Sandrine update

Sandrine is doing so well and fitting right in at the Children's Home. She went to the hospital for a check-up this week. The doctor reexamined her feet  (this time she wasn't screaming her head off). The doctor said that there is no reason why she shouldn't walk, we just need to keep stretching out those muscles. Tim managed to find her a small walker in town, such an answer to prayer! Sandrine has been using it and really getting around fast. As you can see from her knees in the photos she still likes to crawl but we are being pretty strict with Sandrine to use her walker when she is outside. It is wonderful to see her so happy and full of life. We have noticed that she likes to whack the other kids if they do something to upset her, or touch her when she doesn't want them too. I'm guessing she had to be pretty tough to look after herself in the village! So we are working with her to stop that. She is already picking up a lot of English and when I gave her a book from the library today she said thank you with no one prompting her. She's a quick learner!

 Using the walker

Standing by herself

 Taking a couple of steps by herself

 Big smiles

Laughing at the dog that was running around :D

I have been spending Thursday afternoons up at HHCH to help any of the children with their homework. I have really been enjoying the time I spend with them, where we can just sit, chat, and laugh. I'm there on Monday's and Wednesday's afternoons too but I'm teaching Bible class, running the library, checking on the kitchen, etc. so I don't have a lot of time to just sit and chat with the kids (especially since Jordan was born). 

Some things I saw at HHCH this week that made my heart happy. Ma returning from the market and Tahirih running up to meet her and giving her the biggest hug. Cidoni telling me that Helping Hand's is the best orphanage. All the kid's clapping and cheering as Sandrine walked around the table by herself.

Good News for Micah

I don't know if you remember but back in May I posted about when we went and visited our missionary friends who live out in the village of Bafangi. They are bible translators there. I mentioned a little boy from that village, Micah, who had a cleft palette and could not talk. Well, our friends told us that he had his operation a couple of weeks ago and is doing really well. The hardest part was that he wasn't able to eat for about three days after the surgery, poor little thing! There is still a slight gap in his palette as there wasn't enough skin to close the hole completely but the doctors are hoping it will grow over by itself. So that is a big praise. Now Micah will have to learn to talk, please keep him in your prayers, thanks!

A morning at the dentist

I spent all Friday morning at the dentist's. We actually have a wonderful dentist here, Florence. She was trained in England and is married to a Canadian missionary so she knows how to be a little more gentler with us wimpy westerners :D. I had a filling fall out about two months ago but I just haven't had time to get it taken care of. So when Kingsly at the Children's Home started complaining of toothache I decided to finally make time. I also took along Seth and Josh as the needed some things done too. My friend Joy also came so she could hold the baby while I was being worked on. 

Florence found that I have three cavities besides the filling that fell out, yikes! She fixed two and will do the other two this week. For some reason she doesn't like the white filling and always goes on about how the metal ones are so much better and more durable. I literally had to argue with her to give me the white ones. She said, "Why does it matter, you already have a husband?" Too funny! Anyway I managed to convince her to give me the white fillings even though she was shaking her head at me (made me feel very vain). I did have to the nurse Jordan halfway through as she was screaming her head off. I felt wierd with cotton balls in my mouth and the little bib thing on :). Anyway Josh had to have a tooth removed as his permanent one was coming in on the side of it. Seth had two teeth removed as one was rotten and the other was in the way on his permanent tooth. And little Kingsly had two teeth removed too as they were in a bad state. Poor little Kingsly, it was his first time to visit a dentist but he was very brave and did great. And the damage for three hours of work of two fillings and a total of five teeth being removed; $100! Sometimes I love living in Africa (okay, all the time)!

Most of the kids at the children's home never brushed their teeth before coming to HHCH (but they also never had much sugar either). Their biggest problem is plaque. I talked with Florence and she is going to come out the orpahange next saturday to check all the kid's teeth and see who needs what done. Then we can work at getting them to the dentist in order of greatest need as funds come available.

A Good Week

It’s been busy week, especially for Jake. Besides all he’s normal daily work, he has been at the Bible school Monday through Thursday, teaching the last night. Friday he taught at a Bible study at our house and today he preached at church in the morning and the evening! He’s amazing! Next week shouldn’t be quite so packed.

We celebrated our 11^th wedding anniversary on Saturday. A good friend looked after all 3 boys for us. In the afternoon we went looking around second hand/import shops in town, I haven’t done that forever! It’s hard to do with all the kids as you really have to rummage and then barter for everything but you can usually find some good deals. I found hair conditioner, non-stick cooking spray, and even Martha Stewart measuring spoons!  We ate dinner at a new hotel in town that makes pizza! They were soooooo good, much better than my homemade ones that’s for sure! I had a curried chicken pizza with a fresh cream sauce (instead of tomato), sounds weird, I know, but amazing! Then we came home and watch Slumdog Millionaire, incrediable movie! So it was a great day. Hard to believe I have been married for 11 years already!

Sandrine, the little girl I mentioned a few weeks back is now at HHCH. She spent four days in the hospital where they removed 60 plus jiggers from her hands, feet, and knees. She is doing great. They first few days she was very weepy but she has really settled in now. Every time I go to HHCH she has the brightest smile on her face and gives me a great big hug, she is so precious. We are doing some stretches with her to help loosen up her legs. We are going to keep working on the muscles until she is walking, we’re believing it won’t be too long. Sandrine speaks no English but we do have four children who speak her language so that is a blessing. Before you know it she’ll be understanding and speaking English. Please keep her in your prayers!

Jake with Jordan before church this morning (awww!)

 Sandrine and Jake

Sandrine's much improved hands but they still have some swelling

Her feet are looking a lot better too