondary school walk everyday to and from school in these shoes- five days a week. With the quality of these shoes and many of them being used they often are visiting a shoe cobbler (yes we still call him that) or just plain in need of a new pair.

On the container we just received there were boxes and boxes of black shoes. We couldn't be more thrilled. We did not just turn around and hand out new shoes to all the kids as we will wait for September for that but there were a few kids in desperate need of a new pair of black shoes. Sweet Sata was one of them. I was not in charge of this area- Pastor Kandeh was and he did a great job. The next morning I hear this click clacking outside my hut. Later in the day I hear it again over in the dining hall. Finally one more time as school has ended and Sata and some of the other kids have come to the veranda to hang out before changing out of their uniforms. It is then I see that Sata's wonderful new black shoes are in fact TAP SHOES complete with the metal taps. How wonderful for her. She loves them. I am sure Mrs. Popelka (my tap instructor) would not be pleased with having the taps scuffed on the concrete, however Sata will wear these tap shoes anywhere and everywhere.

Now only if she had a big poofy tap costume to wear with these fine Tap Shoes. Thanks to all of you who donated black shoes for our kids to wear to school. They are all great- each unique pair of them. 

The Story of My Bed- and Saidu

On the container that just came I was blessed to receive a new mattress. It is beautiful and soft and even and wonderful. However at this point it was still just a mattress. I had not had the bed frame made before it came as we do not have mattresses here in Sierra Leone that size and we needed to be able to measure it and make a bed specially for this great mattress.

On of our "big boys" (really he is a man now) is Saidu. He first came to JCC not having attended school but with his age it was decided to put him into carpentry training. He completed his training and had his certificate to prove it, however this was still not what he wanted. After talking with some of the staff and team members who were visiting Saidu explained how much he wanted to go to school. Now remember he is a big boy already at this time and would have to start in primary school. He didn't mind and he did it. He sat in class with kids half his size and worked his way through class six. He sat the external exam and passed.He then entered Junior Secondary School and made his way through to sit the B.E.C.E- the external exam needed to enter into Senior Secondary School. This happened last school year. Although he did pass at this point we have decided to not continue with academic schooling for now. At this point Saidu is 24 years old. He now knows enough English and math skills to help him do small business and more. If he were to continue on he would be 29 years when he graduates high school and we are truly not able to support him through that age and more as college would be another 4 years.

Saidu and I sat together to come up with a plan that would work for him and JCCM. He would come work at JCC as one of our carpenters (one of our carpenters took a schooling leave and we needed a new one anyway). This would allow him to improve his skills as well as be able to start supporting himself. During these years I would help him to get some tutoring and extra classes on the side and he can work towards taking his private WASCE- this would be similar to a GED. At this point depending on his results he could go on to university and he would still have the benefit of being able to make items and sell them to continue to support himself- whether it be shelving or tables or desks or EVEN BEDS.

So fast forward a few months and Saidu has been working along side our head carpenter Emmanuel for some time. I approach them both about the bed I am looking for as it is similar but yet different from other beds here. Now Emmanuel and I have been friends and coworkers for years but we still at times have trouble understanding the more detailed things from each other- having Saidu made a world of difference. With his English and other skills he was able to take what I had drawn and explain it to Emmanuel and together they made it come to life (yes a little different from my drawing but most of it was there- and some even better). They worked well together and even on Saturday I found Saidu in the shop working on the bed alone. Within just over a week my bed was finished. Now started another difficult area of making things for Mommy Christie. I like what I like. Here we only have clear and red farnish and I really wanted a brown. Not having things available does't always stop me. Saidu knows this so he was willing to talk with Emmanuel with me. We took the clear farnish and then some powdered brown hair dye I had found in town. Yes Hair Dye. We mixed them together- and added more and more hair dye and came up with a very nice color. It might not be as dark as I originally thought I wanted but it is very nice. All the staff have come by to compliment both Saidu and Emmanuel on the fine bed they have made.

For the first time Saturday night I slept on my new bed and mattress. At first when I layed on the bed during the day and first thing at night I had a glimpse of what it might have been like for someone who spent years sleeping on the floor and when they were given a bed still chose to sleep on the floor. It was almost too soft and comfortable. I mean I had slept on a thin sheet on foam on top of some boards for almost 5 years- this was now a real pillow top mattress. yeah that lasted for one night. Sunday night I slept so hard and have continued to. I love it and I LOVE the bed. It is so special to me. Yesterday Saidu and Emmanuel put the frame for my mosquito net up. I explained to Saidu how I wanted it and he made it happen. It is perfect now.

Saidu's dream is to be a contractor. He wants to be able to do all areas of construction. This is a great place for him to be as we also have masons and electrictions and he lives with our Construction Supervisor. You will often find him sitting near Barjon as he is making his plans and estimates. Saidu is truly becoming his right hand man. Barjon trusts him with everything and knows that Saidu not only understands it but will handle it well.

This bed will be with me for many years to come and I love knowing that he had a large hand in making it and that he cares so much for me and wanted so much to please me.

A Day At The Beach- With 20 Kids

The first weekend in February Pastor Ibrahim and Auntie Patience got married. Pastor Ibrahim worked for JCCM for MANY years and Auntie Patience came to intern at JCCM a few years ago. Their relationship began during this internship and continued over the last few years and finally we were able to celebrate it together at their wedding in Freetown. (Pastor Ibrahim had a small motorcycle while he worked as home father at JCCM- it was often low on fuel and in need of little minor repairs- or so he would often tell EVERYONE who asked him for a ride or to go quickly pick up this or that- but everyday that Patience interned with us- rain or shine he would have the fuel or would be able to make the bike work without the needed repairs just enough to bring her home- we all knew a little something was starting when we saw this- and we loved it- and of course gave him trouble about it as well)

As I said the wedding was in Freetown- if it was in Bo you would have seen all of the kids in attendance but unfortunately we could only take some. Four of our big kids were asked to be in the wedding and another 16 kids came with me to be guests. We were so thankful for our new ashabee as we were able to wear them together and all knew we were from JCCM (and it was very easy for me to quickly spot my children). We left Bo the day of the wedding around 5am. We had packed our breakfast and lunches and ended up stopping just after the sun came up around 7 to eat on the side of the road. It was nice to stretch a bit and it was also nice to not have 16 kids spilling crumbs and juice in the vehicle. I had talked to my friends at River No. 2 to allow us to get three rooms and just pack us all into them (Kayla and Jenna were also meeting us in Freetown and staying at the beach with us- so that makes 23 of us). They were kind enough to do this for me. I felt that as long as we were making this trip to Freetown- let the kids see something many had not and let us really enjoy our time together. 

We arrived at the beach just before 9am and had 2 hours to play around before washing and dressing for the wedding. Many of the kids had never even seen the ocean let alone been in it. It was GREAT. At first they were all hanging onto me and asking me to come back away from the water. Patrick looked at me with panic in his face and said. "Mommy- wata de shout pa we"- the water is shouting at us. You forget just how loud the sound of the crashing waves are and when you've not heard it before it can be a little frightening. I
convinced the kids to just put their toes in as the waves were going back out- (all still hanging on me) and then to stand as the waves came in and back out. It was amazing to see their smiles and hear their giggles and screams. They started chasing the waves and then be chased by the waves. Before too long they were stripped down and laying on the sand letting the waves wash over them. It was hard to get them out of the water to wash and dress- but knowing we were coming back helped.

We also brought the bean bag game my family sent on the container. This has been a huge hit. It is hilarious when we play at the compound as everyone shouts and dances as the bag goes through the hole- the moms more than anyone. The big kids played this the first day instead of going in the water as it would ruin their hair and who knows what else- this was also fun and we had many spectators.

The wedding was beautiful and like many other African things the reception did NOT start on time AT ALL. This did give us the chance to go out to a good restaurant for dinner at 7 with all the kids (now think of the bill for that one- 23 people, meals and drinks) But it was great. It was an upstairs restaurant with a balcony to look at all the tall buildings in town. Another new experience for many. The reception did not end up starting until almost 10pm. ( the wedding was at 1pm) We stayed for the ceremony parts and as the dancing started unfortunately we had to head back to the beach- it was over an hour drive still and we had some little ones with us that were already sleeping. All were fine though because of where we were going.

We split into our different rooms and I told the kids to not get up until the sun was up- I was not asking them to sleep in but just wait until at least just before 7am as it was already 1:30am. The little kids in my room were up looking out the window well before 5am- I kept telling them to lay down and they would but by 6:30 I took them out of the room. We walked the beach collecting many sea shells and climbing the rocks and playing in the waves.

The big ones were up between 8-9 and we made and ate our breakfast and then all got into the water. The thing I love about No 2 is that there is a river coming into the ocean- this means that on the river side the water is a whole lot calmer. After a little time in the ocean we headed over there. You still have to be very careful because certain areas have a VERY strong current. Jenna, Kayla, the middle and younger kids and I found a great place and stayed there until it we just barely had time to get back and wash and pack up our room for check out. Some of the big kids were rolling and playing in the ocean waves as we walked back. To see these big boys just being thrown around and laughing like little kids- it was wonderful.

 

We had to check out since others were coming in- so once we were all dressed I told the kids to not go back into the water- 3-4 hours is a long drive wet, sandy and salty (and smelly)- especially since we were all sitting two deep in each car. Even with this- NO ONE wanted to leave. Again I had brought packed lunches for everyone- so we stayed and ate them on the beach and then stayed and just watched the water and others in it and then stayed..... finally I just had to say it was time to go. We had school the next day and needed to get back before too late in the evening.

 

What a WONDERFUL weekend. It was a lot of money and effort to get together but more than worth it. Now I can't help but aim towards bringing the other kids who didn't get to come. I thought we would plan a different trip for them and eventually all would go somewhere in the country- but after all these kids experienced and talk about- we have to get the rest of the kids the chance to come here too. I am so proud of them. Those who went on the trip came home talking a million miles a minute and the others listen and laughed and asked questions and enjoyed it with them. They could have been jealous and upset or just not want to hear about it- but they were such good sports about it. It was a nice way to end the weekend.

 

We went for a wedding- and enjoyed it- but came home talking all about this 

HUGE SHOUTING ocean.

Recently I was given this sweet little puppy. Her name is Sara- this will be explained later- did I ever think I would have a dog named Sara- NO. But it now fits her. She is unlike many other dogs here in Sierra Leone. Those of you who have visited know that most of our dogs all look alike with some little variations in color, but mostly the same size, hair length, and general make-up.

She really is one of the sweetest mellowest puppies I have met. The kids are in love with her and carry her all over- and she lets them. As you can see with Nancy below. They treat her just like their baby. Sara is adjusting well and I am in love with her. She sleeps in my room at night and after only 1 accident she is now completely trained. She has taken a trip to Kenema with me and is learning to use the leash well. She loves to be with the other dogs and has worn many dress-up clothes put on by all those children who love her so much.

 Her buddy Chuck (below) sleeps in the parlor and is my first dog. He was given to me as a gift 1yr ago this past November. He was also a puppy at the time. He came to me from Sulima where we have a church plant. It is on the Ocean near the Liberian border. Just like Sara he is a dog that is not very common here so as I walked him up and down the road everyone would comment that I brought him from America.

He to is loved by all the kids- but Mabel is especially close to him. He is in love with her as well as she is one that he listens to and lets do just about anything with him. JK thinks Chuck is pretty great as well. Chuck knows me and loves me and comes to me whenever I come home and likes to be near me but gets actually excited when JK comes. This will work well for us as he can be closest to Chuck and I will have Sara. (Below is a picture of Chuck as a puppy- along with JK and I and Mabel and Patrick.)

I do realize this is a strange post but at the same time they are also a part of my life and a part that be somewhat American. Most dogs here are not really trained and not too much loved on. These two are (though not quite as much as my dear friends Kayla and Jenna's dog Jayla- now she is truly a member of their family :)) At times when the language fatigue becomes to much, or I am missing just having family around, or friends from home- it is hard to be able to communicate those things to people here and have them really understand- I mean I have been here long enough and have family and friends here right? True but it will never replace mine from home. These two dogs will just walk with me or sit on the veranda and someone is there when I am feeling that feeling. They also are around for all the good times- and it is so much fun to watch the kids with them.

 

This past weekend I took them both to Kenema with me. JK and I would put them on their leashes and go for walks around town in the mornings and evenings and some afternoons. It was a great excuse to get out and around. It did feel like a day close to home as NO ONE else walks their dogs like this. We did enjoy it though.

 

As for their names... My great friend LB introduced me to a TV show a few years ago and gave me the first 2 seasons on DVD- I LOVE TV ON DVD- especially while here. The show was called Chuck and not only JK and I but ALL our close friends fell in love with this show and the characters- whenever a new season came out we had to figure who was coming over or if I was going home to get it. It made us laugh, gave us a mystery to solve, characters to fall in love with and watch fall in love, family relationships, shopping and SUBWAY SANDWICHES and so much more. So when this fun mellow white and brown little puppy was given to me we decided to name him Chuck and it stuck- we have even met a few more dogs named Chuck around- and some Morgan's from those who have borrowed the show from us.

 

If you have ever watched this show you know that Chuck's love is Sara- well this Chuck is a little old for our Sara right now but in the future she will no longer be and we do plan to have some puppies. It will be a long time yet but I think it will be fun- we already have people claiming her first little ones.

 

It's so hard to know where to start with the kids and my life here after being away from the blog for so long- so I guess I have just gone to the dogs.